The Epistle - Spring Edition 2023

hISTORIC ST. PAUL AME ChURCh LEXINGTON

ThE EPISTLE (APRIL) EASTER/SPRING EDITION

Bishop Anne H. Byfield, Presiding Bishop, 13th Episcopal District

Rev. Kenneth J. Golphin, Presiding Elder, Lexington District

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Strode, Pastor MINISTERIAL STAFF

Rev. Barry Frazier, Retired Itinerant Elder

Rev. Kelly Roberts, Local Elder

Sister Shelby G. Strode, Exhorter

Sister Doris J. Coffey, Exhorter / Editor

Happy Spring! ����

Sis. Shelby and I pray that this Lenten and Resurrection Season will refresh and renew your spirits, especially as we walk where Jesus walked.

Our journey to the Cross invites us to set aside time from our busy lives to focus on the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus.

This season encourages us to take a self-inventory We must reflect on our commitment to God. We must assure that our calling and election is sure.

We must search our hearts. Are we about our Father’s business, or have we failed to acknowledge God in all our ways?

God’s love sacrificed His Son, Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins. Love is the cause of it all.

As the song goes… “Jesus went to Calvary to save a wretch, like you and me; that's love, that's love.

They hung Him high, they stretched Him wide. He hung His head, for me He died; that's love, that's love.

That's not how the story ends, three days later He rose again; that's love, that's love!”

If heaven is our goal, we must love our neighbors as ourselves. The scripture reminds us that, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)

God bless you and yours to grow closer to our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love to Editor Exhorter Doris Jean Coffey and Sister Bessie Jackson, Public Relations for this wonderful Epistle.

Yours, because of Calvary,

Pastor Robert A. Strode

Preserving our Past and Cherishing our Future Ephesians

5:15-20

Beginning Monday, April 10, 2023, Historic St. Paul AME Church (HSPAME) will embark upon preserving our church building. We will begin with painting the facade of the building.

Then, the work will move inside with updating the lightening fixtures to LED along with devices that save energy consumption. The other areas involved are the basement, which includes updating our kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures, and repairs to the annex section and educational building.

A Brief History Our Building

In 1820, what is now known as Historic St. Paul AME (HSPAME) Church was founded when several members of the Methodist Society Church rented a brick horse stable located at 251 North Upper Street from Charles Wilkins. The church operations were supported by free Blacks who were successful entrepreneurs in the community. A local Black preacher named William Smith served as the church's first pastor. Today, HSPAME remains active in the same location in which it was founded and is recognized as being the oldest continuously used existing house of worship in Lexington.

In 1826, the current church building was built.

May 1827 per the deed records, Charles Wilkins sold the property to HSPAME members for $280.00 and the lot size was 33 x 95 feet. The Trustees who signed the deed are

Daniel Francis (who later became one of our pastors), John Skinker, Benjamin Tibbs (Slave owner), William Dolan and Peter Lewis. (Slave ownermayhavemeantthepurchase ofaspouse,anindividual'schildren,orotherrelativeswhowerenotemancipated.Ownership wasalsoaninvestment:purchasedchildrenandadultsmayormaynothavebeengiventhe opportunitytoworkofftheirpurchasepriceinexchangefortheirfreedom).

The Daily Leader, January 18, 1898, Page 5. via Newspapers.com

(https://www.newspapers.co

m/article/lexington-heraldleader-benjamin-tibbsd/117572570/ : accessed

April 8, 2023), clip page for Benjamin Tibbs death notice

In 1830, the stable was removed. A portion of the original stable remains in the foundation of the present building.

On March 15, 1850, an additional lot was purchased, 7 feet front x 95 feet back, for one dollar ($1). Charles Buckner, James Turner (who entered the ministry and pastored the church twice), Robert Dolan, Liberty Ross, and Moses Spencer

Lexington African Cemetery No#2

http://www.africancem eteryno2.org/historical -

profiles?lightbox=dataI tem-jvmvjswe3

On July 8, 1862, the Church purchased an additional lot on North Upper Street, 125 x 100 feet, for $400, which was part of the city stray pen where stray dogs and cattle were placed until identified by their owners. The stray pen would hide the scent of runaway slaves that were hiding in the Underground Railroad (UGRR) installed in the church. The UGRR was operated by free Black church members and abolitionist, and other allies who were sympathetic to their cause. Trustees on the deed are Moses Spencer, Henry Britton, Andrew Bryant, Henry Bryce, and John Bell.

Source: “Window on the War: Frances Dallam Peter's Lexington Civil War Diary”, Frances Dallam Peter, (1976)

https://www.amazon.com/Window-war-Frances-Dallam-Lexington/dp/B0006D0U3I

ON February 28, 1863, the 80 feet of the additional lot was sold for $242, leaving a present frontage at 85 feet. The Trustees were James Turner, John W. Bell and Robert Robinson.

Preserving the HSPAME Legacy

In the late 1970, HSPAME Historian, Sis. Lillian (Ballew) Gentry began researching grants designed to preserve the historic value of the HSPAME church building. She initiated a campaign to educate the community about the “hidden areas of the church”. The fact that our church served as a station on the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe harbors used by slaves to escape to free states and Canada was not known at that time to most public, including some of our church members.

Sis. Gentry’s campaign was a success in educating the community about the church’s historical community leadership and the Underground Railroad, including the historical significance of the proximity of the Underground Railroad to Cheapside Park, about a seven- (7) minute walk, which was Kentucky's largest slave market, not only among Kentucky slave owners, but the deep South slave markets of New Orleans, Mississippi and more.

Through her efforts, on August 28, 1979, HSPAME was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Northside Historic Residential District, Landmark. Inventory #79000977.

https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail?assetID=fc60ecde-27b7-4d40-b07931504ca99b7f.

In 1991, HSPAME received Historic Places status on H-1 zoning and placed on the Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation. The H-1 zoning helps to protect and preserve areas of historic and architectural importance in Lexington.

Ironically Cheapside Park is now Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park, renamed July 2020 after emancipated slave and Black entrepreneur and HSPAME member and Trustee Henry A. Tandy.

Major repairs to the HSPAME church building, including tuck-pointing of the exterior masonry, replacing the slate roof of the bell tower, etc. are still pending. The church membership has been actively applying for grants and seeking outside financial assistance in hopes of securing the funding for these critical needs.

Online donations accepted at https://tinyurl.com/summer-restore or scan

A Snapshot In Time

The Underground Railroad

You may have heard “the way it used to be” a long, long time ago!

The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established in the United States during the late 1700s and early to mid-1800s and used by enslaved African Americans to escape into free states and Canada. One estimate suggests that by 1850, 100,000 slaves had escaped via the "Railroad".

Kentucky was the last state slaves needed to pass through on the Underground Railroad’s northern route to freedom. Its location on the border of slave and non-slave states and its unique geography as the only state surrounded on three sides by rivers created opportunities for people who were willing to risk their lives to live in freedom, and those willing to risk everything to help them

One of the h idden “stations” on the Underground Railroad was located at Lexington’s Historic St. Paul AME Church on North Upper Street. A hidden, narrow staircase behind the pulpit rises steeply and twists until it comes to t he door of a sma ll room above the sanctuary Aided by Free Black church members and a bol itionists, and allies w ho were sympathetic to their cause, the runaway slaves wou ld hide in the room for several days before a cart arrived to take them north.

Once the cart arrived, a bell was rung, and the runaways had only five minutes to get out. As for being tracked by slave catchers, the fugitives had a clever way of masking their scent. The city stray dog pound and cattle pen was right next to the church. The fugitive slaves walked through the dung, etc. at the pound. The stench hid their scent from the overseers seeking to find them. If someone couldn’t make it out, members of the church would take them in for about three weeks until the next group came.

The SPAME hidden "station" continued operations through the end of the Civil War, reaching its peak between 1850 and 1860 after passage of the Fugitive Slave Act. "Believe it or not" it remains in our church today. Not only did Historic St. Paul AME Church help slaves to find freedom beyond the Ohio River bu t a lso helped to undermine the institution of slavery. A courageous act!

Historic St. Paul AME Church

Providing over 203 Years (2023) of Spiritual Leadership and Community Service

Rev. Dr. Robert S. Strde, Pastor

Celebrating the Joy of Easter

by Lauren Abraham in [ Spiritual Life ]

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

(Romans 10:9-10)

For Christians, Easter represents Jesus Christ’s victory over death. His resurrection is proof He is the Son of God, and it is the reason we can find hope in an eternity spent with Him. During Easter, we celebrate what we believe to be the biggest moment in history.

Before celebrating Easter Sunday, however, many observe Good Friday. On this day, we remember how Jesus was persecuted and put to death. Jesus was crucified and took on the sins of the world, even though He was blameless. Because of this, many people wonder how this day could possibly be referred to as “good.”

In order to understand the good news of the gospel, we must first understand our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Without Jesus, we are hopeless. Our sinful nature causes us to fall short of His glory, and the punishment we deserve is death.

But there is good news! While Jesus suffered a terrible death, it was God’s plan to save us from our sins. Because Jesus conquered death, this made a way for all who believe in Him, and He reigns for eternity. If we believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus, we can receive forgiveness and salvation.

We are not meant to keep this good news to ourselves. Jesus died for the sins of the world, and the gift of salvation is available to all who believe. As Christians, we are called to tell others about God and His great love for us.

Mark 16:15 says, “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’ ” In this passage, Jesus is talking to His disciples after they had not believed Mary when she told them of His resurrection.

During this season, I encourage you to share the joy of Easter with others. Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and reflect on the sacrifice He made on the cross. In telling others of His goodness, we can bring Him glory.

The Meaning of Easter for Christians

The cross was only the beginning - After three days in the grave, Jesus rose from death and was alive again. He defeated sin and death. He completed the work of paying for my sin, your sin and all the sins past present and future for all who place their faith in Him. Amen!!!

New life is what we celebrate - Because of the first Easter miracle when Jesus rose from the dead, we too have new life when we believe. When we die, everyone goes to one of two places heaven or hell. If you trust Jesus and believe that He died for your sin and took your punishment, His blood atones for your sins and you are a new creation. One that is free from the stain of sin and death. You have assurance that when you leave this earth, you will immediately be in the presence of the Lord. What assurance we have because of what Jesus did for us! My heart is full. How about you?

How do I make Easter special? This time of year is a celebration, and a refocusing on Christ’s atoning sacrifice. You might think, “I already read my Bible and pray, should I do anything different during the season of Easter?”

There is great value in renewing and revisiting the last days of Jesus’ life on earth. Taking time each year to reread the Gospels and companion passages refreshes and deepens your faith. It helps you truly reflect on the meaning of the cross, what the Lord endured and how beautifully the resurrection impacts all people for all eternity.

Where do I begin? Spending time in scripture blesses you as the Lord speaks through it directly to you. Take some time beginning on Ash Wednesday to read through the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Try reading the same passage in other translations or versions of the Bible. Sometimes it’s also helpful to read it in a paraphrased translation such as “The Living Bible or The Message.”

As you read, pause and reflect and ask yourself questions about what’s going on, who’s speaking, what do you learn from it, how can you apply it to your own life?

Psalm 23 introduces us to the Lord as a faithful, loving, and compassionate Shepherd, an image that’s familiar throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In Psalm 23, God is using the analogy of sheep and their nature to describe us. Sheep have a natural tendency to wander off and get lost. As believers, we tend to do the same thing. As we get to know God as our Shepherd, we begin to see how He guides us, cares for us individually, and protects us. We realize that we lack nothing because our Shepherd is with us, directing our path and looking out for our every need. Even if He leads us into a dark valley we, like David, can say, “I will fear no evil.” For the soul in need of restoration, Psalm 23 is perhaps the most comforting place to turn in all the Bible.

Ask Yourself: What does the 23rd Psalm mean to me? It means I am never alone. Every moment of every day, I have Someone to turn to, Someone to talk to, Someone to trust in. It means I have a Provider and a Protector. It means I don’t have to worry or be afraid. It means I don’t have to have all of the answers or know which way to go next. It means I only have to follow God because He will take care of me. It means I will not be destroyed by the trials of life. It means God is taking me through the hills and valleys to be with Him in Heaven forever.

There is nothing this world could offer me that could compare. No one else can promise me they will never leave me. No one else can be available for me 24/7. No one else has every answer to every problem. No one else knows the way out of trouble. No one else can get me from here to Heaven while comforting me in every situation that seeks to drain me of life. No one!.

That connection, those conclusions, feed my soul. Do you see how beneficial the Word of God is? When you allow the Word of God to become more than words on a page, but when you allow the Word of God to become a conversation between you and the eternal, loving, redeeming God of the Universe, your soul, the part of you that was made for Him, the part of you that was made to respond to Him, the part of you that can connect with Him, comes alive and you are satisfied and full of the kind of life that matters most.

Psalm 23 is full of action words. It describes a journey, not a standstill. Even when the sheep lie down in green pastures, it is a temporary rest for the weary. From that point on in the psalm, the sheep are moving. The Shepherd leads them beside still waters and through the valley of the shadow of death. All the days of their lives He leads them in the paths of righteousness, with goodness and mercy constantly following them.

ST. PAUL AMEC WOMEN’S MINISTRY BIBLE STUDY TUESDAYS @ NOON! EXHORTER DORIS COFFEY – TEACHER (ALL ARE WELCOME)

BIBLE STUDY

TUESDAYS @ NOON ID: 832 4172 0154 PC: 381000

(Exhorter Doris Coffey )

WEDNESDAYS @ NOON AND 6PM ID: 881 5939 5611

(Pastor Robert A. Strode)

ZOOMING AND BLOOMING FOR CHRIST

4TH MONDAY MONTHLY @ 7PM

ID: 844 0501 0039 PC:830795

(Exhorter Doris Coffey WM Director)

SUNDAY SCHOOL – SUNDAYS @ 9:30AM

ID:852 9166 3405 PC:054455

Sister Dinah Johnson

(Superintendent and Adult Teacher)

PLEASE NOTE: If you are unable to attend the scheduled Bible Studies and are interested in another time…Let Us Know!

What Does the Bible Say?

The Bible is God's love letter to us! It's not just for studying to obtain knowledge, but it is our guide to knowing Him! The Bible tells us that we are to use the Scriptures to teach others how to live a righteous life. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy

3:16

Scripture is for teaching. It is to be used to instruct people to know God better. Scripture is for reproof or rebuke, the idea of exposing or pointing out sin. Scripture is for correction Scripture both points out sin and offers a solution to it. Scripture is for training in righteousness. From Scripture, we learn what is true, what is wrong, how to correct wrong, and how to apply truth.

As Christians, the Bible, along with God's Holy Spirit, is to be our guide for life. Daily we need to search God's truth for how to live, as well as how to become more and more like Christ. Let's not forget though that the Bible also teaches us Who God is; it helps us know God! God's Word is "living and active."

Hebrews 4:12 declares - "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any twoedged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." NASB

With words like "living", "active", "inspired", "profitable"... the Bible is anything but boring! It is the only book that can actively cause change in our lives!

When was the last time you sat down and enjoyed studying your Bible? Or the last time you attended Bible Study. Too many times we have in our mind that studying the Bible has to be boring (not that any of us would admit that to another Christian!). It's not meant to be though!

Bible Study at Historic St. Paul AME Church is alive and active with the Word. God has blessed the Church with super passionate spirits in teaching God’s Word. Come Join Us and see what God has to say about your situation in life, and don't neglect your prayer life! Prayer and Bible study go hand in hand.

TUESDAYS @ NOON ID: 832 4172 0154

PASSCODE: 381000

WEDNESDAYS @ 12 NOON AND 6PM ID: 881 5939 5611

Clean Your Spiritual House

How’s YOUR spiritual house? Is it clean or cluttered? Do you need to do some spiritual house cleaning? Now, one would suppose that at a certain point we recognize that we will not live forever, and start to go through our stuff, organize it, and get rid of most of it.

We hardly ever give thought to our spiritual growth as a cleaning out process, but we have to put off the old habits and ways of thinking in order to make room and remove the blockages that keep us from growing in the Lord.

We all have to do this? Most of us will continue to find old stuff from the old self that we need to put off throughout our lives. Without doing this, we cannot hope to grow without being hampered.

A very good place to start in our spiritual house cleaning is to ask God to cleanse our heart. We can clean our physical bodies, but we need God to cleanse and forgive us on the inside.

One of the next things that we need to clean out is our mouth. This is not just about swearing and cussing, if you do those things. Of course it is good to clean up your language if you need to. This is more about how your words bring glory to God. You see, we can be very unreflective of God’s glory in the way we speak.

When we fill our talk with worry, or complaining we are sharing with the world that we doubt that God will come through. When we fail to share our faith we rob the rest of the world of seeing God glorified in our lives.

3.Repent from hidden sin, We all have sins that are more easily seen by the outside world. Perhaps we have a quick temper and take it out on others. Perhaps we are messy not good stewards of our possessions. These are things that the world can easily see.

But there are attitudes of the heart that we think that no one else can see that are equally sinful. We think they are hidden and no one else knows. Things like jealousy, greed and pride.

The final step in the process is to replace the old baggage with renewing your mind; By reading God’s Word, by being in a Bible study, sharing God’s Yes stories with each other.

Renew our minds and get rid of old baggage - Next we need to renew our minds and get rid of old baggage (un-forgiveness and bitterness). Why do we hold onto old stuff?

We do not need to keep everything. We need to get rid of old baggage and be selective in what we keep. Hold on to the good, uplifting, and Godly memories.

We need to rid ourselves of the useless things and those that are positively damaging to us. We need to be on the alert for old un-forgiveness and bitterness when they rear their ugly heads. We need to get honest, admit it is there, and work to get rid of it.

Use your gifts - When God gives us a gift he expects us to use it - He gives us gifts for the good of the church body to build each other up. When we fail to use these gifts, we deprive the church body of gifts that will benefit us as a church family. The reason He gives it to us is for the good of others. Use the gifts that God places in you.

So how’s YOUR spiritual house. Is it clean or cluttered? Do you need to do some house cleaning?

Even though it may be a daunting task, take courage. Let God help you take your trash to the curb, forgive your sins, let go of un-forgiveness and bitterness, and replace it with God honoring words and behavior, and use the gifts He has placed in you.

If all the worldly attitudes such as hatred, greed, self-centered living and envy are piled up in our spiritual homes, we indeed need a cleansing by the power of His Holy Spirit. The Message Bible says in Hebrews 12:28b, “He’s actively cleaning house, torching all that needs to burn, and don’t quit until it’s all cleansed. God himself is Fire!”

A lot of us have “stuff” taking up space in our heart that impedes the fruit of the spirit from taking root in our daily walk with Jesus. You see, the Lord wants us to remove the junk from our life and have a pure heart one that he can use for his purpose. “Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit with me” (Psalm 51:10).

Today we have God’s promise of being as clean as newly fallen snow, as pure as sweet honey and without spot or wrinkle. We need to allow the master cleaner to take out the trash in our lives and to fill us up with His wonder working power that comes through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

What Needs to Go? What Can You Give Away? What Needs Some Love?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to let go of everything Perhaps the pillows just need to be fluffed, the shelves dusted or the universal “junk drawer” reorganized.

Our spiritual lives can usually use some tidying up, too. Think of all the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to churches about keeping the faith. It takes work, he told them constant energy to get along, set a good example and generally be faithful to Christ.

There’s no shortcut to a relationship with Jesus. It takes time and effort elbow grease, you could call it.

Whether your faith life needs a fresh coat of paint or total renovation of the heart, there’s no better time to jump in than now. Start with one thing at a time maybe it’s alone time with God, spending time in the Bible or treating others as He would.

Wherever you begin, remember you’re not spring cleaning alone. God Himself can help you cut through the spiritual clutter in each area of your life.

Scrub Your Blind Spots: Blind spots are areas in our lives we are not aware need attention. In our spiritual lives, blind spots can include our attitude, body language, habits, or our tone of voice. . There's a reason they call them “blind spots.” Sometimes it takes the keen eye of someone else for you to really see what you're missing. Don't be afraid of constructive criticism, the hard scrub, or the deep clean. It's how we grow.

Savor Self-Care: not only do we emphasize cleaning every room of the house, but we also include our exterior in our spring-cleaning process. Now, think of your physical body. Your exterior is where self-care comes into play.

We live in a culture where busyness is valued. However, busyness is not an indicator that we are fruitful. We can be busy and not bear any fruit in our lives. Our culture teaches us that the more active we are, the more essential we become. God calls us to be fruitful, not busy.

As we take time to clean our spiritual homes, let's not neglect our physical bodies. Take time to exercise, drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods, enjoy nature, read a book or do something that you absolutely love! The Sabbath is for your benefit, and it's an essential part of spring cleaning.

1. Study God’s Word daily to hear His voice. The Psalmist wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

2. Talk continually to the Lord through prayer for prayer is the breath of life. In addition, the book of Psalms includes many prayers that can be of help in our daily walk with the Lord.

3. Be a part of the body of Christ or the church. The Psalms present many invitations from God to His people to come and fellowship with Him in His sanctuary (Psalm 95:1-2

4. Live in praise. The Bible tells us that God “inhabits the praises of Israel” (Psalms 22:3). Praise and gratitude allows the Lord to live in our hearts and purify our souls.

KNOW YOUR CHURCH

Presented by The Lay Organization

Jesus Has Risen

Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ 8 Then they remembered his words.

9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

[Christ Is Risen]

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Do you believe? This is the overarching question of the resurrection. Faith is more important than understanding details or even recognizing the resurrected corpus of Jesus. Do you believe?

The query is full of implications. Believing entails a different perspective on life, death and sin. It calls for a new focus and energy with regard to behavior. It is announced with the boldness of a trumpet and has comforting expectation called hope. Do you believe?

[We pray] that each of you will be fortified with faith that conquers death and defies the power of the grave. May you confront the challenges of daily existence with the hope which springs from faith in the living Lord! Let us renew our commitment to earthly justice and compassionate service as we set our faces toward eternity.

Rising from the ashes of Lent, let us embrace the flames of service which are fanned on Pentecost. This is not a season to be discouraged or afraid. It is a period for boldness through faith, because He lives.

[We pray for the comfort of our sisters and brothers in our church, our community and in various places around the world who have and are experiencing illness and/or the loss of loved ones, and for those have who experienced persecution and injustice. In spite of these things] we still maintain faith in the protection and justice of the One who raised Jesus from the dead. Rising from the ashes of Lent, let us embrace the flames of service which are fanned on Pentecost. This is not a season to be discouraged or afraid. It is a period for boldness through faith, because He lives. We pray blessings for each of you during this Easter season.

[Our prayer:] …….…………………………………………………………………………………..

Almighty Creator, we praise You for faithfulness in raising Jesus from the dead. We glorify Your name for love which saves and sustains Your people. We thank You for progress in the struggle for justice as we pledge to continue the battle. Bless those who mourn because of the move of nature and the ravages of violence. Give wisdom to those who illuminate the path which leads to the Resurrected Lamb. Strengthen those who protect our freedoms and those who keep peace through justice. Heal our brokenness, and give hope to our lives. Increase our faith. Receive the praise of Your people who gather [in your name]. Let our joy be full as we witness to the power of the risen Jesus, who is our Lord. In His precious name we pray, Amen!

Reprinted in part from the 2015 Resurrection Greeting from the Council of Bishops. [Updates, edits and emphasis added for this Lay Organization Know Your Church message].

The Great Commission Matthew 28:16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him but some of them doubted!

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of

the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

What Every AME Member Needs To Know About Conference Claims

The Mission of the AME Church is to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people.

The AME Church isn’t just local. It’s global.

As members of the AME Church, we have the privilege of working together to help people all over the world with their education, housing and mission work. In addition, we support the administration and resources required by our global church. We do this by paying conference claims. As members, we are the financial resource of the Church, both local and connectional. (Acts 4:32-37; 1 Corinthians 16:1-3).

At Historic St. Paul, adult member as asked to pledge $500 per year, payable twice a year –March 1 - $250, and August 1 - $250.

Our AME Church Global Focus

International Outreach includes:

The African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency (AME-SADA). A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Africa and the Caribbean.

AME Church supported HBCUs and Education Institutions

Institutions of Higher Education

1. Abington School of Religion

1302 Herring Avenue Waco, TX 76706

2. Allen University

www.allenuniversity.edu 1530 Hardin Street Columbia, SC 29204

3. Bonner-Campbell School of Religion 436 Stomp Bridge Road Canton, MS 39046 (601)506-8482 foursight@aol.com

4. Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary

1530 Harden Street Columbia, SC 29204 (803)376-5706

5. Edward Waters College www.ewc.edu

Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr., President 1658 Kings Road Jacksonville, FL 32203 (904)470-8000

12. Turner Theological Seminary- ITC www.turnerseminary.com

700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Atlanta, GA 30314-4143 (404)527-7700

6. Jackson Theological Seminary 208 North Tennessee Crossett, AR 71635

7. Morris Brown College

www.morrisbrown.edu 643 Martin Luther King Jr., NW Atlanta, GA 30314

8. Paul Quinn College

www.pqc.edu 3837 Simpson Stuart Road Dallas, TX 75241

9. Payne Theological Seminary

www.payne.edu P.O. Box 474 Wilberforce, OH 45384 mbrown@payne.edu

10. Richard Allen Chapel

Paul Quinn College Dallas, TX 75241

11. Shorter College

www.shortercollege.edut 604 Locust Street North Little Rock, AR 72114 info@shortercollege.edu

13. Wilberforce University

www.wilberforce.edu

1055 N. Bickett Road

Wilberforce, Ohio 45384

Institutions of Higher Education

1. AME University

34 Camp Johnson Road

Monrovia, Liberia

2.Bryant Theological Seminary

35 Camp Johnson Road

Monrovia, Liberia

3.Monrovia College

Clay Street, Off Camp Johnson Road

Monrovia, Liberia

West Africa

4. R.R. Wright Theological Seminary

11306 Bodea Road

Republic of South Africa

5. Sizane School

P. O. Box 55

Mpopoma, Bulaway

Zimbabwe

6.Wilberforce Community College

Evaton, South Africa

The Lay Organization: The purpose of the Lay Organization is to organize, teach, train and empower the lay members of the church so that they may:

a. maximally utilize their God given abilities and skills to improve and extend the kingdom to create happiness, peace, and harmony among our members, and

b. learn about the rules, regulations and duties of the members, officers, organizations and ministerial leadership of the local, district, Conference and Connectional church,

The Holy Bible

The AME HYMNAL The Latest Edition of the AME Doctrine and Discipline

Our Three Books

KEY DATES: Last Day to register to vote April 17, 2023, by 4pm local time. Online absentee request portal open for Mail-in Absentee - April 1 – May 2, 2023.

Senator Reginald L. Thomas

March 31, 2023

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

March 31, 2023

Submitted by Senator Reginald Thomas

FRANKFORT As the sun sets on the 2023 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly, we take a moment to reflect on the final two days of the session. The legislature returned to the Capitol after a 10-day veto recess, with the agenda for the remaining two days clear: taking up vetoes handed down by Governor Andy Beshear, appointment confirmations, and acting on several bills waiting in the shadows.

Despite the Governor’s reasons for vetoing a handful of bills, the General Assembly wasted no time voting to override all 15 he returned to the legislature. The dynamic between the Governor and the supermajority was difficult to navigate this year, especially in an election year. Even though we are all elected to serve the people of Kentucky, it often felt as if the political differences were insurmountable. The fact that the supermajority needed only a simple majority to override the Governor's vetoes made it even more challenging.

Senate Democratic Caucus Chair, Sen. Reginald Thomas, D-Lexington, stands to address members of the body during the latter portion of the 2023 Regular Session.

The bill drawing the most attention this session, as well as large crowds of supporters and opponents alike to Frankfort, was Senate Bill (SB) 150. The legislation essentially bans all gender-affirming care for minors, even with parental consent, and nullifies trans-inclusive policies in Kentucky's education system. The Governor vetoed the measure asserting that it is blatant government overreach in personal health care issues and that it endangers the health of transgender youth.

Anti-trans policies have come into the national spotlight recently, being framed as a boogeyman, orchestrated by organizations seeking to marginalize and demonize the LGBTQ+ community. Narratives have been created to stoke fear, including outright falsehoods such as widespread genital mutilation happening in Kentucky. Yet, there are no identifiable cases of this happening. The reality is that SB 150 brings government into personal health care decisions, eliminates parental rights, and limits the ability of transgender youth to access vital gender-affirming medical care, including treatments and therapies that are widely considered crucial in supporting their mental health and well-being.

SB 150 is not about protecting children or preserving parental oversight as legislators who voted against sustaining the veto claim. It is an outright attempt to codify discrimination through fear-mongering and misinformation to achieve its goals. Nonetheless, the legislature overturned the veto in both chambers, and SB 150 will go into law notwithstanding the signature of the Governor. However, I expect several constitutional challenges in the coming months regarding these policies.

Notable bills vetoed by the Governor and overridden by the legislature: SB 65 nullified Medicaid regulations that provided dental, hearing, and vision care for adults. Governor Beshear vetoed the bill citing that it harmed nearly one million Kentuckians and complicated efforts to increase Kentucky's workforce. I agree with the Governor and fear this bill could harm our most vulnerable residents to receive health care access.

SB 107 required the state education commissioner to be subject to Senate confirmation before taking office. The Governor vetoed this bill with the note that it politicizes the process of hiring the commissioner of education and adds an unnecessary bureaucratic obstacle to hiring and keeping the commissioner. SB 107 is yet another effort to diminish the powers of the executive branch and weaken public education.

SB 122 designates specific areas of the Capitol Annex and adjacent parking spaces allocated to the General Assembly and the Legislative Research Commission. The Governor vetoed SB 122 because he says the General Assembly should not be passing legislation to determine control over parking spaces at the Capitol and the Capitol Annex. SB 122 is insignificant and spiteful, and there is no reason we should assign more than 1,500 parking spaces for only 400 legislators and staff.

SB 126 allows plaintiffs or defendants to seek a change of venue in civil actions challenging the constitutionality of a statute, executive order, administrative regulation, or executive action. Similar to my reasoning for voting against the bill earlier in the session, the Governor argued that it was an unconstitutional power grab by the General Assembly to control Kentucky judges and force Kentuckians to challenge the constitutionality of governmental acts in places where they do not reside. Furthermore, he stated that it violates the separation of powers, creates an arbitrary process for selecting the venue of civil actions, and blocks Kentuckians' access to courts.

SB 226 requires the Energy and Environment Cabinet to presume water quality is maintained if the permittee complies with industry standards. The Governor vetoed SB 226 and argued there is a significant threat that the federal EPA could take over Kentucky's permitting process if it does not meet federal requirements. The Governor noted that he supports speeding up decisions on environmental permitting applications but believes Kentucky businesses will be worse off with the federal EPA controlling the process.

House Bill (HB) 4 aimed to regulate merchant electric generating facilities but removed local input on enforcement of the construction certificates issued by the Kentucky State Electric Generation and Transmission Siting Board, including the bonding and decommissioning requirements. The Governor vetoed the bill stating that it violates local input in decision-making.

HB 568 merged the Louisville Metro Public Defender's Office into the Department of Public Advocacy. The Governor vetoed the bill reasoning that there was no clear picture of how much state funding would be needed to offset the funding currently provided by the Louisville Metro government. He also noted that it was a retaliation measure against attorneys in the Louisville Metro Public Defender's Office for their efforts to unionize.

Even though I supported all 15 vetoes handed down by the Governor, each bill was overridden and will be sent directly to the Secretary of State and signed into law, regardless of the Governor's signature. While there may be some exceptions for emergency clauses that take immediate effect, most of these new laws will go into effect in July.

Even in the waning hours before adjourning this year's short 30-day session, the General Assembly took up over a dozen measures that now go to the Governor for consideration. Unlike legislation passed prior to the veto recess with time allocated for veto overrides, these bills do not have the same protections. Due to the adjourning of the legislature, the Governor has the power to decide the fate of legislation passed in the final days without the interference of the General Assembly.

Significant bills passed in the final two days: SB 47, the medical marijuana bill, has been given final approval. The measure will finally legalize the limited use of medical marijuana in the state. Once signed into law, patients with qualifying medical conditions, such as cancer, chronic pain, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder, will be eligible to obtain a doctor's recommendation for the use of cannabis. While smoking cannabis is still prohibited, the bill will allow the use of unprocessed cannabis herbs for vaporization and various formulations like capsules, tinctures, and topical products. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services will enforce regulations for distribution, with operations set to roll out in January 2025. As a co-sponsor and advocate, I am delighted to see its passage so that we can provide much-needed relief to patients statewide.

HB 5 repeals property taxes on aging whiskey barrels in rickhouses in Kentucky. The bill exempts distilleries from paying a portion of property taxes on spirits aging in warehouses starting from January 1, 2026, and increasing gradually to be tax-free over the next 20 years. It passed the Senate by a vote of 24-13 to gain final passage.

HB 551 authorizes sports betting at horse racing facilities and other locations where certain betting is permitted and paves the way for online betting. The bill proposes an excise tax of 9.75% for wagers placed at tracks and 14.25% for online waging. Since HB 551 was a measure dealing with revenue in a non-budget year, it needed a two-thirds majority in the Senate to pass. In a narrow margin, it passed the Senate with a vote of 25-12 to receive final passage. I was proud yes vote to finally legalize sports betting in the state.

Looking back on the events of this session, it's evident that the outcome was not what many of us had hoped for. However, there were also some solid, bipartisan policies passed. As we adjourn for the year, it's important to remember our work continues through the interim, and the bills passed this session with constitutional challenges now go to the courts. I will continue to fight for the needs of my constituents and the working people of Kentucky, even when the odds are not in our favor.

With the session now adjourned, we can look back with some relief. The Kentucky General Assembly has demonstrated that even in a politically-charged atmosphere, sometimes there is room to work together with a shared purpose, while other times there are just fundamental differences. I look forward to seeing what the next

session will bring and remain hopeful that the spirit of cooperation and progress can prevail to guide our leaders in the years ahead.

Unless a special session is called by the Governor to address a specific issue, lawmakers will not act on legislation until January 2024. We now look to the interim joint session to review and study issues that could arise next year. For more information on the 2023 session, visit the legislative record online at www.legislature.ky.gov. There, you can view all bills, watch archived coverage of committee meetings, search legislator contact information, learn about the legislative process, and view informational materials.

To share feedback with me on this issue, or if you have any comments, questions, or concerns, I am accessible by email at Reginald.Thomas@LRC.KY.GOV. You can also leave a message for me on the Legislative Message Line at (800) 372-7181. Citizens with hearing impairments can use the Kentucky Relay Service at 711. A Spanish language line for legislative information will be available by calling 1-866-840-6574.

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