The Christian Index - February 2023

The Christian Index The Official Organ of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church • February 2023

Carter Metropolitan Health Ministry Team, Fort Worth TX Story on p. 24

Happy Valentine’s Day

THE CHRISTIAN INDEX

The Official Publication Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Copyright © 2023 Offices are Housed in The International Headquarters Memphis, Tennessee Contact the Editor at (901) 515-6510 E-mail: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721 Contact Circulations/Subscriptions Office at (901) 396-5400 EDITOR Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. PUBLISHER Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. EDITORIAL BOARD Chairman Bishop C. Kelby Heath PUBLISHING BOARD Chairman Bishop Kenneth W. Carter THE CHRISTIAN INDEX (0744-4060; USPS 0108320) is published monthly by The CME Publishing House.

Periodicals Postage is paid at Memphis, Tennessee, and at additional entry offices. Postal records are maintained at: The CME Department of Publications, Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. General Secretary, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee 38116. POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to The CME Publishing House, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38116. THE SUBSCRIPTION RATE IS $30 for one year. Subscriptions should be sent to Office of the Publisher: The Christian Index, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38116. The Publisher’s telephone number is (901) 396-5400. ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION should be sent to Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Editor, THE CHRISTIAN INDEX, 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany, GA 31721 or to: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org.

The Editor's office number is (901) 515-6510. COST FOR REPRODUCTION OF PICTURES is $20 per photo; payment (to Department of Publications) must accompany mailed article, and pictures will not be returned. Members and friends of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church are encouraged to submit articles for possible publication in THE CHRISTIAN INDEX, the Official Publication of the CME Church.

No compensation is made for articles published and no articles will be considered that have been submitted simultaneously to another publication or published by any other publication. Articles submitted will not be returned. Articles submitted and printed will become the property of THE CHRISTIAN INDEX with all rights assigned to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. THE CHRISTIAN INDEX was established in 1867 and has been in continuous publication since. It is the Official Organ of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, a member magazine of the Associated Church Press, and a subscriber to Religion News Service. Views expressed by the editor and/or other writers are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

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The Christian Index • February 2023

Inside The Christian Index Quadrennial Theme: "Be Bold: Face Now, Embrace Next, See New"

Volume 156, Number 2

February 2023

Connectional Interests Department of Finance/Investments 4 Dept. of Evangelism and Missions 6 Dept. of Christian Education/Formation 7 Department of CIT 8 Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers 9 CME-Affiliated Schools

Paine Enters Partnerships 10

Texas College Gives Back 11

Fourth Contributes to MICAAI 12 2023 CME Calendar of Events 13 Submissions The Editor Reports 14 Black Spirituality 16 Faith in the Realms of Social Justice 19 Looking Beyond the Dream 21 Carter Metropolitan Receives Award 24 Children/Youth 25 Ecumenical News UMHEF Offers Scholarships (Updated) 27 ITC Accreditation Update 2022 28 Obituaries - Joining the Great Cloud 29 Connectional Directory 35

Cover: Carter Metropolitan Health Ministry Team Photographs: Photos are by contributors to The Christian Index and Index staff.

Submitted to the Publisher: January 23, 2023

Editorial

What's Love Got to Do with It? The hit song, "What's Love Got to Do with It," was written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten, and recorded by singer Tina Turner on her album, Private Dancer, recorded in 1984. It was made even more famous by the movie of the same name (1993) that chronicled the tumultuous life of the artist. Just a few years later (19951997), while serving as pastor of our St. Mary Church in Bastrop, Louisiana, I asked my then presiding prelate, Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., to give a sermon based on that theme for what I believe was our church anniversary. I printed the words to the song on our bulletin, crediting the artist, and sent an advance copy to him for his aid.

When I invited Bishop Hoyt to do this, I had some ideas as to where I thought he might go with the sermon. What I really thought was where I might go with the sermon, because I later learned during the anniversary sermon, that Bishop Hoyt did not think very highly of the title. He said as much and even asked, "What do you mean, 'What's love got to do with it?'" Then responding as if he had asked a rhetorical question, he answered, "I'll tell you what love's got to do with it. Love's got everything to do with it!" He went on to speak of love as the greatest command given by God in the Bible and the greatest motivator for Christian charity as described in the Bible.

He said and intimated that love is the reason why we do what we do in the church, in the community, and in the world, and when we fail to do these things, we fail to love and we fail to obey the One we say is our Lord.

I did not anticipate the impact that interaction would have on him, and perhaps on me. Nevertheless, in spite of his initial reticence, ever since then and until his death, knowingly or unknowingly, Bishop Hoyt often found a way to work that challenge into his sermons and speeches, saying, "You want to know what love has to do with it? ... That's what love has to do with it."

But what was I thinking? I thought that during the month of February, given the emphasis on love during the month and the emphasis on Black history, that Bishop Hoyt

might say something about how the Bible circumscribes romantic love, especially in light of some of the events of Ms. Turner's life and the text of the song. I thought he might say something about how the Bible describes and critiques love within a culture or society Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., and between differing racial Editor and ethnic groups, especially as to how it was and was not evidenced within the Christian religious environment at that time.

What am I thinking now? We have made great strides in the understanding of Biblical, healthy romantic love, but there are still many in the church who fail to practice the standards described or to repent of the same, though the secular definitions of domestic violence have expanded. Do we not preach and teach this part of scripture? Interracial ecumenical organizations have gained greater exposure and become more inclusive in membership and leadership, but interracial violence and ethnic hate continues to rise. Is all our meeting and talk having any effect on those who are our neighbors and, yes, fellow church members?

We are called to have Godly love in all our relationships, both those we choose and those that are thrust upon us. Biblical love commands, not suggests, that we love those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and do good to those who do evil to us. In this, it is demanding and unrelenting. At the same time, it demands that oppressors become liberators and that the liberated live in their freedom.

We exist as the church because of the exceptional, not preferential, love of God. As commissioned representatives of God in and to the world, we, as thankful and obedient individuals, love others. That's what love's got to do with it.

Mission Statement of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The mission of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is to be disciples of Jesus the Christ by serving individuals, communities and the world as the representative, loving presence of God and as witnesses to God’s salvation and grace.

Vision Statement of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The vision of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is to be a transforming church for Jesus the Christ within a changing world.

February 2023 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

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The Christian Index • February 2023

Department of Finance/Investments

Connectional Interests

Department of Finance/Investments

How to Submit Material to The Christian Index

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For questions or concerns regarding the content of The Christian Index or the digital edition, please contact the Editor.

For all other concerns, you should contact the Publisher.

February 2023 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Department of Evangelism and Missions

Mission Minded Mission in Action Missions Partners Mission in Culture Mission and follow-up Ask yourself the following questions about your church, district, and region. What are the goals of the mission for the local church? What amount of funds has been allocated for mission projects at home, and/or abroad?

We must move from the seats to the streets with outreach mission to connect the church with the community and the community back to the church. Could it be that the church struggles with an identity crisis? God has designed the church to see. Yet, the church has redesigned its own self to be calm. Each church has her own personality within its own community, but we must move from our own to ownership of mission and global thinking.

Life has a way of creating and crafting space for us to use our gifts for the Glory of God! However, if we are not prepared, we may delay what God intentionally purposed for us. I recently went to Nigeria, and as we landed in Uyo, Bishop Helton engaged a man in conversation. Come to find out they knew some of the same people and agreed that indeed, it is a small world. This gentleman was from the Nigerian Pentecostal Church. As I continued to listen to the conversation, the man suggested that “the CME church needed fire.” Bishop Helton kindly reminded the man that the Pentecostal Church has its origin in Methodism.

As I thought about the conversation, I said to myself that we don’t need fire. We already have fire; we just need to use the fire we have. The conversation was so rich, and the exchange was so enjoyable that they agreed to keep in contact with one another.

What does global mission look like? Could it be building global relationships? Remember the words of Jesus, “If I be lifted up, I’ll draw all humanity to me.”

A closing thought, "If I can go, I'll go. If I can’t go, I'll send. However, I refuse to sit and watch!"

We are The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church recognizing the importance of Christ in our daily lives.

Rev. Dr. Leon C. Moore, Jr. 6

The Christian Index • February 2023

Connectional Interests

Department of Christian Education/Formation

THE PRACTITIONER Greetings From The General Secretary

Dear Christian Educator and Formation Leader, [You are reading information contained] in our Fall edition of the Practitioner. [In this] new subscription year of 2022-23, we continue to be in a global pandemic, although rules have been relaxed. We have gone well over two years of adjusting and navigating the landscape of Christian Education and Formation in new ways.

VOLUME 1 * FALL 2018 * NUMBER 2

After a historic 2022 General Conference and completions of the 2022 Annual Conferences, the Department of Christian Education and Formation has been organizing and working toward a African American Christian Education and Formation Conference to be held in Memphis, but using technology to broadcast across the Connectional Church. Look and listen for the details.

We will continue to celebrate Connectional Youth and Young Adult Week the last Sunday of January through the first Sunday of February 2023, January 29-February 5, 2023 ...

We are continuing to produce a video for Church school and the Wednesday noon day Bible study. The role out of the Strategic Initiative of Discipleship approved by the General Conference will begin soon.

In the area of new or discontinuity, we are going to take our webpage and use it in a more dynamic and robust way. Our Webmaster, Rev. Dion Broughton, will help us accomplish this. We are going to revitalize our e-store and e-learning. Each month we will be teaching and learning through the website.

Finally, each third Tuesday at 7pm Central time we will be virtually presenting what we call our Pipeline to the Local Church. Different persons and/or groups will present each month.

I am continually thankful for the editor of the Practitioner, Dr. Willa Ross. I am thankful to Ms. Ruth Greer for printing each quarter and Ms. Eartha Grimes for keeping the subscriptions moving forward. We continue to solicit writers and subscribers.

Carmichael Crutchfield

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Connectional Interests

Communication and Information Technology

Technology Discounts Provided by the Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT)

By Dr. Theresa Duhart General Secretary/Chief Information Officer Dear CME Family, The General Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT) has established partnerships with Adobe, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Mobile Beacon and Zoom through our membership with TechSoup. Our local churches, members, Presiding Elder’s Districts, Episcopal Districts, and Connectional leaders can now save from 5%-50% on technology products from top vendors!

Here’s an overview of the deeply discounted technology products and how to order them. Additional discounts that may become available will be announced. Spread the word about these discounts to

members in your local church! Shop https://thecmechurch.org/techproducts/

at

the

Technology

Portal

located

here.

Software -Adobe Acrobat Pro: $75 (Mac or Windows).

-Microsoft 365 Business Basic - Free annual license available for up to 300 users (5 licenses per user): (Web version of Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, OneNote, Publisher, Office Online, Teams, Yammer, Bookings and PowerApps (Business Apps).

-Microsoft Windows 11 (New Installation): $20 per license.

-Zoom Business Pro Licenses: $115 annual fee.

Hardware (Computers, Monitors, and Accessories including HotSpots): Orders can only be placed through the CIT General Department. Visit the Web site or email cit@thecmechurch.org .

-Apple, Inc.: Members can save an additional 10% on select Apple products.

-Dell, Inc.: Members can save an additional 10% on select Dell PCs, servers and accessories. Exclusive to Inspiron, XPS, Alienware and Vostro, members save an additional 5% on select PCs. -HP, Inc.: Members can save an additional 5-20% on select HP devices.

-Lenovo: Members can save an additional 5-20% on select Lenovo devices.

-Mobile Beacon Hotspot: $150 per year. Does your church need a hotspot? A mobile hotspot from Mobile Beacon connects multiple computers or Wi-Fi enabled consumer electronics like smartphones and tablets to Mobile Beacon's mobile broadband Internet service. The hotspot can be used at any location within the Mobile Beacon coverage area - before purchasing, visit the web site listed here to ensure that the hotspot works in your area: https://www.mobilebeacon.org/lte-coverage/ Amazon Smile Support the CME Church when shopping Amazon. The CIT General Department has established a partnership with AmazonSmile! AmazonSmile is a way that customers can support their favorite charitable organization every time they shop with Amazon, at no additional cost. When you shop @AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. You can help to support the CME Church and CIT when shopping Amazon by visiting here: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/58-1381196 8

The Christian Index • February 2023

Connectional Interests

Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

Ministers’ Spouses, Widows/Widowers Department

BE BOLD: FACE NOW ~ EMBRACE NEXT ~ SEE NEW REFLECTION According to who you are and what you're attempting to accomplish in life, the word "Bold" can mean many different things. In both our professional and personal relationships, we must exercise courage; we must also set courageous goals that push us beyond our comfort zones. Impudent, nervous, adventurous, gutsy, and the list goes on, are all characteristics of a bold person who is unafraid in the face of danger. Through some of these traits, some people do experience what they refer to as success, but are they truly fulfilled and fruitful? Where do these attributes fit into the Christian venue of life?

I decided to look into the Bible's views on boldness to see what it had to say. According to the lexicon of the Bible, spiritual boldness (parrhesia) is: confident, fearless, freedom of expression; not human bravado; not hubris or presumption, which was a prerequisite for the assignment given to the disciples.

I Timothy 1:7 states, "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, and of love, and of discipline" (NASB). The ten NKJV Bible verses about boldness and confidence should be prayed if you truly desire to walk in them.

1. “The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1 2. “Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces, and your forehead strong against their foreheads. Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.” Ezekiel 3:8-9 3. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 4. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 5. “Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” Ephesians 3:11-12 6. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” Ephesians 3:16 7. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.” Ephesians 6:17-19 8. “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6 9. “Most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1:14 10. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. “ Philippians 4:13 Spiritual boldness is to say, “Lord Jesus, if you are for me who can be against me.” Boldness in faith starts with a belief in what God says in His word and trust that He is more than enough. It's a mark of Spiritual empowerment (Acts 2:13-41) that builds confidence, a strong confidence in God. When we have a strong confidence in God and trust Him, we can truly move forward.

FACE NOW “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 27:19. The questions to ask ourselves are: “Where am I in my relationship with the Lord and how does it affect my ministry? What positive effect do I convey in supporting my spouse, family, church and community outreach? How effective is my ministry? Where do I go from this point?” When you have answered these questions and realized the results of your reflections, you can move forward with haste.

EMBRACE NEXT Prayer is your next step to embrace. You need to be Bold in your prayer life, seeking God for His plan for you. Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not harm, to give you a future with hope.” We must seek clarity in what God requires of us and our purpose in life. Proverbs 3:5 (NSRV) says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on you own insight.” Then you are ready for action to move forward.

SEE NEW In order to see New, you will be required to activate what was revealed to you. Step out on faith! Walk in faith as the Holy Spirit directs your path in doing what God has revealed to you. What He has for you is for you! There is no place for passivity when God calls you into action. Our ministries enhance each other to make sure the people of God’s needs are being met. God's instructions to all working in His vineyard are specific and clear as to what is to be done. We need to read the scriptures about Deborah and the epistles of Paul. They were strong and brave, and they trusted God completely. Trusting, leaning, and depending on God for our directions and needs will surely help us bear truth to our theme: Be Bold: FACE NOW - EMBRACE NEXT - SEE NEW Mrs. Wanda P. Henry, Connectional MSWWD Treasurer, Second Episcopal District Representative Widow of the late Reverend Dr. Charles Keller Henry, Sr.

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Connectional Interests

CME-Affiliated Schools

From: https://www.paine.edu/web/mycampus/home/-/journal_content/56/10217/730660. Accessed 1-19-2023.

Augusta National Golf Club and Bank of America Partner with Paine College to support Institutional Advancement and Long-Term Success Program Goes Beyond Grants and Volunteerism to Lend Bank Leaders to Local Nonprofits for Interim Roles In an effort to help bridge resource and leadership gaps at nonprofits across the country, Bank of America, in partnership with Augusta National Golf Club, has announced two key initiatives to support the long-term success of Paine College, a private Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in Augusta, Ga. Bank of America has expanded its Leader on Loan program with Dr. Tiffani Stewart beginning her year-long, fulltime role as interim Assistant to the President with Paine College in August.

In addition, Paine College has joined the Way Forward Initiative, a multiyear collaboration between education firm EAB and Bank of America to support HBCUs. Their inclusion in the program is made possible through funding provided by Augusta National Golf Club as part of its commitment to Paine College and the City of Augusta.

Dr. Tiffani Stewart

Leader on Loan Program The Leader on Loan program is an innovative way for Bank of America to bring additional resources to local communities. Talented leaders in the program are typically in their roles at the nonprofits for an average of 12 months, with the bank covering the employee's salary and benefits. Created in 2017 with four organizations in Charlotte, the program has expanded to place 40 leaders with a variety of organizations to help advance economic opportunity and other philanthropic priorities in the communities where they live and work.

"This is such a unique opportunity to help drive meaningful, lasting change with Paine College," said Dr. Stewart, interim Assistant to the President at Paine College. "It is my hope to help the organization by working with the Office of the President and the Office of Institutional Advancement to oversee the attainment of the College's Strategic Objectives related to Productive Partnerships and ‘friend' raising."

Stewart joins the Office of the President as the daughter of two Paine College graduates. She is a 17-year financial services veteran previously based in Kennesaw, Ga. Her banking career began in Consumer and Small Business supporting Consumer Lending and Consumer Credit Assistance and transitioned Global Human Resources. She believes in forming collaborative relationships that lead to collective action, grounded in shared values of working together to affect positive change.

Way Forward Initiative EAB and Bank of America established the Way Forward Initiative in 2021 in partnership with an initial cohort of five HBCUs working together to advance their institutional goals. Schools in the program have a dedicated EAB support team and access to EAB's Global Research Partnership. They receive leadership training, on-demand market research, and opportunities to collaborate with peer institutions. EAB's support team guides them through opportunity assessments and tactical changes designed to improve student retention and graduation rates, financial stability, and operational efficiency.

President Cheryl Evans Jones stated that the acquisition of Dr. Stewart will help to increase fundraising and friendraising capacities at Paine College. "Having worked for a prestigious financial institution such as Bank of America has prepared her to methodically identify and unearth leadership resources that when cultivated will have the potential to produce transformational gifts for the College," said Dr. Jones.

Both Bank of America and Augusta National Golf Club have been working with Paine College for several years. Most recently, Paine received a $65,000 grant for their new Hybrid Interactive Smart Classroom that provides upgraded 10

The Christian Index • February 2023

Connectional Interests

CME-Affiliated Schools

technology to improve student retention and success. Augusta National's ongoing relationship with the college includes its funding of the Lee Elder Scholarships awarded to a student on the men's and women's golf team, as well as the creation of a women's golf program at Paine College.

"We look forward to working with Dr. Stewart and developing strategies that will strengthen our capacity to solicit and cultivate new and recurring leadership resources that will benefit campus life and academic programs", said Helene Carter, VP of Institutional Advancement.

About Bank of America At Bank of America, we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. www.bankofamerica.com About Paine College Paine College, founded in 1882, is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Paine remains a liberal arts, coeducational institution, committed to providing educational opportunities to all students in a diverse, caring, and inclusive campus community. Voted among Georgia's best Christian Colleges, Paine is accredited by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Paine has a history of educating the best and brightest, but intentionally seeks out students who would otherwise not attend college. Paine is known for creating opportunities for students to be better prepared for the college experience through its Upward Bound Program, Dual Degree Program, and free Summer STEM Enrichment Programs. For more information, visit www.

Paine.edu, or contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at 706.821.8323.

From: https://www.texascollege.edu/blog/post/the-beacon-january-2023. Accessed 1-19-2023.

Texas College Gives Back for Christmas Prepared by Jake Martin, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

On Wednesday, December 7, the Texas College Family gifted local children from 150 families with new toys for Christmas. What has now become a Christmas tradition on campus, the Angel Tree and Toy Drive is an annual initiative coordinated by the reigning Miss Texas College and is made possible through the generous donations of faculty, staff, and most notably students.

Embodying Texas College's core value of community service, students led the charge Miss Kai'Lyn Primus, 2022-2023 Miss Texas College, delivers a prayer at the with this initiative. Selflessly, the students Angel Tree and Toy Drive gifting event. went into their own pockets to ensure that every child received what they asked for, and even more. "I know what it's like to grow up without much," commented one student. "With this, I have an opportunity to give back and make someone's Christmas great and give them exactly what they wanted."

The gifts were made available for pickup by the families in Texas College’s McKinney Hall Connector. However, this event was not a mere distribution process; instead, Miss Kai'Lynn Primus, 2022-2023 Miss Texas College, ensured that the occasion was a family affair to not soon be forgotten. Alongside holiday music provided by the Choir, the Connector was transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas décor; Miss Primus even arranged for the children to take photographs Santa Claus and his elves. While the families retrieved their gifts and posed for pictures with Santa Claus, students, faculty, and staff served hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes, and other traditional Christmas treats.

February 2023 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

CME-Affiliated Schools

Fourth District Makes Donation to MICAAI Submitted by Dr. Jessie J. Edwards, President Alumni, children of alumni, friends, and well-wishers, this is to inform you that Bishop Kenneth W. Carter and the 4th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church made a $27,000.00 donation to the Mississippi Industrial College Alumni Association, Inc. (MICAAI) for the Randalia Museum Renovation Fund on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the Bishop's Winter Council held December 1-3 at the Lynch Street CME Church in Jackson, Mississippi. The amount of the prepared check was $25,000.00.

On behalf of MICAAI, thanks to Bishop Carter for his courage, leadership, vision, and enthusiasm, and to his cabinet for their splendid cooperation in this matter.

(l-r): Mrs. Rosetta White-Edwards (wife of a graduate) and Presiding Elder Lesha Agnew (child of graduates).

(standing, l-r): Mrs. Cynthia Jones, Chair, Olive Branch-Sardis District Joint Board of Finance; Presiding Elders, Rev. Ursiela Williams, Columbus-Meridian District; Dr. Jamie Capers, Jackson-Greenwood District; Dr. Clementine Mays, Tupelo-Aberdeen District; Dr. Roderick Lewis, Holly Springs-Oxford District; Rev. Elmer Jones, Monroe District; and Rev. Maggie Banks, New Orleans, Lafayette, Crowley District; Bishop Paul Stewart, MIC (BS 61); Dr. Jessie J. Edwards, MIC (BS 75) and President of MICAAI; Bishop Kenneth W. Carter; Rev. Willie Jones, Pastor, Jennings Temple; Presiding Elders, Dr. James Loftin, MIC (BS 79), Gloster-Hattiesburg District; and Rev. Larry Anders, Shreveport District; Rev. Charles Rochester, Chair, Crowley District Joint Board of Finance; Mrs. Willa Terry, Chair, Holly Springs-Oxford District Joint Board of Finance; and Presiding Elder Dr. Wayne Williams, Olive Branch-Sardis District.

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The Christian Index • February 2023

February 3-5, 2023 - Eleventh Episcopal District, Goma City Region Annual Conference, D.R. Congo February 3-5, 2023 - Lagos & Southwest Regions Annual Conferences; Lagos State territory February 5, 2023 - Connectional Scout Sunday February 10-12, 2023 - Bukavu/South/Kivu Region Annual Conference, D.R Congo February 17-19, 2023 - Kitchanga/Masasi Region Annual Conference, D.R Congo February 24-26, 2023 - Nyanzale/Rutshuru Region Annual Conference, D.R Congo February 26, 2023 - Connectional Social Concerns Sunday March 2-5, 2023 - Katanga/Lubumbashi Region Annual Conference, D.R Congo March 3-4 - Florida Region Spring Convocation March 10-11 - Alabama Regions Spring Convocation March 10-12, 2023 - Tanzania Annual Conference March 12, 2023 - Connectional Christian Ministry Sunday March 17-19, 2023 - Kenya Annual Conference March 24-26, 2023 - Rwanda Annual Conference March 25, 2023 - Seventh Episcopal District Spring Convocation March 31 - April 2, 2023 - Uganda Annual Conference April 7-9, 2023 - Burundi Annual Conference April 14-15 - Second Episcopal District Spring Meeting; Brown Memorial CME Church, 809 W. Chestnut St., Lousiville, KY 40203 April 22, 2023 - Sixth Episcopal District One in the Spirit Banquet / Spring Gathering April 30, 2023 - Missionary Emphasis Day May 2023 - Missions Beyond the U.S.A. Sunday - Observed any Sunday in May June 4, 2023 - Connectional Stewardess Day February 2023 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

The Editor Reports Submitted by Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. Editor, The Christian Index

The 2022 Christian Unity Gathering

The 2022 Christian Unity Gathering (CUG) of the National Council of Churches met virtually, October 9-11, 2022, under the theme, “The Challenge of Change: Serving a Never Changing Christ in An Ever-Changing World.” The theme was based on two scriptures, Isaiah 43:19 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. Previous CUG themes have included, “Breathing New Life into Our Nation: Repentance, Re-Formation, Reparation,” (2020) and “In New Wineskins: From Pandemics to Possibilities to Promises” (2021).

According to Interim President and General Secretary, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, “For more than seven decades, NCC has unified a diverse community of believers: 30 million people, 100,000 congregations, yet one common cause – to spread the love of Christ through the advocacy of peace, progress, and positive change.“ Bishop Teresa JeffersonSnorton, Chair of the Governing Board, who placed the membership at over 35 million Christians in 38 member communions, stated the organization has been “serving as the leading voice to witness the living Christ in the public square since 1950.”

Regarding the 2022 conference, leadership stated, “Together, we will spring forth to do a new thing! Session topics will include Christian leadership in unchartered waters, the impact of trauma, responding to humanitarian crises, the future of faith formation, how to uproot racism/Christian nationalism/White supremacy, and how to deal with domestic unrest and dramatic change.” (https://www.nationalcouncilofchurches.us/cug-2022/) Session topics included: Christian leadership in unchartered waters, the impact of trauma, responding to the humanitarian crises, the future of faith formation, how to root up racism and Christian nationalism and white supremacy, and how to deal with domestic unrest and dramatic change.

During the opening vesper, Rev. Julian DeShazier, spoken word artist and pastor of University Church in Chicago, Illinois, brought a message based on Isaiah 43:19. In it he remarked, “The world keeps changing, and we keep trying to keep up to get ahead.

And the question is, ‘where do we anchor ourselves?’”

He concluded that it is ours to recall the God of the past, 14

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not to invent but to recall, and be reminded that our job is to cry freedom for those who are in chaos in their various places. “The world is changing, but God has not. We will use the new tools to sing the old tunes … Look back, move forward … What have we neglected to do?”

Over the three days of the conference, we were challenged as public theologians to not perceive maps as the terrains and confined spaces in which people live and move. We must remind each other that we are all people in community with all others, not seeing them as other than but as ourselves. Thus, we must enter into dialogue with one another, not to win arguments but to listen and engage others in conversation that leads to a holistic world and lives that are mutually blessed by God. “We must be willing to be changed as well as to be change agents,” said Dr. Iva Carruthers. In the uncharted, unfamiliar territory of today’s environment, Christian leaders must face and attempt to solve crises together, not in isolation, not having the mind that I alone have or can find the solution.

In the final webinar, it was said that as we read the scriptures and seek to uproot racism, white supremacy, and Christian nationalism, both whites and blacks, as well as persons of other ethnicities, must believe that the world in which we live is not the world that can be and seek to break the oppression that is encoded within the policies and practices that have formed the framework of our country and society.

Healthy Churches 2030 Conference The ninth annual Healthy Churches 2030 Conference was held virtually, November 14-17, 2022, under the leadership of Dr. Pernessa Seele, Founder and CEO of The Balm in Gilead, Inc., a public health ministry whose aim is to promote the health and wellbeing of blacks and other minority populations primarily in the United States. The conference seeks to provide facts and thought-provoking discussions about our health, our history, and our faith. The conference theme was, “The Intersection of Trauma on Black Health, Religion and Life.” Supported by numerous sponsors and contributing partners, Dr. Seele states, “The Balm in Gilead recognizes the importance of working with corporate sponsors and partners who understand the enormous task of addressing health disparities and racial injustice facing our communities.” In recognition of attendees, she added, “… we must work together to bring hope and healing and knowledge to our community and to our world.”

Bishop Teresa Jeffereson-Snorton, Ecumenical Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church,

Submissions recognized the importance of Dr. Seele’s vision to bring the church together to be concerned about our physical wellbeing, “the vessels that we are, the hands and feet of Christ that must be healthy if we’re going to serve God in the way He desires … Spiritual wellness, physical wellness, emotional wellness, it’s all vital to us being who God called us to be.” Sharing a personal example, she raised the value of the information presented in the conference not just for the present but for years to come.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Thema Bryant, President-elect of the National Psychological Association, delivered the 2022 State of Black Health using the title, “The Black Church’s Role in Healing Our Trauma.”

She said that the black church has effectively benefited spiritual needs, physical and mental health, economic empowerment and cultural traditions, community organizing, advocacy, and activism in both physical and virtual spaces. But for us to continue a wholistic ministry, “we must be intentional and take seriously the mandate for us to be living sanctuaries, individually and collectively. There is a role for us to play in the restoration of our communities.”

Bryant explained we must recognize trauma comes in many forms, including personal, intergenerational, and historical trauma; that church attendance and participation are not the same as healing; and that sometimes healing can take time. It is a journey to home with oneself. Citing the example of Jesus’ behavior after the trauma of the cross, she gave these means of healing: 1) take tomb time, quietness and stillness; 2) as the women came to attend Jesus, make use of social support, those who show up for you; 3) after the resurrection, Jesus ate something; engage in selfcare, nourish your body and mind; 4) as Jesus forgave the soldiers and others, engage in forgiveness but do not confuse forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus did not go back to mingle with the soldiers who had crucified him; 5) as Jesus was willing to show his wounds, do not be afraid to look at and show your wounds; 6) as Jesus ascended, do not settle for resurrection only. Get up from the trauma, but go on to be who you were born to be. We must thrive individually and collectively; and 6) Jesus shows us returning; he is coming back for us. Our ministries of service in the church and community are not more important but they are an integral part of our own healing. There is a role for the church to play.

Health equity, patient access, brain health, abortion law, clinical trials, depression, and genetic kidney disease were general topics of discussion, with specific dialogues concerning Hereditary ATTR-CM, sleep apnea, shingles, and perimenopause.

Best practice awards were given on the evening of Wednesday, the 16th, followed by a concert by gospel artist Charles Jenkins. Recipients were: Allen Temple AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia; Antioch AME Zion Church, Eastover, South Carolina; Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Brooklyn, New York; and Carter Metropolitan CME Church, Fort Worth, Texas (see the story on page 24); Greater Christ Temple Church, Tacoma, Washington; Kingdom Cathedral, Virginia Beach, Virginia; New Creation Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Painted Brain, Los Angeles, California; Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Morning Star Baptist Church, Gwynn Oak, Maryland; Right Direction Church international, Columbia, South Carolina; St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, New Orleans, Louisiana; and Third New Hope Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan.

On the closing day of the conference, Dr. Seele said, “Let us be mindful of The Balm in Gilead’s vision for each and every one of us, that we will know in our heart, in our mind, and in our soul that nothing, NOTHING can separate us from the love of God, that we are more than conquerors, and that we are made in the wholeness, and in the likeness, and in the image of God.” “I hope you made a decision that these four days have been life-changing for you, and it will shift the way you think about your health, your body, and your mind.”

She ended by offering three words to help us move forward into the holidays and 2023: infrastructure, sustainability, and access. “We must put systems in place to do the work that must be done in our communities …

[We must strengthen] the capacity of our faith institutions to have effective health ministries in order to become community hubs for the distribution of health resources, health screenings, and health advocacy … Access is the key. Without access all is lost. We must ensure that every man, every woman, boy and girl have access to healthcare and access to health information. The COVID pandemic has taught us that we can reach far more people through a virtual platform [for far less cost to our attendees.]”

For this reason, the 2023 conference will also be virtual, and the goal is 10,000 attendees. Those who desire to attend an in-person event are urged to become ambassadors – community hosts at their homes, churches, or community centers, registering and giving access to even more people. If you are interested in becoming a community host, you may email Dr. Seele at: info@ balmingilead.org and say, “Yes, I will join you as an ambassador and host a community site for Healthy Churches 2030 in 2023.”

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Submissions

Black Spirituality:

Engaging the Spirit of the Unspoken Spoken Submitted by Rev. Darvin A. Adams I, Ph.D. Pastor, Lane Tabernacle CME Church, Hopkinsville, Kentucky Dean/Lecturer of the Evansville-Hopkinsville District Scholar in Residence for the Second Episcopal District

Black spirituality is a contemplative practice of the Black Church. I believe that we practice spirituality by way of our obedience to God through the power of the Spirit. For me, Black spirituality encompasses the question of social, political, economic and educational context. How far does our spiritualities reach? What should our spiritualities force us or inspire us to do? In regards to the Black religious experience, what are the unspoken spokens when it comes to Black people's engagement with the Holy Spirit?

The Spirit of the unspoken spoken is the Spirit of Black spirituality. In identifying Black Theology as a spirituality or as a meaningful, Black spirituality of the church, I feel that it is contextually appropriate to connect the reality of liberation to the work of God the Holy Spirit. I say this because I believe that the main job description of the Holy Spirit is to give life to dead and hopeless situations. If we take the Spirit out of life, then we do not have much of anything. Because life is a spiritual battle between matters of spirituality and carnality, human beings need the Spirit just to survive from one day to the next. Just as the reality of God taking on our particularity has universal implications, so too does God taking the parenthetic have contextual implications.

If we view God as both universal and contextual, then the work of the Holy Spirit of God is both universal and contextual. Even though human beings will never be able to fully understand each other in this fallen world, we can acknowledge that the Holy Spirit works in the ways that we comprehend and in ways that we will never fully comprehend. With all due respect and deference to what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit, as believers, we can never deny the experience of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Black people may struggle to give descriptive reasoning to this experience, but the experience itself can still be one of theological and spiritual engagement.

Metaphysically speaking and for the sake of spirituality development in the Black Church, I would venture to say that the Holy Spirit does more than what the Bible records. [Walter Russell Bowie addresses this] in his book, Jesus and the Trinity: A Key to a Deeper Religious Experience, and Ernest F. Scott has written: “The belief in the Spirit has always sprung out of an experience…. In times of religious awakening …men have felt themselves possessed with a quickening and uplifting power, which seemed to come directly out of a higher world.”1 This higher world is a world beyond the fallen world in which we have our existence as human beings. Theologically, an important part of our experiencing what Scott refers to as the quickening power of the Spirit is the loving interaction of the Holy Spirit with the human spirit. Not only does the spirit of a creative and productive Black culture emerge in the physical realm, but a visible Black spirituality comes to the forefront of what we call the Black religious experience.

Bowie and Scott are not of African-American descent, but their musings have theological implications for substantive discussion on the Black Church, Black Theology and Pneumatology because they keep us pointed toward the direction of experiencing the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul writes to the Romans that, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Rom. 8:26). Paul explains the groans as an experience with the Holy Spirit. Here, the experience of the Holy Spirit results in what I term as spirituality or a true relationship with God in Jesus Christ through a Trinitarian awareness of the Spirit [for] those African slaves who believed that there was a God and a Jesus Christ and a Holy Spirit, but could not quite put it together rhetorically because of what they were being taught scripturally; maybe they were inspired by something or 1 Ernest F. Scott, The Spirit in the New Testament (New York, NY: George H. Doran Co., 1923), 131.

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Submissions somebody to believe that when the Holy Spirit was working, the Holy Trinity was present. Maybe the slaves received the gift of a Trinitarian spirituality in the reality of God the Holy Spirit helping them to see that what they were experiencing was not the end of the story. Maybe the spiritual rubber [met] the theological road when the slaves stole away to worship God away from the presence of the slave master. Maybe the invisible institution was, in essence, the Holy Spirit of God where slaves had intimate experiences with God that helped them to make the pneumatological connection between their visible suffering and the invisible God they worshiped. Once again, the work of the Holy Spirit is both universal and particular. Constant and contextual.

Without the Holy Spirit, there is no active spirituality in the Black Church.

Another way of engaging the Spirit of the unspoken spoken in a Black theological sphere is by listening to and imagining what is taking place behind what the bishops, preachers and scholars are writing. When we listen to the life-giving actions of the Holy Spirit, we find that those actions or moments that are not necessarily expressed in words, but we see the Holy Spirit working for the good of those who love God and are called according to God’s purpose (Rom. 8:28). We see God relieving the pregnant slave woman from her earthly misery as the white slave master beats and rapes her profusely. That is to say the reality of death can be the result of the Spirit working. Throughout history, I believe the Spirit of God called many African slaves and other oppressed blacks to their eternal rest; relieving them of more pain as they were being physically persecuted by the white oppressor. Further, despite being economically, politically and socially oppressed, the power of the Holy Spirit sustained Black people to the point of where they could tell the story. Despite the constant threat of death, neither the lack of education nor the economic resources to acquire material things and live a normal life, Black people still had the Lord on their side in the form of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Spirit of Christ. Because of their experiences with the Holy Spirit, many blacks were confident that God would not fail them. Even if it meant dying, the Holy Spirit assured Black people of their safe identity as children of the one and true living God. By way of pointing to the development of their own spirituality or their active relationship with God, some Black religionists claim to be spiritual but not religious. In other words, their keen awareness of the Spirit in that particular moment and over the course of time is more important than the church's doctrinal teaching.

But what does that mean? Is there anything redemptive about the spirituality of Black folk? Does spirituality directly imply salvation? The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through faith. Existing as the work of the Holy Spirit, is God's grace one of the sources of Black spirituality? I agree with Julian Mitchell when he says that Black people have always developed a deeply personal definition of God and their spiritual identity.

Grace included. What Mitchell iterates is that Black people's spirituality contains a variety of dimensions in that Black people's spiritual identity has always presupposed their existential oppressions—their mental, historical, psychological, capitalistic, educational, social, political and economic conditions. The question now is: Do our Sunday morning sermons (hopefully in biblical preaching and teaching) speak to the holistic condition of Black folk living in the United States?

I also agree with Drs. Lewis O. Brogdon and Henry H. Mitchell both of whom argue that the goal of spirituality in Black Church preaching is to effectively integrate biblical studies and homiletics in ways that deepen sermons, stimulates faith in the context of worship, and strengthens churches as they seek to give witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. For sure, having the right “spirituality resources” and/or drawing from the deep [well] of the Holy Ghost will go a long way in ministering to the needs of those who suffer on this side of Heaven. In other words, Black people's spirituality has always led them to a holistic concern for the status of their people. In this pocket of thinking, Black spirituality is concerned with more than just the spiritual condition of Black people. For we are finding that the spiritual condition and cultural identity of Black folk are ensconced in their social, political and economic misfortunes. Not only are they victims, but they are also powerless. In the nutritional soup of Black Religion and Black Theology, Black spirituality takes seriously the myriad of oppressions that have been experienced by Black people since arriving on American soil some 400plus years ago.

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Submissions Continued from previous page When done correctly, Black spirituality leads the Black Church beyond the building worship experience and into the public square of the communities in which she seeks to serve … [Doing] (and preaching) the right kind of theology benefits the public square and the Black Church in that it lends a great deal of theological currency to the existential contexts of Black folk. Because spirituality is an important part of the theological process, it is imperative that Black theologians participate in the social, political, economic and educational milieus of the day. Not to prove that Black folk have a viable spirituality working within their theological worldview; but rather to utilize theology as a viable extension of their culturo-religious thought. [Stephen G.] Ray's theology of Black spirituality, which is both reformed and liberating, visits the White House in Washington, D.C. quite often. Thankfully, Ray's spirituality extends beyond the Black Church and into the public sectors for the purpose of illuminating the oppressed bodies and minds of Black folk who affirm Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, Redeemer and Liberator.

We must demonstrate our spirituality, defined as a blossoming relationship with our Creator God, to those who are to see (with their spiritual eyes) the God inside of us. For I have found that it is true that if God be lifted up, God will draw all men unto him (John 12:32). Our spiritualities represent a major way of lifting up the name of Jesus. Especially when we find ourselves in trouble, struggling with different types of pandemic situations and suffering from heavy doses of structural evil. Both [the] poignant lamentations and the community-minded actions of the visible Church are viable forms of a growing Black spirituality within the people of God. We must listen and listen again to what the Spirit is saying to us. It is only by the directional work of the Holy Spirit that the Church can GO BEYOND. Holy Spirit, speak comfort to my soul.

Holy Spirit, let your joys unfold.

Lord of the highest.

Spirit of Glory.

Voice of the Law. Breathe on me.

For more information, visit: https://www.cmewmc.org/qa2023 18

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Submissions

Faith Moving in the Realms of Social Justice Submitted by Rev. Jessie Faye Manuel INTRODUCTION Scott David Allen writes about why social justice is not biblical justice. His book, Why Social Justice is not Biblical Justice: An Urgent Appeal to Fellow Christians in a Time of Social Crisis, distinguishes between the two and gives Christians a path to allow Christian faith to be used in “deconstructing traditional systems and structures deemed to be oppressive, and redistributing power and resources from oppressors to their victims in the pursuit of equality of outcome.”

On the other hand, Allen (2020) defines biblical justice as adherence to God’s moral law found in the ten commandments and more specifically the adage “love your neighbor as yourself.” To that end, Allen (2020) divides biblical justice into two components, “community” and “distributive.” Both of these are largely impacted by how we view God and one another. As you can imagine, both of these components of biblical justice require action.

It was Professor Cornell West who defined love by saying, “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.”

Love was not very pretty when I was a child.

Walking downtown at the tender age of 12, I noticed that as white people approached us, my mother would remove us from the sidewalk and look downward. She deferred in the execution of her rights as a human being in favor of the white people who were deemed superior by my community. We couldn’t engage white people in any way and were not allowed to enter the front door of stores or sit in the lower sections of theaters. White people of the South were cruel, and we (my siblings and I) were warned that at any time we could be accosted unjustly.

This essay is written to help you understand how my faith in Jesus Christ informs my treatment of white people and all people I encounter along my Christian journey. Racism permeated my early childhood, and only as I began to study the word of God did I become informed about what was right and what was wrong. I began to understand the frailty of all humanity as it pertains to living the biblical justice edict.

BIBLICAL FORMATION The gospel purportedly written by Matthew, a disciple of Jesus Christ, told of an encounter Jesus had

with a lawyer. This is how the conversation went” 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV) Another verse that was informative for me while being raised in Point Pleasant Christian Methodist Episcopal Church read, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, KJV) Thus, early on, I could see the disparities of treatment by white people toward blacks and other people of color and vice versa. Both peoples were off base in their practicing of the biblical commandment of love and justice.

Clearly, both components of biblical justice were being discarded daily by all people, even by Christians.

Nevertheless, it was my faith that challenged me to hold myself to a higher standard, to judge my actions by the actions of Jesus towards others and by the Word of God. AREAS OF CONCENTRATION As an adult practitioner of the Christian Faith, I have embraced the challenge to influence how society renders justice to its elderly, its children, and its poor.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE ELDERLY The MERCK Manual (Consumer Version) says, “With aging, the ability to do daily activities (functional ability) declines to some degree in every person. Also, older people, on average, tend to have more disorders and disabilities than do younger people. But the changes that accompany aging are more than just changes in health. Social issues (such as living arrangements or type of daily activities) influence an older person’s risk and experience of illness.” (https://www.merckmanuals. com/home/older-people%E2%80%99s-health-issues/ social-issues-affecting-older-people/introduction-tosocial-issues-affecting-older-people?query=functional%20 abilities%20with%20aging) My secular occupation is that of a Licensed Practical Nurse. As such, I primarily work in wound care and surgical clinics, especially for those with certain skin cancers. At one point I even worked in nursing care facilities. Often, I encounter seniors who are neglected by family and in certain cases mistreated by health care professionals. It is in these instances that I become an

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Submissions Continued from previous page advocate for them, helping them attain the distributive justice they deserve. My faith arms me with the empowerment to stand even when my job is threatened, and my own personal needs are at risk. Knowing the sacrifice of Jesus and all the opposition Jesus faced enables me to stand and support the elderly who are subjected to others’ interpretation of what they need and how they should be treated.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CHILDREN Domestic violence placed me in the role of an African American single parent of six children, and it forced me to witness how children without a traditional family home are stigmatized, bullied, and marginalized.

As a mother, I was determined that my children would receive access to the benefits of American citizenship. It was rough, living on less than minimum wage, and warring against an unfavorable societal image was no picnic.

But I struggled to ensure that social justice initiatives in my community would allow equity as well as equality as it pertained to my children and the children of others facing that same plight. I attended school board meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and school assemblies to ensure I knew the policies and potential opportunities the schools administered would be granted to such children.

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE POOR Only after my life as a Christian led me to a calling to pastoral ministry did I come in close contact with issues of poverty. Poverty was one of the most detrimental impacts to the abundant life of those affected. The government’s handling of issues of poverty was minimal at best and exclusive at its worst. Members in my congregation often complained about the ill-treatment they faced when going to city hall to say, “My bills are too high.”

City council meetings would divulge into a mockery of the poor and elderly who asked for relief in payment of utility bills. Hunger, another of the killers within the community of the poor and marginalized, was often being neglected.

Quickly, I became educated on who my elected officials were and determined that I would represent this community, as well as myself, in those issues which most affected the poor. Coming before the city council whenever an ordinance was being considered which would adversely affect the poor became a constant habit.

My faith in God’s Word reminded me that God cares, and stirred me to action and advocacy, organizing other ministers to rally against these ordinances to have them changed to favor the least among us.

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"If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.

Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need … Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land.

Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."

(Deuteronomy 15:7-8, 10-11, NIV) And, "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18, NIV) These scriptural texts helped inform my faith and light the torch of compassion that compelled me to act.

And now, as an active member of my community, I write articles that hopefully influence community members to live as social justice proponents. From where I sit, every Christian should be engaged in active social justice advocacy. For as James would posit, 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:14-18, KJV) CONCLUSION The very things that "Transform Network" has discovered ... ring true to my experience and praxis: We have to intentionally engage in antioppression work or we will inadvertently recreate and perpetuate oppression.

We have learned to embrace contemplative spirituality and the inner work of transformation alongside the outer work. We practice together.

We have learned to work at the speed of community. Relationships and communities are the currency and fuel for social transformation.

We have learned that we will continue to make mistakes but we commit to learning from them and bringing courage to our imperfection. (https://www. transformnetwork.org/about/)

Submissions

LOOKING BEYOND THE DREAM Submitted by Cora Lee Hicks, Author

Hicks has always felt the pull to inspire others: "To further broaden her perspective, she was chosen by the local NAACP chapter to participate in an exchange student program in New York City in 1964. In this program, along with other students from around the country, she studied the world "Isms" and toured the United Nations where she visited the embassy of Africa and Spain. These early exposures to different people and places helped to imprint dreams and possibilities in Cora's mind about how big the world really is and how she could make a meaningful contribution to the world."

Published by Covenant Books of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Cora Lee Hicks' new book is an in-depth manual that uses the spiritual lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life to aid in the teaching of young children. She hopes that this book will be a way for Christian educators to bring young Christians into the spiritual aspect of life.

This teaching manual includes tons of recourses for teachers. To help with their lessons, Hicks has included lesson plans, reading strategies, read-aloud presentations, choral readings, and much more. Hicks also writes this book in a straightforward and easily accessible manner so that all educators can make use of it. With this approach and all the included resources, Hicks ensures that all young people will be helped by the spiritual lessons in this book.

Readers can purchase "Looking Beyond the Dream: Finding Spiritual Lessons from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life Story" at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes store, Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

—Cora Lee Hicks obtained her Bachelor of Science in history and master of reading degrees from Delta State University, completed advanced doctoral study in curriculum and instruction from Grambling State University and Mississippi State University, is a retired certified reading specialist.

—Covenant Books is an international Christian-owned and operated publishing house based in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Covenant Books specializes in all genres of work that appeal to the Christian market. For additional information or media inquiries, contact Covenant Books at 843-507-8373.

Source: Covenant Books

Contact information: Cora Lee Hicks cora.hicks81@gmail.com 312-860-4661 Carter Temple CME Church 3rd Episcopal District Chicago, Illinois

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Submissions

Health Ministry Team (l-r): Leonard Watley, Emma Johnson, Hattie Smith, Pastor Edner, Elizabeth Miles, Marie Webb, and Joseph Webb. Not shown are: Darlene Chester, Deleta Gardner, Courtney Busby, and Rhonda London.

Carter Metropolitan, Fort Worth, Receives Award Best Practices in Health Outreach Award at Balm in Gilead Healthy Churches 2030 Conference Submitted by Rev Valencia Edner, Pastor Carter Metropolitan CME FTW Contributing Writer, The Christian Index

From November 14-17, 2022, The Balm in Gilead held its 9th annual Healthy Churches 2030 Conference. This year’s conference was entitled “The Intersection of Trauma on Black Health, Religion, and Life.” The mission of the conference is to equip churches and congregational health ministries with the tools and resources needed to develop and maintain healthy thriving wellness ministries. The goal of Healthy Churches 2030 is to “aid in the elimination of health disparities in the Black community” and to bring awareness to the multiple traumas that exist above and below the surface of daily life for the African American community.

During the preparations for this year’s conference, churches and ministries were invited to apply to be considered for a “Best Practices in Health Outreach” Award. After receiving the email, the newly appointed Pastor of Carter Metropolitan CME FTW contacted the Health Ministry Coordinator, Mrs. Hattie Smith, and asked if she would be interested in the Carter Health Ministry applying for the award. The ministry had worked tirelessly during the pandemic, providing awareness, testing and vaccinations (once available). The application was completed in September, and early October, the Balm in Gilead contacted Pastor Valencia Edner, and the health ministry gathered on zoom to receive the announcement that Carter Metropolitan had received the award. There were seven awardees for Best Practices, from multiple denominations. Carter Metropolitan CME Fort Worth, was the lone CME recipient.

Many thanks to the Balm in Gilead, and its founder and leader Dr Pernessa Seale for choosing Carter Metropolitan’s Health Ministry to highlight with this award. Praising God for the work of Mrs. Hattie Smith and the entire Health Ministry Team at Carter for their consistency in providing health initiatives and for focusing on wellness, not just as outreach...but as helping those within the church to consider their temples and the health of them as a reflection of faith.

Carter Metropolitan is committed to Reaching Up, Reaching Out, and Reaching In as We Go Boldly Forward... Facing Now, Embracing Next, and Seeing New as we strive for wholeness body, mind and soul!

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The Christian Index • February 2023

Children/Youth

Love Puzzle for February (Fill in the blank with the missing word.)

1.

Let all that you do be done in ________. 1 Corinthians 15:14

2.

________who does not love does not know __________, because ______is _______. 1 John 4:8

3.

For _____so loved the world, that he gave his only ____, that whosoever believeth in him should not ________ but have _________life. John 3:16 4.

So now _______, ______ and ______ abide, these three; but the greatest of these is _______.

1 Corinthians 13:13 5.

We _______because he first ________ us. 1 John 4:19.

6.

__________love has no one than this, that __________lay down his life for his _______. John 15:13

7.

And above all these put on love, which ________ everything ________in perfect __________.

Colossians 3:14 8.

Above all, keep loving one _________earnestly, since love covers a ___________ of ______.

1 Peter 4:8 9.

A new _____________ I give to you, that you love one ________, just as ___ have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 10.

By this all _______ will know that you are my _______, if you have love for one another, John 13:35.

11. Love is _______, love is ______. It does not ______, it does not ______, it is not _______. It does not ______ others, it is not _____________, it is not easily ____________, it keeps no record of _________.

1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 12.

Let love and ____________never leave you; Proverbs 3:3

13. Be completely _______ and ________; be __________, bearing with one another in ______.

Ephesians 4:2 14.

Love must be ________. ______what is evil; ______to what is______. Romans 12:9.

15.

May the Lord direct your _______ into ______love and Christ’s _____________. 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

February 2023 • The Christian Index

25

Children/Youth Answers to Puzzle 1.

Let all that you do be done in love .1 Corinthians 15:14

2.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

3.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 4.

So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

5.

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19.

6.

Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend. John 15:13

7.

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14

8.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

9.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 10.

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another, John 13:35.

11. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 12.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; Proverbs 3:3

13.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

14.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; Cling to what is good. Romans 12:9.

15.

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

Directors of Children and Youth Work YOU ARE ENCOURAGED to submit articles from your Children and Youth to The Christian Index.

These may be thoughts on their Christian journey, reports on church or school trips, and even book reports or original poems and essays.

Email to: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org 26

The Christian Index • February 2023

Ecumenical News

PO Box 340005 Nashville, TN, 37204 (615) 649-3990 umhefscholarships@umhef.org www.umhef.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Updated January 11, 2023) SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR METHODIST STUDENTS The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation Awards $2+ Million Annually Nashville, TN - The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation (UMHEF) is accepting scholarship applications for the 2023-2024 academic year through March 1, 2023. Applications are open to students planning to attend a United Methodist-related school and who are members of either The United Methodist Church, African Methodist Church, AME Zion Church, or Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

UMHEF’s two main programs are General Named Endowed (GNE) Scholarships and the United Methodist Dollars for Scholars (UMDFS) program. The GNE application is a traditionally competitive scholarship that considers leadership, GPA, and financial need. With one application, students are considered for over 100 different endowments (additional requirements may apply). Select awards are also available to those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as other ethically diverse students.

The UMDFS program is the foundation’s most popular scholarship program. It starts with a $1,000 scholarship from a student’s church (more than one church may combine funds). If selected, this scholarship is matched by UMHEF to total $2,000. Participating United Methodist-related schools and UM Conference Foundations may, depending on available funds, each match the initial scholarship to total up to $4,000.

Complete details can be found at www.umhef.org/scholarships. Applications and supporting materials must be submitted/postmarked no later than March 1, 2023.

The grand vision of UMHEF is that it be financially possible for qualified students to attend a United Methodist-related institution of higher education. Annually, the foundation provides nearly 1,000 UMC students with scholarships totaling more than $2 million. Learn more at https://www.umhef.org/. *Beginning in 2023, students who are members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, AME Zion Church, and Christian Methodist Episcopal Church are also eligible to apply.

### Public Relations Contact: Teresa Tysinger, ttysinger@umhef.org / (615)649-3975 February 2023 • The Christian Index

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Ecumenical News

A Letter from the President: Accreditation Update 2022

by ITC Communications | Dec 8, 2022 Dear ITC Village: This week, ITC received notice of an anticipated decision from one of our accreditors, The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): “Interdenominational Theological Center is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; however, the institution continued in accreditation, and continued on Warning for twelve (12) months following SACSCOC Board action on its Monitoring Report.”

This accreditation decision comes following SACSCOC’s review of ITC’s 2022 monitoring report, submitted in early October. ITC’s report addressed findings of noncompliance with accreditation standards which pertain to financial resources, management, and federal regulations (13.1, 13.3, 13.6) and degree program assessment (8.2a). The SACSCOC decision found ITC compliant with standard 8.2a while sustaining its finding of non-compliance with the financial standards; 13.1, 13.3, and 13.6.

To be clear, ITC remains dually accredited by SACSCOC and its primary accreditor the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). With this decision, ITC continues on warning status with a monitoring report to be submitted to SACSCOC in September 2023.

Long before this decision ITC began a comprehensive strategic process. Commonly dubbed ITC 2.0, this process addresses the root causes related to these findings, including but not limited to longstanding debt. In a relatively short period, under unprecedented conditions, ITC has made significant strides in governance, administration, program assessment and financial management. In the fiscal year 2022, ITC doubled its fundraising outcomes compared to fiscal year 2021.

As I have stated before, this is not the first time ITC has encountered difficulty in its reaffirmation with SACSCOC but our work aims to ensure that this will be the last. ITC has accelerated its efforts to rebuild its resource base, optimize fiscal operations and co-create the conditions for ITC’s long-term sustainability. With the active involvement and investment of the ITC Village, I am confident the vision of ITC 2.0 will be realized. We look forward to reporting on ITC’s progress in the coming year.

Thank you for your continued support.

Blessings, Matthew Wesley Williams President

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The Christian Index • February 2023

Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

Arthur Ray Shelton On September 25, 1947, the late James and Mary Jane Jordan Shelton welcomed a baby boy named Arthur Ray, whom his father and others in the community affectionately called Top. At an early age, Mr. Shelton was baptized at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Sumrall, Mississippi.

Arthur started his education at the Sumrall Colored Training School. The county built John Jefferson School in Purvis, MS, for Black students, causing Arthur to travel twenty-six miles one way to school daily. Sometimes, he was the backup bus driver and graduated in 1966 from John Jefferson High School. Arthur matriculated at Tougaloo College, where Addie Woods was introduced to Arthur by Joyce, Addie's roommate and Arthur's sister. A courtship developed, and they were married on October 13, 1970, in Jackson, Mississippi, in the home of the late Presiding Elder Jacob Hilton, Sr. of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Witnesses to the marriage were the late Alberta Hilton (Elder Hilton's wife), Jacob Hilton, Jr., and other younger Hilton children. Three children were born to the union of Arthur and Eddie: Sheletha (Shel) Elizabeth Shelton-Robinson (John, deceased), Washington, DC; James (Jamey) David Shelton (Andrea), Fort Lewis, Washington; and Arthur (Art) Ray Shelton II, Memphis, Tennessee.

In 1971, Arthur was one of two Black men inducted into the Mississippi National Guard in the Military Police Unit in Canton, MS. Later, at Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina, Arthur received his basic training and received his Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) training at Fort Gordan, Georgia, as a Military Policeman. After a job transfer to Birmingham, Alabama, he joined a Personnel Unit. The last job transfer was to Memphis, TN, in the late seventies. Continuing his military service, Arthur joined the 3/115 Artillery Service Unit, which later became a transportation unit. After 9/11, Arthur was deployed to Virginia to protect the Army bases on the Southern Virginia Coast and later, after 36 years of service, retired from military duty as a Food Service Chief.

In late 1980, after hours of discussion, Arthur and Addie decided to find a Methodist church in Memphis. Mrs. Shelton searched and found Taylor Chapel CME Church in Germantown, TN, a quaint little church with very friendly, mature, and welcoming Christians. One of the older men, the late Mr. Luke Hill (Big Boy), gave Mrs. Shelton a business card requesting her to give the business card to Arthur. Mr. Hill wanted to invite Arthur to the Church personally, and later the Shelton family became members of Taylor Chapel. With encouragement from the older men at Taylor, Mr. Shelton became an active member in the ministries of the Taylor Chapel. At Taylor Chapel, he was a Sunday school superintendent and teacher, President of the Steward Board, a Trustee, the Church Bus Driver, the Lay Council Leader, member of the Board of Christian Education, and an Exhorter seeking to become an ordained Minister in the CME Church. In Virginia, Arthur became an associate member of St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME) where he worked in the Finance Room as an observer. Arthur was also active in the former South Memphis District, now Northeast District, and the West Tennessee Region Annual Conference levels and served as the District and Annual Conference Lay Leader and was the present Annual Conference Lay Leader. He was a delegate to several General Conferences and General Connectional Board meetings. Arthur's involvement in ministries beyond the local Church started under the leadership of the late Dr. Cheryl Golden, who encouraged him to attend his first Lay Institute at the Galt House in Louisville, Kentucky, and later annual CME Convocations, now Unity Summits.

He was the National Sales Manager for J. Strickland & Co., Memphis, TN, and Mirage, Oxnard, California. Arthur was semi-retired, working in his sales & company and part-time for United Airlines.

He was active in the community and was the treasurer for Zion Community Cemetery Project and an election official for Germantown from 2004 to 2022.

Arthur departed this life on Thursday, November 24, 2022, at Germantown Hospital, Germantown, TN, and he was preceded in life by his parents, James and Mary Jane Shelton, and a granddaughter, Alisa Jones, a life gone too soon.

He leaves the following individuals to mourn: wife, Addie Woods Shelton; children, Shannon (Murf) February 2023 • The Christian Index

29

Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

Murdock, Shel, Jamey (Andrea), and Art II; grandchildren, Terrell Shelton, Dominic Angel Shelton, Marley Lee Shelton, Alexis Jada Shelton, Isabell Melissa Shelton, and Mary Jane (MJ) Nicole Shelton; siblings, Mary Shelton Bellard (Gerald, deceased), Joyce Shelton, Sherry Butler Johnson, and Dr. Joy Jackson Hooper (Cedric); [and those to whom he was a brother in Love, James Ford Lindsey, Jr., Samuel Stevenson, David Clarence Woods (Patsy), Inez Woods, Howard Neil Woods, Dan Ford Woods, John Robert Woods, and Katie Woods Henderson (Kenny). A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends will also cherish the love and memory of Mr. Arthur Ray Shelton.

Church for 36 years and presiding elder for 16 years in 4 Districts.

Eddie departed this life on December 8, 2022.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Laura Perry; five children, Betty Shaw-Mayes (Wallace) of Somerville, Tennessee, Angela Perry-Phillips of Somerville, Tennessee, Cynthia (Nathaniel) Jones of Nashville, Tennessee, Shannon (Tiffany) Southern of Antioch Tennessee, and Frederick Allen of Nashville, Tennessee; six grandchildren; eight greatgrandchildren; three sibhngs, Alberda (Simuel) Flagg of Oakland, California, Thomas Perry of Detroit, Michigan, and O.T. (Sallie) Perry of Mt. Morris, Michigan; six sisters-in­-law, one brother-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Eddie Lee Perry Eddie Lee Perry (E. L.) was born in Haywood County on November 30, 1943, to the late Rev. James T. and Bertha M. Perry, the eighth of ten siblings. Preceding him in death are Lula Mae Dawkins, Gertrude Turner, Ruby Dodson, James Sue Perry-Ballard, R. T Perry, and Leamon Perry.

Eddie confessed a hope in Christ at the age of 12 and was baptized at the Dancyville CME Church in Stanton, Tennessee.

He was married to Laura Allen-Perry for 33 years. Eddie was educated in the Haywood County School System. He was a graduate of the class of 1962. He went on to further his education at Tennessee Technical Institute in Memphis, Tennessee, for a short time. He later enrolled at Phillips School of Theology (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 9, 1998 and received his Certificate in Theology.

Eddie's first employment was with Tool & Dye in Brownsville, and he was later employed by the Fayette County Board of Education as a bus driver.

When the John S. Wilder Youth Development Center in Somerville, Tennessee, was hiring in 1972, he was hired as a Children Service Corporal. He retired after https://www.alzheimers.net/do-not-ask-me-to-remember30 years of service in 2002. poem Eddie served as pastor in several churches throughout the First Episcopal District of the CME 30

The Christian Index • February 2023

ANNOUNCING BOLD MONEY MATTERS! A FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM FOR CME CLERGY!

PRESS RELEASE We are overjoyed to announce the CME Church is the recipient of a 4-year ($1 million) grant from the Lilly Endowment Foundation. The grant will fund a program to provide a financial literacy educational series to CME Clergy, as well as support a fund to provide direct aid to program participants. In keeping with the quadrennial theme, we are tagging this program as “BOLD Money Matters”!

The program officially began September 1st with a targeted launch of the actual educational series in early 2023. During the first months of our start up, we will launch our website, finalize our timeline and put other details in place. The anticipated dates for the Spring 2023 session are Tuesdays between February 7th and March 28th at 8 pm Eastern. The series are free for CME Clergy, but registration will be required. Registration will be open in late fall 2022.

The program has multiple phases: 1. In early 2023, we will begin the 8-session class series. These sessions will be taught live via an online platform. We will offer the 8- session series two times per year for the duration of the grant period.

2. In 2023, we will launch the "Ministerial Excellence Fund" to provide emergency assistance for certain debts or unexpected expenses and will not have to be paid back.

Applicants for funds must complete the class series prior to applying as well as meet other eligibility criteria. The criteria and an online application will be posted on the website after the first series of classes begin.

3. By mid-2024, we plan to add a self-guided online teaching module with advanced courses in finances, financial literacy, financial planning.

4. In 2025-2026, we will add a final dimension to the program, which would be education and consultation for local church leaders and their pastor on topics like "creating a budget", "planning a capital/building fund campaign", "levering property assets".

Watch for updates on our upcoming website at www.thecmechurch.org/boldmoneymatters.

Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, Grant Administrator Dr. Tyrone T. Davis, Program Coordinator and Budget Officer Mrs. CheRhonda Greenlee, Program Assistant BoldMoneyMatters@thecmechurch.org February 2023 • The Christian Index

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The Christian Index • February 2023

THE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY COUNCIL CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH PAULINE B. GRANT STATUS OF WOMEN

Crystal D. Lewis, WMC Secretary Pauline B. Grant Status of Women Dept. pbgstatusofwomen@yahoo.com

Greetings and Prayers for a Happy and Prosperous 2023 New Year!

The Pauline B. Grant Status of Women Committee requests your submissions and financial support in the publication of our Pauline B. Grant Status of Women Quadrennial Journal as per our Women’s Missionary Council Constitution and Bylaws. The department is required to create a publication every 8 years, the last one was created in 2015. The Pauline B. Grant Status of Women Department strives to motivate, promote, recognize, educate, and empower all women. With the upcoming of our Quadrennial year, please help us to make this journal a success! We are soliciting four categories: ♦ CME First Responders/Essential Workers “Unsung Sheroes” – We are calling on all CMEs that fall in this category. This includes all members that fall under the categories of Healthcare & Public Health; Law Enforcement, Public Safety and First Responders; Food and Agriculture; Energy; Water and Wastewater; Transportation and Logistics; Public Works; Communication and Information Technology; and Other Community-based essential functions and government operations.

Listing with Name, Episcopal District, and Church $10 Brief Biography and picture $25 ♦ Missionary Spotlights – Please submit submissions of local, district, region and council missionaries that have contributed to the ministry with a picture and biography.

Brief Biography and picture $25 ♦ Female Entrepreneurs Directory/Black-Owned Businesses – Calling upon all black female owned business to submit an ad and be listed on our website.

Brief description and picture $25 ♦ Missionary Memorial Tributes – Requesting the submissions of any missionaries that have gone to glory with no timeframe limitation. Please honor your mother, sister, mother of the church, or faithful missionary with a picture and brief biography.

Brief Biography and picture $25 You can support online via the WMC website by uploading your pictures and biographies at www.cmewmc.org/pbg-status-of-women. You can make donations and submissions by April 30, 2023 via the website by utilizing the link above.

Blessings,

Crystal D. Lewis

Crystal D. Lewis, Secretary WMC Pauline B. Grant Status of Women

February 2023 • The Christian Index

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The Christian Index • February 2023

CME Connectional Directory THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick - 8th Episcopal District - 1616 E. Illinois Ave., Dallas TX 75216; 214-372-9073 (office); email: llreddick3@yahoo.com Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. - 6th Episcopal District, 2028 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur GA 30035-2395; 404-963-6652 (office); 404-963-6656 (fax); 6thdistrictcme@gmail.com

OR 6thdistrict@thecmechurch.org Bishop Kenneth Wayne Carter - 4th Episcopal District - 5417 Robinson Road Extension, Jackson MS 39204; 769-251-0531 (office); 769-251-0758 (fax); 817-938-3747; KWCarter8@gmail.com Bishop James B. Walker - 7th Episcopal District, 6524 16th Street NW, Washington DC 20012; 301-270-7136; 301-270-7139 (fax) Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. - 3rd Episcopal District, Post Office Box 211237, Normandy MO 63121; 314-381-3111 (office); 314-381-2060 (fax); sw58cme@aol.com Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton - Ecumenical Representative and Development Officer, P.O. Box 5069, Sun City Center FL 33571; 404-307-2911; bishopjeffersonsnorton@thecmechurch.org Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas - 1st Episcopal District, Suite 222, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis TN 38116; 901-345-4114 (office) and 901-345-4115 (fax) Bishop C. Kelby Heath - 5th Episcopal District CME Church, P.O. Box 13383, Birmingham AL 35202-3383; 205-202-6504; cmec35203@yahoo.com; Web site: www.cmefifthdistrict.org;

office located at 2615 12th Avenue N, Birmingham Al. 35234 (do not send mail to the office address) Bishop Denise Anders-Modest - 2nd Episcopal District, P.O. Box 36455, Cincinnati OH 45236; 318-348-8982; bishopandersmodest@thecmechurch.org; 2ndEpiscopaldistrictcme.org Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. - 9th Episcopal District, PO Box 481306, Los Angeles CA 90048; 323-294-3830; bishophames@thecmechurch.org Bishop Ricky D. Helton - 10th Episcopal District, 1703 Tamarack Street NW, Washington DC 20012; 202-726-5103; bishoprdhelton@thecmechurch.org Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei - 11th Episcopal District, P. O. Box AN 7639, Accra, Ghana, West Africa; 011-233-244-630267; rev.adjei@hotmail.com.

Bishop C. James King, Retired - 311 Magnolia Dr., Thomson GA 30824; 502-494-5366; kingcmep1@aol.com OR constance3088@gmail.com Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Retired - 3576 Golf Walk Circle E, Memphis TN 38125; 310-902-8193; hwillia531@aol.com Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Retired - 8145 Summerwood Circle, Olive Branch MS 38654-7060; phone: 662-890-0021; bishoppstewart@aol.com Bishop Othal H. Lakey, Retired - 4441 Magnolia Path Pl., Buford GA 30518; 678-482-7066 Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Retired - 683 Beacontree Court, Concord NC 28027; 704-786-3226; mgilmore1@windstream.net THE GENERAL OFFICERS Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield - General Secretary, Department of Christian Education & Formation - Suite 300, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis TN 38116-7100; 901-345 4109 (office); 901-261-3289 (fax); basiz1@aol.com; also 1119 Linksview Lane West, Cordova TN 38018 Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. - General Secretary, Department of Publications, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis TN 38116; 901-396-5400; cmepublishing@bellsouth.net; rdlsr@aol.com Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. - Editor, The Christian Index, 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721; 901-515-6510; ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org Dr. Victor Taylor - General Secretary & CFO, Dept. of Finance and Investments, 1101 Davis St. - Suite 5224, Evanston IL 60204; 847-274-0182 (main); 312-648-5232 (work); 240-359 6272 (fax); finance@thecmechurch.org; https://www.hightail.com/u/cmefinance (securely upload confidential documents here) Rev. Dr. Leon C. Moore, Jr. - General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions, 2893 Hwy 178 West, Holly Springs MS 38635; 678-362-7549; cmegdem@gmail.com Dr. Jacqueline I. Scott - President, Women's Missionary Council, 7255 Richmond Road, Memphis, TN 38125; 901-737-7675; scottjacqueline210@yahoo.com Rev. Reginald G. Barnes - Gen. Sect. General Bd. of Personnel Services, P.O. Box 74 - Memphis TN 38101-0074; 901-345-4100; FAX 901-345-4107 Mr. Anthony J. Smoaks, Sr. - Gen. Sect., Ministry to Men, PO Box 3, Egg Harbor NJ 08215; 201-892-3942; CMEM2M@gmail.com.

Mr. Shannon L. Faulk - Gen. Sect. Dept. of Lay Ministries, 400 Corporate Pointe, Ste. 300, Culver City CA 90230; 310-902-6836 (cell); 310-590-4522 (office); slfaulk3@aol.com Dr. Theresa Duhart - Gen. Sect. and CIO, Dept. of Communications & Information Technology; 1907 Willow Lane West, University Place WA 98466, cio@thecmechurch.org; 253-376-6361 Dr. William George - General Secretary, Emeritus, Dept. of Publications, 535 Harwood Cove, Memphis TN 38120; 901-683-7833; email;weg38@aol.com.

Dr. Jeanette Bouknight - Executive Secretary, Emeritus, 11928 Steven Drive, Sterling Heights MI 48312; 313-433-7207; cmeexecutivesecretary3@yahoo.com.

Dr. Tyrone T. Davis - General Secretary, Emeritus, General Board of Personnel Services, Retired; 809 Sapphire Ave., Memphis TN 38109-6421; 901-218-0091; Tyrone.T.Davis@comcast.net Dr. Leo Pinkett - General Secretary, Ministry to Men, Retired - 2850 Shoreland Dr., S.W., Atlanta GA 30331; 404-349-1722; email: lpinkettace@yahoo.com Dr. Clifford Harris - Gen. Sect. of Lay Ministry, Retired - 15485 Prairie Bell Rd., Okmulgee OK 74447-8690; 918-519-4233 (c);918-304-1999 (h); MrCliffHarris@yahoo.com THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL Atty. Bernard Snell, President - P.O. Box 27333, Macon GA 31221 or 5801 Zebulon Rd., Unit #446, Macon GA 31220; 478-731-1897; bernard.snell@usdoj.gov Rev. Russell Fuller, Sr., Vice President - 647 Shadyway, Dallas TX 75232; 214-793-1945; fwdistrict@yahoo.com.

Atty. Shirley C. Byers, Clerk - P. O. Box 5008, Holly Springs MS 38634 or 125 East Van Dorn Ave., Holly Springs MS 38635; 662-820-2763 (c) or 662-252-2188 (h); scbjudge@gmail.com Dr. Lynda Brown-Wright - 3157 Dale Hollow Dr., Lexington KY 40515; 859-433-3396; Lynda.brownwright@gmail.com Rev. Dr. James T. Morris - 12832 Holdenbury Ln., Windermere FL 34786; cfdcmec.elder.morris@gmail.com Rev. Roland Johnson - 4945 Bradfield Run, Memphis TN 38125; 901-497-9588; revrjohns@aol.com.

Atty. J. Richet Pearson - P.O. Box 11135, Birmingham AL 35202; 205-252-8961; jrichetpearson@gmail.com Dr. Terri D. Dyer - 1259 Date Palm Dr., Carson CA 90746; 626-372-2026; Terridyer1@aol.com Presiding Elder Kevin J. Agee - P.O. Box 55834, Washington, D.C. 20040; 201-736-9107 (c) or 301-638-7124 (h); revkjagee@hotmail.com Rev. Dr. Jerry D. Woodfork, Sr., Immediate Past President (Class of 2018), 1315 Heatherland Drive SW, Atlanta GA 30331; 404-629-0055; jerrywoodfork@comcast.net.

OTHER CONNECTIONAL OFFICERS Dr. Pene' G. Woods - Executive Secretary, 517 Forest Hill Irene Rd. South, Cordova TN 38018-4829; Email: cmeexecutivesecretary4@gmail.com; 901-489-9253 Rev. James Smith - Coordinator, Chaplain Services; 493 Robin Song Ct., Blythewood SC 29016; 803-800-9788; SmithJEJR@aol.com Atty. Ouida Brown - General Counsel - P.O. Box 587, Tuscombia AL 35674; 256-383-9620; fax: 256-383-9933 Mrs. Claudette Nichols Branch - President, CME Historical Society; 1511 Brownwood Avenue, Memphis TN 38116-4403 Rev. Cassandry Keys - President of the Ministers' and Laymen's Council - P.O. Box 170703, Spartanburg SC 29301; 251-689-7969; email: cassandry@att.net Mrs. Felicia Johnson - President, Connectional Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department Rev. Carole E. Richardson - President, Connectional Christian Educators’ Council - 822 Marietta Pl., N.W. - Washington, DC 20011; 202-291-8566 Ms. Barbara Christian Campbell - President, Connectional Lay Council - 4819 Eagles Ridge Loop, Lithonia GA 30038; or 2012 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta GA 30317; loviebarbara1@gmail.com; 404-587-8311 or 678-641-9745 Ms. Tiffanie Thompson - President, Connectional Young Adult Ministry; email: cyampresident@gmail.com Rev. Dr. Earl J. Griffin, Sr. - President, Presiding Elders’ Council; P.O. Box 612, Grambling LA 71245; 318-245-2743; email: earlgrffn2@gmail.com Ms. Jolinda Dugger - President, Connectional Stewardesses, 110 Montclair Dr., Jackson TN 38301; 731-736-0961 (h); 731-394-7504 (cell); email: Jmdugger810@aol.com Rev. Lisa Lewis Balboa - Coordinator, Commission on the Concerns of Women in the Ministry; 47 Angela Drive, Trenton KY 42286; 270-305-6204 (cell); Lbalboa67@yahoo.com Mr. Freddie McKnight - President, Connectional Stewards, 24 Canton Street; West Haven CT 06516; 203-933-7230 (h); 203-500-6377 (cell) Ms. Dorruth Boyd - President of Connectional Ushers, 5135 Menefee Drive, Dallas TX 75227; 214-533-7553; email: dorruthboyd@att.net Rev. Jermaine Marshall, PhD - General Conference Secretary; 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Blvd., New York NY 10027; 904-422-1627; jermmar25@gmail.com Rev. Valencia Edner - Coordinator, Connectional Music and Arts Ministry - 17206 Atascocita Bend Dr., Humble TX 77396; 936-465-7284;Pastorvee522@yahoo.com HEADS OF CONNECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS Rev. Dr. William E. George - Administrator, Collins Chapel Health Center, 409 Ayers St., Memphis TN 38105; 901-683-7883; email: weg38@aol.com Dr. Paul Brown - President and Dean, Phillips School of Theology, Atlanta GA; 404-527-7768 Dr. Logan C. Hampton - President, Lane College, 545 Lane Ave., Jackson TN 38301; 731-426-7595 (office); 731-427-3987 (fax) Ms. Bobbie Knight - President, Miles College, P. O. Box 39800, Birmingham AL 35208; 205-929-1428; 205-929-1448; 205-929-1429; 205-929-1426 (fax) Dr. Dwight Fennell - President, Texas College, 2404 N. Grand Ave., Tyler TX 75702; 903-593-8311; 903-593-0588 (fax) Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones - Office of the President, Paine College, 1235 Fifteenth St., Augusta GA 30901-3182; 706-821-8230 (office); 706-821-8320 (Admissions)

February 2023 • The Christian Index

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