The Christian Index - July 2020

The Christian Index The Official Organ of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church • July 2020

Bishop Ronald McKinley Cunningham 53rd Bishop of the CME Church 1936 - 2020

THE CHRISTIAN INDEX

The Official Publication Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Copyright © 2020 Offices are Housed in The International Headquarters Memphis, Tennessee Contact the Editor at (901) 515-6510 E-mail: orespragin@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 Sylvester Williams, Sr. PUBLISHING BOARD Chairman Bishop Henry Williamson, Sr.

THE CHRISTIAN INDEX (0744-4060; USPS 0108320) is published monthly by The CME Publishing House.

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Subscriptions should be sent to Office of the Publisher: The Christian Index, P. O. Box 16035, Memphis, TN 38186. 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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Inside The Christian Index "Getting Back to Basics As We Envision Our Way Forward in Taking Care of God's Business"

Volume 153, Number 7

July 2020

Connectional Interests

CME Calendar of Events 5

Episcopacy Obituary - Bishop Ronald Cunningham 6

A Time Like Lamentations 8

Board of Personnel Services 12

Dept. of Evangelism and Missions 13

Dept. of Christian Education and Formation 14

Department of Lay Ministry 15

Department of Ministry to Men 20

Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers 22 Submissions

I Have Learned True Friends 24

Honoring Doris Pitts 26

Congratulations Cornelius Heath 27

Coburn Presents Book on Marriage 27

How Shall We Escape?

28

A Better Way and A Better Me 32

Southern CA Honors Bettye Nichols 34

St. James Gift Honors Corey Kirk 35

You Can't Stop Our Praise!

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Drive-Thru Baby Shower 38 Children/Youth 39 Obituaries - Joining the Great Cloud 40 Connectional Directory 43

Cover: Bishop Ronald McKinley Cunningham, 53rd Bishop of the CME Church, 1936 - 2020.

Photographs: Photos are by contributors to The Christian Index and Index staff.

Submitted to the Publisher: June 17, 2020

Editorial

Protest for Today. Hope for Tomorrow.

Today is June 7, 2020. Two weeks ago, when I was thinking about what to write about for this editorial, I was thinking something patriotic or something that spoke about freedom.

I had no idea of what would soon unfold in the pages of U.S. history. The Ahmaud Arbery murder was lingering on my mind, but the following days brought the news of George Floyd’s murder, and protest marches, and civil unrest, and between all this the news of Breonna Taylor’s murder by police came to the surface. As if this were not enough, we keep hearing of police brutality and misconduct in their interactions with peaceful protesters, peaceful protests have turned violent, and innocent and vulnerable people continue to be brutalized at the hands Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., of those who have taken an oath to serve and protect. And for every casualty and offense that Editor makes big news, only the Lord knows how many more are lost in the shadows.

This is not a blanket caricature of law enforcement officers, but it does point out that bad apples seem to keep cropping up in places they should not be found in the first place. And the sad thing is that current secular government leadership provides little hope for change for the good, even temporary change. Perhaps that is too vague. This present Administration seems to fall on the side of inaction, or worse still, evil action, when it matters most. And the obvious ringleader may not be the mastermind.

After the Presidential election of 2016, I wrote several editorials detailing what I believed would be the disastrous characteristics of his tenure. The prophecy was correct to an even greater degree than I expected because as it turns out, he was not looking for a following so much as he was calling his followers out. Today, he continues to call them out, and they, in so many words, are taking the kingdom by force with both the consent and the help of wickedness in high places.

Conversely, it seems that some of the poor captives are becoming restless zealots who are anxious for an insurrection, on course to an unwinnable conflict.

There is very much today about which one can rightly be angry. We cry out because we are made to remember that like those enslaved Africans of yesteryear, we cannot protect our young from the evil ones of this world. There is the crying of the mothers in Ramah (Matthew 2:18), and the voices of the prophets saying, “Let justice run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” (Amos 5:24, KJV) There is no need to justify righteous indignation or the cries of grief and outrage when lives are taken without cause and oppression and racism rule the day. Moreover, the comforts and peace of this world are to be desired by all; all humanity is “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among which are the pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (Preamble to the U.S. Constitution), barring any infringement on the rights of others. The cry must be made.

Like many of you, my own feelings have run the gamut over the recent tragedies in our community and the lack of a compassionate and just response by those charged with the enforcement of law and order: It hurts my heart. It can be scary out here. Yet, I am kept by my faith in Christ, and I am inspired, hopeful, and motivated. I am proud of the peaceful protesters. I am saddened and disgusted by the infiltrators, destructive looters, and those peace officers who have allowed themselves to be used to incense rather than quell tensions on the streets. But I also am not under the illusion that the

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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.

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Editorial Continued from previous page problems of our society or our world will be solved by political action or by protests. If we put our hope primarily in what we ourselves can do, even through our great collective efforts, we will lose the battle. However, if we do nothing, it is certain we shall receive worse.

So, yes, we need to vote in EVERY election for change that makes a difference for us, in our communities. Yes, we need to seek greatly needed change in policing policies and training, in spite of and especially in light of those voices that are saying NO CHANGE is needed and that the problem is not the police. And yes, we need to continue to protest and to march to get the attention of those who seem to be blind to our communities, to our concerns, and to justice. I have hope in all these things, for all of these can eventually make a positive difference in our world. If we continue persistently to agitate for change, we will make progress. But I also firmly believe we are wrestling against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12), higher than political parties or the White House, and that oppression will not end until the “kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ …” (Revelation 11:15, KJV)

So, we must watch, fight, and pray, remembering that it matters not that we gain the whole world, if we lose our souls. As for me, I, myself, will vote for change. Additionally, I will in all other ways act as I deem appropriate for me (as I pray you will), and I will encourage others to do the same. Most importantly, I declare, “My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” In this season of Pentecost, may we receive the Spirit of the Lord for the power to act in protest today and for our comfort for hope for tomorrow.

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: Unity Summit 2020 Rescheduled General Connectional Board to Be Held Virtually In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Unity Summit, scheduled to be held in Dallas, Texas, August 31-Sept. 4, 2020, has been rescheduled for the year 2021. The official dates for the Unity Summit 2021, which will convene in Dallas Texas, are August 28-September 3, 2021 (inclusive of the Connectional Lay Institute).

Also, this comes to announced that, pursuant to ¶1000.6, §2, of The Book of Discipline, Revised 2018, the 2020 General Connectional Board, previously scheduled for Dallas, Texas, during the week of the Unity Summit, will meet virtually on Friday, September 4, 2020, beginning at 9:00 A.M. General Connectional Board members are requested to reserve the date of September 4th for the General Board meeting, and to expect a call for the Standing Committees and other committee meetings from the respective Chairs of each Standing Committee or the Senior Bishop for other committees.

Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr., General Chair, Unity Summit Bishop Lawrence Reddick, Senior Bishop June 2, 2020 CORRECTION ON UNITY SUMMIT 2021 OPENING DATE: Please note that the “opening date” of the 2021 Unity Summit will be Saturday, August 28th, which is the first day of the Connectional Lay Institute.

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CHECK WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP FOR MORE INFORMATION. July 6-7 - South Georgia Regional Gathering Conference (via Zoom). Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 7 - Louisiana Annual Conference (via teleconference); 2:00 p.m.; Bishop C. James King.

July 8-9 - West Georgia Region Annual Conference (via Zoom). Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 11 - East Texas Annual Conference (via Zoom and conference call); 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick.

July 14 - Mississippi South Annual Conference (via teleconference); 2:00 p.m.; Bishop C. James King.

July 16-17 - Oklahoma Region Annual Conference (via Zoom); Bishop Bobby R. Best.

July 17-18 - Combined Birmingham/Southeast Alabama Regions Annual Conferences (via Zoom). Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton.

July 18 - Central Texas Annual Conference (via Zoom and conference call); 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick.

July 20-21 - Central Georgia Region Annual Conference (via Zoom). Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 22-23 - Georgia North Region Annual Conference (via Zoom). Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 23-24 - Ohio-Central Indiana Region Annual Conference; 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. (Thursday) and 10:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. (Friday). Gospel Jam will take place on the 23rd of July from 6:00 - 6:30 PM. Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas.

July 24-25 - North Central Alabama Region Annual Conference (via Zoom). Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton.

July 25 - Dallas-Fort Worth/Northwest Texas Annual Conference (via Zoom and conference call); 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.; Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick.

July 27-28 - Michigan-Indiana Region Conference (via Zoom); 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. (Monday) and 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. (Tuesday); Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. July 28 - North East Mississippi Region Conference (via teleconference); 2:00 p.m.; Bishop C. James King.

July 28-29 - Southeast Missouri, Illinois & Wisconsin Region Conference (via Zoom); 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

(Tuesday) and 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. (Wednesday); Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. July 30-31 - Kentucky Region Annual Conference; 6:30-9:30 p.m. (Thursday) and 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Friday).

Gospel Jam will take place on the 30th of July from 6:00-6:30 PM. Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas.

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

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The Christian Index • July 2020

Episcopacy

Connectional Interests

Episcopacy

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Episcopacy

A TIME LIKE LAMENTATIONS: More than 101,000 Dead of Pandemic; and Only God Knows How Many Dead of Racism “Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?”

Lamentations 1:12 (NIV) Dear CME Family: This is a personal note (as all of mine are), but I believe I need to say in beginning this note that it does not represent the official views of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. These views are my own.

One of the denominational leaders of another Black Methodist body called this week to ask me if I could sign onto a statement against “the assassinations against our sons and daughters.” This was my immediate and honest response: “I have no question with the statement; I can sign the statement, but what good will it do?” I am obviously tired of signing well worded but impotent statements.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, hardly an Annual Conference was held that I attended in which there was not a “State of the Country” statement that raised the issues of blatant and sometimes covert racism and called the Church to act in various ways in response. I don’t hear those statements in Annual Conferences much anymore. Could it be that we don’t hear it because of our laziness, or is it that we don’t have solutions, or have we become disparagingly cynical as if there be no hope in words?

We have a wordy President. He doesn’t use what we call “big words” – but he uses a lot of superlatives, saying that everything he wants or proposes is always very, very good; the best; the first; the greatest; the most amazing; etc.

And then sometimes he uses words as code language to speak to a racist underground in the United States with which he seems to resonate.

But with all of his words, this President has not addressed in any considered way the miserable, degrading, shameful fact that more than 101,000 people in these United States have died from a pandemic that his predecessor (Mr. Obama) left him and his Administration an official warning about and an official manual for fighting. But Mr. Trump as a new President in 2017 was more focused on removing the red tape and more focused on engaging the surreptitious actions related to the phrase “limited government,”

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Episcopacy

so the instructions given by Mr. Obama for hospitals and rest homes to prepare for a possible viral pandemic were reversed by Mr. Trump through an Executive Order in 2017. No wonder the hospitals were not more prepared!

I hope we will recognize in our worship on this Sunday – on this Pentecost Sunday – that this country has passed this significant milestone of more than 101,000 deaths from this Pandemic, more than any other country in the world. Their voices are silenced, even as the language of those early disciples were silenced from speaking to the non-Galileans who had assembled in Jerusalem! And yet God worked the miracle of tongues!

In their silence, these 101,000 yet speak!

I prayerfully hope we will recognize that the President who said early this year that this disease would “mysteriously go away” has had almost nothing to say about the significance of more than 101,000 persons have died, victims to COVID-19. Perhaps he doesn’t want us to know what a failure this Administration has been in this regard!

But I shan’t be so hard on the President, because he represents the United States of America. Oh! What I mean is, you may or may not have voted for him … but he represents who too much of this country is, and how sad!

Because just as he wishes to ignore the deaths of 101,000 people, so the country wishes to ignore and “forget” the deaths of untold numbers of Black people in this country because of racism.

I say to you that, in their silence, the blood of our fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, like the blood of Abel, will continue to “cry out from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). And this country will have no peace until these cries are recognized.

I had to hold my peace a few years ago in Lubbock at the hotel we used for Conference when, in settling the bill, the sales manager (in what he expressed as a compliment to Dr. Van Carl Williams meeting planner) told me how comfortable it is to deal with someone who doesn’t have a chip on their shoulder, and then said, “I’m tired of hearing people complain about what happened to their Grandfather.” Well, you know me well enough that sometimes my truth can be brash (especially when “Lorenzo” comes out), and I wanted to tell him, “It’s not about what happened to our Grandfathers! It’s about what’s happened to us!” But I knew I could not tell him in a calm tone, and this was our first meeting, so I prayed God to hold my tongue while I wrote a check and left.

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Episcopacy

Continued from previous page

More than 101,000 have died of COVID-19.

Let us pray this Sunday in memory of those who have died of COVID-19, and let us pray for God to bless their families, to bless those who are still suffering through COVID-19, and to help us render equality to health care in America – the richest nation in the world!

Go to www.SOJO.net, where you will find articles and prayers and other resources specifically geared toward this time to LAMENT.

The number – more than 101,000 dead – and a very large percentage of them are Black. That’s more than the sizes of Texas cities Greenville and Nacogdoches and Lufkin put together! Imagine those many people – the populations of all three of these cities together – dead! We are nearing the 2018 estimate of Tyler, Texas’ population (105,729) with the number of people dead of COVID-19 … and our wordy President has said very little to comfort us, or to recognize their deaths, or to commend the sacrifices of the many who died trying to work as healers (the “essential workers,” with very little to work with).

Meanwhile, people loot and riot in the streets of Minneapolis and other cities because they, too, are tired of trying to be peaceful, tired of pleading words falling on deaf ears, tired of a nation that refuses to hear the oppressions and sufferings which killed George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and Atatiana Jefferson and Oscar Grant and Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and Michael Brown and Tamir Rice … and … and … and ….

So: what can we do other than sign statements?

Pray. I know that sounds powerless to some, but I have to tell you that when I deal with these kinds of issues, I have to pray. I must pray for God to first calm my spirit enough to help me hear God above the noise. I must pray for God to give me wisdom in what to say and not say. I have to pray for God to lead me to the right groups of people to work with in the battles against racism. And I also must pray that God will change people’s hearts. I can’t change people’s hearts, but God can.

Persist. Continue in dialogue and working together, even though it is often difficult. This is probably the hardest part of these five things to do. That’s because it means to sit in the room with people who believe they are do-gooders when they don’t see when they also are parts of the problem. That’s because even in those rooms, you have to help educate the educated who are ignorant of

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Episcopacy

any culture other than their own. That’s because in these rooms, sooner or later we, too, must confront our own biases and inconsistencies. It’s work, it’s hard, but we must.

Write. Take your computer and write a letter to the County Attorney of Minneapolis and demand the arrest on the charge of murder for the Policeman whom we can see on the video pressuring his knee into the neck of George Floyd until he was dead and a charge representing complicity of those Police officers who stood by, doing nothing to stop the killing. Here is the address: County Attorney Mike Freeman, C-2000 Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55487; email to citizeninfo@hennepin.us; or, on Twitter, @HennepinAtty. (Phone 612-348-5550.) I heard Friday from a national leader with Catholic Charities that George Floyd was a regular volunteer with the Salvation Army of Minneapolis. We’ve lost a good citizen. Don’t let his death go unmarked by our actions.

Participate. Join with me in BLACKOUT DAY on July 7, 2020. This is a call to action – to have one day of solidarity in America when not one Black person in American spends a dollar! That kind of day will not go unnoticed, and will have more positive effect than burning down stores in our communities.

Please plan your shopping so that on July 7th you buy NOTHING! Not in the stores. Not on line. NOTHING! Let the country feel the impact of Black economics. #blackoutday2020.

Vote. Yes, vote. How many of us stayed home in 2016? We need to vote in every election. Why do you stay home when the Board of Education is being voted on? When the City Council is being formed? When propositions that affect us and our children are on the ballot? Vote. Vote. Vote. Vote. Vote.

Vote. Yes, Christian Citizens, we must Vote!

Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Editor's Note: This essay was first released on June 6, 2020, the day before Pentecost.

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Connectional Interests

Board of Personnel Services

“From Where I Sit …”

UNCERTAINTY:

The Markets, The Virus, and The Future…

This article is not intended to be a doom and gloom writing, but instead to be a rational look at the present and our potential for the future.

In the shadow of the Covid-19 outbreak in the Far East, the Dow Jones Industrial Average opened January 2, 2020 at 28,639. It rose to its highest yearly mark of 29,569 on February 12th, then sank to 18,214 on March 23rd having lost an unprecedented 11,355 points or 38% before beginning a generally steady rise to 27,111 on June 5th (the time of this writing). Without a doubt, much of the turbulence experienced within the markets has been directly predicated by the shutting down of the economy to mitigate the growing spread of the Virus.

The current gradual (and in some instances not so gradual) opening of businesses across the US is now being overshadowed by a potential late Fall spike in the rise of the Covid-19 Virus that could potentially force federal, state and local governments to again shut down the economy should that anticipated spike warrant such actions. At this writing, at least 20 states thus far have reported increases in the number of reported virus cases. And there is no way to gauge the additional sociological impact from the recent marches and demonstrations.

Amid such uncertainty, those of us in the CME Retirement Plan look forward to the receipt of our participant statement for the six month period ending June 30th with the understanding that it will disclose the status of our account based on market activity as of that date compared to its status as of December 31, 2019. No one can confidently predict the market even during a stable period, but we need to be reminded, from earlier articles, of the implicit weakness of the current market based on an anticipated downturn that could lead to a bear market. In other words, no matter how well the markets may have done at the time of this article nor the extent of prior gains and/or losses since the first of the year, the only factor that ultimately determines the status of our respective participant accounts is where the markets will be on June 30th.

Today’s catch phrase is the “new normal”, but it appears the “new normal”, at least for the coming months, is the recognition of our necessity to live with uncertainty.

However, the positive side of such a need is to be ever on guard and to be perpetually prepared for whatever the future may hold. This is the only way that we can effectively face and conquer the future’s uncertainty. Or at least that’s the way it looks to me …

“From Where I Sit”

Tyrone T. Davis, D.Min, is the General Secretary of the Board of Personnel Services (Copies of earlier articles may be found on the Personnel Services Webpage of the CME Website at www.thecmechurch.org) 12

The Christian Index • July 2020

Connectional Interests

Department of Evangelism and Missions

Getting Back To Basics as “We Envision Our Way Forward Taking Care of God's Business�

The March of Victory and The Voices of Justice I can recall the sermons I heard during the last few months of 2019. Sermons that focused on a new year and decade. I can recall these powerful sermons lifted from the pages of the Holy writ as God used the proclaimer to bring insight. I listened to many 2020 vision sermons with some calling 2020 the year of perfect vision bringing with it the excitement of the coming of a new year and decade. However, the first six months have been less than what the sermons preached and predicted. For humanity, 2020 may seem like perfect vision, but in reality, 2010 is the best vision a person can have.

I do not need to remind you of the events that have unfolded and shaped the first six months of this year. We have seen with our eyes, felt with our hearts, and even sometimes been moved to anger. In the hymn "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the writer suggests that victory can be found in our march, as stated in the words, "let us march on till victory is won." I would contend that our march now must be a move to register voters for the next election cycle. We must march with intentional intensity to the polls and invite others to come along with us.

Over the last six months, World Health and Social Justice have been at the forefront of the World. In February, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church celebrated the NAACP Founder's Day. Further, we had an NAACP registration drive in which we encouraged people to get involved.

Beloved, we must call or e-mail our congresspersons and representatives. The voice of "Justice" must be heard in the assembly of Congress, state, and local government.

How? When you call and share your concerns, remember that if no one answers the phone you should leave a prayer message of expectation and hope. Then our voices are heard. We can use our voices in the justice arena, but it must be a collaborative effort to make a difference. Our voices can create change. Consider using teleconferences, making phone calls for one hour to political leaders on issues concerning our communities and other local, state, and national arenas.

We must let faith and wisdom be our guide to think missionally. Networking and collaborating with others sharing information on best practices within our communities is key. So, let us sound the alarm! Let us march on until victory is won! Let us use our voices to declare the liberating presence of a very present God. Yes, evangelism and mission are relevant in our current time. Let us not get distracted but focus on the message while getting back to basics.

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

Leon C. Moore, Jr. General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions Pleasant Hill CME, Pastor Conyers, GA July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Department of Christian Education and Formation

The Time is NOW!

choir rehearsal with their friends. But what about those young people who have dropped off from regular attendance? I am talking about those who only come for special occasions like Easter, Mother’s Day and Christmas. The young people we leave at home or those whom we pass while driving to church. Some are sitting at home and totally disconnected from your ministry.

They too are missing something.

Young people are technologically savvy. Why not make use of their area of comfortability and merge that with our need to connect with them? NOW is the time to broaden our ministry focus. With a proper ministry planning, dedication, technology and creativity, the sky is the limit. Oh, and do not forget our best friend…

Google.

Utilizing CeCe’s 7, I have provided some suggestions based on the internal and external factors.

Leading Youth Through COVID19

Written by Rev. Cyreeta (Rev. CeCe) Collins Connectional Youth Ministry Director, CME Church

What about the youngest member of our churches? COVID19 does not discriminate! The time is NOW to activate our Youth Ministries or give them the necessary upgrade they need to capture the attention of our teens. As I travel the country and speak to youth leaders, the top complaints are, “Our young people are too busy with activities outside the church like sports practices, afterschool activities, social clubs, work, etc.

We plan and nobody comes because their parents cannot bring them. Or they are just not interested in church.”

With over 80% of Americans under a Stay-In-Place or Stay-At-Home Order, what is distracting them from participating? NOTHING!!!! Again, I say NOW is the perfect time for leaders to revisit our ministry plans, especially any ministry that involves youth ages 12 – 17.

I am sure some of you are asking Why? The truth of the matter is “our why” has never changed, but the cir-cumstances did. NOW more than ever is the time to connect with our youth. No matter what role you play as a youth leader, we have an obligation to build relationships, connect them to the church, nurture disciple-ship and conduct wellness checks. We can be socially distanced yet spiritually connected. It just takes work! Effective ministry takes preparation, dedication, and creativity which equals = WORK!

Our ministry to young people during this crisis is more critical NOW than ever before. We have a responsibility to ensure they are receiving the support they need.

Some months ago, I developed a 7-strand approach that would enable young people to be adequately prepared for CYYAC. Considering the events around COVID19, this same approach can be utilized in your youth ministry.

“CeCe’s 7” is comprised of internal and external factors. Each factor can be addressed individually yet if combined they offer the perfect bal-ance. Tending to their spiritual, mental, emotional, physical, financial, educational, and social needs is essen-tial to their survival.

Young people who are already plugged into our churches are missing Sunday School, worship service, hanging in the back of the church or goofing off during

Spiritual: Church School/ Sunday School, Youth Worship Service, Bible Study, Youth prayer times Mental: Book clubs, wellness check-ins, support groups Emotional: Small group, counseling sessions, selfcare and stress relievers Physical: Fitness Challenges, Healthy Cooking, Financial: search for College scholarships, resources for families, summer job or internship opportunities Educational: Social Learning Environment, tutoring sessions, college searches Social: Youth Group meeting, virtual Game Night, virtual Movie Night, video game challenges

Here are a few helpful apps and programs some of my youth ministry friends utilize: Band, Remind, Zoom, GroupMe, What’s app, Microsoft Teams, Google Hangout, Google Classroom, Goosechase (scavenger hunt), Netflix, to name a few.

This time of quarantine is the Youth Leaders DREAM! There is NOTHING standing in the way of us connecting with young people. We must turn these challenging times into opportunities to creatively minister to our youth. How do you start? Just pray and start.

Starting is half the battle. The time is NOW!

Email: RevCeCe@thecmechurch.org

Note: This article is from the Spring 2020 Edition of the Practitioner, a quarterly publication of the Department of Christian Education and Formation.

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

THE GENERAL DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRY CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Dr. Clifford L. Harris, General Secretary

“Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service f

THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF CME LAY MINISTRY: “A REMINDER FOR SOME - NEW KNOWLEDGE FOR OTHERS” - PART III THE LAY MINISTRY OBJECTIVES (1-5) In this July 2020 Helping Hands Bulletin I will lift the first five of our fifteen (15) Lay Ministry Objectives.

August will carry 6-10 and September will address objectives 11-15. If we are to properly bring alive our mission of ”Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service for Him”, we must, through consistent and sincere effort, stay diligent in lifting our objectives from the pages on which they are written: 1. To Study the Holy Bible With Purpose and Determination – If we are to learn and grow in Christ and in our various roles in God’s church, we must be lifelong learners in seeking understanding of and executing the Word of God. Thus, when we study with purpose, we place ourselves in a position to learn and grow, so that we might be able to live fuller lives and assist others. When we are challenged by our understanding of what we read and study, determination should drive us to access additional resources and translations of the Bible that will help provide the understanding that we seek and need. Remember the words of Paul to his beloved mentee Timothy: 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. And in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

2. To Promote And Engage in Ministries Yet Unfulfilled in the Local Church – While there may be ministry efforts going on in our local churches, laity are to always seek opportunities to be more effective and creative in providing help and service to our communities and church families. We are to help kindle and cultivate a yearning and a culture that centers itself on ministering to all generations that are represented in and outside of our church walls.

We should not look to get excited about what is going on at other levels of our church or in the world, without first looking to fulfill the ministry needs “yet unfulfilled by in our local churches.” The following scripture can help guide us in our efforts: Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Philippians 2:1-11 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, …” Romans 12:913 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

Continued from previous page

3. To promote and exemplify Christian Stewardship - To fully promote and exemplify Christian Stewardship, laity must accept the responsibility as Christians in maintaining and using wisely the gifts, both natural and acquired, that God has granted. Christian Stewardship is often only associated with giving of tithes and offerings and an overall focus on generosity, and money. While these associations are applicable, Christian Stewardship, means much more than giving of our financial/monetary treasures. . . All that we have and all that we are is a gift from God, thus, laity in living out our mission of “Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service for Him”, must, use wisely the personal and acquired gifts that God has granted us for the edification (spiritual, moral or intellectual improvement) of all people and the total work of the church. . . In doing so, our ministry endeavors will continually be defined by a concern and an energy that breathes life into this objective. . . Psalm 24:1 says, "The Earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it" and in Colossians 1:15-16, states, “For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth… all things were created through Him and for Him.” “So, I submit to us that as laity, we must be known as willing servants and collaborators and not spectators, when it comes to promoting and exemplifying Christian Stewardship.”

4. To study and appreciate the Discipline of the C.M.E. Church – If laity are to execute the responsibilities that are ours to carry out, we must study and develop an appreciation for the CME Discipline. The CME Discipline provides structure and order in how we carry on at each level (local, district, region, connectional, episcopal) of our Zion. Thus, if we are to successfully help others to know and appreciate the CME Church, we must study and appreciate the Discipline and use it as a “tool” in building up the church. . . 1 Corinthians 14:40 ESV states, “But all things should be done decently and in order. While this scripture passage so often relates to worship, I believe it applies as well to this 4th Lay Ministry Objective. Additionally, I believe that we can also be guided by 1 Corinthians 14:33, that says, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” I, therefore, believe and conclude, that as we study and appreciate our Discipline, it is to be used as a tool and not as a weapon.

5. To Assist in Establishing And Maintaining a Sound Financial System – We are a connectional church whose leadership is subject to change from one year to the next at the local, district, and region levels of our Zion and every four years at the connectional and episcopal levels.

When it is all said and done, laity remain to support and help guide the financial needs of the church. Therefore, at the end of the day, it is incumbent upon the laity of the church, at each level of service, to help provide order and direction in establishing and preserving solid financial systems/structures. If we are determined and diligently work together as lay and clergy, we place ourselves in a position for the church to stay alive and vibrant both spiritually and financially, regardless of the size of the church, district, region, or episcopal district. I close this article and my explanation about the 5th Lay Ministry Objective with this thought,“So often, it is not how much money we have,- but how we handle and manage the finances that God blesses us with.” So, in the words of the Apostle Paul as he instructed the church in Corinth, - “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” - (1 Corinthians 16:2 ESV).

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

GRAHAM-WEBB-KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

APPLICATION YEAR 2020 DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRY CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH LAY MINISTRY BELIEFS: STUDYING SEEKING SHARING SERVING

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC CRITERIA/REQUIRMENTS:     

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Be a member of a Local CME Church congregation.

BE A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WHO WILL GRADUATE DURING THE 2019-2020 ACADEMIC YEAR. Meet entrance requirements of the post-secondary institution of higher learning of which he/she plans to enroll.

Submit a typed 300-400 word essay entitled “Why Advanced Education Is Critical to My Future.”

Be enrolled or planning to enroll, as a freshman in a full-time program of study at an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational, or technical school for the 2020-2021 academic school year.

Submit three current reference letters, (other than relatives or students) one of which must be from the applicant’s current pastor (if the applicant is related to the pastor, an active officer of the local church must write the letter).

Submit your high school transcript inclusive of the first semester grades (or first two (2) trimesters if applicable) for the 2019-2020 school year. Important Note: Applicants who are chosen as winners must submit a final certified transcript bearing the school’s official seal.

Submit a complete Scholarship Application. (Fill in all blanks/lines or insert N/A if the question or requested information does not apply to you).

INTERESTED STUDENTS ARE URGED TO APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. APPLICATIONS MUST BE POST MARKED BEFORE OR BY JULY 31, 2020.

IMPORTANT NOTE: EMAILED OR FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Read and follow these instructions very carefully and use as your personal checklist in completing the application. FILL IN ALL BLANKS and IF A QUESTION OR BLANK IS “NOT APPLICABLE” STATE (N/A).  

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___ Please neatly print or type all information. ___ Include your high school transcript inclusive of the first semester grades (or first two (2) trimesters if applicable) for the 2019-2020 school year. Note: Applicants who are chosen as winners will be required to submit a final certified transcript with school seal. __ Provide three (3) current reference letters. Note: One of the three letters of reference must be from current pastor; if you are related to the pastor, an active officer of the local church must write the letter. ___ Neatly type or word-process your essay. ___ Be sure that your application is POST MARKED BEFORE OR BY JULY 31, 2020. ___ Make sure that your contact information (telephone number(s), street address, email) are current and correct. ___ Be sure that you have signed your application.

Return the completed application along with other required documents to: Ms. Yvonne Peters, Chair Graham-Webb-Kennedy Scholarship Committee Department of Lay Ministry 550 Falcon Dr. Florissant, MO 63031-2110

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

GRAHAM-WEBB-KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

APPLICATION YEAR 2020 DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRY CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH THE LAY MINISTRY BELIEFS: STUDYING SEEKING

SHARING SERVING

(Please print or type, use black ink, and follow the directions listed at the bottom of Page 2) STUDENT INFORMATION

DATE ________________________

Name______________________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address___________________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________________State ______________Zip ________________ Date of Birth __________________________________ Home Telephone ( Cell Number (

) ____________________________

) ____________________________ Email address _____________________________________

Member of ___________________________________________________________ CME Church (Name of Church)

City _______________________________ State __________ Pastor’s Name _______________________________ Are you related to your Pastor? Yes ( ); No ( ). If yes what is the relationship? ___________________________ Local Lay Leader’s Name ________________________________________ Episcopal District ______ Region_______________________ Bishop’s Name ______________________________ ACTIVITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND AWARDS List and or/describe the activities and organizations you have actively participated in during the past three and one-half years. In addition, please include any awards that you have received. (Use an additional sheet if needed) A. School ________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________ B. Church _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ C. Community ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ What educational program or college major do you plan to enroll in? ____________________________________ Expected completion date __________________________________________________ Name and location of institution you will be attending ________________________________________________

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

FINANCIAL/EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (Required Information): Are you presently employed? _______ Will you be employed while in school? ______ Number of persons residing in your household _________ Fill in the blanks to indicate the amount of financial assistance you will receive from other resources while in school. Please indicate whether annual or monthly by circling A for annual or M for monthly.

Amt. $ __________A / M Current Salary (if applicable) Amt. $__________ A / M Veterans Benefits Amt. $__________ A / M Social Security Benefits Amt. $__________ A / M Vocational Rehabilitation Amt. $__________ A / M Scholarships Amt. $__________ A / M Pell Grant Amt. $__________ A / M Loans Amt. $__________ A / M Other Grants Amt. $__________ A / M Other _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ I certify that all of the information on this application is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. If requested, I agree to provide proof of the information that I have provided on this form.

Applicant’s signature ____________________________________________ Date __________________________

(Absolutely Required)

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REMEMBER: (A) Provide three (3) current reference letters (other than relatives). Note: One of the three letters of reference must be from your current pastor; if you are related to the pastor, an active officer of the local church must write the letter; (B) Submit a neatly typed or word-processed 300-400 word essay entitled “Why Advanced Education Is Critical to My Future”; (C) Be sure that your application is post marked before or BY JULY 31, 2020; (D) Make sure that your contact information (telephone number(s), street address, email) are current and correct; (E) Be sure that you have signed your application; (E) Submit your high school transcript inclusive of the first semester grades (or first two (2)

trimesters if applicable) for the 2018-2019 school year. Important Note: Applicants who are chosen as winners, must submit a final certified transcript bearing the school’s official seal.

Selection of the Scholarship recipients will be based on: membership in the CME Church, academic achievement, financial need, strength of references, and a 300-400 word essay.

Completed applications MUST BE POSTMARKED no later than JULY 31, 2020.

PLEASE NOTE: Emailed Or Faxed Applications Will Not Be Accepted Under Any Circumstances.

An impartial committee of educators will review the applications and recommend a winner from each United States Episcopal District.

3 July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Department of Ministry to Men

In Trying Times Written by Willie A. Jackson M2M Director, 8th Episcopal, District

I have sat back these last few weeks and watched as the nation tried to make sense of the recent pandemic and react to it. I have been both pleased and disappointed in what I have seen. Initially, I would have to agree with a pastor and friend of mine in the Greenville-Texarkana District. He said, “I am really disappointed in the reaction of the panic showed by the Christian society.” For me, the disappointment is in the lack of God I hear in our responses. But there are still many who have not wavered.

This is an account of the first weekend after the big announcement went out: The pastor at one church in the DFW-NW Region went online and out of his way to assure his members that the church had them at the center. The sanctuary was cleaned. Sanitizer provided. Tissues provided, etc.…. Everything to make them comfortable. But the doors would be open, and the word preached on Sunday. I have not had time to listen to the message, but I am sure it had power.

The pastor of one church in the Houston District preached a message of encouragement coming out of Psalm 91.

She spoke of us taking shelter in the shadow of the Most High. Of His power to deliver us from the deadly pestilence. That thousands may fall at our sides, but we will not be affected, because those who love Him, He will deliver. We also practiced distance greetings, verbal hugs, and kisses. The spirit was high and message heartfelt.

The pastor of another church in the Houston District was in his rare form as the WMS had to reschedule their annual day when the speaker was not allowed to travel to Houston due to the virus. He spoke on “A Mission of Greater Service” out of 1 Peter 4:10. His message took on greater meaning in the age of the virus. Once again, we practiced distance hugging. We were fed and asked to take carryouts home to eat. The conditions did not dampen our spirits as we tarried and talked for a while.

I say all the above to point out the fear I hear from the church at large, or more accurately from the church members – even worse, in my mind, the Evangelical Christians that want to act as if the danger does not exist. While thinking of what to say, 2 Timothy 1:7 came to mind. “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Then certain songs rang out in my head. One song was I Learned How to Lean. “I learned how to lean, and depend on Jesus, He’s my friend, and He’s my guide. I learned how to lean and depend on Jesus. I found out, if I trust Him, He will provide.” [Another was] the song He’s Preparing Me. “He’s preparing me for something, I can’t handle right now. He’s making me ready just because He cares. He’s providing me with what I need, to carry out the next battle in my life. God is preparing me, just because He cares for me. God is preparing me for everything that comes in my life.”

The only thing that the believer need fear is God. We need to return to simple hygiene and common courtesy. I received this on Facebook: DO the FIVE Help Stop Coronavirus HANDS Wash them often (soap and water for at least 20 seconds) ELBOW Cough into it (not your hand; a habit I need to break) FACE Don’t touch it (something I must remember) FEET Stay more than three feet apart FEEL sick? Stay home

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Connectional Interests

Department of Ministry to Men

I also enjoyed this message from my M2M buddy in Dallas: HOW TO ATTEND CHURCH ONLINE GET OUT OF BED AND GET DRESSED It will put you in the right mindset for worship GO THROUGH YOUR NORMAL SUNDAY ROUTINE Minus the “hurry up we are late” part GATHER TOGETHER AS A FAMILY No multitasking; worship is a family activity STREAM TO YOUR LARGEST SCREEN IF POSSIBLE It will feel like you are really “there” SING ALONG LOUD AND PROUD It may feel weird, but it also feels weird to people leading worship in an empty room.

PREACH WITH THE PREACHER Say amen, clap, shout, and take notes; have a time of prayer at the end; make your home a sanctuary The interesting thing is these are things we do not do when we go to church. When I began attending Lane Tabernacle, back in 1961, the congregation knew all the songs and were louder than the choir. Over the years that has changed. I remember when sister Catherine Bradley announced one Sunday that she was leaving the choir because the congregation was getting too quiet. Now, for the most part our choir is there to entertain and not lead worship; a troubling change. The late Bro. Byron Simmons (Reverend to-be), Bro. Joe Bush, Bro. Leroy Morgan, Bro. Raymond Sanders, and so on, almost beat the pastor quoting the scripture. The thing is people have changed but God has not.

What He requires and expects of us is a constant.

There were at least four plagues in the Old Testament of the Bible. This includes Egypt when the Children of Israel were told to smear lambs’ blood over their door. However, in the New Testament Jesus’ blood was shed for us, and the curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom. Now we are covered by the blood of Jesus, and all power in heaven and earth is in His hands. History records six plagues since the death of Christ. In every case God has brought His people through. The children of God need never walk in fear.

I had a long conversation with my son yesterday. One of his issues he had with the C.M.E. church was they refuse to move forward. This late in the game, every church should have the ability to stream their services to the sick and shutin, to students in college, and have a mind to use the ready-made work force God provided: those aged 16 through 35 that we only use when we must. He also stated that I taught him not to walk in fear, so he does not fear COVID-19. But his sound mind tells him to use the tools provided to protect him and his wife. He is also using the love portion of 2 Timothy and plans to be more diligent when it comes to his family.

We as a church family must continue to do the same. Some have moved to online services of one form or another.

Others have moved to online Bible Study, and Church School. However, we as the body of Christ need to reach out to other members to provide what they need. The journey becomes easier when shared. God has provided us with an opportunity to show the world who He is.

Well, I have rambled enough, and I could go on, but the truth is this: We meet until we can’t meet anymore. We pray until we can’t pray anymore. We shout until we can’t shout anymore. We sing until the power of the Lord comes down, lifting our heads, and being unafraid. For God Keeps His children, safe in His arms.

"In Acts 28, when Paul was bitten by a viper, his hands didn't swell up nor did he fall dead. However, the Bible doesn't say that it was not painful! God never promised to protect us from the 'bite', but He did promise to protect us from the venom. SOME SITUATIONS ARE GOING TO CAUSE PAIN, BUT THEY WON'T KILL YOU!"

--Linda Bingham July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

Connectional Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers, Lady Annette Dillard, Assistant Secretary Presents The Superlative Seventh Episcopal District Carolina and New York – Washington Regions Lady Delois Walker, Leading Lady Bishop James B. Walker, Presiding Prelate

Lady Delois Walker Leading Lady

Lady Annette Dillard

Episcopal District Representative

Lady Lorraine Brown

Carolina Region President

Dr. Denise Cummings-Clay

New York – Washington President

The Ministers’ Spouses, Widows, and Widowers Department (MSWWD) of the 7th Episcopal District, comprised of the Carolina and New York-Washington Regions, are delighted to be spotlighted in The Christian Index. Each region MSWWD meets at its region Annual Conference.

The Carolina Region

Hello, my name is Lorraine McCullough Brown married to Reverend Jack Brown, Jr. We reside in Belmont, NC which is 4 miles from where I was born. I am so happy to be back at my home church, Faith CME in Charlotte, NC where The Reverend Dr. Sandra H. Gripper is Pastor. During the Fourth Quarterly Conference I was elected as Lay Leader. I love writing, organizing workshops and public speaking. My husband and I volunteer with our Food Ministry at church. We are well protected with our mask, gloves, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Cadets, and their peers (dressed in their uniforms and weapons (that’s what you call another form of protection). The Cadets are being trained in participating in community services. They chose to volunteer at our church. Whoopi!!! Due to their limited pay we prepare food for them. So much about me, let me tell you why and who I really am. I am truly honored to be President of the Carolina Region Minsters’ Spouses. When in their presence I receive so much energy. It’s such a joy to be in their mist. The churches in our region are having services by way of Zoom, Conference Calls, Drive-Ins and Facebook. Thanks to the District Presidents who send word of encouragement and inspiration daily. Our very own advisor, Lady Delois Walker, put an interesting question on Facebook that received quite a few hits. I know a lot of Bible studying happened before they responded to the question “What is prayer without ceasing?” It was a great “offsite workshop”.

I would like to give a big loving “shout out” to the spouses on the frontline: nurses: Lorraine F. Johnson, Rev. Sandra Winfield, Barbara Baker, Evangelist Joyce W. Davis, Gena Banks-Martin, Angela D. Edmonds, Denise Smith and Andrenna Thomas. Healthcare Workers: Rev. Dr. Beverlyann Austin, Linda Wooten, Cardiology Technician; Rhonda Edwards, Registered Neuro-Diagnostic Technician; Clyde Henderson, Lab Tech; Melissa Moultrie, Group Home; Sharon Cannon, Day Care; Deaneatha Harris (Durham District Advisor), Pharmacy; Bernice Harrison, Postal Worker; Donna Gives (Charleston/Columbia District President), School Classroom Assistant; Andrea Couch, Director/Licensed Therapist (she delivers food to a senior member who is unable to leave her home). A “shout out” to the Ministers and Spouses team workers: Rev. John and Lynette Cradle, both are social workers who continually work in the neighborhood. Lynette organized a neighborhood thank-you card and formed a drive by to the nurses’ homes to show their gratitude. They make sure the members are checked on by the Class Leaders and they also have a meat ministry. Thanks to Rev. Robert and Dian Williams for their thoughtfulness in doing a drive by, thanking the sick and shut in and posting signs in their yards reminding them that they are in their prayers. They also sent many “thinking of you” cards. Let’s remember all frontline workers: cashiers, grocery store stockers, warehouse, truckers, and plant workers. TO BE GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE! 22

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Connectional Interests

Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

The New York – Washington Region

Lady Dr. Cummings-Clay, President of the NY-W MSWWD, serves as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Education Department, Teacher Education unit, at Hostos Community College of the City University of New York, Bronx, New York. She is the wife of Rev. Dr. Julius C. Clay, Pastor of New Bethel C.M.E. Church, Rochester, NY. She formerly served as the 7th Episcopal District Representative to the CME Church Connectional MSWWD. In that role, she completed two, two-year terms as the Connectional MSWWD Recording Secretary. She is founding Chair of the Board of Trustees of the New York City Montessori Charter School (Kindergarten through 5th Grade), Bronx, New York and currently serves as Chair of the Board’s Education Committee.

The New York-Washington (NY-W) MSWWD adopted goals for 2019-2021. The focus is two-fold: (1) to equip region MSWWD members with organizational knowledge and provide tools for leadership skills development; as well as (2) to identify resources to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of members. To address these goals, the NY-W MSWWD developed a manual that includes the MSWWD Connectional Bylaws, region operating procedures, protocol to be followed, current budget, meeting Minutes, etc. Moreover, officers realized that stress emerges and can cause emotional, health, mental and other challenges for members who have multiple roles and multi-task, especially as partners in the Christian ministry—and for some as caregivers. Thus, as a start, members were asked to consider: (1) planning something fun for themselves on a weekly basis or at least twice a month; (2) plan something fun for their spouse at least monthly; and plan to exercise, in some way, two to three times per week.

“We need to minimize the stress and seek to balance our life’s activities,” Dr. Cummings-Clay (NYW Region President) said. “We have much to do to support our spouses in the ministry.” The officers urged members to destress. “If we don’t do it, who will?” Cummings-Clay said. Other NY-W MSWWD officers include Rev. Marilyn Oliver (Vice President), Lady Maria Dix (Recording Secretary), Lady Gwendolyn Agee (Corresponding Secretary), Rev. Jonathan Dickey (Financial Secretary), Brother Kevin Henderson (Treasurer), Brother Micah Wagstaff (Worship Leader), Lady Loretta Helton (Parliamentarian) and Lady Gwenette Jones (Nomination Committee Chair).

For the NY-W MSWWD, much of this service would not be possible without the New York-New England District (Rev. Geraldine McCullough, President), Philadelphia District (Lady Romaine Dillahunt, President), and WashingtonVirginia District (Lady Aquanda Watts, President) of the region. Each of the districts engaged in individual district service projects in the location of their district’s planning meetings or district conferences.

Meanwhile, both the Carolina and NY-W MSWWD continue to meet the commitment of donating to the Connectional MSWWD Barbara Hoye Sommerville Scholarship Fund. The scholarship recipient for the 7th Episcopal District alternates between the Carolina and NY-W regions. In 2020, the scholarship recipient will come from the Carolina Region. A child, grandchild or child in a minister’s spouse’s legal custody who graduated from high school in the spring (2020) and is enrolling into an institution of higher education this fall was qualified to apply for the scholarship.

Both regions also developed criteria for the Henry C. Bunton Scholarship Fund, which is a non-endowed scholarship of the NY-W Region MSWWD. Scholarship awards are presented to ministers in the 7th Episcopal District who are pursuing higher education, need financial assistance, and are interested in ultimately completing a degree in theological education.

Lady Annette Dillard, 7th Episcopal District Representative to the Connectional Ministers’ Spouses Widows and Widowers Department serves as the Assistant Secretary. She is wife of Rev. John A. Dillard III, Pastor of Holsey Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. She has served the Treasurer of the New York – Washington Region Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department.

Lady Delois Walker, Episcopal District Advisor, urges members to continue to share the good news in creative ways.

She says, “I except the challenge to express God’s love through the gifts He has given me. Painting as an artist and encouraging souls along the way are my gifts.” Lady Walker, wife of Bishop James B. Walker-Presiding Prelate of the 7th, is the Mother of two children and two grandchildren.

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

I Have Learned What True Friends Are Submitted by Jessie Faye Manuel

Relationships of all kinds take work. I say something akin to that in almost every article I write.

In fact, when it comes to relations, I will tell you that you don’t reap the benefits of a good relationship unless you commit to working hard at it. But sometimes, we get stuck in our ways and don’t quite know how to get unstuck. If you are serious, you will try your best to keep your relationship going strong.

Friendship is essential for the successful wellbeing of every person. It is based on the simple rules of trust and honesty. A true friend is a person you can always count on when you face challenges and serious problems. He or she offers a shoulder to cry on in case something wrong happens. A true friend is never envious of your accomplishments and achievements. This person respects you and keeps all your secrets. You can always tell your trusted friend your flaws and be sure that your revelations are safe. A good friend is always loyal to you and never lets you down. I think being trustworthy is a very important factor in any friendship. A true friendship is a reward for all the good we do in our life. A true friend is there for you in the times of need, he or she makes you smile when you forget how to, and lifts you when you need a lift.

A true friend is one who never deserts you and is your inseparable companion in the time of happiness and sorrow. However, it is necessary to judge people correctly in order to make the right choice of a true friend. Because there are a lot of people who can easily deceive others in order to gratify their self-interest and achieve their aims. A friend should help you move forward on the right path. You need patience and tolerance to maintain a good friendship. There should be no suspicion and no disloyalty in such a relationship.

It is difficult to define true friendship.

Friendship is being able to cry together. Friendship is being foolish together. It is being mad at each other.

True friends are always ready to protect each other 24

The Christian Index • July 2020

from being hurt emotionally and physically. It takes time and patience to build a strong friendship and achieve trust between two friends. It is very important to have somebody with whom you can share your thoughts freely.

True friends are worth more than all the treasures of the world. Friendship is doing your best to not harm your friend. True friends are worth more than all the treasures of the world. Friendship is doing your best to make your friend happy. Friendship is forever, no matter what. It is the most wonderful relationship that every person can have if he or she is loyal, dependable, kind, caring, and loving. True friends try to avoid conflicts and do everything possible to make their relationship stronger. Some people can even make sacrifices and risk their lives for a friend. Even sometimes when that friend is not faithful or truthful to your friendship, I know that a true friend is hard to come across, so if you have one, you need to hold on with all your might.

There is a saying that I haven’t had the experience of yet, that “You don’t miss your water until the well is dry.” Sometimes we are hurt by our best of friends, but that’s the chance you take when you trust another person. So, what I am saying is a true friendship can sometimes include tears, denial, and suffering.

In friendships there are times we should be kind vs. being right. That is why we should appreciate this divine relationship that is based on understanding and feelings. There are a lot of benefits of friendship.

Lasting friendships are a blessing for everyone. We do not have to pretend to be someone else when we spend time with our friends.

Friends give us total freedom to be who we really are, and we should be grateful to people who befriend us. A true friend is one of the most precious possessions that one can have in his life.

This article is dedicated to my true friends that I have so divinely been connected to. I want to thank God that after years of not having true friends, I have learned to appreciate friendship and I know that God is “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother or sister.”

May God bless you and keep you is My prayer.

Love, Jes, J, Pastor Jessie, Joy and Jessie Faye

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July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Honoring Doris Pitts Submitted by Ericka S. Dunbar, PhD

Doris Bennett Pitts is a lifelong CME Member. Born in McRae, Georgia, she became a member of Rockwell CME Church as an infant, as her parents and grandparents helped to establish the church. She later moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and joined Central Metropolitan in 1956 and has served in various capacities on the local, district, regional, and national levels since gaining membership.

At the local church, Doris served as the President of the Choir, President of the Women's Missionary Society, President of the Stewardesses, President of the Board of Christian Education, and Leader of Class Leaders, and she coled ministries to the homeless, homebound and other vulnerable populations in the church and in the wider community.

On the district level, (Jacksonville-Orlando District) she served as the President of the Women's Missionary Society. On the Regional Level, she served as the President of the Women's Missionary Society, and as a member of the Board of Trustees. Last, on the [Connectional] level, through the Women's Missionary Council, she served on the Organization and Promotions, Fine Arts, and Nominating Committees.

In addition to serving God, the church, and her local community, Doris is a dedicated matriarch. She has four adult children: Larry, John, Jacqueline, and Theresa; 17 grandchildren, 7 of whom she raised; and 31 greatgrandchildren. She also cared for her mother, Neomia Smith Bennett, and father, Junious Bennett, for numerous years until her health began to decline.

In December of 2013, Doris became a kidney transplant recipient. Though she had a few health challenges throughout the years, today she is healthy, joyful and continues to spread the love of God with all whom she meets along her journey.

Doris is gracious, loving, kind, inspiring, generous, resilient, and faithful. She is known as a community mother, community grandmother, community builder, outstanding citizen, and is lauded by healthcare professionals for her tenacity, strength, faith, and for the ways that she ministers to them when she is in a vulnerable state receiving their care. For 8 decades, Doris has provided love and light for multiple generations. She has bold faith, a powerful testimony, a stabilizing presence, sensitive soul, and striking internal and external beauty. She is a brilliant leader, fierce friend, honorable family member, and exceptional being that affirms the humanity of all.

Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, the 5th Episcopal District, and all of Doris's family, friends, church members and other loved ones wish to salute her for her outstanding service and faithfulness to God and to God's children.

"Humility is better performed than professed."

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--Ramon Stripling

Submissions

Congratulations to Cornelius Kelby Heath Submitted by Clarence Kelby Heath Cornelius is the oldest son of Clarence Kelby and Lakisha Heath. He was born November 13, 1996, in Sarasota, Florida. As his father, I would like to congratulate and publicly recognize his graduation at Miles College. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with an earned Bachelor of Science in Childhood Development. Along with Cornelius, we salute and congratulate other graduates of Miles’ Class of 2020.

As an educator and choir member, Cornelius is a gifted young man. For several years he has worked with Freedom Schools in Fort Worth, Texas, from 20152019 as a student intern and site coordinator. He served at St. Andrews United Methodist, Rising Star Missionary Baptist, and Carter Metropolitan CME Churches. He started teaching the preschool Sunday School class in his early teens at Central Metropolitan CME Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

Cornelius has been part of the Miles College “Golden Voices” Choir under Director Valerie R. Harris. The Golden Voices is renowned throughout the United States, performing various genres of music from spirituals to contemporary before audiences ranging from church to theater. My wife and I extend appreciation to the Miles College staff, teachers, and others that have been supportive of Cornelius over the years. GO MILES!

Coburn Presents Book on Marriage Submitted by Dr. Willie Coburn I, Rev. Dr. Willie Coburn, Evangelist, thank the late Rev. William R. Johnson, Jr. for inspiring me to attend Bible College and seminary, which had a great impact on my spiritual walk with the Almighty. In addition to influencing my Christian education, he encouraged my pathway towards the ministry, which enabled me to speak and teach the Word of God throughout the land.

Also, kudos to Word of Faith CME Church of Barstow, California, and the Southern California Region Ministers' Spouses, Widows, and Widowers of the 9th Episcopal District for casting the net and making me part of their evangelism team for the work of the ministry in prior years. May God continue to bless each one of you, and thanks for casting the net. (St. John 21:6, KJV).

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

How Shall We Escape,

If We Neglect So Great a Salvation?

A Sermon Based on Hebrews 2:1-3 Submitted by Rev. Roosevelt Tinker

In Romans 1:16, Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” This means, the gospel of salvation has the answer to the world's deepest need. It is the cure for the disease of sin. It tells men how to deliver one’s soul from hell. It guarantees everlasting life for everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, Church, the law tells men what they must do, but the gospel of salvation tells men what Almighty God has already done.

By the law is the knowledge of sin, but the gospel is the knowledge of salvation. To neglect, ignore, or be ashamed of the gospel of salvation means eternal destruction from the presence of the Lord. In Mark 8:38, Jesus said, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” Therefore, Church, How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

That's why Paul said, "We must give more earnest heed to the things we have heard, to the teaching of the Precious Word of God, to be alert, to be sober, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, lest we drift away from studying the Precious Word of God … Lest we drift away from teaching the Pure Word of Almighty God. Therefore, Church, in our society today we prepare to live that abundant life.

Now when I say prepare, neglect, ignore, or be ashamed, there are those today who prepare for retirement, put their children through college, buy a home, and on and on. But at the same time, they fail, neglect, ignore, or are ashamed to accept the cross of Christ Jesus. By that, I mean the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. They fail to repent of their sins and come to the cross of Christ Jesus by faith.

There are those who work and make way to have an abundance of material possessions, but at the same time they refuse to come out of darkness into Christ Jesus, the Marvelous Light. They send their children to the best colleges and universities but are ashamed, neglect, or refuse to tell men, women, boys and girls that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life for everyone who believes on the Lord Jesus the Christ.

Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

We even prepare for hurricanes and the best of health care, but we neglect or ignore to tell others about the greatest gift on earth, Soul Salvation! How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? We give our children and family members the best things money can buy, but at the same time, we neglect to give them the best thing money can't buy: soul salvation. We prepare for social events, and at the same time we know family members, friends and people all around us are on their way to hell, but we are ashamed or neglect to witness to them. How shall we escape if we neglect So Great A Salvation?

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Submissions We prepare for weddings. We prepare for funerals and leisure time. But at the same time, we neglect or refuse to help precious souls come out of darkness into Christ Jesus’ marvelous light. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?

There are those who refuse to send their children to Sunday school. They refuse to bring their Children to Sunday school. And they refuse to come to Sunday school or Bible study to study the precious Word of God. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” What the world needs – today … What our children need today … is training.

What is training? Training, Church, means discipline.

What is discipline? It is training that corrects. It molds. It perfects the mental faculties.

It leads to character. Discipline involves shaping. Discipline means correction, and this can only come through the Studying of God's Precious Word. Spiritual food is necessary for Growth. It is the Precious Word of God that makes you strong in the Lord.

A young man called me, and he said, “I am catching hell every day. I am paying my tithes and doing what the Lord is requiring of me.” But he left out the fact that he was living with this young lady. Hebrews 12:5-7 says, “My son do not despise the chastening of the Lord; Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked

by Him. For whom the Lord loves He chastens and scourges every son whom He receives. For if you are enduring Chastising; God is dealing with you as a son.” Almighty God, Church, was chastising this young man. He wasn’t catching hell but was being disciplined by Almighty God. We must teach our children and other to obey and respect the Precious Word of God. We should always make sure they have a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Too often we think just because they attend church, Sunday school, or Biblical Training, they have a personal relationship with Christ. A young Preacher walked up to me and said, “I grew up in the Church and did not understand the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. That's why Paul says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?”

Think about it, Church. You would not think about going without physical food for a week. Most of us won't even go for a day. So, you see physical food is necessary for life. Without physical food, one becomes ill and dies. A lack of Spiritual food produces the same results. That's why it is imperative to study the precious Word of God. We study the precious Word of God to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus. By studying the Word of God, it causes our faith to grow.

Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing the precious word of God.” Therefore, Church, in order to grow spiritually, we must have a conviction. Sin must be acknowledged. Sin must be confessed. Hebrews 4:12 shows that the precious word of God reveals our inmost self to us. “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Paul said the precious Word of God is alive. That’s why it is important to study the precious Word of God. The soul must be fed. The spirit must be fed. In First Corinthians 15:45, in part, Paul said Christ Jesus is a life-giving Spirit. That's why the precious Word of God is quick.

That's why the precious Word of God is alive. You need your Spiritual food to feed the soul. In John 6:48, Jesus said, “I am the bread of Life.” Then in verse 51, He said, “I am that Living Bread that came down from heaven.” Therefore, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?

Think about it, Church. Whenever we get hungry, we fulfill our natural appetite. Whenever a friend or family member says, “I have need of food,” we give it to them. That's because Satan tempted Eve in the Garden with the words, "It is good for food."(Gen.3:6) This temptation is what John calls the lust of the flesh.

(1 John 2:16) That’s why we live to gratify the flesh.

That's why our natural desires are to fulfill the flesh.

That's why our natural desires are to seek comfort instead of the Kingdom of God. Sin comes naturally, but we must seek Almighty God's righteousness.

Satan’s suggestion to Eve was, “You have to live, don't Continued on next page July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions Continued from previous page you?” But in Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God, which means we don't have to live, but we do have to obey the Precious Word of God. How shall we escape if we neglect or ignore so great a salvation?

Therefore, Church, it is your responsibility to witness to the lost souls around you. A witness is one who is saved himself, then tells others about Christ’s Saving Grace. Witnessing has been said to be one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread. Witnessing does not come naturally. Satan still tells us to give them the physical food but neglect the physical food.

He says, give them the silver and gold but neglect the hungry soul. But Jesus asks in Matthew 16:26, “What does it profit for a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Think about it, Church, one soul is worth more than all the silver and gold in the whole world. Therefore, what the world needs today … what our family members need today … what our children need today, above all things, is to be taught the Precious Word of God. Listen to this command from Almighty God to Moses in Deut.6:4-9: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord Our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, When you walk by the way, When you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

It is not just enough to love Almighty God. It is not just enough to come to Church, and Sunday-School.

We must put the Academics of salvation in action.

We should be mourning over lost souls. Just like we give them physical food, we should be crying out to Almighty God to give them the Spiritual food.

Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” The wisest thing we can do today is teach our children, family members and others about Christ Jesus. We must teach our children both with our lives and with our lips. The command is to speak about the precious Word of God. We speak about birthdays, but at the same time, neglect or refuse to speak about soul salvation, winning souls for Christ Jesus. We speak about retirement, but neglect to speak about witnessing to precious souls. We speak about the best doctors, we speak about the best lawyers, but at the same time, we neglect or refuse to talk about the precious word of God. We need to use these cell phones to speak about the saving grace of Christ Jesus.

We are commanded to speak about the precious Word of God. When [you] walk by the wayside, the precious Word of God is saying, teach your children, teach your family members, teach your friends, teach those you gossip with, teach others around you. Teach them when you are driving your car, teach them when you are picnicking in the park, teach them when you tuck them in at night. The precious Word of God says, teach, teach, teach.

Listen to me, Church. Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joseph Prince, and Benny Hinn will not tell you what I am about to say. Teach your children that shacking up, premarital and extra-marital sex, and homosexuality, [are condemned by] the Precious Word of God as fornication, adultery, and perversions unnatural and

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The Christian Index • July 2020

Submissions against the nature of Almighty God. Teach your children that Holy Matrimony between two men or two women is an abomination in the Eyes of Almighty God. I know what the world is saying. I know what some Churches are saying and doing. I know what Hollywood is saying. I know what some politicians are saying. I know what the Supreme Court said. But in Acts 5:29, "Peter and the other Apostles said, We ought to Obey God rather than man.” Leviticus 18:22 says Thou shall not, or You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. It’s an abomination.

Then some say, “But· that's the Old Testament.”

Malachi 3:6 in part says, "I the Lord Your God, I change not.” Listen to Romans 1:24-28. Read the whole Chapter. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, In the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the- truth of God for a lie. And worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen. For this reason God gave them over to vile passion. Something that is disgusting. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the women, burning in their lust for one another. Men with men, committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. Even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind. A mind that is incapable of doing good.” Teach your children, that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.

I know for myself you cannot neglect this Bible training and get away with it. I know for myself you

cannot neglect this great a salvation and get away with it. A long, long time ago, someone told me, “Tinker, you are on your way to hell.” I looked at them and smiled, threw up my hand, and waved at them. I went on to the Harlem Duke Social Club [(Prichard, Alabama)]. Sitting up in a dark corner, with my dark shades on, drinking my Ghetto Champagne, and singing along with Marvin Gaye, “Busy thinking about my baby, And I ain’t got time for nothing else.”

But the Lord had to chastise me, Church. The Lord had to allow Satan to afflict me so that I had to call out for His mercy and Marvelous Grace.

November the 29th, 1974, right out there on Highway 45, I was in a car crash. The doctors cried out, “We have done all that we can do. Call his next of kin.”

But I cried out, “Lord, have mercy. Have mercy on my poor dying soul.” And the Lord delivered me from the leaping, hot, fast-moving flames of hell.

Had I died November 29, 1974, at 2:45 a.m., I would have been in hell 45 years. Therefore, Church, I no longer have to sit up in a dark club, with my dark shades on, drinking my Ghetto Champagne, singing along with Marvin Gaye, “Busy thinking about my baby, And I ain’t got time for nothing else,” because the Lord has put a new song in my heart, a song of salvation.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see.”

Thank you, God bless you.

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Submissions

“A Better Way and A Better Me”

Philadelphia District Board of Evangelism and Missions "Evangelism Institute" Submitted by Bro. Bruce Benson Lay Leader, Philadelphia District

The Philadelphia District Board of Evangelism and Missions and the District Lay Ministry sponsored an Evangelism Institute, “A Better Way and A Better Me,” March 6-7, 2020, in Claymont, Delaware. Bro. Mike Dixon, District Director of Evangelism and Missions, and his team outdid themselves with the presentations and activities that took place during the workshops.

Our presenters and instructors included: Rev. Kevin Agee – Presiding Elder, Philadelphia District - Event Evangelism; Rev . Dale Dennis – Evangelism and Theatrical Ministries; Rev. Leon Moore – General Secretary of Evangelism of the CME Church – Designing a Church Wide Plan for Evangelism; Rev. Dr. Julius Clay – Securing Funding for Your Ministry; Rev. Cynthia Bryant – The Holy Spirit and Evangelism; Rev. Marshall Jenifer – Radical Hospitality; Rev. Horace Kinlaw – Evangelism and Prison Ministry; Rev. Omar Dykes – Evangelism and Millennials; Rev. Dr. Janet Sturdivant – Presiding Elder AME Church – Evangelism and Church Leadership; Rev. Dr. Queen Dickey – Ethical Issues and Evangelism; Rev. Dr. Ricky Helton – Creating and Safe and Healthy Environment for Evangelism; Rev. Bonita Collins-Hobbs – Building an Evangelism Team/Ministry; Rev. Dr. Raymond F. Williams – Former General Secretary of Evangelism – Principles of Dealing with Difficult Members and Pastors; Dr. Denise Cummings Clay – Principles of Church Administration; Rev. Dr. George Anderson – Growing “The Church”; and Rev. Dr. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, J.D. - Evangelism through Social Justice.

As our outreach to the local community, the Board of Evangelism and Missions and the District Lay Ministry sponsored an appreciation/honoree luncheon. Rev. Leon Moore, General Secretary of the Department of Missions and Evangelism of the CME Church, was the featured speaker. Mrs. Helene I. Gladney, a native Delawarean, was honored for her untiring efforts as a community organizer and evangelistic leader. Mrs. Gladney is a graduate of Delaware State University and Wilmington University and holds a Master’s degree in Social Work. Her evangelism work includes, but is not limited to: Co-chair of EMC Evangelism Committee; Medical Social Worker for St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware; Public Health Consultant, City of Wilmington; Organizer and trainer of Evangelism; Co-coordinator of the Homeless Breakfast and Praise and Worship Service; and the list goes on and on with her support for the church and the community.

We were also pleased to have Rev. Alfred Parker, Pastor of Mt. Zion CME Church, Sharon Hill, who gave the invocation and table blessing. Licentiate Sis. Miranda King-Lane read scripture. Bro. Ken Thomas, Regional Lay Leader of the New York-Washington Region, shared the welcome and occasion. Rev. Rebecca Collins-Rawls of Mt. Zion provided the musical selections. Bro. Bruce Benson, District Lay Leader and 1st Vice Lay Leader of the New York-Washington Region, was the Worship Leader for the event, and Bro. R. Michael Dixon gave closing remarks, which were followed with the benediction by Rev. Kevin Agee, Presiding Elder of the Philadelphia District.

We were also honored to have Rev. Dr. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver, Regional Director of Evangelism and Missions for the New York Washington Region, to introduce the speaker. Rev. Oliver announced the Social Justice Summer 2020, which is a national call to action for congregations and other faith communities to a dedicated time of social justice-themed worship, study, discussion and action. Additionally, we were honored to have Bro. Walter Oliver, Lay Leader of the New York-New England Lay Ministry, and Rev. Dr.

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Submissions Theresa Oliver, Pastor Mt. Zion CME Church, Bronx, New York, and the many lay persons and clergy that attended from the New York-New England Region.

After a day of learning and sharing, the event coordinators presented a relaxing meet-and-greet session with a Gospel Jazz Reception led by Rev. Jerry Martin and his Jazz Ensemble.

(l-r): Rev. Dr. Ricky Helton – Pastor Israel Metropolitan CME Church, Washington, D.C.; Rev. Dr. Raymond F. Williams, former General Secretary Evangelism CME Church; Bro. Ken Thomas, Regional Lay Leader, NY-Washington Region; Rev. Kevin Agee, Presiding Elder, Philadelphia District; Honoree – Mrs. Helene I. Gladney; Rev. Leon Moore, General Secretary Evangelism and Missions, CME Church; Rev. Dr. Cynthia Oliver, Regional Director of Social Concerns, NY-Washington Region; Bro. R. Michael Dixon, Philadelphia District Director of Evangelism; and Bro. Bruce Benson, Lay Leader, Philadelphia District.

Rev. Jerry Martin and his Jazz Ensemble

Bro. Ken Thomas, Regional Lay Leader of the New York Washington Region, giving the welcome and the occasion for the event.

"When we face things we [cannot] change, God comes to offer us one thing that never changes. His love.

"Father, forgive the things I [cannot] change. Receive and renew me with your unchanging love. In Jesus' Name."

--Michael Green July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

SOUTHERN CA REGION PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

HONORS BETTYE F. NICHOLS Submitted by Cheryl Estrada

On Saturday, March 7, 2020, The Department of Public Relations of The Southern California Region of The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church honored Mrs. Bettye Faye Nichols as Public Relations Director Emerita for over 30 Years of Service as the Public Relations Director. The Event was held at The Quiet Cannon Event Center in Montebello, California, where over 100 people gathered to salute and recognize her legacy of devoted dedication of publicizing the activities and events of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, both locally and nationally!

Mrs. Nichols received Awards and Certificates of Commendation from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; The Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper; Bishop Bobby R. Best, Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District of the CME Church; Curry Temple CME Church, Rev. Joseph Gardner, Pastor; and The SCR Public Relations Department, Dr. Vanilla Brooks, Director. Also, scores of family and friends shared touching “Tributes and Expressions of Love” during the program. In addition, Mrs. Nichols’ grandsons, their wives, and great-grandchildren were also in attendance and gave lovely tributes.

The program participants also included Diana Winton, Emcee; Dr. Vanilla Brooks, SCR Public Relations Director and the Committee Members; and The Rev. Bernard Jackson, Pastor of Phillips Temple CME Church, delivered the invocation and benediction, respectively. Bro. Ray Thomas rendered two beautiful solos, and Cheryl and Harvey Estrada, Mrs. Nichols’ daughter and son-in-law, drew lots of applause singing, “To God Be The Glory!” Mrs. Nichols concluded the program with sincere words of gratitude and appreciation to the SCR Public Relations Department and to everyone who shared and participated in this Spectacular Grand Celebration of Tribute!

Mrs. Bettye Faye Nichols' Family - Luncheon Photo

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The Christian Index • July 2020

Submissions

A Memorial Gift to St. James CME In Honor of Corey Justin Kirk Submitted by Mary Thompson Birmingham Region WMS, Fifth Episcopal District

We, the members of St. James CME in Jasper, Alabama, are deeply humbled by the magnanimous gift of support received from Cynthia Kirk, daughter of the late Sarah Farris, a former Annual Conference President, and her son-in-law, Johnny Kirk.

LA Sentinel Recognition Award - Luncheon Photo

In a time of membership decline and financial challenges, this amount of $1,500.00 given in memory of their son, the late Corey Justin Kirk, was such a blessing and truly a support of our ministries and obligations.

It reminds us to keep the faith, for God is an ever present help in times of trouble. Remembering the words of our father, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:20)

Bishop's Award - Luncheon Photo

(l-r): Jeremy Kirk, Johnny & Cynthia Kirk, Rev. William Morgan (guest preacher), Greg Farris, & Cheryl Farris.

"You never know when you will lose someone but it is best as they say, 'give a person their flowers while they are still alive.'"

--Rev. Lesha Agnew

PR Committee Photo July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

You Can’t Stop Our Praise!

Worshipping at Mt. Pilgrim CME in Denton, Texas, Before and During COVID-19 Submitted by Demetria Ennis-Cole Photos Courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Thrower

Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, members and friends of Mt. Pilgrim enjoyed meeting in person to celebrate the goodness of God, grow spiritually, fellowship, and learn from each other.

We enjoyed the Young Adults’ Worship Service, the Super Bowl Bash, and the Annual Men’s Day Program. Sis. Taylor Roy and Sis. Kim Ross were the speakers for the Young Adults’ Worship Service.

Sis. Roy shared the necessity for praising God at all times – during dark times and times of great joy. God deserves praise because of His greatness and His undying love for us; we should resist (Young Adults, l-r): (1st Row): Sis. Ross, Sis. Lucas, Sis. Smith, Sis. Duncan, Sis. the urge to respond to the events of life Choice, Sis. Williams, Sis. Fuller, Bro. Glass. (2nd Row): Bro. Lucas, Bro., Clark, with an attitude like that of Job’s wife Sis. Roy, Sis. Taylor, Sis. Butler.

(Job 2: 9-10). Sis. Ross shared a personal testimony and encouraged the congregation to praise God “WITHOUT Limits” – this was the theme for the service, and it was based on Psalm 150. Sis. Destiny Smith shared the Spoken Word through a beautiful poem about God’s goodness and care for us even though we are undeserving, and Bro. C.J. Neal played the saxophone beautifully.

We have an annual Super Bowl Bash at Mt. Pilgrim CME, and this year we celebrated by watching the game and enjoying each other’s company. We are Dallas Cowboys Fans!

We had a wonderful Men’s Day Program with four special participants: Sis. Kyla Duncan, the featured performer (praise dance); Bro. E.J. Lucas, the Inspirational Moment (“Why I Love to Sing); Bro. Andrew Clark, the Men’s Day Speaker; and Bro. Mt. Pilgrim CME - Go Cowboys!

Henry Griffin, the Men’s Day Speaker. The speakers encouraged us to build our faith, care for our families and our health, and perform all our daily activities in a manner which glorifies God. The speakers encouraged men to take their rightful place in their homes and take their direction from God.

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Submissions

(l-r): Bro. E.J. Lucas and Sis. Kyla Duncan

(l-r): Bro. A. Clark and Bro. Henry Griffin

Mt. Pilgrim Christian Methodist Episcopal Church continues to worship and praise God during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sis. Tia Duncan and her husband, Bro. Anthony Duncan, organize announcements and send those via email, and they host GoTo Meetings for both the Sunday Morning Worship Service and Bible Study. Additionally, Sis. Hope Smith streams the services live on Facebook. Sis. Gloria Stephens prerecords music for the services, and this provides inspiration in song. A few weekly announcements are made by Sis. Hope Smith during the service, and Bro. Maurice Fox and Bro. Melvin Cole provide support as needed. First Lady Yolanda Fuller leads live worship songs with two additional choir members at the church (they practice social distancing), Rev. Wilkes serves as the Worship Leader for the Sunday Services, and Rev. Keaton Fuller delivers messages that are uplifting and encouraging. Even though parishioners are connected over the internet, the worship and praise is authentic, inspiring, and moving. Rev. Fuller delivers messages filled with hope, and he encourages his parishioners to focus on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross rather than the current circumstances. Here are some highlights from Pastor Fuller’s electronic sermons.

In the sermon “It Came True Just Now,” he focused on victory despite circumstances and the narrow thoughts others may have about our abilities. He encouraged parishioners to speak victory and shout now before the blessing to bring the blessing to pass. He reminded us that God Men of the Church. (l-r): (1st Row): Rev. Fuller, Bro. Lott, Bro. Duncan, Bro. Fox, Bro. Stephens, is still with us and we and Bro. Thrower; (2nd Row): Bro. Franklin, Bro. Griffin (Speaker), Bro. Roberts, and Bro. Lucas; should not worry – (3rd Row): Bro. A. Clark (Speaker), Bro. Cole, Bro. H. Clark, and Bro. Sheffield. especially in times of uncertainty, because Romans 8:28 (NIV) states “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” In “A Minor Hick-up on the Road to Destiny,” Rev. Fuller admonished us to cast our cares on God, because He can work through our frailty and weakness to bring others to Him, accomplish His perfect will, and strengthen our faith through the tests and suffering we endure. Rev. Fuller used Paul’s suffering as an example. See Acts 20: 18-24. We must be strong and courageous like Paul and endure the trials of life to finish our course and testify to the good news of Jesus Christ. In Continued on next page July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions Continued from previous page “The Blessing of Being in Crisis with God,” Rev. Fuller told us that crisis gets us ready for what is to come.

The crisis Jacob had with God made him really understand God and seek a relationship with Him – rather than understand God through the lens of his father (Isaac) or grandfather (Abraham). God appears in the unusual circumstances of life, and through crisis he causes us to confront our past actions and false ideologies, and he breaks our stubborn will and transforms us into useful servants with a new nature and positive character traits (Genesis 32: 24-32). In “He is Risen,” Rev. Fuller examined Mark 16:1-16, and admonished us to recognize the significance of the Easter Message, rather than become familiar with the “Easter Story.” The Resurrection of Jesus should fill our lives with hope in the midst of the trials and tribulations we face in life.

Attendance at the electronic services averages about 71 callers who tune in either by computer or phone. We are grateful to God, Pastor Fuller, and our parishioners for the ability to continue these worship services; they are a wonderful source of strength and encouragement. We can’t wait to resume our face-toface meetings, but for now, our online fellowship allows us to continue to praise and worship. To learn more about our church, go to http://www.mtpilgrimcme.org/.

Drive-Thru Community Baby Shower Submitted by Mrs. Creola Craig Director of Evangelism and Missions

Taylor Chapel CME Church (Prichard, Alabama) has had overwhelming success over the past six years with its Annual Community Baby Shower. The Community Baby Shower, initiated by former pastor, Rev. Dr. Janice Smith, serves as an opportunity for members to “shower” new or expectant mothers with love. What makes this gathering so truly special is that many of the mothers are single and teens, and for one reason or another many of them may not have opportunity to experience such outpouring of love from their family and friends.

However, during the shower, they are presented with much-needed supplies and clothing for their new bundles of joy.

Additionally, the young mothers spend time in sessions that are designed specifically for them—workshops and classes such as parenting skills, coping skills, budgeting, goal setting, healthy lifestyle, and various other workshops. Following the classes, traditional baby shower games and brunch, the mothers usually get to open their many gifts. This year, however, the flow was quite different due to COVID-19 and social distancing measures. Instead of all the fanfare, parents were treated to a Drive-thru Baby Shower, where their gift bags included the usual supplies and printed materials from each of the agency partners. Rev. Dr. Eddie Marzett, the current pastor, Mrs. Creola Craig, Evangelism Director/Community Baby Shower Chair, and Exhorter Mary Evans, Vice-Chair, were determined to remind the young mothers in our community that they are loved by God AND by Taylor Chapel.

Committee members, including Sis. Patricia Johnson, Sis. Tiffany Johnson, Dr. Adrian Evans, and Dr. Elaine Crittenden, went above and beyond to help us welcome and show love to the young ladies of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. We especially thank Mrs. Jeneen Lett, Social Worker from the Teen Center—Mobile, who has supported our mission from its inception by mentoring and personally inviting the teens that are a part of her center to be a part of our baby shower. We also want to thank Ms. Flora Johnson, HIV Prevention Specialist of Aletheia House and Founder of Vizions, LLC, for she is always willing to educate young women by “Preparing them today for a well-informed world tomorrow.” The Committee extends thanks to Pastor and Mrs. Marzett for their leadership, and to the members of Taylor Chapel for their continued support of the Annual Community Baby Shower.

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The Christian Index • July 2020

Children/Youth

Wordsearch Puzzle for July (Citizenship)

Find the listed words from the stated passages in the puzzle below.

Ephesians 2:11-13; Hebrews 11:14-16; and Revelation 3:12-13 (KJV) Gentiles Uncircumcision Circumcision Commonwealth Israel Strangers Covenants Promise Nigh Blood Christ Ephesians

Declare Plainly Seek Country Mindful Opportunity Desire Better Heavenly Ashamed Prepared Hebrews

Overcometh Pillar Name City NewJerusalem Write Hear Spirit Churches Revelation

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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Children/Youth Answers to Puzzle

Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

Mr. Homer Earl Winslow

Mr. Homer Earl Winslow was born January 22, 1930, the fourth child born to the union of Frederick J. Winslow and Estella Rosalee Clark. He was preceded in death by both his parents; two brothers, James and Robert Winslow; his only sister, Velma Winslow and a grandson, Justin K.B. Winslow.

Homer was educated in the East St. Louis Public School System and graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in the class of 1949. He joined the U.S. Army July 13, 1951 and served until July 3, 40

The Christian Index • July 2020

1953. Homer was born into and grew up in Pilgrim Temple CME Church (East St. Louis, Illinois) where he confessed a hope in Christ at an early age.

In 1952, Homer was united in holy matrimony to Odell Long, and from this union seven children were born.

Homer was employed at the Bi-State Transit System and retired from there after 30 years of service. Homer was the 1st Black Bus Driver hired to drive a bus for the East St. Louis City Lines Bus Company. Homer served Pilgrim as a part of the Trustee Board, a member of the Hunter’s Chorus and the Mass Voices of Pilgrim choirs.

Homer enjoyed being with his family, good jazz and gospel music. No matter what the song, you

Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

could hear him singing or humming along with his deep bass voice.

Homer peacefully transitioned to eternal life February 10, 2020, in the Hospice Unit of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital.

Homer leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife of 67 years, Mrs. Odell Winslow; seven children: Valerie Winslow of East St. Louis, Illinois; Donna Winslow of Shiloh, Illinois; Kellen Winslow, Sr., of Livonia, Michigan; David (Venita) of Florissant, Missouri; Monica Jones of East St. Louis, Illinois; Earl (Evelyn) of Phoenix, Arizona; and Myrna Winslow of Belleville, Illinois; grandchildren: Kimberly Mosley Brady, Michael Knox I, Ja`-Na (Clay Peterson), David Winslow II, Kellen II (Janelle) Winslow, Jennifer Winslow, Christopher Ellison, Jessica (Garrett) McAlmond, Natasha (Aaron) Spencer, and Rodney Richards III; great-grandchildren: Jordan Mosley-Adams, Nicholas Brady, Ivori Cochran, Tyrone Harlan, Jr., Michael Knox II, Chase Brady, M’Kyah Knox, Mykel Spencer, Aiden Spencer, Jalen Winslow, Juliana Winslow, Taylor Peterson, and Weston McAlmond; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

Minnie Mae Smith Titus

Minnie Mae Smith Titus, was born July 17, 1945, in Shannon, Mississippi, to the union of the late Charlie and Christine Smith, and was the third of six children. God was in Minnie's life early on. She joined Highs Chapel CME Church and became an active participant. She graduated from Siggers High School in 1964. Shortly after, she matriculated at Mississippi Industrial College where she met and dated Herbert Titus. They graduated together in 1968 and Herb was drafted into the US Army for two years. Based on her Bachelor of Art Degree in Education, Minnie taught elementary school in Mississippi until her love returned.

In 1970, Minnie married the love of her life, Herbert Titus. They immediately headed west to Southern California. Two children, Brandon and Jason, were born to their union, and Minnie took on the joy of being a mother. God, family and friends were the

order of her life until she went to be with her Lord.

She was busy and loyal in her CME church (Hays Tabernacle) as a Stewardess serving the Lord's table, a Missionary (she was the local president and reached out to the community), a Class Leader (keeping in touch individually with the members of her group), and sang in the Choir with joy and conviction! She loved sports and attended most of the games of her sons and grandson, being one of their biggest fans.

Last but not least, she enjoyed cooking Sunday dinners for the family and was well known for making some of the best sweet potato pies in California!

Minnie Mae Smith Titus was the Virtuous Woman talked about in Proverbs 31. She loved life and she lived it as she loved it, with her whole heart. She generously shared her gift of Prayer with everyone, including 15 years with TBN, the world's largest Christian television network, where she prayed with people worldwide.

Minnie departed this life January 10, 2020. She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving husband Herbert Titus; three sons: Reginald Titus (Tammie) of Memphis, Tennessee; Brandon Titus and Jason Titus of Southern California; grandchildren: Kiyana Titus and Bryce Titus; and great-grandchild Shaniyah Titus. She also leaves three sisters and one brother: Essie Wren (Floyd) and Charlie Mae Foster, both of Shannon, Mississippi; Linda Thompson of Beloit, Wisconsin; and Willie Smith (Lois) of Shannon, Mississippi. In addition, she leaves her beloved in-laws: Willie Titus (Marye Ann) and Earnestine Williams (George) both of Gary, Indiana; Ruby Gilliand (C.G.) of Memphis, Tennessee; Minnie "Pearl" Titus of Bellflower, California; Mack Titus (Clementine) of Cerritos, California; Morece Titus Dowell of Henderson, Nevada; Angelene TitusRobinson (Antoine) of Tracy, California; and sistersin law Meredith "Pat" Titus of Coppell, Texas; and Martha Titus of Gary, Indiana; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends. Minnie was preceded in death by her eldest brother, Seaf "Joe" Smith (Bonnie).

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

--Romans 8:38-39 July 2020 • The Christian Index

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A Word from the Editor of The Christian Index The Christian Index continues to be edited and published during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As the Editor of the monthly magazine, I desire that you will continue with the submission of your articles for publication. However, I want to emphasize the use of electronic means for submissions and payments.

This will help expedite the timely production of our official organ. The use of the postal service WILL delay your submission. This is not a slight on the postal service itself or the quality of their service, neither past nor present, as I myself continue to rely on the postal service. Rather it is a statement of the logistical limitations of the Editor at this time.

Further, I want you to know that I am continuing to pray for each of you during this public health crisis that God will protect you from harm, heal you in sickness, and comfort you in sorrow; and that you will seek God's face and receive the blessings of salvation, peace, and life from God's hand.

Sincerely, Rev. Dr. Ore Spragin Editor, The Christian Index Email: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. Chair, General Department of The Christian Index

Subscribe to The Christian Index Only $30.00 per Year Call Rev. Dr. Roderick Lewis, Sr., Publisher, at 901-396-5400

"People fall in love with results or the image of being successful ... but sadly only a few want to go through the process to get there."

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The Christian Index • July 2020

--Matthew L. Freeman, Sr.

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 Godwin Umoette - 10th Episcopal District, P.O. Box 4312, UYO, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; email: godwin.umoette@yahoo.com; phone: 08024086495

Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. - 1st Episcopal District, Suite 222, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis TN 38116; 901-345-4114 (office) and 901-345-4115 (fax)

Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. - 6th Episcopal District, 680 Beckwith Street SW, Atlanta GA 30314; 404-963-6652 (office); 404-963-6656 (fax); 6thDistrictCME@gmail.com.

Bishop Kenneth Wayne Carter - 11th Episcopal District, P.O. Box 174084, Arlington TX 76003-4084; 817-938-3747; KWCarter8@gmail.com.

Bishop James B. Walker - 7th Episcopal District, Post Office Box 6095, Waldorf MD 20603; seventhhq@yahoo.com

Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. - 3rd Episcopal District, Post Office Box 211237, Normandy MO 63121; 314-381-3111 (office); 314-381-2060 (fax); email: sw58cme@aol.com

Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton - 5th Episcopal District CME Church, P.O. Box 13383, Birmingham AL 35202; office: 205-929-1145 (office); 205-929-1190 (fax); email: cmec35203@yahoo.com; Web site: www.cmefifthdistrict.org; office located at 4901 Lloyd Nolan Parkway, Fairfield Al. 35064 (do not send mail to the office address)

Bishop Bobby R. Best - 9th Episcopal District, 3844 W. Slauson Ave., Suite 1, Los Angeles CA 90043; 323-294-3830; email: ninthhq@SBCglobal.net; Website: ninthdistrictcme.org

Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas - 2nd Episcopal District, P. O. Box 36455, Cincinnati OH 45236; 513-827-6651(office) Bishop C. James King - 4th Episcopal District - 5417 Robinson Road Extension, Jackson MS 39204; 769-251-0531 (office); 769-251-0758 (fax); 502-494-5366 (cell); email: kingcmep1@aol.com.

Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Retired - 8145 Summerwood Circle, Olive Branch MS 38654-7060 Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Retired (DECEASED) - 4250 Thunderstone Circle, W., Memphis TN 38125; 901-729-7476 Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham, Retired - 200 Big Bend Drive, Desoto TX 75115; Cell 901-337-7138 Bishop Othal H. Lakey, Retired - 4441 Magnolia Path Pl., Buford GA 30518; 678-482-7066 (h) Bishop William H. Graves, Sr., Retired (DECEASED) - 1089 Oakridge Dr., Memphis TN 38111; ph. 901-452-3399 Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Retired - 683 Beacontree Court, Concord NC 28027; 704-786-3226

THE GENERAL OFFICERS

Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield - General Secretary, Department of Christian Education & Formation - Suite 300, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis TN 38116-7100; 901345-4109 (office); 901-261-3289 (fax); basiz1@aol.com; also 1119 Linksview Lane West, Cordova TN 38018.

Dr. Tyrone T. Davis - General Secretary, General Board of Personnel Services - P.O. Box 74 - Memphis TN 38101-0074; 901-345-4100; FAX 901-345-4107; email: tyrone.t.davis@comcast.net

Dr. Leo Pinkett - General Secretary, Ministry to Men, 2850 Shoreland Dr., S.W., Atlanta GA 30331; 404-349-1722; email: lpinkettace@yahoo.com

Dr. Clifford Harris - General Secretary of Lay Ministry, 15485 Prairie Bell Rd., Okmulgee OK 74447-8690; 918-519-4233 (c);918-304-1999 (h);

MrCliffHarris@yahoo.com

Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. - General Secretary, Department of Publications, P.O. Box 161212, Memphis TN 38186-1212; 901-396-5400; rdlsr@aol.com

Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. - Editor, The Christian Index, 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721; 901-515-6510 (office); email: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org

Dr. Victor Taylor - General Secretary of Finance & CFO, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church - Dept. of Finance and Investments, 1101 Davis St. - Suite 5224, Evanston IL 60204; 847274-0182 (main); 312-648-5232 (work); 240-359-6272 (fax); finance@thecmechurch.org; https://www.hightail.com/u/cmefinance (securely upload confidential documents here)

Dr. Pene' G. Woods - Executive Secretary, Post Office Box 1536, Cordova TN 38088; Email: cmeexecutivesecretary4@gmail.com; Nationwide Mobile Office: (901) 489-9253.

Rev. Leon C. Moore, Jr. - General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions, 50 Sunset Ave NW, Unit # 92763, Atlanta GA 30314; 678-362-7549.

Ms. Jacqueline I. Scott - President, Women's Missionary Council, 7255 Richmond Road, Memphis, TN 38125; 901-737-7675; scottjacqueline210@yahoo.com

Dr. Joseph C. Neal, Jr. - General Secretary, Emeritus, Dept. of Finance, P.O. Box 75085, Los Angeles CA 90075; 323-233-5050, Fax: 323-233-2797.

Dr. William George - General Secretary, Emeritus, Dept. of Publications, 535 Harwood Dr., Memphis TN 38120; 901-683-7833; email;weg38@aol.com.

Dr. N. Charles Thomas (DECEASED) - General Secretary, Emeritus, Dept. of Personnel Services, 308 Henry Street, Hot Springs AR 71901-6364; 501-318-6991.

Dr. Jeanette Bouknight - Executive Secretary, Retired, P.O. Box 27408, Detroit MI 48227-0408; 313-433-7207; email: cmeexecutivesecretary3@yahoo.com.

THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL

Rev. Dr. Jerry D. Woodfork, Sr., President (Class of 2018), 1315 Heatherland Drive SW, Atlanta GA 30331; 404-629-0055; jerrywoodfork@comcast.net.

Judge Bertina Lampkin, Vice President (Class of 2018), 3200 N. Lake Shore Drive, Unit 2308, Chicago IL 60657; 773-750-7203; lampkin506@aol.com, Attorney Bernard Snell, Clerk (Class of 2018), 136 Myrick Drive, Macon GA 31220; 478-731-1897; 478-935-3188; bernard.xsnell@usdoj.gov.

Mrs. Barbara Nichols, Immediate Past President (Class of 2018), 1937 Fawn Drive, Glenside PA 19038; 215-572-5516;frebargroup@aol.com.

Rev. Roland Johnson Jr., Member (Class of 2014), 4945 Bradfield Run, Memphis TN 38125; 901-497-9588; revrjohns@aol.com.

Rev. Kwame Lawson Adjei, Member (Class of 2018), P. O. Box AN 7639, Accra, Ghana, West Africa; 011-233-244-630267; rev.adjei@hotmail.com.

Attorney Shirley C. Byers, Member (Class of 2018), P. O. Box 5008, Holly Springs MS 38634; 662-252-6530 or 662-820-2763; scbjudge@gmail.com.

Dr. Lynda Brown-Wright, Member (Class of 2018), 3157 Dale Hollow Drive, Lexington KY 40515; 859-433-3396; Lynda.brownwright@gmail.com.

Rev. Russell Fuller, Member (Class of 2018), 647 Shadyway, Dallas TX 75232; 214-793-1945; fwdistrict@yahoo.com.

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. Carolyn Hassell - President, Connectional Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers, 1030 N Park Avenue, Brownsville TN 38012; 901-907-9427;

carolynhassell68@gmail.com; website: www.cme-spouses.org Rev. Carole E. Richardson - President, Connectional Christian Educators’ Council - 822 Marietta Pl., N.W. - Washington, DC 20011; 202-291-8566

OTHER CONNECTIONAL OFFICERS

Ms. Barbara Christian Campbell - President, Connectional Lay Council - 4819 Eagles Ridge Loop, Lithonia GA 30038; or 2012 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta GA 30317; dstbc@bellsouth.net; 404-587-8311 or 678-641-9745

Rev. Amina McIntyre - President, Connectional Young Adult Ministry; email: aminacyam@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. Dr. Denise Anders-Modest - Coordinator, Commission on the Concerns of Women in the Ministry, 19 Scattered Oaks Drive, Byhalia MS 38611; 318-348-8982; email: dmodest1990@yahoo.com Mr. Freddie McKnight - President, Connectional Stewards, 24 Canton Street; West Haven CT 06516; 203-933-7230 (h); 203-500-6377 (cell) Ms. Diana Winton - President of Connectional Ushers, 729 West 155 Street; Gardena CA 90247; 310-415-4336; email: ladydicme@aol.com Dr. Theresa Duhart - President, CIT Connectional Dept., 1907 Willow Lane West, University Place WA 98466, 253-376-6361 (cell); 253-830-9512 (fax); email: theresaduhart@thecmechurch.org Rev. Jermaine Marshall, PhD - General Conference Secretary; 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Blvd., New York NY 10027; 904-422-1627; jermmar25@gmail.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)

July 2020 • The Christian Index

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