The Christian Index - June 2020

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

Students from Breeding-Montgomery Bible College, p. 27

HAPPY

FATHER’S

From The Christian Index

DAY

Chapel Building, Breeding-Montgomery Bible College, p. 27

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.

Periodicals Postage is paid at Memphis, Tennessee, and at additional entry offices. Postal records are maintained at: The CME Department of Publications, Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. General Secretary, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd., Suite 153, Memphis, Tennessee 38116. POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to The CME Publishing House, P. O. Box 16035, Memphis, TN 38186. THE SUBSCRIPTION RATE IS $30 for one year.

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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The Christian Index • June 2020

Inside The Christian Index "Getting Back to Basics As We Envision Our Way Forward in Taking Care of God's Business"

Volume 153, Number 6

June 2020

Connectional Interests Episcopacy Prayer: An Effective Channel of Grace 4

COVID-19 and the CME Church 7

CME Calendar of Events 11

Dept. of Finance & Investments 12

Board of Personnel Services 14

Dept. of Evangelism and Missions 15

Dept. of Christian Education and Formation 16

Department of Lay Ministry 17

Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers 21

The Emergency Relief Committee 23

CME-Affiliated Schools

23 Submissions

COVID Reflections 29

My First Year at Lane College 30

Moore Inducted into Beta of Mississippi 32

Falling in Love with God 34

Drive-Thru Community Baby Shower 36

Mt. Zion Family and Friends Day 37

What Does It Mean to be Retired?

38

AR Stewardesses' Serving God's Children 39

Beebe Holds Scholarship Sunday 40 Children/Youth 41 Ecumenical News

Crematorium Guidance in York 43 Obituaries - Joining the Great Cloud 45 Connectional Directory 47

Cover: Students and Chapel Building of BreedingMontgomery Bible College, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.

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

Submitted to the Publisher: May 19, 2020

Editorial

Did Jesus Exercise Privilege?

We have talked much over the past months and years about privilege, particularly white privilege in America. This has been occasioned by the continuing thread of racial violence, killings, and injustice by whites against blacks and people of color, the recent outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) with its concomitant biases and racial disparities in the provision of medical care, and most recently, at least in the State of Georgia, the alleged murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a young black man shot and killed under suspicious circumstances by at least two white males. I say alleged because though the case is still pending and under investigation. It is privilege that allows whites around the world to go unpunished for their crimes against people of color. It is privilege that creates the Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., environment for health and wealth disparities of human design. And it is privilege that Editor allows those in the place of privilege and consequently power to say that there is nothing wrong with this, and to believe it is the proper status quo. Unfortunately, many of those in this position are members of the Christian church, which raises the eyebrow of some and the ire of others. For those who claim both racial prejudice at the least, hatred at the worst, and Christian faith, I raise the question, "Did Jesus exercise privilege?"

I answer with a resounding, "Yes!" Here are a few examples. In Matthew 15, Jesus called the Samaritan woman a dog, on the surface a racial slur. He appears to lift ministry to the Jews over that to other peoples. In Matthew 21 he overturned the tables of the moneychangers who were in the temple, an act of privilege. In the same chapter he was defiant with authority in the face of authority. He commanded crowds and took over houses such as that of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. In John 10 he said no one would take his life, but that he had power to both lay it down and to take it up again. That is privilege. And in Mark 11 he had his disciples to go get him a colt that belonged to someone else without asking for it. Does that sound like privilege? Yes, Jesus exercised privilege. He was the Son of God, aka the Son of Man. He was born into privilege as he was incarnated for us. And that is where the separation, the distinction, begins.

Hebrews tells us plainly that Jesus was in a place of privilege before he came into this world, and he returned to a place of privilege when he left this world. But he is coming back to bring us to where he is (John 14:3).Jesus exercised privilege but not for himself; it was for us. He healed on the Sabbath those experiencing health disparities. All his "my Father" statements were expressions of love, even when given as reproof. He could have kept his life by allowing his disciples to fight for him, or better still allowing legions of angels to defend him, but he did not. Still, to have them was to have privilege that he refused to exercise. He told his disciples in John 15 that they would no longer be called servants but friends. In the end he will welcome us into his home and will put on a towel, becoming our servant. (Luke 12) We will become the blessed privileged. Jesus had privilege and he exercised that privilege because he loves us.

Every layer or facet of society has some level of privilege through relationships, knowledge, or ability. This isn't just white/black or rich/poor; it includes country to country privilege, and occurs even within cultures and ethnicities.

The most despicable people, those held in the lowest esteem in various ways, still have privilege in their arenas. Slavery had its house and field Negroes; the military has ranks; and the church has orders of ministry, all with varying degrees of privilege. You can't get around privilege until you get to heaven where everyone will have equal access without disparities of any kind. Until then, what will you do with the privilege you DO have? Jesus shows us that we should use it for the good of others to the glory of God.

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.

June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Prayer: An Effective Channel of God’s Grace

By Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick Dear CME Family, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

James 5:16 (KJV) The church I grew up in (in Huntsville, Alabama) heard lay people pray every Sunday. After the pastor would call us to worship, we would sing a hymn, recite the Apostles Creed, and then one of the church’s officers would come to the chancel rail, kneel, and pray. That layperson would pray for God’s presence in worship, in the songs, in the Scriptures, in the message – and would pray for God to use us in the community and world beyond our church building.

The church I pastored in Mississippi (in Holly Springs) also heard lay people pray every Sunday. But in that church, the officers led in a devotional period before the pastor called the church to worship. Usually they led a song (often it was, “I love the Lord, He heard my cry, and pitied every groan; long as I live, while troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne”), and then one of the officers would come to the rail, and either stand or kneel (depending on age), and pray.

So I was surprised when, as a pastor in another church, I called upon one of the officers to pray on Sunday, and he muttered some words to me from his seat, but would not rise to pray. I would tell you what he muttered, but it would not be edifying.

Rather, another experience might be edifying. I was about 12 years old, walking with my father and one of the men of the church. We were walking from the church building to the parsonage in Athens, Alabama. The man’s wife was very sick, and she was to die a few days after that conversation. She was the mother of fellow CYF members. But my father, in his pastoral way, called the brother by name as we walked and told him, “I’ve been praying for your wife.”

That’s when that man answered, “Thank you, Reverend; that availeth much.”

It stuck in my memory, probably because I had never heard anyone use the word “availeth” except to read or quote this Scripture. But the word came off his lips as if it were a word in his day-to-day vocabulary.

I use this means to (1) announce my gratitude that I am now speaking, but also to (2) acknowledge how important the CME Connectional prayer line became in my period of silent recovery, and (3) to lift up the fact that prayer –

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private and corporate – is an important channel for God’s grace to infuse us, strengthen us, and build us up. Prayer is much more than “telling God.” In the early and mid 1700s in Great Britain, brothers John Wesley and Charles Wesley became instruments of God for revival. Because of his organizational leadership of people who wanted the experience of revived faith and were willing to submit themselves to his leadership, John Wesley (who lived and died an Anglican priest) became known as the “father” of Methodism. He would not have used my words – “a channel of grace” – but he would have used the words, “a means of grace.” Channel, instrument, means – they all say that God uses this way as a way to give grace to those who make themselves available to it.

God’s grace converts and revives; grace strengthens, bolsters, enables, empowers, infuses. The late Pastor Gary Collins helped me hear that this is the meaning of the word “strengthens” in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Before surgery, I had not availed myself regularly to the connectional prayer line. I had gone occasionally. But after surgery, it seems God awoke me each morning much earlier, and so I began to dial in and listen early in the morning on the prayer line. Once or twice, I was awakened before 5:30, so I caught the prayer group in the Eastern Time Zone. A few times I awakened after 6:30, so I caught the prayer group in the Mountain Time Zone or even the Pacific Time Zone. And while I aimed to meet the prayer group in my own time zone (Central), I was never disappointed whichever group I listened in. In fact, I became addicted to the CME Connectional Prayer Line.

As most pastors do, I hear people talk about what the church “ought” to do; and frequently I want to ask, “Why don’t you make yourself available to what we already have?”

At least three important things came out of a period of surgery and silence. One of those things was a love for the prayer line.

The connectional prayer line is another of God’s means, of God’s channels, of God’s instruments to bless and empower us, daily. So, when you see me advertise it, it’s because I’m grateful.

When you get on that line, you won’t have to pray aloud; you just have to listen and receive. When you get on that line, you don’t have to shout … and nobody screams at God as if God is deaf. It is prayer … conversational, effectual, fervent, submissive, and thankful. Prayer led by intercessors.

The first time I was called upon to play the piano in church, it was a Wednesday night prayer meeting, when the musician was absent. One of the songs I was asked to play, as we sang, was this one by James Montgomery:

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Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Unuttered or expressed; The motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye, when none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try; Prayer the sublimest strains that reach the Majesty on high.

Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice returning from his ways; While angels in their songs rejoice and cry, “Behold, he prays!”

Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air, His watchword at the gates of death; he enters heaven with prayer.

O Thou, by whom we come to God, the Life, the Truth, the Way; The path of prayer Thyself hast trod: Lord, teach us how to pray!

I invite you to join me as we listen, receive and grow on the CME Connectional Prayer Line, every morning (in the continental U.S. at the present) at 6:30 in each of our four time Zones: dial 605-468-8885, and enter the code, 616984#. (It’s okay to chime in about 5-10 minutes earlier; sometimes the intercessors start earlier.)

Bishop Lawrence Reddick

LLREDDICK3@yahoo.com

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The Christian Index • June 2020

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Bishop Kenneth W. Carter on COVID-19 and the CME Church Excerpts from A Conversation with Editor Ore L. Spragin, Jr.

This COVID-19 pandemic has been a pivotal moment for me because those who know me know that I’m always going and going and going, but this has given me a chance to rest and to hear the voice of God and to try to operate within the limits of the vast space that he has given me to operate in. I thank God my family is doing well, and we are enjoying spending time together, but I am wondering where the church will be after COVID-19.

I recently heard someone relate this event to our big 9-11 event. Immediately after the event there was a feeling of real fear. The following Sunday morning, all our churches were full. But two months later, we returned to what we called normalcy. We started back doing the same things we were doing before the crisis. The people responded differently to the crisis, but the church did not … And that didn’t really do anything to help people who were looking for some answers and a way forward …

When this COVID-19 crisis hit, I was in Kenya conducting annual conferences and had travelled temporarily to Nigeria ... [Although I was eventually able to fly back to the States], we all flew in fear … However, all that fear pushed me to a level of faith that God is in control of all this. It also pushed me to raise the question, “Where will the CME Church be after this is over?” Will we be ready to reopen? I ask the question because the question IS being asked now. Are we ready to reopen? I don’t believe we are for these reasons: (1) We don’t have a plan to go forward. (2) We have not yet tested why the people after 9-11 left. (3) We don’t have a spiritual vaccine to give our people when we come. We can’t do worship and church as normal.

But I believe God is speaking to us through and in this pandemic. I believe I hear God saying the church must be his voice, and his voice is crying in this wilderness of disparity and inequality to seek his face. We no longer have the relationship with God that we need because we are so busy doing, doing, doing. We are more concerned with economics than we are lives. The government and the world in which we live have turned this thing inside out, upside down and the church is not as relevant as it could be.

I am not saying that we can change the Bible, but we must read the Bible within the culture in which we now live rather than the one in which it was written.

The church must use a new method. We have to make the Bible real ... We say, “Why has God allowed over 60,000 people in America to die from this disease?” But God says, “Why have my people turned from me? I have to get their attention … I need my people to call this nation and other nations into repentance, saying God forgive us, we have fallen short, we don’t spend time with you anymore. God wants us back. ... We have to give the churches a vaccine of caring, competent lay persons who have both the gifts and the zeal for ministry ... Further, our pastors must be connected not just to the local church to which they are assigned, or to the Connection, but also to the community in which that church is located ... The church has got to be ready to do ministry, more than just sing and shout on Sunday morning and Bible study on Wednesday night.

Editor: Having already used the expression “be ready” several times, can you be more specific about what you mean?

Let me put this in terms of how I see the roles of the various leadership in our church, from the bishops down to the laity. (1) I believe the bishops’ role coming out of this pandemic is that we must empower presiding Continued on next page June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests Continued from previous page elders and pastors to be creative. I think many times we stifle or quench their creativeness because that’s not the way we did it ... (2) The presiding elder’s role, I believe, is to mentor pastors to be innovative and creative in doing worship differently, because even in small churches one size doesn’t fit all. Presiding elders must help pastors see ministry possibilities in the area they serve, monitor these new ministers, and help the new minister become successful with these new ideas … (3) Right now, even before this crisis ends, pastors need to involve their lay members and the ministers on their staff in doing a gift assessment analysis ...

Once this is done, pastors should put persons together in like or similar groups and build that as a ministry.

Pastors should give the members a smorgasbord of worship experiences ... which are intergenerational and multi-cultural ... yielding new fruit and discipling both the old and the new members. (4) Laity need to be intentional in sharing the ills of the community with the pastor. When the lay people inform the pastor of the issues, we can build ministries around those issues. Laity should help in the execution of [this readiness by promoting and participating in the plans that are made]. This vision goes up and down, in both directions, and includes everybody. A cooperative ministry is required for this time and to do ministry in a new and impactful way after COVID-19.

Editor: How can pastors be innovative in spite of members who may not want to be innovative?

What I have done [in the past] is to divide the membership into twelve months and have a theme or activity for each month. This way every member can get involved, and will get involved, because they will not want their activity or month to fall short. Further, if they want to change groups, they can do so … as long as they are working. To prevent stagnation, change the program every three years.

We cannot allow this golden moment to pass us by without trying something new. And God has forced us into trying this church-by-technology. The CME Church, badly, needs to have a voice on one the religious channels. I don’t mean it to be a political thing, where someone is running for bishop or one of the general offices, but we have some brilliant, 8

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Episcopacy brilliant preachers who can stand in front of the camera, stand in front of a congregation, and preach … And we have the platform with CMETV. Editor: As for the people and work of the CME Church in the Eleventh Episcopal District, Bishop Carter has asked them to be creative in their ministries, challenging them to continue the service of ministry if only in their own homes.

This is the first time they have ever had a forced lockdown, and for most, the real challenge is obtaining food. This is not the time that gardens are ripe and producing food; this is planting season. In one area, one of the ministers has a motorcycle. When people have extra rice or beans or other foodstuffs and they call him, he goes with his mask to their houses to pick it up and then distributes it the elderly, the sick, and the shut-in so that there may be food in their houses.

They are sharing, which is causing them to get out of their box and be creative [and] they are being creative and looking for alternative ways to be the caring church.

This is more difficult in some places than others.

Presiding elders have lost contact with some pastors because those pastors do not have a phone, or else because they cannot afford to purchase the bundles (data, phone, text) necessary to use the phone, or because they live too far from a cell tower for the phone to be effective. This is also a difficult time for me because … I do not want to see their children go hungry, but because our offerings are down in the church at-large, I cannot support the mission supervisors and presiding elders and the churches too.

This is a learning curve for all of us.

Regarding the health of the people and the countries I serve as bishop, in Haiti, the price of food has gone up so high that the people cannot afford to buy it.

Kenya has the largest viral pool. They have curfew and can only go out for the grocery store, the bank, or the pharmacy. Violators are fined or jailed. I got out at the right time because I left on that Sunday and they closed the airport that Monday. It has not opened back up yet ... The people there say the government is doing nothing for them; at least here the government is handing out stimulus checks. But to put this in

Connectional Interests perspective, most of the governments don’t have anything they can give, and what little they do have, in most cases, will be preserved for those in the top half of one percent of the population ...

Going back to relevant preaching, we have a modernday Nebuchadnezzar in the White House, and the church is quiet about his reign. We have evil, but they also had evil in biblical days. How do we put a check on that? Where is the voice of the church? Are we going to stay silent and let him kill all of us away – asking us to put Lysol in our veins and to take some drugs that have not been prescribed? Where is the voice of the church?

Editor: Is the church being silent, or is the church being vocal but not in places where our voice can be heard?

We are being vocal but not in the places where it needs to be heard. We are saying it to our people, but we need to say it to our elected officials, reminding them that election time is coming. If we can’t deal with it now, we’ll deal with it later ... We have our meetings and take stands – we have taken some bold stands – but does anyone hear it other than us and that meeting with the piece of paper? …

Editor: Does raising such issues turn the church into a political machine?

It depends on why we are doing it. Are we doing it for the right cause? Are we doing it as one of the commands that comes out of the word of God? Are we doing it for the least of His little ones? … That’s the way the church has to look at it – from the moral, biblical perspective; that this is the right thing to do for the people. Black, white, green, polka dot, whatever. We have to look out for those people who cannot look out for themselves, who don’t have a voice for themselves. We have an obligation … Yes, we’re political when we want to be out front, but what about those of us who want to be on the back end not to be the drum major, but the drummer?

Editor: You have the unique or special Godgiven gift of being able to do many things at one time, a gift that was very useful to you as a band

Episcopacy director. (Bishop Carter has both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music.) We often refer to this ability as multi-tasking. What would you say to the pastors who are not so gifted, and who are not able to learn to do all these things you have prescribed in this conversation?

Be who you are and lend your gift where you can. I can’t preach; that’s not my gift. It is my calling, and it got me to where God wanted me to be. I have to get in where I fit in … Even as a band director, I have not always had the best bands. But I looked to the see where the talent was, and I built the band around the best that we had. That is where the assessment piece comes from. Use what you got; use your creativity and what you bring to the table. you can’t be a me; I can’t be a you. We have to use what God placed inside of us, and if we do that, we’ll be true to our calling.

Editor: So, the real answer to the question, “Where will the church be after COVID-19?” seems to depend on the decisions made by the church itself.

And that answer, though it appears you are raising a Connectional question, really is a local church answer.

It is a local church answer, but you have to ask it to the General Church because if the General Church doesn’t help that local church, the local church will never get there. Bishops have got to free up preachers to be themselves and to be able to be creative. There is more than one way to preach a sermon. We have some good, strong preachers who can rightly divide the word. But we also have some who can think outside the box, who are these 21st-century prophets that we have, who are not going to do it the same way we do it. We have to respect them as they respect us. They’ve done it our way for so long. Let’s open the reins and let them be free for a while. If we allow them to be themselves and not try to make them a clone of us, this church can go some awesome places. We have the best possibility that I’ve seen anywhere. We have to be mature enough not to take the Donald Trump attitude of, “This is the greatest thing since …” No, no, no, no. The greatest thing is ahead of us. The greatest thing is not in us, it is ahead of us. We just have to give them the freedom.

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Continued from previous page Editor: This being a Methodist Church, founded on Wesleyan doctrine and following Wesleyan interpretation of scripture, as well as having a Wesleyan Methodist structure, how does your vision fit within this structure, and do you see any conflicts between what you are advocating and our historical foundation?

If I understand Wesley correctly, I don’t see any conflicts because his heart could not be strangely warmed in an icebox … He was a holy man. He was way ahead of his time. I don’t know any other way of saying this, but I don’t know how we have dumbed down what Wesley was really trying to build up. We are not behind the times now, but we could be so much farther ahead if would allow the Spirit to have his or her way in our midst.

In many ways, we quench the Spirit, and in other ways we make fun of the Spirit, and sometimes when it gets to a point, we want to shut it down. This is a platinum opportunity or our church. We can emerge from this leading the way for others, but we have to be ready. We have to spend time in prayer. There is going to be a great movement in our church. There’s a shifting that’s going on in our church, and as long as we don’t downplay what God can do and will do and is DOING, we will be one to lead the way … If we put all of our talent together and we each walk in our lane of ability, there is no telling what God will do with this church.

Editor: The CME Church and the church at-large is being changed and reconfigured in terms of the means of dissemination of the gospel, and of our various ministries, and in terms of personnel. We have not as of this date been affected by the death of general leadership, thank God. But to return to the opening question of where will the church be after COVID-19, should we be looking at what we want the church to be, or should we be looking at the possibilities of what the church might be? Is the future of the CME Church for us to determine, or is it something for us to participate in and say that these are some possibilities that we see but we don’t know what it is GOING to be?

We need to speak in terms of possibilities because we want this Church to be what God wants it to be. We are just a vessel. We have to seek God’s face for where He wants this Church to go and what He wants it o be.

But we have to be ready for what God is doing, and it is not about prosperity (that is, the prosperity gospel as proclaimed by so many on TV: send me so much money and you will prosper). It cannot be about what any one person wants the Church to be; we want the Church to be what God wants it to be. It is not ours to determine, but it is ours to allow God, to work with God, and to not hinder God in making this Church what God would have it to be.

We need to remember that we still have the Church even though we are not in our buildings because the church is in us. My prayer is that when we go back in our buildings, we do something different – we can’t have business as usual – and our new normal will not be our old normal. And we can’t have a new normal without a deeper walk with God. He wants us. He wants us so bad. He wants our attention. He wants to love us. He wants us to love Him to our fullest potential. When we love or want or believe in others or things more than we want Him, He gets jealous. I don’t have authority to speak FOR the church, but I Do think I have authority to speak TO the church. The church has got to see that we are striving to do something different, and the something different is ministry.

"I can never forget 2020 as long as I live. A year you keep washing your hands without expecting food."

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--Unknown

CHECK WITH THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP OR EPISCOPAL LEADER TO LEARN WHETHER EVENTS ARE STILL SCHEDULED. June 2 - South Louisiana Annual Conference (via teleconference); 2:00 p.m.; Call Bishop C. James King for more information.

June 10-12 - Arizona-New Mexico Region Annual Conference; Amos Metropolitan CME, Phoenix AZ; 10:00 a.m. opening, 7:00 p.m. Communion. Bishop Bobby R. Best.

June 14-17 - Kansas-Missouri Region Annual Conference; University Park United Methodist Church, Denver CO. Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. July 15-17 - Oklahoma Region Annual Conference; St. John CME, Spencer OK; 9:00 a.m. opening, 7:00 p.m.

Communion. Bishop Bobby R. Best.

June 22-24 - South Georgia Regional Gathering Conference; St. Andrews Church, 2101 Albany St., Brunswick GA. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 6-8 - West Georgia Region Annual Conference; Holsey Monumental Church, 6028 Buena Vista Road, Columbus GA. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 7 - Louisiana Annual Conference (via teleconference); 2:00 p.m.; Call Bishop C. James King for more information.

July 13-15 - Central Georgia Region Annual Conference; Bethel Church, 1668 Pio Nono Avenue, Macon GA. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 14 - Mississippi South Annual Conference (via teleconference); 2:00 p.m.; Call Bishop C. James King for more information.

July 14-17 - Combined Birmingham/Southeast Alabama Regions; Embassy Suites, Montgomery AL. Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton.

July 15-17 - Arkansas Region Annual Conference; Wyndham Hotel, N. Little Rock AR. Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. July 20-22 - Georgia North Region Annual Conference; The Classic Center, 300 N Thomas St., Athens GA 30601; Hosted by Trinity CME Church, Toccoa GA. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. July 21-24 - North Central Region Annual Conference; Hotel Capstone, Tuscaloosa AL. Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton.

July 22-24 - East Tennessee Region Annual Conference; St. Paul CME Church, Jackson TN. Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.

June 2020 • The Christian Index

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The Christian Index • June 2020

Department of Finance and Investments

Connectional Interests

Department of Finance and Investments

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 June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Board of Personnel Services

“From Where I Sit …”

Coronavirus – Cautions and Scams!

Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic, we daily hear of living in a new “normal” and, for many, this reality has hit home hard. From stay-athome mandates to social distancing of 6 feet (some say 12) to mandatory masks, gloves and wipes, we are learning to live in a different existence without any sure knowledge as to when life will return to normal (if ever). And for those who have contracted the disease or lost loved ones to it, life will never be the same!

In the meantime, we are cautioned to be both prepared for changes and on guard for scams engineered by those who would exploit the less fortunate and unaware. In the “Special Pandemic Issue 2020” of the AARP Bulletin, the article entitled Get Ready for a New Job Market (May 2020 AARP.ORG/Bulletin, p. 31) offered some positive suggestions for those who truly seek to be prepared for a total new work experience, especially older Americans. The article offered eight suggestions whose titles I will list and encourage you to seek the full article: 1) Learn new digital communication platforms (i.e. video interviews or meetings, chats, etc.).

2) Polish your LinkedIn profile.

3) Police your digital identity.

4) Look for work-from-home jobs.

5) Update your résumé (i.e. keep it short, no more than 2 pages).

6) Network virtually.

7) Learn something new (a skill or a certification, study webinars and podcasts on subjects of interest).

8) Plan to work longer (until investments rebound or beyond normal retirement).

In the meantime, be on guard for scams. In the same issue under Fraud Watch (p. 32), the following article “A New Tool for Stealing: Coronavirus” offered these rules: 1) Watch out for fake government approaches (i.e. the government will never ask for your credit card or for you to pay by gift card).

2) Go to the websites of trusted charities directly (if you want to help others).

3) Do not be tricked by fake news stories (go to cdc.gov for updates).

Finally visit aarp.org/scams to learn more about the latest coronavirus scams.

Under the circumstances of this new normal, it is important to keep up with what is occurring in our world and how we can best be prepared so I encourage you to read reputable periodicals such as the one cited above to better protect yourselves and your loved ones. It’s important to be aware. 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) 14

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Department of Evangelism and Missions

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

Let Your Life Speak “The Cold Within” There is a story of five people who were going on a skiing trip to the mountains.

However, the small twin-engine plane crashed killing the pilot and leaving four survivors. As the days went on, the supplies they had began to run out leaving them with little.

Then came the dreaded day they all knew would come. They had nothing left but each other.

Trapped on a mountain in the near zero-degree weather the fire they built began to fade. Each person had a stick to place on the fire to keep the fire going and to provide the warmth necessary for all of them.

Each one of them looks to the other to be the first one to put their stick on the fire. The lawyer argues within herself and asks, “Why would I put my stick on the fire to warm the others?

After all, it has taken an extremely long time for me to make it.” He did nothing but hold on to his stick. The accountant reasoned within himself and began to count the odds and rationalize how long each person could live if he chose to put his stick on the fire. He did nothing but hold on to his stick, waiting for someone else to go first.

The businessman knew what it meant to win in business. His motto was to use other people’s resources. He decided to do just that and used his self-taught business skill in this situation also. However, he could not get anyone to partner with him and refused to be the first to give in, so he held his stick. With the fire now flickering each one looked at the other. The teacher had always taught his students to share for the betterment of the community but for him those were in times of plenty. This was life or death, plus these were not children. So, he said to himself, “I will not share. No, not this time.”

As the rescue teams followed the now thin smoke of the fire, they were confident they would find survivors. The dog picked up their sent and the first responders followed closely behind the dogs. They came upon the sight of the crash and the makeshift community. The fire was out except for burnt ambers. All those who had initially survived the crash were now dead.

The teacher, the businessman, the accountant, and the lawyer each clutched firmly in a balled up fist a stick. You see, they did not die from the cold without, they died from the cold within.

(Author unknown) Our life speaks to people in so many ways, not with mere words only but with actions and non-verbal communication. When you walk in a room it should automatically get better because of your presence. However, to have such a profound impact on a community you must be willing to give for the well-being of others. What will our Church say when the doors of the building swing open? We wrestle with Evangelism but is it really about evangelism or people?

Will we survive the cold without or die from the cold within?

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 June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests Producing and Creating Good Citizens Rev. Carmichael D. Crutchfield, Ph.D. The word generative is on my mind a great deal these days. Often this word is discussed in regard to the production of offspring. I have been thinking of it from the vantage point of producing or creating productive citizens in our communities.

The word causes me to think of my grandmother Lurlia Nored who was part of the Crutchfield household until she died when I was on my way to college.

She had many sayings, such as, “A hard head makes a soft behind.” “Birds of a feather flock together.”

“Haste makes waste.”

Department of Christian Education and Formation eye on the neighborhood, providing instruction, correction, but most of all wisdom. I add that now we have replaced front porches with gates and fences with little desire to be involved in the lives of our neighbors.

We might say the grandparents like my grandmother were masterful in saying proverbs. A proverb is a concise and forcefully expressive statement expressing some truth in a striking way that is easy to remember. We see some of these proverbs in scripture, especially from the Book of Proverbs. It is one of five books of the Bible designated as Wisdom Literature.

I am drawn to Proverbs 22:1-2; 8-9; 22-23 as I think about my grandmother and other grandparents.

There are 93 words in these verses. The verses give us instructions given by a scholar (or father) to a stuNow what do these sayings have to with producing or creating productive citizens in our communities? I dent (or son) on how to lead a moral life, with proper respect for God. It is not so hard for me to see how think my grandmother was no different than other grandparents who through their life experiences had some people have and continue to contribute to socireceived the kind of education that made them wise. ety in significant ways, therefore, becoming good citizens. It is because they had a Madea-grandparent After all, my grandmother was born in 1892 and by and a Bible, two sources of wisdom. the time she died in 1971 she had lived with parents who had experienced slavery and she had lived One aspect of wisdom is that life involves choices; it through the Great Depression, segregation, Jim is important that one be informed, trained and perCrowism, and all kinds of social-economic challenges. She like many other grandparents of her era were suaded to make the right choices. The objective of life not only producing and creating children, but grand- is attainment of wisdom, i.e. integrity in God's eyes.

We find in Proverbs that wisdom brings rewards. children who later became productive citizens.

"The reward of humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life". Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of Grandparents use to have many proverbs they lived by and passed on to their grandchildren. They were the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Put another wise and their wisdom transcended public educaway, Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is intion, although they knew and promoted the importance of formal education for their grandchildren. struction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor." The opposite of being wise is being a fool; "fools That is wisdom in itself. despise wisdom and instruction."

The grand mamas, the Madeas, if you will, are not so prevalent in our society any longer, which always has been a major link of the extended family structure. We might say the proverbs (wisdom) have stopped being passed down to the next generations.

Dr. Barbara Holmes, while a professor at Memphis Theological Seminary, often said that we have lost the “front porch theology.” This is where grandmothers would sit on the front porch and keep an 13a quarterly publication of the Department of Christian Education and Note: This article is from the Spring 2020 Edition of the Practitioner, Formation.

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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 II THE LAY MINISTRY MISSION This June 2020 Helping Hands Bulletin will communicate the meaning and intent of our Lay Ministry Mission of: ”Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service for Him!” The Department of Lay Ministry aids the CME Church in equipping and enabling the laity of the church to engage in effective ministry in the name of Jesus the Christ by focusing on The Laos (Greek term meaning the whole people of God). The Department and its ministries, thus, develops information and promotes initiatives that strengthens and empowers “God’s People”, particularly at the local level of our church, which is considered the grass roots or foundation of our Zion.

Within our unique structure, we work hard at strengthening and safeguarding the local church in such a way that God’s people will continue to have hope and confidence in our polity and overall order. Thus, the laity of our Zion is charged with reaching out to family, community, social acquaintances, and workplace associates in the spirit of Matthew 4:19 when Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. “If we don’t reach, we will begin to run out of someone to teach!”

While the next aspect of the Lay Ministry Mission addresses teaching and preparing those who are new in service as well as those who are seasoned, - ministering to someone’s needs must sometimes come first. As one’s spiritual life changes through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there is still the reality of living day-to-day. Laity must, therefore, develop a heart for others, so that all, regardless of their personal circumstances, will continue to be inspired and encouraged. In carrying out our charge to be servants, if we do not minister to the needs of new, as well as, seasoned saints, our opportunities for growth and sustainability suffers. . . We, therefore, believe that if ones physical and emotional needs are met, he/she will be more open to the spiritual teaching, that is shared through sermons, bible study, Sunday school, and individual encounters. . . When sharing individually, we promote the fact that the spirit and effort to teach is not always embedded in formal degrees but is very often carried forth by knowledgeable and wise individuals who recognize and take advantage of teaching moments. Teaching Moments defined are unplanned opportunities that arise during one’s day where he/she has an occasion to offer insight and/or counsel to others. Teaching moments, therefore, are not events that one plans for, rather they are brief opportunities that must be sensed and seized. . . Our mission, therefore, is saying to us that we must kindle a desire to reach the lost and hurting, have a heart to teach, and want to see others learn and grow. Thus, the outcome we seek from our reaching, teaching, and ministering to all generations, is laity understanding and having the necessary preparation to do even greater works, not for ourselves but for the cause of Christ. . .

Embracing and carrying out the Lay Ministry Mission, helps us to know, remember, and act on who we are as laity. . . We are not like some who occasionally refer to us as “just laity” . . . As those who make up the grass roots of our Zion, we are, “The Unordained people of God, Furthering the Mission of the Church in the World” and we are “Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service for Him!” Yes, laity have a positive purpose and an important role and responsibility in growing, safeguarding, and sustaining God’s church!“ I close this writing with Ephesians 4:11-16: 11 The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. 14 We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

June 2020 • The Christian Index

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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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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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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.

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Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

Extraordinary Minister’s Spouses

Submitted by Mrs. Martha Ann Wiley, Sixth Episcopal District Representative An extraordinary woman is very unusual or remarkable, and may live in a similar environment, face similar challenges, but exhibits a different lifestyle than that of others. Her responses to various issues are consistent with what she values and are often aligned with a strong sense of right and wrong. When faced with a decision to choose a right or wrong action, the extraordinary woman resists the compulsion to do wrong and acts on what is right. For example, scripture describes Abigail as an extraordinary, smart woman whose surpassing beauty rivaled that of many women of the ancient world. (1 Samuel, 25, KJV Bible). In reviewing how the lifestyles of contemporary women compare or contrast to that of the Biblical Abigail, we see illustrations of an extraordinary woman. Abigail whose name means “My Father’s Joy”, was married to a rich, surly, and harsh acting wealthy man named Nabal. The name Nabal means “senseless and or foolish”. The contrasting meaning of Abigail’s and Nabal’s names imply a significant difference in values and behaviors.

The Biblical account of Abigail’s marriage to Nabal seems to demonstrate how God can use extraordinary women or men to bring balance to a relationship which glorifies His presence. Some references conclude that Abigail’s marriage to Nabal was a difficult one that was considered toxic because of his disposition.

Despite Nabal’s poor judgement and impulsive behavior, the household labored to keep him and themselves out of harm’s way. According to 1 Samuel 25, David whom King Saul pursued to kill, asked Nabal to provide rations for his men and Nabal harshly rejected the request. Having often provided protection for Nabal’s men and herds, David reacted angrily and sought to kill Nabal. Hearing of her husband’s impending doom, Abigail planned to intercede by offering rations and apologizing to David for Nabal’s behavior. She didn’t sit around and blame her husband or remain paralyzed by fear, but took control of a potentially dangerous situation to make amends with David. Abigail did not tell Nabal but hastened to take David two hundred loaves, bottles of wine, five sheep ready dressed, five hundred measures of parched corn, a hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs. She sent her servants ahead with the offering. In a spirit of humility, Abigail acted wisely and met David to demonstrate honor and respect for how he cared for her people. She showed great wisdom in acting swiftly in speaking honorably to David. She moved toward the danger, knowing that God was surely with her and in doing so she saved her household (I Samuel 25:36-40). Her awareness of the potential conflict averted the swift death by sword of her drunken husband who later died from other causes. Abigail’s life was a powerful reflection of rejecting self- pity and defeat when faced with challenging circumstances. She acted courageously and used great wisdom when faced with a threatening scenario.

Often when faced with difficult battles or hard struggles, we may feel like we’ve been left alone. God is always leading us with His spirit of wisdom and discernment, pouring out His strength and grace, and reminding us that He is the greater power propelling us onward. Moreover, as women of God, the most difficult issues that we face will bring out the best in us and others. Abigail’s’ life and the God-given wisdom she demonstrated was a powerful reflection of this very truth. God’s power within us is greater than we can ever fully comprehend. He is able to use any of us, even those who feel insignificant or powerless, for His greater good.

From the Biblical account of Abigail, it is extremely beneficial to be humble, kind, and to seek peace with those around us. Abigail averted Nabal’s death by humbling herself before David and apologizing for his misconduct.

God showed favor to Abigail by providing the insight to analyze a dangerous situation and offer a solution.

When we are faithful to God’s word and leadership, our perspective and response to a situation will change because He will direct our path when we relinquish control of the situation to Him. Your situation will change over time. Abigail’s and our individual stories can serve as vivid reminders that God sees the heart, and works powerfully in the lives of those who choose to follow Him.

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Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

Continued from previous page

Eloise Vining and Dr. Louise Baker Brown

Elberton Gainesville District

ATL-Rome District

Augusta-Sparta District

Central Georgia Region

West Georgia Region

Smile ....for you are beautiful.. even on the tiring days that never seem to end..

Laugh.... for you are fortunate.. even when you feel as though you are not..

Forgive.... for you are strong.. even when the rest of the world forgets to be..

YOU exceed the ordinary.... you are an extraordinary woman..

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Committee on Emergency Relief

May 1, 2020 TO: FROM:

Members of the C.M.E. Church The Emergency Relief Committee

SUBJECT: Tornado Relief As you are aware about two weeks ago several tornados touched down and left their damages in the states of Mississippi and Alabama as they moved eastward. Having heard from the Bishops in those areas, many CMEs, particularly in Mississippi, were affected, and in Alabama one of our churches was totally destroyed. As usual with tornados, the devastation of property loss and death leave many people grieved and in need. Although it will take some time for the damages to be repaired and for the people to return to a sense of normalcy, we the members of the Emergency Relief Committee request each Church to receive a generous love offering to help those in need. As always, we ask that you would follow the usual process of forwarding your checks (payable to the Department of Finance) to your Episcopal Leader who will record the offering and forward it to the Department of Finance. It is through your generous gifts that we, the C.M.E. Church, continue to assist those in need. As always, your promptness and generosity are appreciated.

In His Service, Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. Chairman, Committee on Emergency Relief

CME-Affiliated Schools From: https://paine.edu/web/news-and-media/blogs/-/journal_content/56/10217/267728. Accessed 5-14-2020.

Paine Waives Standardized Tests April 21, 2020

Originally posted April 16, 2020 Paine College officials announced today that the Institution will waive standardized tests for first-time freshmen. However, students who have taken tests may submit their scores. The decision made by the College is designed to ensure that standards for admission are met while reducing some of the stress applicants and parents are facing during these uncertain times.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation's high schools have been disrupted leaving thousands of high school seniors wondering when and if they will be able to take the standardize tests (ACT and SAT) that are required for entry into colleges and universities throughout the country. Many of the spring dates for college admissions tests have been postponed or cancelled due to COVID-19.

Continued on next page June 2020 • The Christian Index

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CME-Affiliated Schools Continued from previous page Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Curtis E. Martin, said, "With many high schools closed and teaching remotely, we have decided to ease the anxiety high school seniors are facing amid the pandemic. The test scores are being waived for students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or better. Seniors who do not have a 3.0 GPA will also be admitted on the condition that they take the ACT Residual test upon enrollment at Paine College."

Applications are being re-evaluated for those who previously applied and submitted satisfactory documentation. Applicants are still required to submit their official transcript and may go online to complete the admissions application at www.Paine.edu (select Admissions drop down menu).

David Jackson, Recruitment Coordinator, said, "If applicants are unable to request official transcripts due to school closures, we encourage students to have their high school counselor email the transcript to Admissions@paine.edu."

Parents and students are invited to contact the Office of Admissions at (706) 821-8320 with questions regarding the recent changes surrounding the enrollment process. Admissions counselors are standing by to schedule video conferences with parents and students to discuss the status of applications. The College will continue to keep applicants updated via its website at www.paine.edu and social media platforms.

To apply for admission, visit: https://paine.edu/web/admission/apply.

From: https://www.miles.edu/news/article/8478/miles-college-awarded-499869-grant-preserve-restore-williams-hall. Accessed 5-14-2020.

MILES COLLEGE AWARDED A $499,869 GRANT TO PRESERVE, RESTORE WILLIAMS HALL Article Date: 04/24/20 Category: Adminstration, Latest News, News and Media For Immediate Release: April 24, 2020 Media Contact: Ashley J Sutton Director of Public Relations asutton@miles.edu Miles College awarded a $499,869 grant to preserve, restore Williams Hall FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Miles College was awarded a $499,869 grant from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant program, funded by the Historic Preservation Fund, and administered by the National Park Service, Department of Interior to preserve and restore Williams Hall.

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CME-Affiliated Schools Miles was one of 18 schools – and the only school in Alabama – to receive a portion of the $7.7 million in grants awarded during this round of funding. The monies are designated for the preservation of historic structures on campuses of HBCUs.

Protecting our HBCUs continues to be one of my top legislative priorities, and I will never stop working to ensure their vitality."

Congress appropriates funding for the program through the Historic Preservation Fund, which uses revenue from federal oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, providing assistance for a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) was instrumental in helping Miles College secure funding for Williams Hall through the Historic Preservation Fund.

The school intends to restore Williams Hall to its appearance at that time while extending the usable lifespan of the building by providing modern and purposefully designed spaces for academic, teaching and museum offerings. Once Williams Hall has been restored, the College plans to use the building as a teaching museum to honor the founders, students, alumni, and the College’s role in the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement.

President Knight was effusive in the appreciation she has for the assistance Rep. Sewell provided on the federal level as well as those who worked hard at the College to secure the funding.

Williams Hall is the oldest building on the campus of Miles College, erected in 1907 and is listed on the “We are honored to be one of the recipients of this National Register of Historic Places. Once the sight grant from the National Park Service. This grant of several epic events during the Civil Rights Era, provides a significant contribution to the restoration the building has been in disrepair for several years. of historic Williams Hall, breathing life back into a The preservation, renovation and rehabilitation of building that has played an indelible role in the history Williams Hall will document, and preserve, the site of of our institution and has a significant position in our many stories related to the African American struggle future,” said Miles College president Bobbie Knight. to gain equal rights as citizens in the 20th Century.

"I am thrilled that Miles College will be receiving nearly $500,000 for historic preservation from the National Park Service,” Rep. Sewell said. “I have fought to create this funding specifically for historic preservation on HBCU campuses since coming to congress. HBCU campuses have played a pivotal role in American history, especially in our nation’s struggle for civil rights, and those sites must be preserved.

“We must continue to invest in HBCUs like Miles College. We need them now more than ever.

“We are extremely appreciative of Rep. Terri Sewell for her assistance in advocating for Miles College in Washington, D.C. and are indebted for her tireless service to our district,” Knight said. “Our grant writing team at Miles was diligent in pursuing this opportunity, as well, and should certainly be commended.”

Subscribe to The Christian Index Only $30.00 per Year Call Rev. Dr. Roderick Lewis, Sr., Publisher, at 901-396-5400 June 2020 • The Christian Index

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CME-Affiliated Schools

A Special Recognition for Dr. L.H. Whelchel, Jr. Submitted by Rev. Gregory Williams

(l-r): Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Rev. Dr. Willie Clyde Williams, Dr. L.H. Whelchel, and Rev. Ermano Willis.

Before the coronavirus became a major crisis to our communities, the Power of Good News Community Church of Lithonia, Georgia, where I am blessed to pastor, was able to share a significant moment in the life of the church. My presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District, Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., and my father, Rev. Dr. Willie Clyde Williams, were available to witness a special presentation. On behalf of the president, officers, and members of Phillips School of Theology Alumni Association, [we bestowed] extended recognition to one of our connectional pastoral leaders.

The alumni association provided an award to Dr. L.H. Whelchel at the annual luncheon for his love and dedication to the CME Church and AU Center. [At that time] a special plaque was being designed and made

by Rev. Ermanno Willis and was now provided to Dr. Whelchel at his home church. Both Dr. Whelchel and his lovely and devoted wife, Dr. Larma Whelchel, are active members of the Power of Good News Community Church.

Dr. Whelchel has a Ph.D. degree in Church History from Duke University. He has earned degrees from Paine College, Boston University, and New York University. He has served as the chairman of the Department of Religion and Philosophy of Clark Atlanta University, and he has taught as professor of Church History at the Interdenominational Theological Center. He has also published numerous books and scholarly articles.

As a Civil Rights activist and successful itinerant pastor, his work in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham helped to lay the groundwork for the numerous achievements and advancements of the African American community in that city and around the nation. We are grateful for his leadership and service to both academics and the church.

Luke 11:11-13 (KJV) 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

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Father - Progenitor, Provider, Protector, Prayer, Teacher, Guide, Supporter Father - Loves without limit, gives unselfishly Father - Teaches through play and example, as well as through precept Father - Both tender and tough; sensitive and resilient Father - Transactional and transparent Father - Available

CME-Affiliated Schools

Breeding-Montgomery Bible College Rededicated Inaugural Governing Council (Board of Trustees) Established Submitted by Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. Editor, The Christian Index

On February 14, 2020, a delegation of CMEs from the United States journeyed to Nigeria for the re-dedication of the Breeding-Montgomery Bible College. This delegation consisted of Bishop James Walker, Dr. Paul Brown (President/Dean Phillips School of Theology), Dr. Victor Taylor (General Secretary of Finance and Investments & CME Church CFO), Rev. Leon Moore (General Sectary of Evangelism and Missions), Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. (Editor of The Christian Index), Mrs. Phyliss Spragin, and Mrs. Carole Dortch.

The ceremony, held on Wednesday, February 19, marked the culmination and blessing of improvements made to the campus, and to the chapel building in particular, since its initial construction in 2007. Prior to the dedication, we were given a tour of the campus buildings. They have been greatly renovated since I last saw them in 2017, and the front entrance is an added improvement that is a fitting sequel to the original building planned by Bishop Carter and designed by Geneen M. Richard. I was privileged to briefly help in the construction of that building in 2007.

The ceremony was led by the Presiding Prelate of the Tenth Episcopal District, Bishop (Prof.) Godwin T. Umoette.

He was assisted by Bishops Kenneth W. Carter (Eleventh Episcopal District - East

Inside the Chapel Building of the Breeding-Montgomery Bible College.

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CME-Affiliated Schools and South Africa, and Haiti) and Bishop James B. Walker (Seventh Episcopal District - North and South Carolina, New York, and Washington D.C.) Addresses were given by Bishop Umoette, President/ Dean Dr. Gabriel Thomas Ukott, Student Body President Uwem Sunday Ukoyen, and members of the U.S. delegation. In his address on behalf of the students, Mr. Uwem Ukoyen offered four suggestions that the students believe "will contribute to the Students of the Breeding-Montgomery Bible College growth of the school." These were received for consideration by Bishop Umoette and the Inaugural Council. Also participating were choir members and musicians from local CME churches. At the end of the ceremony, Bishop Umoette named those persons who were invited to be members of the board. I hope to include a list of members with a picture in the July 2020 issue.

In addition to sharing in the re-dedication ceremony, we were also blessed to attend Sunday worship at the Bishop Marshall Gilmore Cathedral in Uyo the previous Sunday, February 16. It was our desire to participate in worship with our brothers and sisters in Africa, but we were pleasantly surprised when, upon our arrival, we learned that they were celebrating the Tenth Anniversary of the dedication of the church building. At least 400 persons were present in worship, approximately 60 of whom were children, Most were young adults and they were primarily female. The anniversary message given by Rev. Utibe Ekwere carried the theme, "The Embarassment Has Stopped." Rev. Ekwere related that the church had a small beginning with a few men in a marketplace, but that it is now a large church that is no longer in a marketplace. He concluded by proclaiming the congregation is no longer a servant to a lender. "You have been liberated! People will celebrate you!"

The Sanctuary Choir of Bishop Marshall Gilmore Cathedral

The CME Church in Nigeria is steadily moving onward and upward, seeking her place of service in the world for the building of the kingdom and people of God.

The Sanctuary of Bishop Marshall Gilmore Cathedral 28

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Submissions

COVID Reflections Sixth Episcopal District Spring TeleGathering May 2, 2020 Submitted by Lavisha S. Williams Presiding Elder, Moultrie-McRae-Brunswick District Pastor, St. James, Columbus, Ga. South Georgia Region

A Gracious Good Morning to all, in the name of our Lord and Risen Savior, Jesus the Christ!

I’ve been given the task of offering reflections regarding our invisible enemy, aka COVID-19, and how it has impacted the church. I’m thankful for the collaborative efforts of my colleagues in Eldership for their input and insight, that helped put this reflection together.

COVID has been a blessing and for obvious reasons, a curse.

As I prayed about what to say, the word ‘Sankofa’ came up in my spirit. A word which carries with it a trifold expression. The word is part of the Twi language of Ghana, and translates to “Go back and get it.”

The word is also associated with a proverb that says, “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” The imagery of the word is expressed as a bird with its head turned backwards.

Each expression, in its own right, declares or displays a ‘going back’, a ‘return’, if you will. But ‘going back’ to what? A ‘return’ to what?

Could it be that our Quadrennial theme, ‘Back to Basics’ was a prophetic utterance from the College of Bishops?

economic or racial interference, but humanity is experiencing this virus together!

It has given humanity opportunities to not necessarily ‘sell’ their possessions, but ‘share’ what they have, so that none would be without!

It has called families to break bread together at home and enjoy the company of one another.

It has called humanity to ‘draw nigh unto God.’ And the Lord has added to the Church daily!

Our prevailing climate has caused major paradigm shifts in our thinking and our doing. Leadership in church settings worldwide will agree that we must embrace a ‘new normal’ and such is the case within the context of the Sixth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Faith Leaders and congregations alike, have now embraced “the stone that the builders rejected ..….now becoming the chief cornerstone.” The stone of ‘technology’ which congregations were quick to refuse and denounce upon suggestion, has now become a tool in our survival.

Leadership has become creative and innovative all throughout our Episcopal District.

Video platforms are being used regularly for worship services, Bible studies, training institutes and family gatherings.

We’ve embraced drive-by and virtual Communion services.

Funeral services are being held graveside, instead of inside.

Digital giving has become common place.

There seems to be a resurgence of Class Leaders.

Could it be that we have been afforded an opportunity to ‘go back’ and relive the First Century Church and get something that we may have forgotten?

Signs and Wonders have followed us.

Some have tested Positive and have come out on the other side!

Prayer lives have grown stronger Relationships have gotten better

In the First Century Church, followers of ‘The Way’, a designation given to believers before we were called Christians, had “all things in common;” they would sell material possessions so that none would be without.

Daily, the Bible says, they broke bread at home and ate their food with “glad and generous hearts.”

And now, more than ever before, we are understanding that ‘the Church’ is not Brick and Mortar, but Soul and Spirit and we thank God for the Courageous Souls and spirits who are part of our Sixth Episcopal District family, and for those who have daily worked on the front lines during this pandemic.

Our current atmosphere, has created a level playing field, in that Stay-At-Home orders have been given to the rich and poor, young and old, without socio-

We thank God for them and we thank God that We Are Yet Alive!

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Submissions

My First Year at Lane College Submitted by Shea Thompson Trinity CME Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

As long as I can remember I have been interested in attending Lane College. The historical significance of this institution to our denomination was intriguing to me. My first visit to Lane occurred when my CYF group stopped for a visit on our way home from the 2014 Youth and Young Adult Conference which was held in Memphis, Tennessee. I fell in love with the ambiance of the campus and the atmosphere of the surrounding community of Jackson.

With my election as the Second Episcopal District Representative on the Connectional Youth Vice President’s Council of the CME Church, I was able to return to Memphis the next year for a meeting of the Council Vice Presidents. While in Memphis, we traveled to Jackson to visit Lane College. After my second visit to the school, I knew that I wanted to attend this illustrious institution.

During this first year at Lane, I have experienced so many opportunities that contributed to my emotional, physical and spiritual growth. It all began when I applied and was accepted into Lane College’s Dragon Academy program. Dragon Academy is a five-week summer program designed to ease the transition from high school to college and allow students to earn between 6 and 9 college credit hours. This program helped me to further develop my scholastic habits, cultivate my leadership skills and allowed me to connect with peers, faculty and staff. While in the Dragon Academy program, I expressed my singing ability. Lane College’s Choir Director, Professor Alexis Rainbow, received word of my abilities and I auditioned and was accepted into the Lane College Concert Choir with a $500 scholarship. I finished Dragon Academy with a 3.8 GPA and returned home to Indianapolis. Upon my arrival home, I received word to return prior to the start of the semester to participate in the Lane College Choir Camp. What a great start to my College Career!

The 2019 Ohio Central Indiana Region Conference was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was the year that I was meeting with the Committee on Ministerial Examination. I passed the test and was Admitted on Trial in the Ohio Central Indiana Region of the Second Episcopal District. Immediately following the Ordination Service, I had to go directly to the airport so that I could be in Jackson for Choir Camp. My plane was scheduled to take off at 1 o’clock; however, after multiple delays we finally left Pittsburgh at 4 o’clock.

This really tested my patience since I was anxious to get to Jackson. I arrived in Memphis and took an Uber to Jackson. All along my journey, Rev. Freeman McKindra, Dragon Program Director, and Professor Rainbow were with me by phone. I finally made it to Jackson at midnight, and they were there to greet me.

Being a member of the Lane College Concert Choir has afforded me many opportunities. During my first year with the concert choir, I have had the opportunity to perform at the Freshman Matriculation Ceremony; Opening Convocation; Clarksville, Tennessee; Chapel; Jennie E. Lane Fall Tour; Homecoming Concert; Christmas Concert; Honoring Chuck Rainey, a Lanite and former bass player for Aretha Franklin, and many other recording artists; and opening up for singer Kelly Price. The choir has been a great experience for me and I eagerly anticipate the next chapter.

[As indicated earlier,] my first year of college also coincided with a change in my ministry; I was admitted on trial. During my senior year in high school my mentor and pastor, Rev. Dr. O’Neal Shyne, Jr., passed away. But Presiding Elder Tracy L. Jackson stepped right in and guided me through, along with the support of my bishop, Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. While at Lane, I am under the tutelage of many giants in the ministry. They are: Bishop Henry Williamson, Sr. (Presiding Bishop of the First Episcopal District), Dr. Claude 30

The Christian Index • June 2020

Submissions A. Bass (Presiding Elder and Senior Pastor of St. Paul CME Church), Dr. Carmichael D. Crutchfield (Senior Pastor of Mother Liberty CME Church and General Secretary of Christian Education of the CME Church), Dr. Daryll H. Coleman (Senior Pastor of Lane Chapel CME Church and Vice President of Academic Affairs), Dr. Logan Hampton (President of Lane College), Rev. Freeman McKindra (Head Chaplain), Dr. Ron Sommerville (Visiting Research Professor/Associate Professor of Religion at Lane College), and Rev. William O. Cole, Sr. (Senior Pastor of Hurts Chapel CME Church). I have had the opportunity to preach at the following churches: St. Paul CME Church, Mother Liberty CME Church, and Hurts Chapel CME Church and to offer the prayer and scripture during Lane Chapel Services.

As my freshman year comes to an unusual end due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I managed to finish my freshman year with cumulative 3.4 GPA. Hail Fair Lane!

"It's scary to think that one day we're going to have to live without our mother or father or brother or husband. Or that one day we're going to have to walk this earth without our best friend by our side, or them without us. Appreciate your loved ones while you can, because none of us are going to be here forever."

--Larry Brown

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Submissions

CME Moore Inducted into Beta of Mississippi Submitted by W. Jean Moore From: http://www.keyreporter.org/PbkNews/PbkNews/Details/2862.html Written by Jacqueline Knirnschild Photo credit: Lara Moore

Dr. C. Damon Moore, who is a Virginia-based pediatrician and the first African American Rhodes Scholar from Mississippi, [was] inducted into the University of Mississippi chapter of ΦBK as an alumni member this April. Moore received his M.D. from Johns Hopkins and now goes above and beyond his duty as a pediatrician by serving as a lifelong mentor to his patients and getting involved in the local community through healthcare programs, such as facilitating a “For Dads Only” group for expectant fathers and providing free sports physicals to underserved adolescent athletes.

“The Beta of Mississippi chapter at the University of Mississippi is thrilled to nominate, and induct, two alumni members in 2020, the 20th anniversary of our chapter’s existence,” said Chapter President Sandra Spiroff. “The rationale for alumni membership is to honor the academic achievements of former students who earned Phi Beta Kappa status prior to the inception of our chapter in 2001.”

Moore grew up in the small town of Coldwater, Mississippi, where his parents, who were both educators, taught him the value of community, service, and education. “We taught our children that as long as they give back to society, we will be proud,” said his mother, W. Jean Moore, who was also his high school English and speech teacher.

Moore inherited his mother’s passion for literature—majoring in English in college and earning a second B.A. in English Language and Literature at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar in 1989. While Moore was at Oxford, his mother would call and recite him lines from Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself: “Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged, / Missing me one place search another, / I stop somewhere waiting for you.”

Seeing the world as a novelist led to Moore’s decision to become a physician. “I think about plot, character, themes, and that gives me the idea there’s a lot of stuff wrong in the world, a lot of suffering,” Moore said. “And becoming a doctor was a natural reaction to that.”

Moore’s mother also taught him that it never hurts to be nice. “It doesn’t matter how smart you are,” she said, “if you don’t have the right attitude, you won’t succeed,” which is certainly a lesson that Moore internalized.

When he found out he would be inducted as a ΦBK honorary alumni member, Moore was so humbled, he sat down and wrote 51 handwritten notes to all of the resident members at the University of Mississippi. “I remain indebted to my professors who challenged my thinking in lectures, tutorials, and seminars,” Moore stated. “The result has been that now, more than 30 years since my leaving Ole Miss, I still consider myself a student of life.”

Associate Dean Emeritus of Liberal Arts Michael Dean, who first had Moore as a student in a 200-level literature survey course, now acts as a godfather figure to Moore. The two first became close when, one day after class, Dean asked Moore to stay behind and told him he was a remarkable writer. Moore then took a tutorial with Dean, and over the years they stayed in contact. When Moore’s father, Clen Dempsey Moore Jr., passed away in 2015, Moore reached out to Dean and asked him to deconstruct a poem he had written about his father. “It was one of the most amazing things that has ever happened,” Moore said, “just to have my teacher 32

The Christian Index • June 2020

Submissions at Ole Miss teach me a poem that I wrote, to help me understand on a deeper level where these feelings were coming from.”

Now, as a pediatrician, Moore fosters this same type of continuous mentorship with his patients. Former patient, Marc St. Raymond, who began seeing Moore at 14, said that their relationship grew into a friendship anchored in mutual trust and respect. St. Raymond remembers when Moore showed up to his last competitive high school swim meet. “It meant a lot,” St. Raymond said. And later in life, five or so years after he graduated from college, St. Raymond was feeling a bit lost, so he called Moore. St. Raymond had gone down one career path and wasn’t sure if it was right, or what he should do next, but Moore was able to talk him through it. “He really helps young people in moments of ambiguity,” St. Raymond said. “He always had an interesting perspective to share and was very empathetic.”

Growing up, Moore also had a close relationship with his pediatrician, Jack Segal, who practiced for 67 years in Memphis. Dr. Segal encouraged Moore’s academics by always asking to see his report card, and when Moore graduated as class valedictorian, Segal gave him a silver chain bracelet, on which his initials “CDM” were engraved. Then, when Moore completed his medical residency in 1995, he returned to visit Segal, who took him to every patient exam room, with his arm around his waist and introducing Moore as “one of his babies” who had become a pediatrician. “It embarrassed me to see how proud he was,” Moore said. “Now that I’ve been doing this a while, I can say I know exactly how he felt.”

Jacqueline Knirnschild is a senior at the University of Mississippi, where she studies creative writing, anthropology, and Chinese. The University of Mississippi is home to the Beta of Mississippi chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.

"Staying positive does not mean things will turn out okay. Rather it's knowing that you will be okay no matter how things turn out."

--Stacey Capers

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June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Falling in Love with God:

Getting Back to the Basics and Experiencing the Miraculous Power of God in the Local Church Submitted by Rev. Dr. Darvin A. Adams I Scholar in Residence 2nd Episcopal District Dean of Leadership Training School Evansville-Hopkinsville District Saint James CME Church

A Theological Framing

God loves us despite ourselves and despite our personal shortcomings. He keeps working on us by doing things for us (justification) and in us (sanctification). As growing Christians, we are to be grateful of the fact that God is patient with us. Within God's patience, which includes the spiritual gifts of grace and forgiveness, God reveals His truths to us one by one. These spiritual truths are the foundation of our spirituality, defined as our personal relationship with God. It is liberating for both the CME Church and individual human beings to know that God loves us so much that His love draws us into a greater relationship with Him. Hence, falling in love with God means that we have decided to lift up the name of God in Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit so that He can draw more of us into more of Him. God says, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” This drawing of us into the Spirit of God is what has made us fall in love with God. Again and again. We fall out of love with God and we fall back in love with God. And when we decide to start focusing our energies on loving God with our hearts, souls and minds, our first questions are: How do I do this? How do I just start loving God? What made me fall in love with

God in the first place? The truth is that Loving God is not difficult because God is absolutely incredible in all His ways. God is love. But if we want to love God completely, we must commit ourselves to spending time and energy on our personal relationship with God, just as we would any human relationship with those we claim to love. As committed CMEs and lovers of God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we should find our love for God growing and becoming more recognizable and visible as we do the following: 1.

Think about God consistently. The more I think about God, the more I fall in love with God. I think about how amazing He is as a Creator, how selfless He is as a Savior. I think about how good He is to me, despite all I do against Him. I think about specific blessings He has given me and all He has saved me from. I contemplate how incredible it is that the God of the universe cares about me. When we think about how amazing He is, the awe He inspires fills our hearts with love and gratitude.

2.

Tell God 'I love you' continuously.

When we tell God we love God, we find the words are very true. When we tell him the reasons for which we love Him, this is even more powerful. We must find a way to communicate with God more consistently ... consciously and subconsciously. We must be contributing members of the Body of Jesus Christ.

3.

Spend more time in the presence of God. No relationship can grow without time spent together. The same is true with our relationship with God. When we decide to set aside specific times for fasting and prayer, our love for God increases. Culturally, we also find that music

Does Your Local Church, Presiding Elder's District, Region, or Episcopal District Produce an Electronic Newsletter?

If so, send the Editor a copy at: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org 34

The Christian Index • June 2020

Submissions helps us to focus our attention on God and helps us worship God and love Him even more.

4.

Choose to do everything out of a love for God. From our church ministry to our everyday, mundane chores, our motives make all the difference. When we choose to do a task out of a love for God, our love for Him grows. It is just a mental task of consciously giving the activity to God as an offering. Maybe this is part of what He means by when He says, “Love God with all your heart, soul and mind.”

Scriptural References: Proverbs 3:3-4; Matthew 6:33, Matthew 22:37-39; John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 13, 1 Corinthians 16:14; Galatians 5:22; 2 Thessalonians 3:5; 1 John 3:16, 1 John 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 4:8 Getting Back to the Basics: The Great Commandment and the Great Commission

The mission of the CME Church in the Second Episcopal District is to form Christian disciples through the systematic training and development of CME clergy and laity.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit, CME disciples will preach and teach the word of Christ, nurture spiritual growth and stewardship, and witness and organize for systematic and social change in our communities. Our quadrennial theme is "The Investment Factor: A Changed People Changing the World." The overarching theme of the Connectional CME Church, according to the College of Bishops, is “Getting Back to Basics as We Envision Our Way Forward in Taking Care of God's Business.” In speaking with Bishop Thomas at length, I have found that there is an urgent need to get back to the basics. According to Bishop Thomas, instead of just “getting back to the basics” per se, we need to “Go all the way back (to the basics) and reference the First Century Church” which typically places us in the Great Commandment. With great attention given to the entities of effective worship and active witness in our local churches, what we are finding is that falling in love with God could very well mean embodying, embracing and committing

ourselves to the Great Commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:35-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:27a.

Similarly, the Great Commission requires believers to utilize their deep love for God as a way of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. The Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread his teachings to all the nations of the world. The most famous version of the Great Commission is in Matthew 28:16–20, where on a mountain in Galilee Jesus calls on his followers to make disciples of and baptize all nations in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (also see Mark 16:15; Acts 1:2, Acts 1:8; Colossians 1:23. Here, Christ's program of missions, which encompasses the CME Church's program of missions as well, makes disciples of all nations. It involves three steps: (1) “GO” (2) “BAPTIZING THEM” as a sign of their union with and commitment to Christ; and (3) “TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING CHRIST HAS COMMANDED.” As a trained theologian, I am suggesting that falling in love with God presupposes our Holy Spirit inspired commitment to active participation in the Great Commandment (loving God) and the Great Commission (loving Jesus Christ by faith).

If we have truly [fallen in love with Christ] and/ or have fallen in love with God, we must show some visible signs. We must take our “church game” to a higher level.

Experiencing the Miraculous

Under the spiritual vision of Bishop Thomas, the Second Episcopal District is in the “Season of the Miraculous.” Theologically and thematically, Bishop Thomas has implored us to enter the local church expecting a miracle and leave being the miracle we expect. In other words, we are to be the miracle that we hope God performs in our local churches. In addition to embodying what God can perform and will perform in our spiritual lives, we are also to pay close attention to the existential move of God in the life of our assigned charges.

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Submissions Not only are we to do good ministry in the local church, but we are also responsible for being an intricate part of the ministry itself. The “Season of the Miraculous” is both a personal experience with God and the local church's ministerial expectation for themselves and the communities and neighborhoods in which she seeks to serve. A true miracle is an event in the external world brought about by the immediate agency or the simple act of God, operating without the use of means capable of being discerned by the senses, and designed to authenticate the divine commission of a religious teacher and the truth of his message (John 2:18; Matthew 12:38). A miracle is an occurrence at once above nature and above humanity. It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind, a power interrupting the fixed laws which govern their movements—a supernatural power. The purpose of miracles is to demonstrate seals of a divine mission. The sacred writers appealed to them as proofs that they were messengers of God. Our Lord also appealed to miracles as conclusive proof of his divine mission (John 5:20, 36; 10:25, 38). Thus, being out of the common course of nature and beyond the power of man, they are fitted to convey the impression of the presence and power of God. Where miracles are there certainly God is. Additionally, our worship and witness must be authentic in referencing the Triune God as the way forward into a greater church experience and a greater church. The Gospel song says: I'm looking for a miracle. I expect the impossible. I feel the intangible. I see the invisible. The sky is the limit to what I can have. Just believe and receive it. God will perform it today.

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

Taylor Chapel CME Church in 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 other many of them may not have an 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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Submissions

Mt. Zion Family and Friends Day Submitted by Bro. Bruce Benson Chair, Board of Stewards/Local Lay Leader

Sunday, March 8, 2020 was an awesome welcome back home service as Mt. Zion celebrated their annual Family and Friends Day. Former pastor Rev Dr. Raymond F. Williams (1969-1976), all the way from Orlando, Florida, was our featured preacher for the morning worship service. Rev. Williams has also served as the General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

The worship leader for the service was Rev. Andrea Marshall, Local Deacon, who was fired up in the spirit. Rev. Claudia Fillis, Local Deacon, gave an inspiring Rev Dr. Raymond F. Williams invocation, followed by scripture by Rev. Rebecca Collins Rawls. Rev. Williams took us back down memory lane with laughter and stories that tied into his sermon.

Rev. Williams has called Darby Township, and especially Mt. Zion, “home.” He was well received by former members and by students that he taught as an elementary school teacher in the Southeast Delco School District. Rev. Williams began an annual trip to Disney World in Florida during his tenure here at Mt. Zion. Many of the ministries he began are still serving God and the community and all are flourishing. The service was inspired by many family members and friends who came back for this annual service.

One of the joys of the service was the choir that was made up of former members, neighbors and family members. The call was put out and they came and Congregation enjoying the service Pastor Parker, well pleased with sang the songs of Zion. Pastor the service.

Alfred S. Parker and First Lady Rudell “Terri” Parker were gracious hosts as they welcomed the may congregants back home for family and friends day.

As Pastor states, after one visit you are no longer a visitor but a guest that is welcomed to join us for all of our ministries.

(Adults, l-r): Sis. Linda Stewart, Sis. Raymona Williams, Bro. Greg Stewart, Bro. Greg Dean. Sis. Marilyn Maxwell, Sis. Dianne Stewart Peterson, Bro. Robert Butler, Bro. Marvin Gale, Sis. Gail Salters, Sis. Rahmira Rawls, Sis. Joyce Jay June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

What Does It Mean to Be A Retired Pastor?

Submitted by Rev. Dr. E. Elaine Crittenden

The day finally came; I retired as a Pastor during the week of my 74th birthday. I was both sad and excited. Retirement, yes! I made it clear to my Presiding Elder and our Presiding Prelate I was tired and did not want to continue serving as a pastor. I wanted to rest, to relax and take time for myself and family. I was ready and set to take on the world I had left behind while pastoring and traveling throughout the nation and the world. It was ready, set, go! I would finish the more than half dozen books I had started, travel at my leisure and take on the world. No more mandatory church duties, no more meetings, conferences, summits, quarters, I was done!

Well, needless to say none of that happened.

Just thinking about it makes me laugh. I found out the only thing that actually happened according to “my” plan was that I retired from pastoring. I found out I may be a retired pastor but retiring from ministry is impossible. I found out that God has a very interesting sense of humor. See, the God that I serve allows me to make plans, notes, schedules and the like and keeps silent. I believe that God just sits back and watches as “I” decide what I will and will no longer do. I have found out these past nine months that nothing I planned after Regional Conference 2019 has taken place.

Let me explain. I was asked near the end of 2018-2019 conference year to come and assist one of my colleagues at one of our local churches. I said, “Sure, no problem. I’ll stop in when you need me and kind of take it easy for a few months.” They said, “I need you as much as possible to assist at the church.” Well, they were moved and being honest, I felt relieved that I “did not have to show up to do anything.” I was so satisfied with myself! Then another pastor/colleague was sent to this particular church, saw me at conference and said, “Hey, Doctor, what you going to do? Where are you going to be attending church? I said I was planning on attending where you are going but you don’t need me, I’ll stop in every now and then.” Well, needless to say I found myself attending Taylor Chapel CME Church, 38

The Christian Index • June 2020

Prichard Alabama, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Eddie Marzett, seven minutes from my home, on a regular basis. The only time I do not attend is when I am working. It has been a blessing. I am tasked with developing an outreach program for the community!

As I said, God has an interesting sense of humor!

I have learned an amazing lesson these past few months. It has changed my outlook. My outlook had been where are the retired pastors? Why are they not visible and their gifts being used to assist our local churches? I have found the arms of our local churches are open to us if we simply make ourselves available and allow our gifts to be used where they are needed, not where we think they should used! I have found that I am busier as a retiree than I was as a pastor.

Some of the retired pastors have told me they feel left out of the church, they feel useless, unwanted and overlooked. That saddens me. I must say that I am blessed not to have that problem. I have found out what I thought retirement meant, according to the dictionary, is to “withdraw from one's position or occupation or from active working life.” Well, I assure you I have not found the latter to be true, I am quite active and it is all because of the relationship I have with the local church. I still attend meetings, conferences, workshops and feel a part of that local church family. Yes, there are some places where I don’t always feel comfortable because retirement to some means you aren’t supposed to be in certain places. I thank God those places are few and I feel welcome enough to show up and join in.

That’s a part of my story. Let me focus on others for a moment and ask a few questions. What has the connectional church intentionally put in place for their retirees? Many are well-educated and knowledgeable in different areas of ministry. What has been considered for foreign missions, or local missions for those active pastors that have smaller congregations and are not able to pay for additional staff? What has been discussed on ensuring retirees are contacted periodically “just because?” Once retired, life changes for many. Some are single, some are divorced, some are widowed and many are simply alone. What is the local, district, regional and/or connectional church doing to ensure retired pastors have a “pastor-hood” to keep them abreast of the goings on in our magnificent community known as the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church?

Submissions

I suggest the church look at the plight of retired pastors and find some way of using this amazing group of potential mentors to support new and inexperienced ministers and pastors. Special projects could be designed with the retired pastors at the helm to guide, instruct and support the church as it shifts and moves forward. In the meantime, I’m still trying to find out just what the real definition of “retirement” is. In the midst of it all, I have joy, and have it abundantly, that my ministry and experience in life has value and I am free to use it whenever I have an opportunity. I may never find the true meaning of “retired” but I have found joy in knowing that I can and do make a positive difference in some of the lives of God’s People. There is joy in the journey! Peace and blessings to each of you!

Arkansas Region Stewardess Ministry Serving the Table of God’s Precious Children Submitted by Sister Shelia Dukes, Arkansas Region Stewardess President

On December 1, 2019, the Arkansas Region Stewardess Ministry provided knitted caps to Arkansas Children’s’ Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. This project is an ongoing ministry for the Region Stewardesses. As of 2019, the ministry has donated thousands of knitted caps. In addition to caps, the ministry donated a limited number of toys, gloves, scarves and slippers. The region Stewardesses are always excited about providing for the children and look forward to the project every year.

The Arkansas Region Is under the leadership of Bishop Henry M. Williamson Sr. (Presiding Prelate), Presiding Elders Rev. Don White Sr. (West District), and Rev. Ronald Williams (East District). Sister Shelia Dukes serves as Arkansas Region Stewardess President. A special thanks to the Connectional Stewardess President, Sister Jolinda Dugger; East District President, Sister Maxie Blakley, and West District President, Sister Michelle Richardson.

Editor's Note: This is the article that should have appeared in last month's issue. My apologies to the Arkansas Region Stewardesses and Sis. Shelia Dukes.

June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Beebe Memorial Holds Annual Scholarship Sunday for Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Submitted by Calandra Foster Hunter

On February 9, 2020, Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME (BMC) and Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. held their annual Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Scholarship Sunday. In 2015, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary honored Dr. Hames for his distinguished ministry since his graduation in 2000. In recognition of his outstanding leadership, Garrett-Evangelical established The Charley Hames, Jr. Scholarship at the seminary with an initial gift of $1,000.00. This scholarship is intended to be a lasting tribute to his faithful Christian Service and perpetuate your love for the Church by enabling others to prepare for ministry.

President Lallene Rector of Garrett-Evangelical initially presented the Award when she spoke at Beebe Memorial in February 2015. She encouraged BMC to invest in and continue to produce leaders, such as Dr. Hames, transforming the kingdom of God and culture. Within five years, the scholarship Sunday came to a resounding apex with the presence of Bishop C. James King. In one day, BMC raised $7,939.00 above its tithes and offering goal, making this scholarship a lasting legacy and permanently endowed within the seminary! On that day, the minimum level was reached - $25,000.00! Bishop King gave a riveting message and was also a significant contributor to the scholarship fund.

Joseph R. Emmick, Vice President for Development, Garrett-Evangelical, states that this gift for the Charley Hames, Jr. Scholarship Fund makes it possible for our vision to prepare bold Christian leaders whose witness is more important than ever.

(l-r): Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. and Bishop C. James King 40

The Christian Index • June 2020

Children/Youth

Wordsearch Puzzle for June Father's Day Bible Matching Puzzle

Questions Name of the Father of Ishmael Name of the father of Rehoboam Name of the son of Monoah Name of the son of Num Name of the son of Eleazer Father of Cain & Abel Father of Solomon Chosen son of Abraham Father of Jesus Father of Joseph the dreamer Father of Shem/Ham/Japheth Father of Enos Son of Elkanah Son of Kish Father of David Father of James and John Father of John the Baptist Father of Canaan Son of Boaz Son of Saul Father of the 12 Tribes of Israel Father of Gershom & Eliezer First Person of the Trinity Father of Hezekiah Father of Mannasseh Father of Esau and Jacob Father of Hophni & Phinehas Father of Daniel Father of Chileab Father of Absalom Abraham Adam Ahaz Chileab David David David Eli God the Father Ham

Fill in the blank

Hezekiah Isaac Isaac Jacob Jacob Jesse Jonathan Joseph Joshua Moses

Noah Obed Phinehas Samson Samuel Saul Seth Solomon Zebedee Zechariah June 2020 • The Christian Index

41

Children/Youth Answers to Puzzle

Question Name of the Father of Ishmael Name of the father of Rehoboam Name of the son of Monoah Name of the son of Num Name of the son of Eleazer Father of Cain & Abel Father of Solomon Chosen son of Abraham Father of Jesus Father of Joseph the dreamer Father of Shem/Ham/Japheth Father of Enos Son of Elkanah Son of Kish Father of David Father of James and John Father of John the Baptist Father of Canaan Son of Boaz Son of Saul Father of the 12 Tribes of Israel Father of Gershom & Eliezer First Person of the Trinity Father of Hezekiah Father of Mannasseh Father of Esau and Jacob Father of Hophni & Phinehas Father of Daniel Father of Chileab Father of Absalom 42

The Christian Index • June 2020

Answer Abraham Solomon Samson Joshua Phinehas Adam David Isaac Joseph Jacob Noah Seth Samuel Saul Jesse Zebedee Zechariah Ham Obed Jonathan Jacob Moses God the Father Ahaz Hezekiah Isaac Eli Chileab David David

Ecumenical News Editor's Note: Though this information comes from another country (England), it does give some insight and information that to-date may be unknown or unclear, as well as another country's approach to the coronavirus pandemic and their involvement of the faith community. Some of the FAQs are included hereafter. More information and updates can be found at: www.york.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Confirmation of guidance for York Crematorium - Faith leaders and immediate families are able to visit York Crematorium to pay their respects Submitted by Claire Foale, York City Council (April 11, 2020)

Following discussions over the week, faith leaders, those working in funeral services and City of York Council have worked out a plan to provide some peace and comfort to those people unable to say goodbye to their loved ones because of the current public health crisis.

Because of the risks of spreading Coronavirus (Covid-19), funeral services at York Crematorium have been suspended, with unattended cremations now being offered. This exceptional measure is essential to protect the public, funeral directors and bereavement services staff, is in line with other local authorities including in West Yorkshire, and the advice given by public health authorities.

Graveside burial services for York residents at Fulford Cemetery are still permissible as long as families follow the rules in place which limit the number of mourners outside to 10 people, who must at all times observe social distancing.

Following the announcement of unattended cremations, faith groups and the Council have confirmed that they will offer a faith officiant present at the crematorium to undertake the committal of the body according to the appropriate religious rites, and that celebrants or a minister can read your words during the private cremation and that this will be recorded for families. The immediate family may wish to attend York Crematorium,

remaining outside to pay their respects, similarly at Fulford Cemetery, whilst following official social distancing guidelines.

City of York Council will ensure that services of remembrance at York Crematorium will be offered to all families when restrictions are lifted and a city wide multifaith remembrance ceremony will be held, supported by local faith leaders and the Council.

A duty rota is being put in place to ensure that funeral directors will always be able to find an available officiant at the Crematorium. Celebrants representing those with no faith will also be allowed to carry out a non-religious committal if desired by the family, but in all cases no mourners can be present inside the Crematorium.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said: “We know that the necessity of unattended cremation services will cause distress to many grieving people.

The Council took the agonising decision extremely reluctantly, but it is a policy that will ultimately save lives.

“We hope the arrangements to have a faith officiant or celebrant at funerals, confirmation that immediate families can attend York Crematorium and Fulford Cemetery, remaining outside, and that services of remembrance will be offered to all families, will offer people at least some comfort that their loved ones will be given the funeral rites appropriate to their religion, although they can’t be there with them.”

“This exceptional measure is to protect the public, funeral directors and bereavement services staff, at a very difficult time for all. I welcome the offer from local faith groups to hold a city wide multifaith remembrance ceremony after the restrictions have been lifted, and I know that the York community will continue to come together to support each other, including our key workers, grieving people, neighbours, communities and businesses, who are struggling.”

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Deputy Leader of City of York Council, said: “We understand how difficult this decision will be for many people and the pain it may add to the loss of a loved one and my heart goes out to anyone who is affected by it. Our utmost priority is that we Continued on next page June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Ecumenical News Continued from previous page protect people from the spread of coronavirus where it is possible to do so and to ensure that the health of those we work with, the public, council staff, funeral directors and other partners are protected.”

The Venerable Sam Rushton, Archdeacon of York Minster said: "At this difficult and distressing time, we, as church leaders, are committed to working closely with our colleagues at York Crematorium to make sure we can offer a fitting tribute to those who have died and as much comfort as we are able, within the current restrictions, to those who are mourning the loss of a loved one. We know how important a funeral is for mourners, to help them find some sense of peace in the midst of their dark times, but we also know how important it is to keep families and friends, as well as crematorium staff, safe from harm."

Ian Floyd, Interim Head of Paid Services of City of York Council, said: “We know this is a terrible time for so many right now. I am sorry for the impact of this decision that we have had to make to protect all concerned, including you and your loved ones. We are working with funeral directors in the city to ensure that the wishes of families and their loved ones are met through small celebrant-led ceremonies in chapels of rest before the cremation. We can also invite celebrants or a minister to say some words during the private cremation and record this for you. We will be offering remembrance services to families when restrictions have been lifted.

“My thoughts and condolences are with every family during this unprecedented time.”

City of York Council had already introduced social distancing measures at the Crematorium before the national guidance was published and our measures were in line with these guidelines. However, the health and safety of staff, funeral directors and mourners is paramount and it was clear that we needed to do more to protect the resilience of this part of the City’s pandemic response ahead of the peak of deaths which we are anticipating will start to happen within the 44

The Christian Index • June 2020

next four weeks, based on national modelling. We are following Public Health England advice for when there is sustained transmission of coronavirus in the community and people may be infected without showing symptoms.

There are also circumstances in which Covid-19 may not be given as the first cause of death but the infection come to light during the medical review process before burial takes place. As currently there can be up to 14 services a day at the crematorium, it is vital that the number of people visiting is kept to a minimum to minimise the chances of spreading coronavirus.

FAQs Is the risk lowered when fewer people attend?

Unfortunately, the risk is not lowered by lowering the numbers attending – the risk is related to close family members that could have symptoms or be carrying the Coronavirus. Whilst social distancing and cleansing has been taking place in the recent funerals, this was at a point when cases were lower and families were not allowed to visit the deceased in hospital, so likelihood of the infection spreading was lower. A week ago it became clear that death in communities, including at home and in care homes, were increasing where the medical referee was certifying the death could be related to Coronavirus.

A death at home will mean that family members are likely to have come into contact with the deceased and staff at the Crematorium are only alerted to this 24 hrs before the funeral when the medical certificates are sent through. At that point there is no way of knowing whether family members have symptoms, are carriers or have self-isolated for the required number of days before attending the funeral. This significantly concerned funeral service staff as soon as they became aware that families were attending where a Coronavirus related death had occurred in this way.

How will you ensure the resilience of Crematorium services?

The modelling on death rates is not an exact science and will depend on the infection rate, which itself depends on adherence to government guidance.

Crematoriums are fundamental to the regional Management of Mortality Plans, which is the council’s emergency plan to dispose of large numbers of the deceased in a pandemic. Any over exposure of staff to

Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

the Coronavirus, across local authorities in our region, could threaten these plans and present a different Public Health issue as the number of bodies could back up at Funeral Directors sites and at temporary body storage facilities.

What happens if we have a service planned at the Crematorium?

Working with your funeral director you may have some of your wishes met through small celebrant-led ceremonies in chapels of rest before the cremation.

The cremations will continue as planned but unfortunately, this means that services in their current form will not be able to go ahead. The celebrant/ minister can still attend and we will still provide a short video within the chapel free of charge for those services that have been booked.

The immediate family may wish to attend York Crematorium, remaining outside to pay their respects, similarly at Fulford Cemetery, whilst following official social distancing guidelines.

Will services of remembrance be offered?

City of York Council will ensure that services of remembrance at York Crematorium will be offered to all families when restrictions are lifted and a city wide multifaith remembrance ceremony will be held, supported by local faith leaders and the Council.

Will we be able to collect our loved one’s ashes?

Yes, the ashes will continue to be available for collection and where the families wish to scatter these in the grounds we can arrange for this to happen once it is safe to do so.

Lealue Lee Lenora Spragin

Lealue Lee Lenora Spragin, 81, passed away peacefully at her home on March 23, 2020, surrounded by family.

She was born in Lee County, Mississippi, on January 10, 1939, to the late Leroy Williams and the late Arlillian Trice Williams. She was the second oldest of eight children.

Lealue graduated from Siggers High School in Shannon, Mississippi. During high school, she met the love of her life, George Larry Spragin. They were united in holy matrimony on May 6, 1956, on the front porch of their home. They raised a family of ten.

Lealue dedicated her life to serving Christ. She found Christ at an early age at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church. After marrying, she attended Highs Chapel CME Church. There she served as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, stewardess, and piano player until her health began to fail.

Lealue had a strong work ethic. She spent many years as a cook at Shockley’s, Shoney’s, and North Mississippi Medical Center. Mrs. Spragin decided to attend Itawamba Junior College to receive her certificate in early childhood development. This allowed her to teach for Lift Headstart in Lee and Monroe Counties. She was also a farmer. She could garden, take care of the animals, and still have a home cooked meal on the table every night.

Although Lealue spent many hours working, she also spent time enjoying life. She was a member of Eastern Star. Her love for children prompted her to become a Daisy Troop Leader. When spending time with family and friends, she enjoyed singing, playing the piano and guitar, watching movies, storytelling, dancing, and particularly fishing.

Lealue, also known to everyone as Bigmomma, was a mother to everyone she met. She was always willing to help people, whether it was providing a roof over their head, food to eat, Godly advice, or whatever was needed to make people happy.

Lealue was preceded in death by her husband, George Larry Spragin; her parents; 3 children: Bernard Spragin, Cathy Hadley, and Anthony Hadley; 1 grandchild, Alexandria Spragin; 2 great-grandchildren, Kolbe Kennedy and Cameron Eddie; and 4 sisters: Mae Bateman, Janet Patton, Lillian “Press” Hampton, and Elsie Gladney.

She leaves behind 7 children: Doris Ligon-Anaba of Texas; George A. Spragin, Annettee Cousin (Richie), daughter-in-law Purnie Spragin, Felecia McGaughy (Metry), Kurt Spragin (Conita), Sheldon Spragin (Tammy) all of Mississippi; Tirrell Spragin (LaTanya) of Texas; 1 sister, Ella Katie Williams; 2 brothers: Leroy Jr. and James Williams; 38 grandchildren; 68 greatgrandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; 1 godson, Latwain Patton; a host of nieces, nephews; and other loving family and friends.

June 2020 • The Christian Index

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Senior Bishop and Mrs. Lawrence Reddick and the Eighth Episcopal District will host the Eighth Annual CME Unity Summit and the 150th Anniversary of the CME Church Celebration along with the General Connectional Board Meeting, scheduled August 31-September 4, 2020 at the Sheraton Dallas located at 400 Olive Street in Dallas, TX. The theme for this year's Unity Summit is, "Christian Methodism Beyond OneHundred Fifty Years: Trending Forward Propelled by the Great Commission."

The Unity Summit is scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2020 through Wednesday, September 2, 2020.

The General Connectional Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 2020 through Friday, September 4, 2020.

Register online at https://thecmechurch.org/unity-summit/. The group room rate at the Sheraton Dallas is $129 plus 15.26% tax ($148.69) per night. The deadline date to reserve a hotel room is August 10, 2020.

Please plan to register and reserve your room early!

A Commemorative Souvenir Journal is being prepared in celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church during the Eighth CME Unity Summit. We invite individuals, local churches and ministries to submit an ad to appear in the Commemorative Historical Journal. For this Commemorative Journal, we prefer your ad (s) to specifically be about how individual(s) within the CME Church have impacted you as a member, leader, etc. Your ad may promote your business, ministry, share a tribute or honor the memory of a loved one.

Sponsors will receive a complimentary Program and Souvenir Journal and their ads featured in digital formats throughout and after the event.

The deadline date to submit an ad is June 1, 2020. Submit your ad at https://thecmechurch.org/unitysummit/.

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The Christian Index • June 2020

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 and Investments & CFO, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church - Dept. of Finance and Investments, 1101 Davis St. - Suite 5224, Evanston IL 60204; 847-274-0182 (main); 312-648-5232 (work); 240-359-6272 (fax); finance@thecmechurch.org; https://www.hightail.com/u/cmefinance (securely upload confidential documents here)

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)

June 2020 • The Christian Index

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