The Christian Index - June 2022

The Christian Index The Official Organ of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church • June 2022

Phillips Temple, Los Angeles, gives tacos and toys to the community - p. 20

Announcement of Funeral Arrangements for Bishop Godwin T. Umoette, Tenth Episcopal District - p. 8

THE CHRISTIAN INDEX

The Official Publication Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Copyright © 2022 Offices are Housed in The International Headquarters Memphis, Tennessee Contact the Editor at (901) 515-6510 E-mail: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721 Contact Circulations/Subscriptions Office at (901) 396-5400 EDITOR Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. PUBLISHER Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. EDITORIAL BOARD Chairman Bishop 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, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., PO Box 161212, Memphis, Tennessee 38286-1212. 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 2022

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

Volume 155, Number 6

June 2022

Connectional Interests Episcopacy

Open Letter to President Joe Biden

Radical Hospitality

Bishop Godwin Umoette Funeral Board of Personnel Services Dept. of Evangelism and Missions Dept. of Christian Education/Formation Department of Lay Ministry Department of Ministry to Men Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers Comm. on Social Justice/Human Concerns Submissions Take a Screenshot!

Tacos and Toy Giveaway Missionaries in Kenya Hold Conference Jewell Wagner: Man of Firsts John Wesley on the Holy Spirit Words Do Hurt Murchison Temple Ignites Academy Justice Adjei Elected to Council Perry Gives Message on Advocacy Phillips Exercises OCOS with Wish Mt. Zion, We Are Survivors Children/Youth Ecumenical News 5 Ways to Achieve Total Body Health Professor Appointed Chaplain to Queen Obituaries - Joining the Great Cloud Connectional Directory

5 6 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 28 29 31 32 34 37 41 43 44 45 47

Cover: Phillips Temple, Los Angeles, gives tacos and toys to the community. Story on page 20.

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

Submitted to the Publisher: May 20, 2022

Editorial

Abortion is NOT the Most Pressing National Issue On Monday, May 2, 2022, news of a leaked United States Supreme Court document portending the overturning of Roe v. Wade spread quickly through various media sources. (For details, search the internet or other verifiable sources.) Within the week, politicians had taken up varied positions and causes as they deemed to their political advantage, and some religious bodies have done likewise in the name of what they term human rights and social justice. But I say that abortion is NOT the most pressing national issue, does not deserve the attention it is getting, and that persons are distracting from issues of far greater weight.

The weightier issues are some of the same ones addressed by John Wesley in a 1778 tract titled, "A Serious Address to the People of England, with Regard to the State of the Nation." Wesley sets forth, "The state of the nation has respect to nine capital articles; population, agriculture, manufactures; the land and fresh-water carriage of goods, salt-water carriage of goods; the state of our fisheries at home and abroad, the tendency of our [taxes], the clear amount of the revenue, and the national debt. All of these, taken together, form that complex idea which we call ‘the state of the nation.'"

Today, I would argue that the promotion of critical race theory in the face of, and instead of, "replacement conspiracies" is crucial to the wellbeing of our nation.

In a world in which the selfishness of the "1%" and national greed promote a decline in natural resources and create climate change, we should be concerned about the kind of world in which those babies carried to term will be forced to live. Is it planned that they should be born into poverty, to die?

The U.S. has outsourced the production and manufacture of most raw materials and necessary goods, as well as related critical jobs to other countries. Among other things, this has pointed out the need for greater, not less, inspection and oversight by federal authorities.

Transportation jams and poor infrastructure have plagued this nation seemingly since the onset of COVID-19. This pandemic Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., has shown how vulnerable Editor we are, as a nation, to the whims of not only hostile foreign governments, but also of some citizens of our own country.

It might not be advisable to drink piped water or to eat food sourced from the waters in some other countries, but here at home our own waters and lands are being polluted by industry and careless management. We are knowingly and willfully poisoning our own people, and much of that by obvious racial or ethnic profiling.

Taxes, especially income taxes, are inequitable, favoring the wealthy, and rich corporations are routinely given credits they really do not need and easements without due consideration of landowners, especially when those landowners are poor.

Gun control and legislation remain desperate issues and remain off the table because of the comfort of a few. Policing and the criminal justice system also are in need of reform, perhaps even reconstruction, but many are unwilling to even examine the system.

Abortion is NOT the most pressing issue.

There is a general disregard for the self-worth of the other. Psalm 133 provides a remedy. Our strength as a nation will come and be maintained, not by tearing each other down or through legislative control, but by building each other up in genuine love. Not by a selfish grasping at and hoarding of all one can get, but by concern for the welfare of others and by a sharing of resources to the intentional or biased hurt of none.

Rather than hide behind the deceit of smokescreens, denial and lies, let's admit and tell the truth, however ugly it may be.

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Episcopacy

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.

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Connectional Interests

REGIONS REGIONS Arkansas ArkansasRegion Region East EastTennessee TennesseeRegion Region West WestTennessee TennesseeRegion Region

Episcopacy

For For II was was an an hungred, hungred, and andye ye gave gave me me meat: meat: IIwas was thirsty, thirsty, and and ye ye gave gave me me drink: drink: II was was aa stranger, stranger, and andye ye took took me me inin......Naked, Naked, and andye ye as ye ye have have done done itit unto unto one oneof ofthe theleast least of of clothed clothed me: me: II was was sick, sick, and and ye ye visited visited me: me: II was wasininprison, prison, and and ye ye came came unto unto me me.... .... InIn asmuch asmuch as these these my mybrethren, brethren, ye ye have have done done itit unto unto me. me. Matthew Matthew25:35-40 25:35-40 KJV KJV

FOUNDER FOUNDERAND ANDCEO CEO One OneChurch Church One One School School Community CommunityPartnership Partnership

PRESIDENT PRESIDENT First FirstEpiscopal Episcopal

Dear Dear Mr. Mr. President: President: II am am Bishop Bishop Henry Henry M. M. Williamson, Williamson, Sr., Sr., Presiding Presiding Prelate Prelate of of the the First First Episcopal Episcopal District District Christian Christian Methodist Methodist Episcopal Episcopal Church Church (CME) (CME) and and CEO CEO of of One One Church Church One One School School Community Community Partnership Partnership (OCOS), (OCOS), aa nationwide nationwide Not-for-Profit Not-for-Profit student student support support program program established established in in 1992.

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CHAIR CHAIR Board Boardof ofDirectors Directors CME CMEHeadquarters Headquarters

CHAIR CHAIR Board Boardof ofDirectors Directors

We We commend commend you you for for your your consistent consistent outreach outreach to to the the people people of of Ukraine Ukraine and and the the billions billions of of dollars dollars sent sent to to aid aid them them in in this this war war so so deadly deadly and and devastating, devastating, especially especially to to the the children children and and their their families. families. Students Students are are our our focus. focus. OCOS OCOS has has supported supported children/youth children/youth nationwide nationwide for for the the past past thirty thirty years. years. We, We, therefore, therefore, are are expressing expressing humanitarian humanitarian concern concern for for the the children children in in Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya, and and surrounding surrounding areas. areas. The The drought drought isis having having aa heavy heavy impact impact on on their their lives lives with with thousands thousands of of children children dying dying and and millions millions of of deaths deaths expected expected in in the the coming coming months months due due to to decreased decreased monies monies and and interventions interventions directed directed towards towards the the children children and and families families of of Kenya.

Kenya.

Kenya Kenya has has been been in in aa cycle cycle of of droughts droughts for for many many years. years. Despite Despite early early warning warning systems, systems, disaster disaster response response mechanisms mechanisms and and coping coping strategies strategies remain remain inadequate. inadequate. More More often, often, drought drought and and famine famine situations situations degenerate degenerate into into dire dire humanitarian humanitarian crises. crises. This This is is Kenya Kenya today. today.

Collins CollinsChapel Chapel Connectlonal ConnectlonalHospital, Hospital, Inc. Inc.

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The The Pandemic, Pandemic, the the war, war, and and other other societal societal issues issues have have decreased decreased awareness awareness and and resources resources to to the the deadly deadly droughts droughts of of Kenya.

Kenya. We We ask ask you you to to use use the the full full force force of of your your office office and and Federal Federal resources resources to to bring bring food, food, water, water, and and medical medical support support to to the the people people of ofKenya.

Kenya.

Again, Again, we we thank thank you you for for the the compassion compassion you you show show to to all all people people of of the the United United States States and and the the World.

World. OCOS OCOS will will continue continue to to raise raise awareness awareness of of the the famine famine and and drought drought in in Kenya Kenya and and your your involvement involvement and and positive positive response response will will facilitate facilitate getting getting that that message message to to the the faith faith community community and and all all people people who who want want to to rid rid our our world world of ofchildren children starving starving and and dying dying because because of of aa lack lack of of food, food, water water and and urgent urgent health health care. care.

-I-� lh. ��Respectfully Respectfully yours, yours,

Bishop Bishop Henry Henry M. M. Williamson, Williamson, Sr. Sr.

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Episcopacy

Radical Hospitality in Real Time: A Celebration of Two Methodist Congregations Submitted by Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. Presiding Bishop, Second Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church - April 27, 2022

An intentional perusal of the internet in search of the meaning of the term radical hospitality will yield several different but yet common meanings of the term. I saw several from which I could have chosen. But for the purpose of this article, I have selected the following: “Radical Hospitality that goes beyond being friendly; it is welcoming guests with a warmth, openness, and authenticity that significantly exceeds expectations.” This statement, and others like it, speaks to what it is and how it looks in action or as the title of this article says, in real time. I admit the notion of radical hospitality looks good on paper, and from an experience I had in rural Kentucky in several months ago, it feels a lot better when one is able to witness such an experience as it is being lived (l-r): Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr., Brother Randy Major, Rev. Patricia Major, Rev Kimberley Traylor, and Presiding Elder Kenneth Thomas. out.

For me, what really gets at the heart of radical hospitality is what I call “doing it.” In other words, the theory and words behind it can become more of a case of wishful thinking. But on the other hand, practicing it is like moving the letters WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) to become the letters BLJ (Being like Jesus). To be like Jesus is to practice radical hospitality in real time. This means taking advantage of the moment to go beyond being friendly to become welcoming, open, and to exceed what is expected of you in a significant way. An example would be the opening of one’s doors to the homeless, the addicted, formerly incarcerated, abuse victims, victims of human trafficking, LGBTQ persons, refugees, and others in need of refuge from victimization of all sorts.

Radical hospitality occurs in various places and at the same time, in far too few places. Churches and agencies engaging in radical hospitality are to be commended for their hearts being in the right place. Because of them and their willingness to live out the gospel, which is to be like Jesus, countless persons in countless places have been shown and are being shown the love of God through the actions and deeds of God’s people. Although this does not occur as much as needed, it is a joy to know it is being practiced in various places. As much joy as it brings to hear of this occurring, nothing takes the place of seeing and experiencing it with one’s own eyes.

For more than two years, I have heard of such an experience being lived out in Princeton, Kentucky, between the Spillman Chapel CME Church and the Princeton First UM Church. In the fall of 2021, in the midst of a pandemic, I had the pleasure of seeing this example of radical hospitality being lived out in real time. During my visit, I had the joy of hearing the stories of its birth from the pastors of the two churches, Reverend Kimberly Traylor (Spillman Chapel CME Church) and Reverend Pat Major (Princeton First United Methodist). In my conversations with them, I learned these congregations had shared 6

The Christian Index • June 2022

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Episcopacy

experiences in ministry prior to their coming together into the one building.

[Their coming together] was preceded by prior fellowshipping occasions in their separate spaces. Some of the prior experiences included Joint Community Easter Sunrise Services and supporting programs given by each congregation. Reverend Major has preached at Spillman Chapel for one of their Annual Women’s Day Celebrations.

This coming together in the shared space occurred before Reverend Major became pastor in charge of Princeton First United Methodist. At the time of this coming together in 2018, Princeton First United Methodist was being led by a lay pastor, Walter Galley. At the outset, Spillman Chapel was simply looking for a place to worship that was reasonable and First United was it. The first couple of Sundays, Spillman Chapel held services at 9:00 AM and Princeton First United Methodist held their worship services beginning at 11:00 AM. Two weeks after holding worship services at separate times, it was mutually decided that the two congregations should combine their worship services and share the worship hour together.

The two congregations led by the pastors decided to worship Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. together at the same hour with the pastors and congregations alternating the preaching and leadership of worship. Each congregation handles its own matters regarding stewardship, denominational requirements and expectations.

Another appreciation I have for this arrangement is the music during the worship. It was clear by the choice of music and the energy in the singing that the congregations are intentional in making sure neither congregation feels like a stranger in their united worship experience. Brother Major, the husband of Pastor Major is musician.

The music for the Sunday I was present, represented a combination of Methodist and African American traditions.

As an African- American Methodist, the music provided me an opportunity to have both a reflective and upbeat experience as I worshipped with the people of God gathered in Princeton First United Methodist/Spillman Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal United Church.

As stated earlier, my personal visit with the congregations took place in early October of 2021. As you know the month of October is observed as Clergy Appreciation Month. I was really delighted to see both congregations take time during the worship service to present the pastors with expressions of appreciation for their role and leadership as their spiritual leaders. It’s always a joy to see a congregation take time to express appreciation for the ones who provide spiritual leadership and service to them.

At the beginning of this article, I shared an understanding of the notion of radical hospitality that involves being more than friendly. It involves welcoming others into one’s space with warmth, openness, and an authenticity that exceeds expectations. This is what I saw on display during my visit with the Spillman Chapel CME and Princeton First UM Churches. The congregations share an authentic warmth and openness between themselves.

This, I believe, exceeds their expectations and perhaps the expectations of other. The relationship between these congregations is commendable and worth replicating in other places. Just imagine the powerful witness congregations would make by such an openness to a sister congregation, who may have fallen victim to the bandits of nature, building maintenance, shifting community/neighborhood dynamics, and declining membership and resources.

I am somewhat surprised that a reference to the Parable of the Good Samaritan is not cited as one of the biblical references alluding to the idea of radical hospitality. The intentional efforts of the Good Samaritan toward the broken and beaten traveler is nothing short of radical hospitality. The … Good Samaritan’s actions – coming near the beaten traveler, seeing him and his condition, and being moved with pity to do something about what he saw – are indicators to me of radical hospitality. The Good Samaritan’s actions of caring for the distressed traveler’s wounds, placing him on his own animal, taking him to an inn for lodging until he is healed, and the commitment to cover any additional cost this traveler’s care may incur constitute prime examples of radical hospitality in real time.

Continued on next page June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Episcopacy

Continued from previous page I hope this article inspires many of us to look for examples of radical hospitality in real time among the places where we serve and engage in ministry. If no such example exists, may you hear the voice of God calling you and your congregation to the ministry of radical hospitality. As I was preparing this article, I was reminded of two other examples of CME and United Methodist congregations in Steubenville, Ohio, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steubenville example is now dissolved. The Pittsburgh example between the New Destiny CME and the Calvary United Methodist Churches is still an active partnership.

In light of the current realities facing the church today, we might well be served to look into the idea of radical hospitality as a possible way forward. As the presiding bishop of the Second Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, I extend my deepest appreciation to Pastor Traylor and the Spillman Chapel family for finding a more excellent way to continue your family witness by joining in partnership with Pastor Majors and Princeton First United Methodist. I am grateful to Pastor Majors and her congregation for being a friend to Pastor Traylor and the Spillman Church family. Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not express my appreciation to Resident Bishop Leonard Fairley of the Kentucky Conference of United Methodist Church for his and his team’s support and celebration of the shared ministries of Spillman CME and Princeton First United Methodist Churches.

ANNOUNCEMENT FUNERAL OF BISHOP GODWIN T. UMOETTE The funeral services and activities for Bishop Godwin Thompson Umoette, the 60th bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, have been slated for the weekend of August 26-27-28, 2022. Friday, August 26th will be dedicated to family and other activities; Saturday, August 27th, will be a funeral and burial at Ikot Akpan Ishiet (near Eket, Nigeria); and a memorial service on Sunday, August 28th, 2022, at the All Saints’ CME Church, Ikot Akpan Ishiet.

Persons interested in flying from the United States to the funeral should plan to fly into Lagos, Nigeria, with intentions to fly farther from Lagos to Uyo, Nigeria. Further information will be given sometime in June 2022 or made public at the General Conference.

Bishop Umoette died February 26, 2022. U.S. persons who wish to send condolences to Mrs. Elizabeth Umoette can still do so by addressing her at: Mrs. Elizabeth Umoette, Tenth Episcopal District, P. O. Box 15641, Fort Worth, Texas 76119. Mrs. Joyce Johnson of Fort Worth, who assisted both Bishop Carter and the late Bishop Umoette, will see that this is forwarded to her.

Respectfully, + Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick 8

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Board of Personnel Services

“From Where I Sit …”

Thanks – For the Memories When you read this article, the 2022 General Conference will be upon us.

Several important events will occur in this session such as the election of new Bishops and new General Officers, the adoption of a new budget for 2023-2026, new legislation governing the work of the Church at the Connectional, Regional, District, and local levels, and, not to be overlooked, the retirement of two Bishops and three General Officers. As one of the retiring General Officers, I am fondly reminded of the song Bob Hope sang at the end of his television shows entitled “Thanks for the Memories …”

I began submitting articles for this page in April 2011 and now, after 134 consecutive submissions, I come to this point as a contributing writer to say thank you for receiving my articles and taking the time to read and study the various points of views presented and opinions shared. Along the way as I have traveled the Church, many of you have shared positive comments on my submissions, and I was and still am honored by your kind responses.

What you may not know is that as a clergyman who is also trained as an accountant, writing is not my forte. I dread writing with a passion, and anxiously search instead for numbers that add up and formulas that make sense. Yet, in the wake of the 2010 General Conference, I felt some subjects needed to be shared to broaden the perspective and images seen of our Church (or the work of my department) beyond what was only shared in Connectional Board and General Conference reports. Hence the origin of my journey as a writer.

For me and my fellow retiring colleagues, retirement is not an option nor an alternative. It is, instead, a necessity. As stated by the 2018 Discipline “Members of the Judicial Council, General Officers, Presiding Elders, Pastors and all other of the clergy rank shall be automatically retired at the Conference of authority nearest their seventy-fourth (74th) birthday; …” (p. 119, Chapter 29, ¶450, §2). Where we will go from here and what we may find ourselves doing is yet to be determined by our other affiliations and obligations, but what is certain is that our lives will be greatly changed as we transition our current duties and tasks to others who will be chosen to take up the mantles of responsibility.

General of the Army, Douglass MacArthur spoke of his retirement in 1951 referencing these words from a ballad, “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away”. He went on to say, “And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty.” In a slightly different fashion, although we have sought to do our duty as God has given us the light to see that duty, we will not likely fade away. Without any intention of being “in the way” of our successors, we will busily join you in the various meetings of the Church, we will fellowship with you in the halls and corridors of the meeting places, we will be praying for the triumph of the work of our successors and for the mission of our great Zion until that day when we are called from the retirement of “earthly life” to the greater glory of “eternal life”. AND YES, 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) June 2022 • The Christian Index

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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”

The Mission Evangelist The mission field can be an exciting yet unpredictable experience for both the novice and experienced Mission Evangelist. However, the person or group who is led by God to be a part of missions at home or abroad must have a clear focus, and purpose, and be open to change. Yes, even with the best plan for the work of missions, change will surely occur without one’s permission.

Do you think the church struggles with an identity crisis? What is God’s design for the church historically, biblically, and theologically? To address these questions, congregations must grapple with the purpose of their own context, especially in light of mission evangelism. One of the major purposes of mission evangelism is to remember the claim of Jesus in John 12:32 - “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all humanity unto me.” Mission Evangelists understand that the call on the mission field is to lift Jesus up while doing no harm.

The mission evangelism purposes are the same, whether sharing the Gospel in small towns, rural, urban, or suburban communities, to lift Jesus up! We have members and pastors who have not experienced growth in ministry and may not have been part of a growing church when they accepted the call to ministry. Only a small fraction of people walk into a church to join on their own. Most people become members because of existing relationships in the local congregation. Many of these relationships were developed through mission evangelism. Then, those members become disciples of Christ once they are connected to the body of Christ at the local Church.

The motivation for Mission Evangelists must be greater than self-gratification. Each church has its own personality, and with that personality, the church attracts people who want to know more about Jesus. Give them Jesus! We have many methods of sharing and lifting Jesus up. Here are a few suggestions.

• • • • • • • •

Share the Gospel.

Share your story.

Create a prayer list for soul winning.

Demonstrate the Love of God through Christ.

Be thankful.

Share your faith.

Celebrate the victory of others.

Give of your time, talent, or resources.

Again, all this can be done on the mission field as a Mission Evangelist and everyone is a Mission Evangelist. It is both needed and necessary to build sustainable relationships in the mission field. Yes, we generally call the international work the mission field. But contrary to widely held beliefs, the mission field is wherever you find yourself. Therefore, you must "Lift Jesus up!"

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

Rev. Dr. Leon C. Moore, Jr. General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions Pleasant Hill CME, Conyers, GA

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The Christian Index • June 2022

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Department of Christian Education/Formation

“A valuable resource for church and judicatory leaders across denominations, youth ministry leaders, and others responsible for their educational ministry, worship, broader congregational life, and seminary students.”

—Anne E. Streaty Wimberly, Ph.D., Senior Advisor, Youth Hope-Builders Academy and Connecting With Hope Innovation Hub Young Adult Ministry Initiative, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia “This resource should be placed in the hands of anyone working with the younger generation on any level.”

—Mary A. Love, Adjunct Professor, Christian Education, Hood Theological Seminary

"A clarion call to the Black Church... to pay acute attention to its young people, listen to their voices, and involve them in the life of the church and community."

Carmichael D. Crutchfield

―Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, Murray H. Leiffer Associate Professor of Formation, Leadership and Culture Director, Holy Yearnings, Holy Listening, Holy Partnerships Young Adult Initiative Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

judsonpress.com 800.458.3766

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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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 for Him”

Beneath the Lines

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech rendered August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., called for civil and economic rights and an end to racism in the United States. In doing so, he cited Amos 5:24, when he said, “Let justice roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.” Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters, the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement and among the most iconic speeches in American history.

I believe through the years, we have remembered Dr. King’s words and not gotten beneath the surface of his quote of verse twenty-four as he drove home his desire and message of equal justice and righteousness for all humankind, especially Black people and other minorities.

After getting beneath the lines of verse twenty-four, I submit to us that there is a direct message to the body of Christ, both lay and clergy. As we move forward in more effective ministry efforts, let us concentrate on doing God’s will in our daily lives and behave with justice and uprightness toward our fellow man, which includes those within the body of Christ.

I further submit to us that Beneath the Lines of Amos 5:24 is a firm message that we must do our duty to God and to our neighbor, and we will feel His grace if we show abundant affection and equality toward our fellow man according to God's word. If we do not behave with justice and uprightness toward one another, our actions will only be religious exercises that do not fully please God. . .

This brief June 2022 writing marks my last article (Helping Hands Bulletin) for The Christian Index as the General Secretary of the Department of Lay Ministry.

I pray God’s peace, love, and working spirit for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and a determination by the Loyal Laity to continue: Studying with purpose; Seeking the lost and defending the Cross; Sharing with a sense of thankfulness; and Serving with a glad heart. So, for the opportunity to serve the church in this way, I say, “Thank you, Praise the Lord, and Bless the Resurrecting Name of Jesus!”

Who Are We and What is our Purpose? - “We are the unordained people of God, furthering the mission of the church in the world” Dr. Clifford L. Harris - Email – mrcliffharris@yahoo.com - Telephone: 918.519.4233

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Department of Lay Ministry

GRAHAM-WEBB-KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

APPLICATION YEAR 2022

DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRY CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH “Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service for Him”

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 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 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 August 31, 2022.

IMPORTANT NOTE: EMAILED OR FAXED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

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).  



   

___ 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 2021-2022 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 August 31, 2022. ___ 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

1 June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

GRAHAM-WEBB-KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

APPLICATION YEAR 2022

DEPARTMENT OF LAY MINISTRY CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH “Reaching, Teaching, and Ministering to All Generations, Equipping Them for Greater Works and Service for Him”

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

DATE ________________________

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

) ____________________________

) ____________________________ Email address _____________________________________

Member of ___________________________________________________________ CME Church (Name of Church)

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

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Connectional Interests

Department of Lay Ministry

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)



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 August 31, 2022; (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 2021-2022 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 August 31, 2022.

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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Connectional Interests

Department of Ministry to Men

Peace in God /The Gift of Peace "Peace I Leave with you; My peace I give to you." - John 14:27 Jesus promises peace to His followers. Often God's blessings and peace are all that we desire here on earth to help us in our everyday lives.

The Lord does not want us to worry or lose hope because of things that are happening around us. That is why He promises to "bless His people with peace" (see Ps. 29:11).

The Lord does not force His gifts upon us, but He is always ready to grant them when we are ready to receive them.

If we ask for peace in prayer' then the Lord will bless us with His peace in our innermost being so that we may experience His peace here on earth.

Savior and Prince of Peace, thank You that I know for certain that You have not only redeemed me, but that You have also granted me Your heavenly peace. Amen.

Protection / Walking with God

The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life. - Psalm 121:7

We can never drift out from the reach of God's love and omnipotence. He will never forsake us. His eyes continuously move over all the earth in order to help those who trust in Him. He shelters them in times of danger, helps them handle temptations and problems and comforts them in sorrow.

What a blessed privilege it is to have such a God as our protector. If we live within His will, wherever we find ourselves, we can rest assured that He keeps a loving watch over us and that He will hear when we call on Him. It is a privilege to know that, wherever you may go, He constantly watches over you. If we walk in His path and do His will every moment of the day, we will have the assurance in our hearts that our Master and Savior is always near us to protect us and provide for us.

Promises of Protection The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - Psalm 23 Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee. - Psalm 5:11 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! - Psalm 34:7-8 My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 O Lord, You will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever. - Psalm 12:7 " Because he holds fast to Me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, for he knows My name. hen he calls to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him." - Psalm 91:14-15 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. - 2 Corinthians 9:8 The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace. - Psalm 29:11 The Lord is my portion and my cup; You hold my lot. - Psalm 16:5 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger, but those who seek the lord shall not lack any good thing. - Psalm 34:9-10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, i will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." - Isaiah 41:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. - Proverbs 18:10 You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance. - Psalm 32:7 Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge: His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. - Psalm 91:3-4 " KEEP MOVING FORWARD ALWAYS! " Dr. Leo Pinkett, General Secretary The Department of Ministry to Men

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Connectional Interests

Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

Ministers’ Spouses, Widows, & Widowers Department Submitted by: Angela P. Smith West Georgia Region North Columbus/LaGrange District ∞ South Columbus/Cordele District

“You’ve Already Won!”

How often have we reflected upon Hebrews the 11th Chapter, Verse 1:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen?

If we were to grasp the word: NOW and read the letters in reverse, you have the word: WON! It is not “later” faith nor “one day faith.” It is faith for today, right

now. Having it now means “You have already won!”

Faith is something that will happen even when we can’t see how it will happen. Why should we worry when we have already won? The truth is that God created us to win, not just spiritually but financially, professionally, and in every other area of life. In fact, if you’re not at least in the process of becoming that kind of winner, you’re not fulfilling God’s whole purpose for your life and you’re missing out on the contentment and sense of fulfillment God wants you to have.

Faith is needed for what we can’t see and can’t touch. Faith is not a bare belief or intellectual understanding. It is a willingness to trust in, to rely on and to cling to. God is a winner, is He not? If we are made in God’s image and likeness, then we must be designed to be a winner, too. After God made Adam and Eve, He commanded them to go win! We are made a little lower than the angels and God meant for us to be in a position of authority. Many Christians have been deceived into thinking that a “losing” lifestyle makes them more spiritual. But let me tell you, there’s nothing noble about losing. It will leave you frustrated, unfulfilled and, perhaps worst of all, totally ineffectual as a witness.

God’s concept of winning is good news for everyone! We can all agree with Romans 8:37 and say joyfully, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” A religious mindset often takes over and says, “Yes, I’ll be a winner someday because my reward is in heaven.” Of course, we have an eternal reward waiting for us in heaven, but God’s provision of victory applies now, to every human existence. The power we have in Jesus makes us winners in this life! And the reward of the godly winner is victory in every area of life – spiritual and physical health and prosperity. Let’s move into the realm of becoming a winner!

Angela P. Smith is the Secretary for the West Georgia Region from the 6th Episcopal District where Bishop Thomas Brown, Sr. is the Presiding Prelate, Dr. Louise Baker Brown, Advisor, Mrs. Martha A. Wiley, Representative & Mrs. Lavorn Howard, President.

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Commission on Social Justice/Human Concerns

Commission on Social Justice and Human Concerns Voter Engagement Recommendations March 10, 2022 Part A: Goals Proposed for Voter Engagement 1. Goal - Getting Souls to the Polls: Do more than talk about the importance of registration and voting but encourage members to engage in specific actions and to make a personal commitment to vote.

2. Goal – To recruit members to advocate in their churches and communities for the voting process.

3. Goal – To strive for 100% of eligible members of your church being registered to vote and voting.

4. Goal – To recruit two or more members to become certified Registrars with the local board able to register eligible persons “on site” at the church or in the community.

5. Goal – To sponsor two or more communitywide activities annually at the church where voter registration will be a designated activity, i.e., a health fair or “Community Impact Day”, or church anniversary.

6. Goal – Since people must first register in order to vote, the church will make an intentional and concerted effort to register people correctly and in a timely manner. Afterwards the church will aggressively encourage people to take part in the full voting process.

7. Goal – To organize and sponsor a political forum where candidates are invited to dialogue with voters in the church and community concerning those issues which affect them as citizens and residents.

8. Goal – To fully accommodate the elderly, the disabled and the underserved, etc., so they arrive at the polls and are able to successfully navigate long lines or delays when encountered.

9. Goal – To educate the youth of the church concerning the rights and responsibilities as a citizen.

10. Goal – To make all voters aware of options available should one be unable to vote in person on Election Day, i.e., absentee ballot, early voting opportunities, etc.

11. Goal – To help voters with a personal plan of action for voting in each election as well as an alternative plan should it become necessary.

12. Goal – To prepare and present displays, videos, activities which educate, inspire and underscore the historical significance of voting and voters rights, such as the Jane Pittman Story, the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. 13. Goal – To keep voter registration efforts discretely integrated in the church’s programs, activities and events throughout the calendar year in the church and among the community.

14. Goal – To keep necessary data for assessing church’s overall effort to reach the above goals.

Part B – Recommendations – SMART GOALS 1. To inspire, educate, implement and execute strategies which increase registrations and improve the overall voter turnout.

2. To study the post-election results and the statistical data gathered from the present and earlier elections 3. To survey the church and community for its reaction to the voting experience as well as the results of the last election.

4. To figure out percentage of members who took part in the voting process and evaluate the significance of those results.

5. Seek other methods, ideas or concerns which might produce action points or develop other goals and expectations for the church, its leaders and members as relates to voter engagement.

Prepared and submitted by Rev. Larry Fryer, Pastor -- Mulberry CME Church Augusta-Sparta District CME Church Commission on Social Justice and Human Needs Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Presiding Prelate 6th Episcopal District CME Church

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Submissions

“TAKE A SCREENSHOT!”

... or “There’s no mistaking who’s doing what in 2022”: a CYF technology tale Submitted by Traci Cullins-Clark, Ph.D. Cleaves Memorial CME Church Youth Director Denver, Colorado, Third District

As usual, the Friday, October 21, 2021, CYF zoom meeting started with all the youth on their mobile phones while I shared Google Jamboard on screen. I asked for someone to read the prayer on screen. S/ he prayed from the heart and declared the print on screen was just “too small!” I began talking about the CME Church smart app, the CME Textline, and shopping on smile.amazon.com using the Third CME district as the selected charity. Silence. I moved through the agenda about publishing school assignment essays in The Christian Index. Only one youth showed interest. I moved through Zone Lay Day, Founders’ Day celebration and the upcoming Christmas program. Not much interest and maybe a yawn.

I moved on to the 2022 Youth Sunday worship leader calendar. I instructed them all to choose their birth month and one more. I invited each youth into the Google Jamboard - that’s when technology excitement bubbled up and took over! Swirly scribbles and lazy laser pointer play happened at first. Ernest demands for google invites began to call out, and I met them as quickly as I could. I said that I had assumed they used Google Jamboard at school. I was absolutely wrong! Each youth told me an emphatic NO! Soon, sticky notes were spinning, polygons were stretched and colors rapidly switched.

Next thing, a selfie popped up. Then 4 more! The scribbles were erased! Soon the pictures were duplicated, stretched and placed on individual months. The 2021 color-coordinated calendar was just to the right and appeared plain, uninviting only informative.

Here was a group effort to solidify their position in our local church calendar with learning to use technology during a church meeting.

Giggles, funny faces and technology experiments became the order of the meeting. CYF is the place for learning after all.

Someone shouted “TAKE A SCREENSHOT! I heard clicks and whizzes all around. In approximately 10 minutes, my youth had just completed a task that potentially could grind most adult meetings to a halt. My goal was completed, and I had time to discuss two more agenda items and a special announcement. The groans as I removed their invitation were deafening. One by one they left - sighing.

Soon, I was asked about the time constraints. I prayed and adjourned. Later, I emailed all the pdf document of our Google Jamboard. My mother clamored for a copy; she is the Sunday School teacher and works with the same youth. She declares the congregation is going to want copies. I think so, too!!!

Post-script: I emailed a jpeg copy to the congregation just this past Sunday (January 16, 2022).

No replies as of yet …

Post-script: I revealed the calendar during Saturday worship team meeting for Sunday, March 27, 2022, youth Sunday

… laughter and questions abound!

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Tacos and Toy Giveaway Submitted by Dr. Darrell Wesley

Pastor, Phillips Temple CME Church, Los Angeles, California

In December 2021, the Phillips Temple CME Church in Los Angeles, California, sponsored a very successful event we called Tacos and Toy Giveaway. We were blessed to have over 200 people from our local community participate. Our vision at Phillips is to Enhance Discipleship, Engage the Community and Embody Compassion.

This event was our way of Engaging the Community, and we just wanted to share this success with readers of The Christian Index. We are grateful for the opportunity to bless the community. To God be the glory!!

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Submissions

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

CME MISSIONARIES IN KENYA HOLD CONFERENCE

Submitted by Judith Namasaka

The Conference started on 26th of March 2022 at exactly 10:00 a.m. with a word of prayer from one of the women missionaries. The praise and worship team took over for the second session. The reading of the word came from the Book of Luke, Chapter 8:35. Thereafter, we had the "Breaking the ice game," a game of role playing led by another one of the missionaries. She told us to group ourselves by tens. Then everybody was to write their name on a piece of paper and indicate the meaning of their name as per letter.

For example, ALICE gave the meaning, All Ladies Invite Christ Everywhere. I gave my name, Judith, the meaning, Joy Under Dimension Incoming Through Hope. In a second game, each woman was given a piece of paper. Group one listed any kind of animal found on the farm. Group 2 listed all types of fruits found on market. Group 3 listed the farm products they know. We talked briefly about Leadership revisits in CME and it's clusters, then shifted to the three topics for the day.

The first topic was on business skills and was led

by Esther Njeri. We talked about loans and savings projects, orphanages support, supporting CME needy children (like providing for them scholarships through Helena funds from USA), and women empowerment programmes. For this last one, we discussed Breaking the Bias in Women Global Campaign: how women are victims and are undermined either at work place, or in public places on issues like rape cases and others.

Then we broke for the lunch hour.

The second presenter, Dr. Alice Kamande, talked about the following health topics: the benefits of water in our body, diabetes, cancer screening, and hypertension. A third person, Mr. Nicholas Macharia, spoke on entrepreneurship, how to run a business and be empowered.

The last part of the meeting was a gift presentation to active members who have participated in CME as women missionaries, photo taking, and prayer.

Everybody departed at her own will.

All we tried to be in the same colour as you see.

Out of 30 women in our group, only 14 were able to attend. Others didn't make because covid brought many issues. Some are still experiencing financial challenges. Even some had personal issues that made them not to attend. We were different CME women groups from different clusters in Nairobi County. At least we were able to mix together and share some ideas.

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Submissions

"A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."

--Unknown

Jewell Wagner A Man of Firsts

Submitted by Saudra Roberson, Editor

Born in what was known as the Bottoms area of Shreveport, Louisiana, Jewell Wagner graduated from the Central Colored High School at age 15 and enrolled at Southern University, Baton Rouge, at the age of 16. At age 19, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed 10 years active duty, after which he remained in the reserves for 30 years and achieved the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He returned to college and received a BS degree in mathematics from Southern and a Master’s degree in educational administration from Prairie View A&M University.

A man of firsts, he was: • The first African-American assistant principal at Captain Shreve High School, a historically white school; • The first African-American principal at C.E. Byrd High School, another historically all white school; • The first African-American principal of the predominantly white Southwood High School, the largest high school in Northwest Louisiana at the time; and • The first African-American Director of Secondary Education for Caddo Parish School Board.

Beyond the field of education, Mr. Wagner earned a pilot’s license, and he formed the JJoe Flying Club in partnership with three others. Together they purchased an airplane and provided a private charter flight service to clients, a first for African Americans in Shreveport.

Jewell Wagner is a member of Williams Memorial CME Temple. Married to Jackie T. Wagner, he is the father of four and grandfather of nine. He has one great grand.

From: The Fourth Estate, Monthly Newsletter of the Fourth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, February 5, 2002.

June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

John Wesley on the Holy Spirit: A Theological Synopsis

The influence of the Protestant Reformers is heavily visible in John Wesley's views on justification and the atonement. While some liberal Methodist scholars have attacked the penal substitution theory of Submitted by Rev. Darvin A. Adams I, Ph.D. Pastor, Lane Tabernacle CME Church, Hopkinsville, Kentucky atonement, Collins reminds us that the substitutionary Dean/Lecturer of the Evansville-Hopkinsville District death of Christ was central to Methodist theology, just Scholar in Residence for the Second Episcopal District as it was for the Reformers. Collins notes, "Drawing the relation between the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 and Christ, Wesley reveals that at Calvary, the lamb John Wesley is the founder and father of of God bore 'those punishments by which our peace, American Methodism. This includes United Methodism, our reconciliation to God, was to be purchased.'"

African Methodism, Zion Methodism and Christian Wesley's views on justifying faith mirrored Martin Methodism. American Methodism falls under the Luther and John Calvin. Wesley's own new birth Protestant Church banner. Most Methodist believers experience occurred at Aldersgate in 1738 while identify with the Armenian conception of free will, listening to a reading of Luther's preface of the Epistle through God's prevenient grace, as opposed to the to the Romans. This is where Wesley proclaimed theological determinism of absolute predestination. that his heart became strangely warm in the presence This distinguishes Methodism from the Calvinist of the Holy Spirit. In his agreement with Calvin on tradition prevalent in Reformed churches. In strongly justification Wesley declared, "I do not differ from him Reformed areas such as Wales, however, Calvinistic a hair's breadth." Collins goes on to state, "Wesley Methodists remain, also called the Presbyterian believed that this teaching was also expressed in the Church of Wales. The Calvinist Countess of ancient authors; especially in Origen, St. Cyprian, Huntingdon's Connection was also strongly associated St. Chrysostom, Hilary, Basil, St. Ambrose, and St. with the Methodist revival. Even within the Methodist Augustine." revivals of the late 1700s and early 1800s, John While justification and the new birth offered a Wesley was often misunderstood by those who are measure of assurance, there was a greater assurance in his most severe critics and by those who claim to be the witness of the Holy Spirit to the life of the believer. his theological heirs. However, in today’s theological "For Wesley, the doctrine of assurance, the direct world Wesley can seem to be closer to the Reformed witness in particular, was so vital to the Christian faith tradition than Methodism itself. While Wesley that he not only referred to it as 'one grand part of the agrees with Luther and Calvin on such matters as the testimony which God have given to [the Methodists] Doctrine of Original Sin and the doctrine of Saving to bear to all mankind,' but also considered it to be an Faith as a gift of Divine Grace; he differs from Luther important element of the proper Christian faith," says and Calvin on the doctrines of Predestination and Collins. Wesley himself declared: By "the testimony Irresistible Grace. In summary, Wesley’s position is: of the Holy Spirit" I mean an inward impression of • Because of the extent of original sin, human the soul, whereby the Spirit of God immediately and beings are completely dependent upon God for directly witnesses to my human spirit that I am a child the work of salvation – in conviction, repentance, of God, that Jesus Christ hath loved me, and given and faith. himself for me; that all my sins are blotted out, and I, • A person cannot be saved at any moment the even I, am reconciled to God. Within the ecclesiastical person chooses, but only in those moments in contexts of church ministry, Christian theology and which grace is being offered capable of creating social justice awareness, John Wesley’s intellectual saving faith. gift was found in his unique ability to connect the • The only part a person plays in the work of power of the Holy Spirit or what the Bible says salvation is to place themselves in the means of about the work of the Holy Spirit in the presence of grace and then, when that grace that can create those who were hurting and oppressed. In stressing saving faith comes, choose to cooperate with it. the worldwide agency of the Holy Spirit, Wesley • However, even this work of human cooperation connected the work of the Holy Spirit to what human is in itself a gift of prevenient grace.

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Submissions beings were experiencing on a day-to-day basis. A Trinitarian thinker by nature, Wesley believed that the Holy Spirit works in all means of grace available.

Wesley lifted up the Holy Spirit’s role in grace because he believed that the Holy Spirit is the grace of God working within the individual believer. Here, the Holy Spirit pours divine grace into the human soul for the purpose of creating prevenient grace. In the mind of Wesley, prevenient grace is that grace that comes before the deep healing of the body, mind (spirit) and soul. The Holy Spirit produces prevenient grace, which signals and appropriates the conscience of the individual as the immediate action or as the part of the human spirit that feels convicted in the nature of sin. In other words, conscience is a form of prevenient grace; one which moves the hearts of people toward the love of God and vision of Christ by way of the Holy Spirit.

Another important part of Wesley’s theology of the Holy Spirit is that of witness. According to Wesley, God gives believers the witness of the Spirit.

In the same vein, the Holy Spirit bears witness to the human spirit confirming that we are Children of God. Referencing Romans 8:16, Wesley writes that, “I contend not; seeing so many other texts, with the experience of all real Christians, sufficiently evince, that there is in every believer, both the testimony of God’s Spirit, and the testimony of his own, that he is a child of God….” Putting great emphasis on what he terms the testimony of God’s Spirit, Wesley confesses that, “It is hard to find words in the language of men to explain “the deep things of God.” “Indeed”, Wesley confides, there are none (words) that will adequately express what the children of God experience. But perhaps one might say, (desiring any who are taught of God to correct, to soften or strengthen the expression.)

The testimony of the Spirit is an inward impression on the soul, whereby the Spirit of God directly witnesses to my spirit, that I am a child of God; that Jesus is hath loved me, and given himself for me; and that all my sins are blotted out, and I, even I, am reconciled to God…” For Wesley, the witness of the Holy Spirit adjoins with the witness of the human spirit for the purposes of love, faith, hope and grace. He writes: Then, and not till then,--when the Spirit of God beareth that witness to our spirit, “hath loved thee, and hath washed thee from thy sins in his blood,”—“we love God, because he first loved us”; and, for his

sake, we love God and keep his commandments; and “hereby also know that we are of God.” Wesley's discussion of salvation is not complete with dealing with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Wesley's pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit as the third person of the Triune God) can be traced back [to] its Patristic roots in Eastern Christian tradition, particularly from Macarius, a Syrian mystic. Wesley's spirituality and practical theology is focused on the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Life in the Spirit is entirely connected with Christian perfection and spiritual holiness. Here the sanctified life of the Christian believer is set apart by and through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the immediate cause of holiness. Holiness is the work of God through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Wesley's theme of sanctification is connected with "deification" (theosis) of Eastern Orthodox spirituality, which means that the life of God in the human soul is participation of the divine nature. Holiness as the work of the Holy Spirit is sanctifying and perfecting the creation. For Wesley, perfection is to be filled with the pure perfect love of God. Perfection is the dynamic goal by which the fullness of love is attained by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The believer is "indwelt and led by the Spirit rather than possessed by the Spirit as if some irresistible force controls the believer.” The doctrine of perfection/holiness is perfecting perfection, which means [it] is a process of growth and maturity in the life of the Spirit. According to Wesley, to be perfect means to be perfect in love.

To be perfect in love is to be perfect in God's love.

We can be perfect in God's love if God works in us.

God works in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.

This is experienced when the believer lives his or her life within the life of the Spirit. Living in the Spirit means life in union with the life of God, which is participation in the divine nature in the perfect love of God. Because the witness of the Holy Spirit is utterly reliable, the Spirit’s witness produces gifts of the Spirit.

The witness of the Holy Spirit also has social consequences in that it can serve as a leveler of social classes. Excellence in ministry and worship means being filled with the Holy Spirit. Here, Wesley believed that the work of the Holy Spirit was purposed in God for the sake of healing and deliverance. In his Continued on next page June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Submissions Continued from previous page own life, the Holy Spirit inspired and moved Wesley to a deep sense of personal acceptance and deliverance from evil. Here, what Wesley was getting at was that the work of the Holy Spirit awakens us to living a life that is pleasing to God. Put another way, the Holy Spirit works in our wills and hearts with the purpose of helping us to turn to God. Not only does the working of the Holy Spirit bring about a new birth, but it also quickens or brings alive the love of God; communicating to the individual believer that he or she is alive through Jesus Christ. Through our identification as believers, the Holy Spirit gives us integrity and puts us back in line with the original plan of Jesus Christ. In his handbook, Wesley for Armchair Theologians, William J. Abraham writes: Looking back at the big picture, we can see that Wesley provided a unique vision of the Christian life that is worthy of admiration. He was Lutheran insofar as he insisted on justification as foundational; he was Reformed insofar as he believed that we shall be fighting sin to our dying day; he was Anglican in that he expected God to work objectively in the sacraments to mediate grace; he was Roman Catholic in that he held that conspicuous sanctity or goodness really was possible; he was Pentecostal in that he stressed the pivotal role of explicit experience of the Holy Spirit in our lives; In believing that Pentecost is the explicit role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, Wesley took seriously the biblical books of Joel and Acts where the Holy Spirit is described as one that falls upon all human flesh (God's creation) for the purpose of embodying the ministry of Jesus Christ. Here the theological implication is that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. From Wesley, the grandchild Pentecostals received an emphasis on holiness and sanctification, sometimes called the “second blessing” or “baptism of the Spirit.” Pentecost is the explicit role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What this means is that God’s Spirit has an inner voice that works in the metaphysical and spiritual lives of believers in Jesus Christ. Wesley writes about the work of the Spirit in his sermon ... : We allow that the taste of a justified person inexpressibly great and glorious. He is born again, “not of blood, nor of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” [John 1:13]. He is a child of God, a member of Christ, an heir of the kingdom of heaven. “The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keepeth his heart and mind of Christ Jesus” [Phil.4:7].

Here, Wesley’s message is simple. The Spirit of God saves. The Holy Spirit positively affects the institution and through faith, the Holy Spirit indwells. Also, intellectual illumination depends on the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Trinity equals the love of God, neighbor and self. As the third person of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit is not enthusiastic by nature. On his death bed, Wesley affirmed that the best of all is, the Spirit [of] God is with us.

Under the influence of the Holy Spirit, John Wesley took up Luther and Calvin’s economic argument in the 18th Century. David Jensen writes that, “Wesley’s writing displays traces of the Spirit concerned with economic life and the bearing of fruit in Christianity or Christian life. Wesley’s doctrine takes shape at the dawn of the modern industrial economy; just as capitalism is being theorized and practiced in his native Britain. The life Spirit rests on the body economic, presenting alternatives to a spirit of consumption and acquisition in the economy of gift.” In Wesley’s sermons, he laments the spirit of consumption that pervades economic life and employs an economy of gift.

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Submissions 1.

HOLY Ghost! My Comforter!

Now from highest heaven appear, Shed they gracious radiance here.

2.

Come to them who suffer death, With thy gifts of priceless worth, Lighten all who dwell on earth!

3.

Thou the heart’s most precious guest, Thou of comforters the best, Give to us, the o’er-laden, rest

4.

Come! In thee our toil is sweet, Shelter from the noon-day heat, From whom sorrow flieth feet.

5.

Blessed Sun of grace! o’er all Faithful hearts who on thee call Let thy light and solace fall.

Sources Primary Text: • “On the Witness of the Spirit”, Parts I and II Secondary Texts: • Lyle Dabney, "Pneumatology and the Methodist Tradition" in Oxford Handbook of Methodist Studies. Oxford, 2011.

• Randy Mattox, Responsible Grace, ch. 5 ("Holy Spirit—The Presence of Responsible Grace").

Kingwood, 1994.

• Kenneth Loyer, Spirit of Love: The Holy Spirit in Aquinas and John Wesley. Unpublished Dissertation John Wesley's connection to the Reformation on the Internet • David Jensen, Lord and Giver of Life: Perspectives on Constructive Pneumatology (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008).

• Veli-Matti Karkkainen, Pneumatology: The Holy Spirit in Ecumenical, International, and Contextual Perspective (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018).

• Wikipedia

"It only takes a few seconds to hurt someone. But sometimes it takes years to repair the damage. Cherish the hearts that love you."

--Cassandry Keys

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Submissions

“Words Do Hurt” Submitted by Rev. Jessie Manuel I remember a playground chant from my elementary school days: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Thankfully, I don’t have any experience with sticks and stones. However, I have broken a few bones in my life, and they definitely do hurt. They also do eventually heal.

“Words will never hurt me.” This childhood chant is a lie. Words do hurt. Those words often quickly take deep root inside our hearts as we pretend to be tough. Those words label us. Those words limit us. The pain of those words often lingers, causing more harm than we even realize. Those words cripple us from living the life that the Lord has for us.

As Christians, we need the Lord's help with the words that come out of our mouths. Words have so much power in our lives and in the lives of those around us. The words that we speak can build up or tear down.

It says in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” It absolutely matters what we say, not only to ourselves, but to others.

The most important thing that we can do is to make sure that we pray every day that God will guard our words and be honored in our conversations. Preparing our hearts and our thoughts before we talk with others will help us to be more cautious about the words that cross our lips.

This verse was written by a man pleading for the Lord to help him with his words. He implored the Lord to set a guard over his mouth and to keep a watch over his lips. These are words that are used in a military sense. A guard will not allow anyone in or out of a walled city during times of war. A watchman would always be on alert, walking the top of the walled city, looking for the enemy, protecting the people living their lives within the walls. Since our words have such a powerful effect on others, we desperately need the Lord's help. Psalm 19:14 says “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Thought: “Taste your Words before you say them.”

The Lord is there to help us, to guard our mouths, to watch over our lips, and to guide our thoughts to ones that are pleasing to Him.

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

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

Email to: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org 28

The Christian Index • June 2022

Submissions

MURCHISON TEMPLE IGNITES ACADEMY WITH WATER Submitted by Rev. David Pinner On Tuesday, March 8, 2022, the Murchison Temple CME Church, located at 2844 North Harding Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, donated a total of 7,322 eight-ounce bottles of water to the Ignite Achievement Academy, located at 1002 West 25th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. The donation was collected throughout the months of January and February.

The mission of the Ignite Achievement Academy is to provide the community with an accelerated learning institution that propels scholars academically by utilizing a holistic curriculum built upon cultural and community responsiveness, project-based learning and the leading literacy, socio-emotional, and neuroscientific research; thus, providing scholars rich opportunities for enrichment, achievement, and increasing degrees of impact in every field of endeavor.

Since COVID-19, the approximately 300 students of IAA have been unable to use the drinking fountains in the school. Murchison Temple’s Outreach Department, led by Presiding Elder Tracy L. Jackson and Reverend Darryl Gibson, took on the task to assist with getting water to the children. In the past three years, Murchison Temple has donated a total of 16,285 eight-ounce bottles of water to the school. They call it a delight to [bless] the school with this offering and, with God and the assistance of the people of God, will continue to [provide] as the school needs it. We thank the other churches and our friends who assisted in this venture. God gets all the Glory!

To learn more about the Ignite Achievement Academy, please visit igniteindy.org.

If you want to assist in the community outreach efforts of the Murchison Temple CME Church, Indianapolis, please reach out via email to murchisontemplecme@gmail.com or see us on https://www.facebook.com/ murchison.temple.5.

Presiding Elder Jackson with 7,322 bottles of water, 2022

6,000 bottles of water, September 2021

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Submissions Continued from previous page

Bro. Alonzo Wright with part of the donation, September 2021

Donation in February 2021

Children from the school

Donation in February 2021

Faculty from the Ignite Academy

Donation in 2020

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Submissions

CHRISTIAN COUNCIL OF GHANA ELECTS CME AS VICE CHAIRMAN Submitted by Rev. Dr. Justice Kwame Lawson Adjei Mission Supervisor of Ghana Togo Region Member of the Judicial Council, CME Church

Rev. Dr. Justice Kwame Lawson Adjei, Mission Supervisor of Ghana Togo Region and member of the Judicial Council of the CME Church, has been unanimously elected and commissioned to serve the Christian Council of Ghana (CCG) as Vice Chairman for the next 2 years. Dr. Adjei replaces the out-going Vice Chairman, Col. Dr. Samuel Amponsah, Territorial Commander of Salvation Army Church, Ghana. CCG is the oldest revered ecumenical body of mainline churches in the Republic of Ghana.

The Annual General Meeting which is the highest official gathering of the CCG took place on the 20th April, 2022, at Rev. Peter Dagadu Methodist Church in Osu, Accra, Ghana. Present at the meeting were Rt. Rev. Prof.

Joseph O. Yeboah Mante, who is the Chairman of the Council and also the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana; Most Rev. Dr. Paul Kwabena Boafo, immediate past Chairman of CCG and Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church, Ghana; heads of member Churches of the Council; Rev. Dr. Cyril Fayose, General Secretary of CCG; directors of the Council; delegations from member Churches; and staff of CCG. Rev. Dr. Adjei becomes the first CME Church leader to be elected to serve in this capacity as Vice Chairman of the mother body of mainline churches in Ghana. He will represent the Chairman and speak on behalf of the CCG in the absence of the Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Lawson expressed his appreciation and unwavering support to the Chairman and heads of member Churches of the Council.

Rev. Dr. Adjei accepting the offer to serve the revered ecumenical body in Ghana for the next 2 years.

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Submissions

DIRECTOR, THE 163RD STREET IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL GIVES MESSAGE ON ADVOCACY Submitted by Cassandra G. Perry Executive Director

Greetings!!!

This is March; while we celebrate women every day, March is Women’s Herstory Month [... Let] us pause during this Women's Herstory Month to celebrate the Phenomenal Women making Herstory here in the Bronx! In the first year of Ranked Choice Voting in NYC, then-City Councilmember Vanessa L. Gibson earned 79.93% of the vote in the General Election, securing her role as the 14th Bronx Borough President [(BP)]. She is the first female and the first African American to serve in that role. BP Gibson has distinguished herself throughout her career as one who takes seriously the label "public SERVANT." Her commitment to her constituents is perhaps reflected in the way she consistently wins elections by wide margins. Her importance to her constituents is epitomized in this quote from Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) who, speaking at her Inauguration on March 27, 2022, quipped, "Amazon has Alexa, but the Boogie-Down Bronx has Vanessa." We congratulate Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson and Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero, whose heartfelt remarks revealed that she, too, is part of the Woman's Herstory being rewritten in the Bronx. Congratulations are also in order for Councilmember Althea Stevens, who won the District 16 seat vacated by BP Gibson. We also acknowledge Assemblymembers Latoya Joyner, Chantel Jackson, Nathalia Fernandez, Amanda Septimo, Yudelka Tapia, and Karines Reyes, as well as State Senator Alessandra Biaggi. March certainly turned out to be Woman's Herstory Month in the Bronx!!

Now, if you’ve known us for a while, you know that the Council enjoys a long relationship with New York Liberty. Last year they featured us at one of their games, and they gave us a shout-out on social media [...] The Council will once again be the featured Nonprofit of the Game on June 1, 2022.

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During this International Women’s Month, and given that the Council and I have a long relationship with the NY Liberty, I am compelled to pause for a moment to lift up prayers on behalf of Brittney Griner, the 6'9" Olympic Gold Medalist and forward for the Phoenix Mercury. Ms. Griner is currently being held in Russia, where she has been detained since mid-February.

While others may or may not agree with the opinions stated in this Message, they are mine alone and should not be construed to represent an official statement from the Council, its Board of Directors, or its constituents. This is my personal observation shared, perhaps opportunistically, while we are on the subject of women and basketball.

Whatever the facts are ultimately determined to be, Ms. Griner is in an unfortunate situation. I pray continually for her wellbeing; in the midst of myriad social and political factors regarding her confinement, my prayer is that this outstanding athlete will be treated in such a way that she may continue to excel in the sport.

We have all heard of the grueling conditions suffered by many Soviet prisoners, particularly political prisoners. I am concerned for Ms. Griner’s physical well-being, but even more for her spiritual and mental well-being. My prayer is, and will remain, that Brittney Griner will be spared the abuses we hear take place in Russian prisons, and that she will be returned to the United States quickly, healthy, and whole. We are encouraged by reports that there has been consular access to her, but this is an American superstar, and she needs to be able to come home.

Submissions As stated above, my concern is with Ms. Griner's physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. Here at the Council, we are committed to serving individuals who live with mental illness. The Council works hard at destroying the stigma this disease often carries; we also work to ensure that individuals living with mental illness are empowered to embrace their full potential.

Perhaps that is why this picture [(to the right)] is so poignant.

Last year on August 25, the Council was NonProfit of the NY Liberty Game. We came in early, and as we were starting to set up, Mr. Lawrence White, Substance Abuse Counselor Extraordinaire, met up with Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA 2019. Here they are pictured in Barclay’s Center.

In less than 6 months, this charming, beautiful and brilliant young woman – an attorney, as well as a national beauty queen -- would lose her life to suicide. We are in no way attempting to sensationalize nor capitalize upon this unfortunate circumstance, but merely highlighting the fact that there is no “type of” or “typical” person likely to succumb to suicide, any more than there is a "type of" or "typical" person living with mental illness. Ms. Kryst was an outspoken advocate for mental health, often sharing tips for maintaining her own mental wellbeing. We share her picture as a reminder that mental health challenges can be faced by ANY sentient being, and that mental illness should be regarded for what it is – an illness or disorder in one of the body’s systems.

MISSION

The 163rd Street Improvement Council’s mission is the provision of resources to improve individuals’ quality of life. We offer Strength, Support, and Stability, not only for those on the journey from homelessness to fully appropriate housing, but to a complete continuum of humanity. From pre-natal care, through end of life planning; for individuals who are low-income, formerly homeless, veterans, recently released from incarceration, LGBTQ; or with special physical, cognitive, or developmental needs, the 163rd Street Improvement Council offers resources, referrals, and direct services to help.

Whenever possible, we provide direct assistance, but we also rely on cooperative measures, advocacy, and education. Our goal is to spur the transformative process through access to services, treatment, education, advocacy, and training so that, individually and collectively, all people will enjoy fuller and more abundant lives.

"What would you attempt to do if you knew money didn't matter, and you could, and you would not fail? It costs nothing to dream. It takes guts to make it happen ..."

--Jackie Golden - The Life and Business Strategist - LABS June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Phillips Metropolitan of Hartford, Connecticut, exercises One Church One School partnership with Fred D. Wish Submitted by Patricia Tyson Rev. Zachary D. Mullens, Pastor

Fred D. Wish is one of our inner-city schools located near Phillips Metropolitan, and we have been partnering with Fred D. Wish for quite some time. Fred D. Wish has an enrollment of approximately 350 children ranging between kindergarten and the 5th grade. Their mission is to L.E.A.D – Lead, Explore, Achieve, and Discover dreams and goals.

Over the months and years, Phillips previously provided the school with book bags, school supplies, uniforms, and gift cards. This year Dorothy Shirley, a Phillips member and one of our community liaisons, received a called from the school social worker (Eddie Diaz) requesting assistance in obtaining gifts for the children. Upon hearing the request, Dorothy Shirley started a chain of events and reached out to the congregation, various groups and organizations for donations/funds. She pulled a team together, completed the shopping for the gifts, and ensured we had enough gifts for each child attending the school. Quite the go-getter, she also ensured there was a team available for counting and categorizing the various gifts that were received, all 370 of them. We also had someone assigned from our security team, Jerry Buchanon, who was very instrumental in helping move and store the toys on numerous occasions until they could be delivered to the school. Phillips Metropolitan's mission is to “seek the peace of the city,” and we are making a difference where we are located. We are thankful we are in a position to assist and partner with the school.

All children have needs and our inner-city schools are no difference. The next time you drive or walk by one of the inner-city school near you – slow down, take a minute and think about the children, the teachers, the families, and their future associated with the school. Consider making an appointment to see the principal and ask how you or the church can help. Then take the request back to your church, fast and pray about the needs stated, and ask God what can/should you do to help.

As they say, “it takes a village,” and small things like book bags, school supplies, uniforms, gift cards, and tutoring or mentoring all make a difference in the life of a child and the community. Each of us can make a difference where we are located, and when you have a heart to serve and support the community, hearts are touched. Once the heart is touched, it will make a difference in the life of the child, a difference in the local school, a difference in your personal life, a difference in the church, and, more importantly in the life of the kingdom.

(l-r): Jerry Buchanon, Dorothy Shirley, Eddie Diaz, Patricia Tyson, and Rev. Zachary Mullens

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"Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone." - Psalms 91:9-12, NRSV Almighty God, I find rest in your ever-present protection, and all of my fears fade away under the shelter of your shadow. I trust you to guard and protect my body, my heart, my mind, and my soul, for you are my God, in whom I trust to keep me safe. In Jesus' name. Amen.

--Andrew Archer

Subscribe to The Christian Index Only $30.00 per Year Call Rev. Dr. Roderick Lewis, Sr., Publisher, at 901-396-5400 36

The Christian Index • June 2022

Submissions

MT. ZION CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1896-2022 126 YEARS OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY

“WE ARE SURVIVORS” Submitted by Bro. Bruce Benson, Lay Leader

“FOR OUT OF JERUSALEM WILL COME A REMNANT, AND OUT OF MT. ZION A BAND OF SURVIVORS. THE ZEAL OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS” - II KINGS 19:31 On Sunday, February 20, 2022, Mt. Zion celebrated, through the glory of God, our 126th church anniversary. True to our theme and selected scripture, we are survivors. We were pleased to have Sis. Yvonne Williams serve as our liturgist for the day. Sister Gloria Banks brought an inspirational prayer that sounded like the angels were singing, and Sis. Claudia Wortherly read from the word of God! Our guest speaker for our Black History celebration was Mr. Rahn Scott, a native of Chester, Pennsylvania. Brother Scott is a 1972 graduate of Chester High School and an orator in his own right. He delivered Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s, “I have a dream speech” with flawless [style]. The congregation was more than moved by his presentation and love for the word. Bro. Scott has credits for movie and television appearances and is also a writer in his own right. Mt. Zion was pleased and blessed to have someone of his caliber to be a part of our 126th church anniversary celebration.

During Black History Month Mt. Zion honored some of our very best Black History makers! These honorees are important to our church and for that we celebrate their accomplishments of service.

Bro. Harry Harris

Sis. Judith Flood

Bro. Michael Lewis

Continued on next page

"It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys."

--Mary Agyare June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Submissions Continued from previous page

HISTORY OF MT. ZION CME CHURCH

Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church made its humble beginning as a small Sunday School in 1896 in the home of Mrs. Vermie Smart. The location was at the corner of Clifton Avenue and Hook Road.

Rev. Harding was the first minister. Mt. Zion was the name selected by one of its own members. From 1896 to 1910 the following men pastored the Church: Rev. Bowman, Rev. Frazier, Rev. Thompson, Rev. Martin, Rev. Frederick, Rev. Whebe, Rev. John Coleman, Rev. Price, Rev. Scott, Rev. Womack, and Rev. James Bell.

Rev. L.C. Coleman became the pastor in 1910 and remained for 27 years. Pastors that followed Rev. Coleman were Revs. Therekeld, Wood, Brown, Hailey, Fuller, Pilgrim, O.W. Brown, Jaxon, J.A. Hayes, Sells, D.S. Jackson, Williams, Carter, Bennett, Champion, Jones, Hadley, Key, Purham, Stewart, Purham, Bonner, Hobbs (our first female pastor) and our current pastor, Rev. Alfred S. Parker, Jr. who was appointed in 2015.

The church was introduced into the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in 1905. In 1954, the General Conference of the CME Church changed the name to Christian Methodist Episcopal Church [inviting and affirming persons to become members regardless of color or race].

The first church building was located on the corner of Clifton Avenue & Hook Road and later moved to the northeast corner of Felton & Orange Avenues. The land was purchased from John H. Scott and his wife, Helen L. Scott, on May 31, 1906.

The basement of our present church was started in 1920 and on the 2nd Sunday in February 1928, the sanctuary was completed. The congregation marched into the newly built sanctuary [which was] equipped with a $5,000.00 pipe organ and grand bell located in the bell tower. The stained-glass windows were donated by the many boards and auxiliaries of the church and from friends in the surrounding community.

Mt. Zion served as the local school in the early 1930’s, housing grades one, two and three for the Darby Township School District. The junior high school held its commencement ceremonies in the church auditorium from 1934 until 1950. The church helped many families purchase clothes and shoes for the students that could not afford the required white dresses and shoes for the graduation ceremony. Vacation bible school was held at Mt. Zion for the entire community during the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.

The church purchased two lots on the northwest corner of Felton & Orange Avenues where a community center was built. Our Sunday School Department was one of the largest in the New YorkWashington Region of the Seventh Episcopal District. We started holding our Sunday school picnic, an annual event, on the church lawn. After the depression, the Sunday School was able to rent buses and take the children and the community to amusement parks. These events sometimes cleared the entire community for the day. Sunday school students with good attendance were allowed to go free on the church picnics.

Through the years, with the blessings from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, many improvements have been made to the church. [A modern] bulletin board was erected to replace the old one. In 1970, the parsonage was purchased at 1530 Forrester Avenue. In 1982, we marched from the church in a ceremony to burn the mortgage on the property. A public address system was installed, new boiler system, central air conditioner, stair lift, light fixtures, pulpit furniture, and a new parking lot. The Van Ministry, audio-visual ministry and computerization were also introduced to the physical structure of the church. New rooms were added, and the men’s and women’s rooms were renovated. New steel doors replaced the wooden doors, a prayer room was added, stained glass windows secured, and an active Food Ministry has been added and has been a part of our outreach ministry.

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Submissions Under the pastorate of Rev. Hobbs, the church continued with restoration projects like replacing the entire floor in the lower auditorium with tile, installing a new roof, capping the outside of the building and renovating the parsonage. Bible study series are experienced for church growth during the week, and new members classes have been introduced to the Sunday School. The Lay Ministry has been revived and is an active ministry of the church. The men also organized the Mighty Men of Valor Men’s Fellowship Choir; and a unit of Ministry to Men of the CME Church, Angel Tree Ministry and Seasoned Citizens are active outreach ministries serving our community and church.

During the annual conference held in August of 2015, Rev. Alfred S. Parker, Jr. was assigned as pastor of Mt. Zion. Under his short tenure, the church has seen growth spiritually and in membership. We are so proud to declare that we serve an “awesome God!” We are on the move for the Lord! We thank God for his favor over Mt. Zion “the Rock “and pray that we will continue to serve him in all his glory!

Mt. Zion today!

Pastor Alfred S. Parker, Jr. and Lady Parker

A thank you to our 126th church anniversary committee, led by the Lay Ministry: Bro. Bruce Benson, Sis. Alice, aka “Nana,” Evans, Rev. Andrea Marshall, Sis. Gloria Banks, Sis. Yvonne Williams, and Rev. Tyrone Fitzgerald. Another special thank you to First Lady Parker who led the decoration committee for the church, and to Sisters Gloria Banks and Dianne Peterson who beautified the church for our service.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

"Success isn't just about what you accomplish, but also what you inspire people to do."

--Pastor Umo Bassey Eno

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Submissions

"God has everything that you need; just have faith in him. The road wont be easy but it's worth it."

--DeMarc Pruitt

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Children/Youth

Wordsearch Puzzle for June (General Conference)

ALTERNATE BIBLE BISHOP BLUEBOOK CAMPAIGN CANDIDATE CAUCUS CHANGE CINCINNATI CLASS COMMITTEE COMMUNION

CONCUR DEBATE DELEGATE DELEGATION DISCIPLINE ELECTION EXPENSES GENERAL OFFICER GRACE JUDICIAL COUNCIL MOTION PARLIAMENTARIAN

PRAYER QUADRENNIAL REPORT RESOLUTION ROBERTS RULES SECOND TABLE VISITOR VOTES WORSHIP

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Children/Youth Answers to Puzzle

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Ecumenical News

5 ways to achieve total body health (from CVS.com) Source accessed 6-17-2021.

Read on for five things everyone should know about improving overall health.

1. Approach your health care holistically.

Enlisting a team of experts who work together on your behalf can go a long way toward helping you achieve your health ambitions and maintain total-body health. A nutritionist or health coach, for example, may be able to help you lose that last bit of weight, while a licensed mental health professional could give you strategies to cope with a major life change, such as retirement.

It’s not uncommon for specialists to join forces to provide members with holistic care. Keep in mind that you can also seek out experts via convenient digital tools, like wellness apps and live chatting with physicians or counselors. Telehealth, for example, allows you to video chat with doctors using a computer or smartphone. Check if such health tools are covered under your insurance plan.

2. Make preventative care a priority.

Chances are, you already know that staying up to date on routine exams, vaccinations and checkups is crucial for good health. Not only does it help prevent illness if you’re healthy, it also keeps the disease from getting worse if you’re already sick. The trick is to take that knowledge and make sure you act on it. It’s all too easy to put off an annual exam, especially if you feel healthy.

There are plenty of ways to be more proactive about wellness. Here are a few tips to help get you started: • • • •

Schedule annual checkups around the same time every year. Choose an easy-to-remember date like a birthday or an anniversary.

Find a workout buddy who will hold you accountable to a regular workout regime.

Focus on creating a daily routine that includes exercise, healthy meals, relaxation and sleep.

Research which preventative benefits your insurance company offers and be sure to use them.

3. Build a trusting relationship with your health care provider.

Trust is important in any relationship, especially the one you have with your health care provider. It’s wonderful to have a service provider who will go the extra mile for you, but even if you don’t have a favorite doctor on speed dial, there are still steps you can take to ensure that you develop a great relationship with your health care provider.

First, make sure that you are communicating effectively with your doctors. Try writing down any questions you have ahead of time and speaking up if you don’t understand something said during the visit. If you feel like your provider isn’t the right fit, consider finding someone who is.

4. Make time for your own health.

Putting your health at the top of your to-do list can be tough, especially if you’re a caregiver. But carving out time to tend to your own physical and mental needs can benefit you and your loved ones. If you’re having trouble striking that balance, consider asking a counselor or health coach for help.

5. Emotional well-being is as important as physical well-being.

Intuitively, we all know that mind and body are connected. In order to live your best life, it’s just as important to focus on your emotional well-being as your physical well-being.

Nurturing your mental health can be as simple as committing to a daily stress-relieving activity, doing a physical activity you love or even practicing gratitude exercises. Whatever your approach, taking the mental health breaks you need is key to maintaining both your emotional and physical well-being.

Links https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/services/wellness-and-physicals?icid=living-well-61621 https://www.cvs.com/content/stay-motivated-to-exercise-with-these-tips?icid=living-well-61621 https://www.cvs.com/content/things-that-count-as-workout?icid=living-well-61621 June 2022 • The Christian Index

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Ecumenical News

University professor appointed as a Chaplain to The Queen Submitted by Jo Milne University of Aberdeen

The University of Aberdeen’s Professor John Swinton has been appointed as a Chaplain to Her Majesty The Queen.

A Chaplain to The Queen is a member of the ministry of the Church of Scotland who, after distinguished service, is appointed a member of The Queen’s Ecclesiastical Household.

Professor Swinton, Professor in Practical Theology and Pastoral Care, will take on the role alongside his Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen.

He will succeed Rev. Alistair Bennett, who is retiring, as one of 10 chaplains to The Queen in Scotland.

All chaplains are personally approved by The Queen and are people in whom she has placed her trust.

Professor Swinton is a minister of the Church of Scotland who for more than a decade worked as a registered nurse specialising in psychiatry and learning disabilities. He also worked for a number of years as a hospital and community chaplain.

In 2004, he founded the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability and in 2014 he founded the University’s Centre for Ministry Studies.

His work has a dual focus on the relationship between spirituality and health and the theology of disability and he has published widely within the area of practical theology, disability theology, qualitative research and pastoral care.

In 2016 he was awarded the Michael Ramsey Prize - the ‘Man Booker of theology’ which celebrates the most promising contemporary theological writing - for his book Dementia: Living in the Memories of God. His theological research has succeeded in the re-framing of dementia as part of the spiritual life of the community, leading to significant changes in local government, caring agencies, third sector organisations, dementia care providers and religious communities in both the United Kingdom and internationally.

In 2017, his most recent book Becoming Friends of Time: Time, Disability and the Art of Gentle Discipleship won the award of merit for theology and ethics in the Christianity Today book awards for 2017. The book was named as “one of the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.”

Professor Tom Greggs, DLitt, FRSE, Head of Divinity, said of the appointment: “This is an extraordinary and richly deserved honour that Her Majesty has bestowed on Professor Swinton, and it crowns his distinguished service in both church and academy. We are very proud to list Professor Swinton as a key member of Divinity in Aberdeen.”

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The Christian Index • June 2022

Ecumenical News Continued from previous page Dr. Paula Sweeny, Head of the School of Divinity, History, Philosophy & Art History, said: “I am delighted to hear that Professor Swinton is being honoured in this way. His contributions to the department of Divinity, the School and the University are stellar in every way. In addition, Professor Swinton brings incredible warmth and a genuine sense of care for the wider community through his projects and his professional interactions. Given these qualities, it is very fitting that he has been chosen to be a Chaplain to Her Majesty.”

Professor Iain Torrance, former Dean of the Chapel Royal and Pro-Chancellor of the University of Aberdeen, added: “John has spent his working life helping people with dementia and this great honour recognises his outstanding care of others and his deep human compassion.”

Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

Mrs. Sara Barnett Mrs. Sara Barnett began her journey in this world on October 2, 1925, with her mother, Mary Jones Barkley, and father, Phil Barkley, in Leary, Georgia (GA). Sara's love and faith in God grounded her love of family, friends, and beauty in the world around her. She was raised in the CME tradition, growing up as a member of Bethel CME church in Leary, GA as a child and a longstanding member of Hines Memorial C.M.E Church in Albany, GA as an adult.

Sara graduated from Albany State University (née Albany State College) with a BS in Elementary Education. While at Albany State, she met the love of her life, Eugene Barnett. The pair married and settled in Southwest Georgia, working as teachers in Tift County and Dougherty County. Early in her career, Sara earned her MA in Education from New York University. She retired from the Dougherty County School system after 30 years of service.

Sara's pride and joy were her children, Reginald and Deidre, and grandchildren, Regina (Roy) Bradley and Jeremy Ingram. Her family always came first. A loving and a strong advocate for education, Sara encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue their interests and passions. Her affection extended to others as well, regularly volunteering and serving in various ministries housed at Hines Memorial CME Church.

Sara was called home April 7, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Barnett, and son, Reginald Barnett. She leaves her brother, Billy Barkley; daughter, Deidre; and grandchildren to honor

her legacy. She also leaves behind dear friends, Doris Cross, Henretta Benson, Constance Pruitt, Bonnie Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins to cherish her memory.

Mr. Sammie Lee Bolton Mr. Sammie Lee Bolton was born August 26, 1944 to the late Solomon and Essie B. Bolton in Perry County, Mississippi (MS). He departed this earthly life at Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, MS on April 22, 2022.

He graduated from Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs, MS, where he obtained his BS in Education. He also served in the U.S. Army. Sammie worked several jobs: he served on the Baldwyn Police Dept.; worked at Legett & Platt [(Bedding Mfg.)] and at Cooper Tire Mfg.; was owner of Bolton's Janitorial Service for many years; and served on the Baldwyn Housing Authority Board.

He was an active member of Mt. Nebo CME Church in Baldwyn, MS. He was united in Holy Wedlock to Martha Faye Kohlhiem Bolton and to this union two children were born.

He leaves to mourn his passing: his wife Martha F. Bolton; two sons, Terrance (Buffy) Bolton and Jared (Melinda) Bolton; two grandchildren, Jarek and Malia Bolton; one brother, Solomon (Rose) Bolton of Beaumont, MS; one sister -in-law, Clair V. Kohlhiem; two brothers-in-law, Larry Kohlhiem and Mitchell (Shirley) Kohlhiem; special niece, Exxie V. Ezell of Beaumont, MS; a host of nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

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LILLY ENDOWMENT CLERGY RENEWAL PROGRAMS

Seeking to strengthen Christian congregations through renewal and reflection Welcome to the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary!

Welcome to the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs at Christian Theological Seminary!

Lilly Endowment’s Clergy Renewal Programs are administered by the Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary.

Through its religion grantmaking, Lilly Endowment, an Indianapolis-based, private philanthropic foundation, seeks to deepen and enrich the lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.

To this end, National and Indiana Clergy Renewal Programs provide an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God’s life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.

Details and application materials for the 2022 programs are now available. In the 2022 Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program and the 2022 Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations, eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each to support a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program.

2022 Informational Webinar – An Invitation: What will make your heart sing?

2022 Clergy Renewal Programs Information Webinar The 2022 Clergy Renewal Programs Information Session took the form of a webinar this year, and we're placing a recording of it online as a resource to share with your colleagues and congregation. https://youtu.be/6ftvgi3bdNs All 2022 program applicants will be notified by email by end of August 2022 about award decisions. For more information, visit: https://www.cts.edu/clergy-renewal/.

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The Christian Index • June 2022

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 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, PO Box 1929, Hartford CT 06144; email: bishopjbwalker@thecmechurch.org OR seventhhq@thecmechurch.org 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 Godwin Umoette - (DECEASED) 10th Episcopal District, P.O. Box 4312, UYO, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; email: godwin.umoette@yahoo.com; phone: 08024086495 Bishop Bobby R. Best (DECEASED) - 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); email: marvinthomas671@gmail.com 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 - 9th Episcopal Disrict - 8145 Summerwood Circle, Olive Branch MS 38654-7060; email: bishoppstewart@aol.com; phone: 662-890-0021 Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Retired (DECEASED) - 4250 Thunderstone Circle, W., Memphis TN 38125; 901-729-7476 Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham, Retired (DECEASED) - 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, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., PO Box 161212, Memphis TN 38286-1212; 901-396-5400; rdlsr@aol.com Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. - Editor, The Christian Index, 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721; 901-515-6510 (office); email: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org

Dr. Victor Taylor - General Secretary of Finance & CFO, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church - Dept. of Finance and Investments, 1101 Davis St. - Suite 5224, Evanston IL 60204; 847274-0182 (main); 312-648-5232 (work); 240-359-6272 (fax); finance@thecmechurch.org; https://www.hightail.com/u/cmefinance (securely upload confidential documents here) Dr. Pene' G. Woods - Executive Secretary, 517 Forest Hill Irene Rd. South, Cordova TN 38018-4829; Email: cmeexecutivesecretary4@gmail.com; 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, 11928 Steven Drive, Sterling Heights MI 48312; 313-433-7207; 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.

OTHER CONNECTIONAL OFFICERS

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

Ms. Barbara Christian Campbell - President, Connectional Lay Council - 4819 Eagles Ridge Loop, Lithonia GA 30038; or 2012 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta GA 30317; loviebarbara1@gmail.com; 404-587-8311 or 678-641-9745

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. Dorruth Boyd - President of Connectional Ushers, 5135 Menefee Drive, Dallas TX 75227; 214-533-7553; email: dorruthboyd@att.net 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 Rev. Valencia Edner - Coordinator, Connectional Music and Arts Ministry - 17206 Atascocita Bend Dr., Humble TX 77396; 936-465-7284;Pastorvee522@yahoo.com

HEADS OF CONNECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Rev. Dr. William E. George - Administrator, Collins Chapel Health Center, 409 Ayers St., Memphis TN 38105; 901-683-7883; email: weg38@aol.com Dr. Paul Brown - President and Dean, Phillips School of Theology, Atlanta GA; 404-527-7768 Dr. Logan C. Hampton - President, Lane College, 545 Lane Ave., Jackson TN 38301; 731-426-7595 (office); 731-427-3987 (fax) Ms. Bobbie Knight - President, Miles College, P. O. Box 39800, Birmingham AL 35208; 205-929-1428; 205-929-1448; 205-929-1429; 205-929-1426 (fax) Dr. Dwight Fennell - President, Texas College, 2404 N. Grand Ave., Tyler TX 75702; 903-593-8311; 903-593-0588 (fax) Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones - Office of the President, Paine College, 1235 Fifteenth St., Augusta GA 30901-3182; 706-821-8230 (office); 706-821-8320 (Admissions)

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