The Christian Index - March 2024

The Christian Index The Official Organ of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church • March 2024

Generations of Service Through Media

Anderson Wins EMMY 24 Neolin Craig 26

THE CHRISTIAN INDEX

The Official Publication Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Copyright © 2024 Offices are Housed in The International Headquarters Memphis, Tennessee Contact the Editor at (901) 515-6510 E-mail: ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721 Contact Circulations/Subscriptions Office at (901) 396-5400 EDITOR Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. PUBLISHER Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. EDITORIAL BOARD Chairman Bishop C. Kelby Heath PUBLISHING BOARD Chairman Bishop Kenneth W. Carter THE CHRISTIAN INDEX (0744-4060; USPS 0108320) is published monthly by The CME Publishing House.

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

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

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

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The Christian Index • March 2024

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

Volume 157, Number 3

March 2024

Connectional Interests Episcopacy

The "Pylons" of Christian Methodism 6

Operation Vaccination 8 2023 CME Calendar of Events 11 Dept. of Evangelism/Missions 12 Dept. of Christian Education/Formation 13 Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers 14 CME-Affiliated Schools

Texas College S.T.E.P. Program 15

Texas College Founders' Convocation 16 Submissions Church Forsaken 17 Profile of Clen Damon Moore, M.D. 18 Keeping Christ in Christmas 19 North-East MS Region EUTHU Banquet 21 Leach Chapel 146th Anniversary 22 Anderson Wins EMMY! 24 Neolin Craig: Worker, Preacher, Servant 26 Children/Youth 31 Ecumenical Biden, the Black Church, and Mother Emmanuel 33 Christian Speaks on Grants Panel 34 Bradley Family Supports Atlanta-Rome 35 Lament and Hope: Land Dispossession 36 Obituaries - Joining the Great Cloud 38 Connectional Directory 43

Cover: Generations of Service Through Media Photographs: Photos are by contributors to The Christian Index and Index staff.

Submitted to the Publisher: February 27, 2024

Editorial

The Ballot Is in Your Hands, Pt. 1 Former President Trump’s attorneys are currently working on several legal cases brought against him by federal and state officials, as well as private citizens.

Other cases have been settled out of court or have already been litigated, and in a number of these cases he has been found guilty or liable and has been ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and other fees.

Yet, he has never admitted culpability in the January 6, 2020, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Nor has he admitted any wrongdoing in any of the actions for which he has recently been found guilty. It is doubtful that he has asked forgiveness of any person, and admittedly he has never directly asked forgiveness of God. Major news outlets such as CNN, NPR, MSNBC, ABC, Politico, and The Atlantic have continuously reported that he has allegedly colluded with and sought to influence persons at various levels from private citizens to state and federal government officials to falsify bona fide and credible election results, including creating false reports of election voter fraud, poll worker misconduct, and tampered election equipment, all of which he has been or is being sued over.

His efforts are not limited to influence but go on to what some members of his own party have termed pressure. Thank God that some and enough of those he sought to influence, pressure, and threaten did not bow to him or his cronies.

Donald Trump and those with similar attitudes or minds tout what is called “the rule of law,” but only insofar as the law, or their determination of what is lawful, favors or can be manipulated to champion their cause(s), or can be used to disfavor or oppress those who are deemed their opponents. Such is the case with the banning of books containing certain subject matters, the persecution of educators in public schools, and the repression of what is now called Critical Race Theory. With regards to these things, Trump is keen on “othering” people, but not in the Biblical sense of observing otherness as different than or outside of one’s own particular group and therefore providing one with opportunities to treat them with personal dignity, community love, and human respect. Instead, with great pride, he creates otherness for the purpose of driving

wedges, creating distance and disunity, and promoting community and global dislike and separation, even to the point of military conflict.

This is a good segue Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., to the world stage. Often Editor Trump talks about what the people want, but what it seems he really means is what the people who want what HE wants, want. He does not appear to be catering to the general population and the common good but rather seems to be appealing and referring to his political base, often known as MAGA (Make America Great Again) – a self-serving, nationalist group built on racism (though there are illusions of inclusivity) and bordering on fascism. Donald Trump, himself, is the group’s principal idealist, founder, chief strategist and promoter, and front man.

It is this writer’s opinion that considering all the above – and more that cannot be written here, but which has been covered explicitly or alluded to in other writings, along with the fact that former President Trump looks up to, idolizes, and copies present world leaders such as Vladimir Putin (Russia), Kim Jong Un (North Korea), Nicolas Maduro (Venezuela), and Xi Jinping (China) gives strong indication that were it possible, he would turn the government of this country into a similar autocracy or dictatorship with him at the head. He definitely seems headed in that direction, for example, rewarding and speaking well of those who are on his side, but castigating and targeting them as soon as they speak or act in opposition to his own thoughts or plans, and just as quickly embracing them as soon as they “see the evil of their ways and repent.” Already, he has sought and succeeded, to some degree, in the militarization of local police forces and has portended a disregard for the U.S. Constitution and those rulings of the judicial system with which he does not agree.

This is a partial picture of a man who is seeking not a first election but a second (though not consecutive) term in office. He has shown you who he is … and who he is not. The ballot is in your hands, America. The ballot is in your hands, CMEs. What will you say come election day?

March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Episcopacy

OFFICIAL NOTICE: General Connectional Board 2024 Pursuant to ¶1000.6, §2, of The Book of Discipline, Revised 2022, the 2024 General Connectional Board, previously scheduled for Dallas, Texas, during the week of the Unity Summit, will meet Monday and Tuesday, September 2-3, 2024, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Central Daylight Time at the same site as the Unity Summit – Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

General Connectional Board members are requested to reserve the dates of September 2nd-3rd for the General Connectional Board meeting, and to expect a call for the Standing Committees and other committee meetings from the respective Chairs of each Standing Committee or the Senior Bishop for other committees.

While we anticipate a full day (morning, afternoon, evening) schedule for the first day, we anticipate a morning to early afternoon (about 3:00 - 4:00 adjournment) for the morning and afternoon of the second day, but we will adjourn after all business is completed.

Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas,

General Chair, Unity Summit

Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Senior Bishop

"18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies."

--Daniel 9:18 (KJV)

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 “Pylons” of Christian Methodism By Othal Hawthorne Lakey In February 1983 a fire burned the historic St. John CME Church of Akron, Ohio. Reverend Emmaus Fitten was appointed pastor to rebuild the church. He and the congregation decided to move to a more suitable location; and purchased an ideal lot in West Akron on South Hawkins Avenue for their new church. The north corner of the property was most suitable and they sought permission from the city to erect their church on it. To their regret, city engineers would not permit construction on that part of the lot because of a flow of water beneath it. However, the church could be erected on the opposite end of the lot provided that “pylons” be used to secure the foundation. Pylons were sixty beams the size of telephone poles driven through the pool of water to rest on the solid rock beneath, at a cost of one thousand dollars each. With full support from the CME insurance program, one of the most beautiful churches in the CME Church rests even still on those unseen but essential pylons.

The essential pylon of the CME Church is its understanding of what the church is, namely, “A congregation of faithful (persons) in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered and all things requisite of the same.” (Articles of Religion) This encouches in doctrine the promise of Jesus, “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst.” In 1970 all the mainline Protestant denominations gathered in St. Louis in the initial gathering of the Consultation of Church Union (COCU). For some of us the main takeaway from that gathering was affirmation of the truth, “Church loyalty begins and ends at the point of pastoral care.” What Matthew L. Watley depicts as the home where believers are given “pastoral cover.”

Another pylon significant to the CME Church is the preacher appointed to those congregations. Jesus calls, the Holy Spirit anoints, and the church sends preachers to proclaim the Gospel, teach, and tend. This is the itinerant system of Methodism in which congregations give up their right to select their pastors; and preachers give up their right to decide where they will preach.

A pylon often taken for granted, but which is becoming more important in the current religious/spiritual/ political climate, is sound doctrine. In preaching, teaching, and practice, Methodism is biblical based. John Wesley said that he was a man of one book, the Bible, and proclaimed, “O give me that book!” All the tenets of sound doctrine are, in the Methodist tradition, detailed in the Articles of Religion.

Finally, the pylon that is the sine qua non of the CME Church is its heritage as a black church, a denomination of African Americans who, in the throes of a slavery John Wesley described as the most vile that ever saw the sun, came to Jesus as they were, “weary, wound, and sad.” In 1870, under the aegis of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, they organized their own church —the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America — patterned, Isaac Lane said, “After our own ideas and notions.”

Because of these “pylons” the Christian Methodism has, over the generations, stood on Christ the solid rock. And thanks be to God, they provide the moral, doctrinal, disciplinary, and fiduciary accountability so vital for the church to be true to its Lord. However, and this is the reason for this article, what might be called “expanding connectionalism” seems to be eroding these basic foundations of the CME Church. The promotion of a connectional church is at the expense of the “congregation of faithful” believers. The local church deemed essential, is viewed as an auxiliary simply for “raising those claims” Further, their significance in CME polity, notwithstanding, preachers are often treated with benign neglect.

It has not gone unnoticed that the bishops were given fifteen minutes to make their reports (another fifteen for 6

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accolades) at the General Conference. Yet in some instances pastors, having traveled though rain, shine, sleet, and snow for twelve months (and report “round”) are given less than a minute to make their report to the Annual Conference — if the Presiding Elder does not give a “summary;” or it is not put on the screen by the “tech team.”

To be honest, it hurts this writer to hear and read some of the non-Methodist and even non-Christian doctrines that have seeped into the public discourse and some official literature of the CME Church without any vetting.

It seems that any popular religious figure will be brought before the members of our beloved Zion with apparent consent and approval of the leadership of the church. At times one can easily get the impression that it doesn’t matter what CMEs sing, preach, or believe.

The above is not intended to be overly critical of what is happening in our church. After all, this writer has been an integral part of all of it — having been admitted into Full Connection in 1954, served as Editor of The Christian Index, and elected bishop in 1982. So whatever weaknesses, failures, or shortcomings I point out, I too was and still am a part of them. What I say here, then, is designed to be a cautionary warning: We must be careful to preserve and protect those “pylons” on which our CME Church rests.

A different application of the metaphor of the building of St. John is illustrative. Suppose the bishop, presiding elder, pastor, and officers of that faithful congregation decided to expand to house new ministries. In doing so, however, they extend their new “Family Life Center” northward onto portions of the property city engineers said was unsuitable. That new facility would be dedicated with usual CME pomp and circumstance — pictures sent to the Index and accolades from across the denomination would abound. In a short while, however, that new facility would begin to sink —and drag the beautiful St. John with it because it would not have a solid foundation. You see, in 1983 we were told that even pylons could not be used on that location. The flow of water was too strong. xxx

The St. John CME Church, 1233 S. Hawkins Ave Akron, Ohio Reverend Dr. Earl D. Hudson, Pastor Rendering by Bryan Lakey March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Episcopacy

Connectional Interests

Episcopacy

Operation Vaccination Team Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. Dr. Richard Watkins Rev. Daryl Ballard Mr. James Blackman Dr. Theresa Duhart Mr. Shannon Faulk Ms. Toya McQueen Dr. Jacqueline I. Scott Mr. Anthony Smoaks, Sr. Rev. Dr. Cynthia Thompson Ms. Tiffanie Thompson

Subscribe to The Christian Index Only $30.00 per Year Call Rev. Dr. Roderick Lewis, Sr., Publisher, at 901-396-5400 March 2024 • The Christian Index

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PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT OFFICE Empower. Equip. Thrive. Together.

EPISCOPAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES These individuals will receive information from this office about program and grant opportunities and share with their Episcopal Districts.

You may also contact them or Bishop Snorton at BishopSnorton@TheCMEChurch.org, with any requests for searching for resources.

1st - Mrs. Robbie Coleman 2nd - Presiding Elder Lesha Agnew 3rd - Rev. Richard McDuffie 4th - Rev. Dr. Marvette Thomas 5th - Mrs. Cynthia Howard or Dr. Angie Eatmon 6th - Rev. Pansy Washington 7th - Presiding Elder Faye Houston 8th - Rev. Jonathan Jones 9th - Rev. Ramon Stripling 10th- Bishop Ricky Helton 11th- Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei

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February 27 - March 2, 2024 - Women’s Missionary Council Executive Board; Charlotte NC March 6-8, 2024 - Ninth Episcopal District Next Level Conference; Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Oakland CA March 8-9, 2024 - Fifth Episcopal District Spring Convocation; Virtual/Hybrid?

March 10, 2024 - Connectional Christian Ministry Sunday March 15-16, 2024 - Eighth Episcopal District Spring Meeting; Christian Chapel Temple of Faith, Dallas TX March 21-24, 2024 - Eleventh Episcopal District, Rwanda Region Annual Conference; Gisenyi, Rwanda March 28-31, 2024 - Eleventh Episcopal District, Kenya Region Annual Conference; Nairobi, Kenya April 2-3, 2024 - Jamaica Region Annual Conference; Good News; Fort Charles, Jamaica April 4-7, 2024 - Eleventh Episcopal District, Uganda Region Annual Conference; Busia, Uganda April 5-6, 2024 - First Episcopal District Spring Meeting; Mt. Pisgah CME Church, Memphis TN April 5-6, 2024 - Fourth Episcopal District Spring Meeting; Trinity CME Church, Lake Charles LA April 5-6, 2024 - Seventh Episcopal District, Carolina Region Spring Meeting; Parkwood CME Church, Charlotte NC April 6, 2024 - Third Episcopal District Spring Meeting; Zoom (Virtual/Hybrid) April 11-14, 2024 - Eleventh Episcopal District, Tanzania Region Annual Conference; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania April 12-13, 2024 - Second Episcopal District Spring Gathering; Trinity CME Church, Indianapolis IN April 12-13, 2024 - Seventh Episcopal District, New York/Washington Region Spring Meeting; Phillips Metropolitan CME Church, Hartford CT April 15-20, 2024 - Global Christian Forum, Accra, Ghana April 27, 2024 - Georgia Spring Gathering (8:30 A.M.); Holsey Chapel, 2039 8th Street, Columbus GA 31906; One-in-the-Spirit Banquet (11:30 A.M.); Columbus Trade and Convention Center, 801 Front Street, Columbus GA 31901 April 28, 2024 - Connectional Ministers’ Spouses Day May - Missions Beyond the USA Sunday (any Sunday during the month) May 23-26, 2024 - Burundi Region Annual Conference March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Connectional Interests

Department of Evangelism and Missions

BE BOLD: Face Now-Embrace Next-See New Preaching Jesus is not enough!

Jesus calls people to follow in the way of repentance, acceptance, and forgiveness. As believers in the body of Christ, we must do more than preach Jesus. We must remind the world that He is The Christ. We must be Bold with the message of Christ to follow the one who died for humanity. We must declare the message of the Gospel found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In this text we have very little room to misunderstand God’s mission for creation.

So, what is our preaching all about anyway? Look at the word preach then drop the first letter to get an understanding of what I mean. In a very practical sense, we preach to reach each ach(ing) soul. We must preach “Jesus the Christ “which is the conclusion of the whole matter. A repenting heart understands the difference of being the life of Christ and not the acts of Jesus. Jesus in the name of Christ is the title and with the title comes the responsibility to fulfill the prophecies in the Old Testament and understand the assignment in the New Testament. One may ask what the difference is or is it just semantics. No, it’s the ability to accept what Jesus the Christ has done for us and to share our faith with others. Our preaching must not only include the miracles of Jesus but also the finished work as the “Anointed One.” Our preaching, rather than proclamation, faith sharing, or apologetics must include the complete work of Christ, even the second coming. Hearing the Word preached must change our approach to reaching the lost while doing the work of an Evangelist. Seeing New causes us to look through the lens of the Gospel as a redemptive work in which we share Christ. Embracing the mission of God through Jesus the Christ in Luke’s Gospel 4:18-19 (18) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, (19) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

We can no longer wait for people to show up at our churches. They are not coming, not even with an invitation. We must go get them as fishers of humanity. I am reminded of a fish story I heard that is true for us.

The premise of the story is “no fish wants to get caught.” Therefore, we must be mindful that preaching Jesus is not enough!

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

Dr. Leon C. Moore, Jr. General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions Anderson Chapel CME, Holly Springs, MS

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Department of Christian Education/Formation

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Memory Verse: But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, for such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” Matthew 19:14 Children’s Day is observed the second Sunday in June.

It is a time we honor the children that God has placed in our lives and children everywhere.

It is a time to recognize the gifts that God has so richly bestowed on them.

Each child is unique and very special to God therefore, they are very special to us.

It is a time to come together in Prayer for children everywhere.

There are children that may not have had anyone to navigate their lives toward a spiritual journey, so this is our opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

(From "The Practitioner, Summer 2023 Edition." A publication of the General Department of Christian Education and Formation 22 of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Used by permission.)

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Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers

Connectional Interests

CME-Affiliated Schools

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CME-Affiliated Schools

Submissions

Church Forsaken: The Neglected Neighborhoods and the Call for Redemption Submitted by Jessie Manuel Introduction: In many cities worldwide, neglected neighborhoods harbor a sense of abandonment and despair. Amid dilapidated buildings, crime-ridden streets, and poverty, a beacon of hope is often sought. One place that should naturally fill this void is the church. However, in many cases, the church has become disconnected from these neglected communities, leaving them forsaken and yearning for redemption.

The Absence of Presence: The absence of a strong church presence is keenly felt in these neglected neighborhoods. The physical and metaphorical crumbling structures bear witness to this absence. Once vibrant spiritual and social life centers, these churches now stand empty, unkempt and abandoned. Over time, the congregation dwindled, resources vanished, and attention shifted elsewhere, leaving behind a deeply felt void.

Unchecked priorities: As an institution, the church has sometimes forgotten its mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus in neglected neighborhoods. Instead, it has become focused on self-preservation and maintaining its comfort. Instead, financial resources that could have been directed towards community development projects or outreach efforts are channeled elsewhere, resulting in a neglectful attitude towards these neighborhoods.

Disconnection and Stereotyping: Stereotypes and preconceived notions about neglected neighborhoods play a significant role in the church's detachment. These communities are often stigmatized and viewed through the lens of crime statistics

and socioeconomic challenges, which leads to a reluctance to engage with them. By perpetuating these stereotypes, the church distances itself from places desperate for love, healing, and redemption.

Lack of leadership and investment: Effective leadership bridges the gap between the church and neglected neighborhoods. Unfortunately, many churches lack leaders who understand the complexities and needs of these communities. Additionally, insufficient investment of resources, both human and financial, further exacerbates the disconnect. The church struggles to make a lasting impact without committed leadership and adequate resources.

Rediscovering the Mission: The church must confront its neglectful stance and rediscover its mission to bring healing, hope, and love to neglected neighborhoods. This involves active engagement, listening to the needs and aspirations of the community, and actively working towards meeting them. It requires a genuine desire to build relationships and dismantle stereotypes while advocating for justice, equity, and social change.

Collaboration and Partnership: Revitalizing neglected neighborhoods requires the collaboration and partnership of multiple stakeholders, including churches. By working with community organizations, local leaders, and residents, the church can become an active change agent. Through joint efforts in education, crime prevention, affordable housing, and community development, neglected neighborhoods can experience transformation and revival.

Conclusion: To be faithful to its calling, the church must not ignore or forsake the neglected neighborhoods. It must actively pursue relationships, investment, and collaboration to bring positive change. By doing so, the church can reclaim its position as a catalyst for redemption, healing, and hope in these marginalized communities, ultimately reflecting the transformative power of God's love.

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Submissions

Profile of Clen Damon Moore, M.D. Community Leader and Man of Many Hats Submitted by W. Jean Moore

Content Written by Ramona Thompson Digital Marketing and Content Strategy Manager Loudoun County, Virginia Economic Development Photo by Sam Levitan taken on the National Mall

Dr. Clen Damon Moore is a man of many hats, embodying the spirit of versatility and commitment in both his professional and personal pursuits. Currently serving as the managing partner of Pediatric Healthcare, Loudoun Medical Group, Dr. Moore stands at the helm of a practice with a rich history, as 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of Pediatric Healthcare.

When he joined the practice in 1997, Dr. Moore brought with him a wealth of experience, having completed two years of service in the National Medical Health Service in his native Mississippi. His educational journey included an internship and residency in Pediatrics at the University of Washington (Seattle) after graduating from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Dr. Moore also holds degrees from Ole Miss and Oxford University, where he studied as a Rhodes Scholar.

Beyond his contributions to healthcare, Dr. Moore is actively involved in various community and extracurricular activities. As the Chair of the Philanthropic Committee at Loudoun Medical Group, he extends his commitment to giving back. He also serves as a tenor and Development Chair for the Master Singers of Virginia, is a member of the UVA Club of DC Executive Board, and serves as secretary on the DC Phi Beta Kappa Association Executive Board. His commitment to community service is evident through his roles at Harmony United Methodist Church, where he serves as lay leader, participates in the choir, ushers, acts as an acolyte, serves as a liturgist, and contributes to the preschool Board.

In the realm of sports and entertainment, Dr. Moore is the Loudoun Valley High School Volleyball announcer and anthem singer for volleyball and baseball. His altruistic spirit also shines through as a 1 Gallon Donor for Inova Blood Services. Dr. Moore's diverse involvement is #MakingHistoryInLoudoun as he underscores not only his professional expertise but also his dedication to community, education, and the well-being of others.

Ramona Thompson is the Digital Marketing and Content Strategy Manager at Loudoun Economic Development. She is the resident storyteller, social media guru, and marketing strategist for all things that are #LoudounPossible.

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Submissions

KEEPING CHRIST IN CHRISTMAS A Collaboration with our Christian Sisters & Brothers Dr. Vanilla Brooks, L.A.-S.D. District Chair of Evangelism

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, believers from 13 churches proudly paraded down the streets of San Pedro during its annual “Holiday Parade.”

Thousands of attendees were reminded, and hundreds were taught that Christmas Celebrates Jesus. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas.

Who are these believers? We ARE labelled Pastor, Minister, Sunday school teacher, Bible Study teacher, Evangelism Director, Stewardess, Deacon, Elder, Young Adult, Youth, Children, Elementary School Principal, Nurse Practitioner, Academic Financial Aid Specialist, Paralegal, Professional Caregiver, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, LAUSD Parent Resource Liaison, Fast Food Manager, Architect, Medical Provider Contract Specialist, Retired Accountant, Retired Probation Officer, Engineer, Child Custody Rep., and Community Activist.

Team Nativity

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Submissions Continued from previous page WE are from Thirteen individual churches: Amos Memorial CME, Angeles Mesa Presbyterian, Atherton Baptist, Brown Temple CME, Calvary Chapel Downey, Calvary Chapel Signal Hill, Calvary Chapel South Bay, Emmanuel Temple CME, Gangsters for Christ, Hays Tabernacle CME, Cottonwood, Mary Star of the Sea, and Mount Mariah Baptist.

WE love God, and are united for the Cause of JESUS, The Christ.

Although WE are multidenominational, and attend multiple churches, WE give honor the same GOD. No one church is more important than the other, for we are ALL God’s Children, saved by His Son. God’s children who also desire to spread “The Good News” are welcome.

Blessing of The Great Commission, Rev. Derrell Durley, L. A. District Chair of Evangelism and Rev. Kenneth Miller, Southern Cal. Regional Chair of Evangelism.

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Submissions

North-East Mississippi Region Holds EUTHU Banquet Submitted by Ore L. Spragin, Jr. Editor, The Christian Index

The North-East Mississippi Region Empowering Us to Help Us (EUTHU) Banquet was held on November 4, 2023, at the Hudsonville CME Church in Holly Springs, Mississippi, under the leadership of Bishop Kenneth W. Carter, the 55th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church.

The guest speaker for the occasion was Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., the presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the CME Church, Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr.; 54th Bishop of the CME Church and classmate of Bishop Carter. The title of his presentation was, "Check Out Your Mind." After the speech, he was honored with a plaque "for stellar leadership in the CME Church and for a dynamic presentation at the North-East MS Region EUTHU Banquet."

According to the history provided in the written program, "In reflecting on the year 1995 when the visionary Em­ powering Us To Help Us initiative was launched by Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., the aim of the program was to bring to­gether persons throughout the Fourth Episcopal (l-r): Presiding Elder Wayne A. Williams, Bishop Kenneth W. District of our Great Church with a common theme of Carter, Mrs. W. Jean Moore, and Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. Empowerment to 'en­able us to help ourselves.' In our formative stage the first two years, the Conferences in Mississippi and in Louisiana banded together in their individual states to support an annual affair to advance the cause.

However, since that time, each Confer­ence has formulated its own plan of action; and each Conference strives to move in its own established direction.

"In the fall of 1997, after many meetings and many dis­cussions, we in the North-East Mississippi Region made our blueprint clear. We came to the conclusion that emphasis on four areas would empower our people: Voter Registration, Fund-Raising Banquet, Scholarship, and Special Projects. In 2011 the committee added the Health Awareness Program.

These efforts will continue to be programs designed to Em­power Us To Help Ourselves."

"At the North-East MS Region Annual Conference meeting in Olive Branch, Mississippi August 2022, Bishop Carter commended the people for keeping Bishop Hoyt's dream alive by continuing to support the Empowering Us To Help Us initiative. He also said that the 2022-2026 Quadrennial Connection theme: "BE BOLD: Face Now-Embrace Next-See New" challenges the leadership in the Region to keep the EUTHU imitative mobile in order to enable their people to move forward. He then challenged all de­partments to be BOLD in their ministries; and he charged the Region in supporting the EUTHU Banquet, to be BOLD by raising the $100,000 goal set by the committee!

"Many persons throughout the CME Church are very familiar with Bishop Kenneth W. Carter's stellar leadership and his special talent in raising funds."

Fifteen students received certificates and scholarships in the amount of $1,000.00 each. The student of the year, April Vaughn, received a plaque and an additional $100.00. The educator of the year, Jerome Martin, also received $100.00.

Six additional students received $300.00 stipends.

Co-Chairs for the 2023 event were Presiding Elders Bobby G. Wilson, Clementine Mays, Wayne Williams, and Urseila Williams, and Mrs. W. Jean Moore. Presiding Elder Bobby Wilson also serves as pastor of the Hudsonville CME Church.

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Submissions

Leach Chapel 146th Anniversary “Growing Stronger, Growing Deeper – Reach Higher” Submitted by Maxie Blakely On November 19, 2023, Leach Chapel CME Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas, celebrated our 146th Church Anniversary and Mortgage Burning. Our Theme was: “Growing Stronger, Growing Deeper - Reach Higher” (Isaiah 40:31).

In late summer 1877, on a Sunday morning near the banks of the Arkansas River, a group of strong Christian pioneers met to discuss what would become of Leach Chapel CME Church. The meeting was between Cypress and Olive Streets, west of what is now the North Little Rock Bridge in the city of Argenta, now North Little Rock, Arkansas.

From the sincerity of their purpose and the warmth of their motives, a small edifice arose on the banks of the meandering Arkansas River.

They called the structure the Little Green Church.

(l-r): Rev. James Weldon Johnson, Pastor Carolyn Motton, Presiding Elder Ronald Williams, Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr., and Rev. Danny J. Carter, Sr.

Today, we pause to salute the early pioneers of our church. Those pioneers were eventually given a lot on East Third Street, now called Broadway Street, by the husband of the late Mrs. Nannie Fairmon. Mrs. Rose Leach was happy to be a part of this organized body of baptized believers and gave generously to the Little Green Church. Hence, the church was named after her. The address was 1012 East Broadway, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

This began a new era for the little church that had its beginning on the bank of the river.

Although much of Leach Chapel's history remains formally unrecorded, it is rich with tradition and more. On December 7, 1892, Bishop Isaac Lane held the Annual Conference and Leach Chapel was admitted to the Conference. At the time, the 22

The Christian Index • March 2024

Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr. at the pulpit.

Submissions denomination was called the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church. The denomination became known as the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church at the General Conference held in Jackson, Tennessee in 1954.

It is through the memories, both vivid and dim, of the offspring of those pioneers that we are able to chronicle the history of Leach Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Leach Chapel has been served by some of the most outstanding and dedicated leaders in the country. While there remain some unexplained gaps in the ministerial chronology, we offer appreciation to those who documented what information was left behind.

(l-r): Mrs. Jeanette Carter, Rev. Danny Carter, Bishop Marvin Thomas, and Rev. Carolyn Motton.

On November 19, our day began with Sunday school. The message for our morning service was brought by Rev. Larry D. Brown, former Associate Minister of Leach Chapel.

Joining us were Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas, Sr., who brought the evening message, and two former pastors: Rev. James Weldon Johnson, who began the project of building the new facility at 307 North Palm Street in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Rev. Danny J. Carter, Sr., who was instrumental (l-r): Rev. James W. Johnson, former pastor and presiding elder., in guiding the pay-off of the mortgage. Several and Rev. Carolyn Motton. members from sister churches were also present to offer their support.

Rev. Carolyn Motton (our present pastor), Presiding Elder Ronald Williams, and Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas conducted the mortgage burning. It was a memorable and favorable occasion for all present.

The Anointed Generation (T.A.G.): Candace Washington, JaNiya Washington, Marley Washington, and Shamari Shutes.

March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Anderson Wins EMMY! Submitted by Patricia Anderson

Congratulations are in order for Mr. Ronza J. Anderson Jr.!!

Recently Ronza received an EMMY Award for his work contributions on ESPN’s SportsCenter. A native of the 4th Episcopal District, where Bishop Kenneth W. Carter is the Presiding Prelate, he grew up in Jackson, MS, where he was a member of Lynch Street CME Church.

I had the opportunity to sit down recently with Ronza about his journey to ESPN and what winning the EMMY meant to him.

Mom: Tell me how it felt to win this EMMY. Ronza: It felt really good, knowing that my hard work was paying off. I’m from Jackson, Mississippi, and growing up there, you just didn’t hear about these kinds of things every day!! It’s a great feeling!!

Mom: What was your first job at ESPN, and was it challenging?

Ronza: I was a part of the Associates Program as an Associate Operator. As a member of this program at the time, I did what’s called Playouts for different shows like “SportsCenter,” “Get Up,” and “First Take.” This taught me how to stay focused because each show flows differently. The biggest challenge for me was adjusting to the show’s needs, because each show is very different.

Mom: What influenced you to go into TV? Ronza: I started working in the church, where my Pastor at the time, Rev. Dr. Charles Holbrook, encouraged me to work with Jerrick Holloway, the CIT Director, who was a one man show. This gave me a sneak peek into the world of broadcasting, and because at the time my father worked in sales, selling TV’s, I could ask him questions too.

Mom: For those who don’t know, tell us where you went to college, and what was your major.

Ronza: I am a proud graduate of Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude. I was a Mass Communications major, with an emphasis in Media Productions. I was also the starting Long Snapper on the Tiger football team for four years.

Ronza Anderson at the controls 24

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Mom: Would you consider mentoring others who may be interested in working in TV?

Submissions Ronza: I do that now. I had a mentor while at Jackson State University. His name is Mr. Rob Jay, who has been in the business for many years. He would take me on different assignments with him. He saw my willingness to learn, my potential, and made sure that I understood the interworking’s of handling the camera. He taught me things to look for when covering stories in the media. So, I wanted to be able to give back. I am currently a mentor with “Disney On the Yard,” which is a mentorship program that is a Walt Disney initiative in an effort to recruit more HBCU students to the company. ESPN is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.

My first job was at 16 WAPT, and they taught me a lot too, but I also had great faith, moving from Jackson, MS to Bristol, Connecticut. I had the faith that everything was going to be okay when the opportunity to work at ESPN came, and that faith grows daily. That’s one of the best things about being a part of a Connectional Church, I now call Phillips Metropolitan CME Church in Hartford, CT my home away from home, where I actively serve in the AV ministry.

Mom: How has your growing up in the church contributed to your growth?

Please help me congratulate Ronza on this awesome EMMY win!! CME’s we should all be proud!! He’s one of our Young Adults doing great things. Let’s all let Ronza know how proud we are of him!!!

Mom: One last question, what is your current position?

Ronza: I am a Technical Director at ESPN, and Mom: What advice would you give someone to get it’s exciting, being that I work on the shows into the field of "SportsCenter" broadcasting? and "First Take."

I’m the person Ronza: Just do that you don’t see it!! Go in with on TV, but you a passion, be see the different adaptable, sources that I bring because you’re in, and different working with cameras I take different people to air. Whatever every day, and you see on TV be open minded. for these shows There are people specifically, that’s who have been in all me and my the industry for doing. Each month many years who a rating email is can teach you sent out showing things you may the number of need to know and people who watch help you grow. those shows, and The EMMY Award I ask questions seeing that people every day. are watching shows that I do, it’s a great feeling.

Ronza: First, my parents instilled in me the importance of hard work and being committed to whatever I put my mind to. From the church’s aspect growing up, from all my former pastors, to the members, they always let me know that they were proud of me. I knew that I wanted to work in TV.

Ronza is the son of Ronza J. Anderson, Sr. and Patricia A. Anderson. He proudly hails from the Lynch Street CME Church in Jackson, MS where his parents still attend. Since moving to the 7th Episcopal District, where Bishop James Walker is the Presiding Prelate, he now attends the Phillips Metropolitan CME Church in Hartford, CT. March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Submissions

Neolin Craig: Worker, Preacher, Servant More than a preacher man Submitted by Ore Spragin, Editor, The Christian Index Photo Credits: Donnie Craig, Cassandra Craig, Ore Spragin

For more than 70 years now, the voice of Neolin Craig has been heard across the airwaves of radio station WYVC, 102.3 FM, in Camden, Alabama.

His consistent message has been the gospel of Jesus Christ, and his aim has been to lift the people in the community, all the people, but especially Black people.

Neolin Craig was born in Dixons Mills, Alabama, on September 6, 1927, the fifth child of eight siblings. He had three older sisters and one younger brother.

A student for much of his life, Dr. Craig began his studies at the school located in the Jones Chapel CME Church that he would later serve as pastor. As was the custom in that era, the “larger children” met in the sanctuary of the building (that was about all there was) during the week, and on Sundays it was the place of worship.

He attended school there until the age of 14, at which time he relocated and grew up in Mobile, Alabama, on Davis Avenue. There he became a member of Stewart Memorial CME Church and attended the Josephine Allen Private Institute, a private school started and run in the 1880s by Mrs. Josephine Blackledge Allen and her husband, Clarence W. Allen. (https://www.c-span. org/video/?c4887118/josephine-allen-private-institutemobile-al. Accessed 2-15-2024.) His studies were interrupted briefly when he started preaching, and he did not obtain his diploma from the Institute.

The Jones Chapel School offered classes through the 12th grade, and he received his GED through a federal grant program administered at the church school.

Afterwards, he attended Bible college in Selma, Alabama. For five straight years, he went to classes during the day and then drove to Mobile where he worked as the warehouse supervisor at night. He was also serving as a pastor during this time.

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The Christian Index • March 2024

Rev. Dr. Neolin Craig

He received a Certificate of Credit for two courses from the Selma University Extension Baptist Fellowship Center in Mobile in 1975 and graduated thereafter. He received a Doctor of Divinity from the Easonian Baptist Seminary (Birmingham, AL) on May 23, 1979.

Throughout his life, Dr. Craig has followed the Biblical instruction, “Ask, and ye shall receive,” and has been a “hard worker.” He learned his work ethic from his father, Gordon Craig, and mother, Alice Holsey Craig, as well as from his grandfather, Dr. Ed Holsey.

He began working when he was a child. His grandfather, known in the community as Uncle Ed, was a Caucasian veterinarian and owned 688 acres.

It was from him that grandson Neolin learned and became adept at the skills of veterinary medicine.

Submissions As a youngster, he worked in the Marengo County Courthouse as a courier and, because of his conscientious service, soon gained other employment as a sort of custodian and greeter in the medical office of Dr. Cecil Kimble. That is where he got his first experience with medicine.

During his adult working life, Neolin Craig once owned a popular and successful barbershop, and at one time, also worked in a sawmill. He is one who has always believed he could do anything.

Craig worked as a mortician with Smith and Gaston in Birmingham until he was employed by the federal government. He no longer works in that field; however, he has maintained his certificate.

On May 17, 1985, while serving as a legislator in the Alabama House of Representatives as a Democrat, alongside another noted CME, Yvonne Kennedy, he was appointed an Honorary Lt. Col. Aide-de-Camp in the Alabama State Militia by then Governor George Wallace. His duties included receiving and distributing food to the senior citizens of Camden and surrounding areas in Wilcox County, as well as Selma (Dallas County), Beatrice (Monroe County) and other areas.

The food program he administered was a result of legislation he put forward, and he used his own van to distribute food and to provide transportation to needy persons within the several counties he served.

In 1952, at the age of 25, he was employed by the Navy as a supervisor in “packing and shipping.” He first worked at Brookley Field (Naval Air Station/Air Force Base) in Mobile and helped them close it with great efficiency. He was then sent to Pensacola where he continued to serve as a warehouse supervisor.

On September 25, 1982, he reached the milestone of having worked in civilian service with the United States Navy for thirty years and was retired with commendations on December 31, 1982.

Dr. Craig received his call to preach while a member at Pine Grove CME Church in Daphne, Alabama, and started preaching at Jones Chapel in Dixon Mills, Alabama, in 1970. At the time, they had an old structure that was structurally supported by a sweet Continued on next page March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Submissions Continued from previous page gum tree. After serving for six months, he told his mother, Irene Holsey, and her sister, Lorene, that he wanted to rebuild the church. His mother gave him the first $500.00 for the project; her sister gave the second $500.00. Before long he had enough money to build the church.

He says he has been honest with God and his church all his life. Cassandra Craig remembers that when Rev. Craig was assigned to the New Purchase Church in Beatrice, Alabama, the church was in foreclosure, and the members were at a loss as to what to do.

Rev. Craig laid down the first $400.00 and asked other members to join in. He also led them in having fundraisers, such as dinners and teas, and paid off the mortgage in less than a year. He continued to lead them in renovations and improvements to the church building.

As a member of the Southeast Alabama Region, he served on the joint board of finance, on the trustee board of the Region, and, under the late Bishop Richard O. Bass, as a presiding elder.

He credits his wife, Cassandra Craig, with helping him to successfully manage his ministry and other projects. When he needed money for various church projects, she helped him by cooking and selling meals as fundraisers. It was in this way that he remodeled the New Purchase CME Church and parsonage.

However, he never stayed in the parsonage because he built his own home not far from the church. His wife, Cassandra, continues as his faithful, constant companion and manager.

Dr. Craig officially retired from the preaching ministry of the CME Church at the mandatory age of 74, but he has continued to serve in various other capacities, including serving as pastor of several Baptist churches, leading some of them in remodeling and renovation projects. He retired from the Pine Flat Baptist Church in Hybart, Alabama, about five years ago (2019).

Everywhere he has gone, he has tried to make a positive difference. He says he stopped pastoring because he could not remember people the way he once did.

Neolin Craig got his start in the radio business in 1948-49. At the time, he was helping the current owner of the station, A.G. Gaston, who also owned the funeral home at which he was working as an embalmer, also laying the bodies out in the slumber room. Gaston operated the station for his business, and when Gaston got ready to sell, he bought it.

When asked why he wanted the radio station, Dr. Craig answered that he did not want the radio station.

“They were losing it. I didn’t want to lose that station in a county of [primarily] all blacks. Blacks didn’t own nothing over there [Wilcox County].” Assessing himself that he was not broke, he made a deal with the receiver that when he foreclosed, the radio station would be turned over to him. So as not to cause a burden to his wife and family, he talks of getting rid of the station now that he is in his later years, but his wife and granddaughter, Nikesha, are determined to keep it going.

Some of the people who were shareholders in the station when he acquired it are still shareholders, but Craig owns the controlling interest. According to him, the responsibilities of filing the paperwork, paying FCC fees, and building and equipment upkeep are his to perform.

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The Christian Index • March 2024

Submissions Currently, his wife and granddaughter run the station, but he still oversees it. Cassandra keeps the records and makes sure all the filings are completed. The station does not have an internet stream and does not always have the presence of a live disc jockey. However, they do use an automated computer broadcast in the absence of a DJ, and Nikesha sometimes goes live over social media.

It is their desire to get more CMEs to provide ministry to the community through the medium of this radio station. Currently, the only CME taking advantage of this opportunity is his son, Donnie Craig. The current reach of the station is about a 100-mile radius. They are currently looking to buy a new antenna in order to reach a greater audience. In addition, they plan to purchase a new mixing board, microphones, and other equipment.

The station provides a desirable service to the community, especially to senior citizens.

His office is in Camden, where the radio station is located, but Craig states he is too old to run the station and disc jockey now. “When you get to be 85, 90, 95, all that stuff, you ain’t got no business trying to find something to do.” He does go in occasionally to “say hello” to his loyal listeners. He added that even as a pastor, when he knew his time was up, he said he was not going back asking for an appointment. When the bishop offered him a church in Birmingham, Alabama, he chose to decline.

Sharing aged wisdom to preachers coming up behind him, he says, “I tell you, God gives you what you need.

Don’t fool yourself. When you come into something or invested with something, it’s because God put you there.

And what you got to do now, you got to prove yourself worthy of that job that they trusted you with. That’s the reason I didn’t mind telling them I didn’t mind going to Pensacola if I had to. ‘Cause you’re there to do a job.” “[The bishops’] job is not your job. When the bishop assigns you somewhere, he gives you your job. You got your job description. And I tell them, when you go to a church, whatever comes up that needs to be done, that’s your job description. And if you want to stay there, you need to do it.” Craig says that while serving in the cabinet with Bishop Bass, he would sometimes report that a preacher was not doing their job and would recommend a move. Bishop Bass would respond, ‘Don’t worry about it, Craig. They’ll do it next time.’”

When it comes to preaching, he believes that the modern preacher often falls short because they have nothing to tell the people when they come to church. “If you sit down and study for an hour, you ought to be able to come up on that Sunday and give it to them. I tell young folks, if you’re going to pastor, prepare for it.”

One of his sayings is that if God is blessing you, you ought to bless somebody else. “To keep friends, you got to be friendly. And people [are] not dogs. You have to treat them like they’re people. Right now, I can set a list up.

And I bet you in thirty days, whatever I set up on that list, I’ll get it. That’s what happens when you’re working with the people.” You have to show people that you care about them.

Continued on next page March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Submissions Continued from previous page Dr. Craig currently owns properties from which he receives some income to support him in his retirement. It is his desire to help the black community in as many ways as possible, and he knows that God will bless him.

But he also knows that he must be a responsible steward of the resources God gives him, in the community and especially in the church. Further, he knows the value of building and keeping good people relations, and of hiring people of integrity to serve in positions of responsibility.

Saying he has paid his dues to the church, he now chooses to spend his time sitting in his chair, a comfortable recliner, and watching TV. He used to love to go hunting and had four dogs. He has a brand-new Winchester but has not felt up to the task. Though he continues to go on hunting outings, he leaves the hunting to his son, Donnie. He also spends time with his horse, Hattie; sitting on the porch watching the foxes and the deer; and playing checkers.

He recently experienced a fall but is still going strong, though he has lost some weight. He now walks with the aid of a cane, and when necessary, a walker. Neolin and Cassandra have been married 27 years, though their friendship and working relationship is much longer. She is a supportive wife to him and a supportive member of New Purchase CME Church. Granddaughter Nikesha is also a member of New Purchase.

Neolin Craig attends worship services there as much as he is able.

Hattie

"1 Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel. The Lord has filed a lawsuit against you listing the following charges: "There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. 2 You swear and lie and kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere, with one murder after another.

3 "That is why your land is not producing; it is filled with sadness, and all living things grow sick and die; the animals, the birds, and even the fish begin to disappear. 4 "Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame to him! Look, priest, I am pointing my finger at you."

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The Christian Index • March 2024

--Hosea 4:1-4, TLB

Children/Youth

Wordsearch Puzzle for March (Easter)

ANGEL ARIMATHEA ASH BEHOLD BETRAYAL CALVARY COMMEND CROSS DAY DENIAL EMPTY FATHER FINISHED FORGIVE

FORGIVENESS FORSAKEN GARDEN GETHSEMANE GOD GOLGOTHA HANDS ISCARIOT JESUS KINGS LENT LOVE MAGDALENE MARY

MESSIAH MOTHER PARADISE PETER PIECES PIERCED PILATE PRAYER REFLECTION REPENTANCE RESURRECTION ROBE ROMANS SACRIFICE

SALVATION SHALT SILVER SIMON SOLDIERS SON STONE THIEVES THORNS THOU THY WEDNESDAY

March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Children/Youth Answers to Puzzle

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

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The Christian Index • March 2024

Ecumenical From: https://www.thechristianrecorder.com/biden-the-black-church-and-mother-emanuel/ Accessed 1-22-2024.

Biden, the Black Church and Mother Emanuel Written by Dr. John Thomas, Editor, The Christian Recorder

One could be forgiven for wondering exactly what happened at Mother Emanuel on Monday when US President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. visited in his first campaign swing of the 2024 Presidential cycle. As an affiliate member of Mother Emanuel, a journalist, and a collegiate Political Science professor, I confess that I needed a few days to sit with the variety of emotions and perspectives that I felt after Monday’s program.

We know that the Black Church as an institution is more to the African American community than a religious place. It is a vital institutional pillar that has undergirded our existence. From providing physical places to gather and shelter to opportunities for leadership and training to incubators for economic development, the Black Church is a singular institution whose influence sets African Americans apart from different parts of the Diaspora in the Western Hemisphere.

We AMEs take pride in navigating the world of United States politics, including Presidents in our midst. William McKinley visited Quinn Chapel AME Church in Chicago in one of his last speeches before his assassination in 1901. John F. Kennedy invited the entire Council of Bishops to the White House to recognize Daniel Payne’s role in signing the Emancipation Proclamation. And, of course, Presidential candidates routinely attend our General Conferences.

So, when people question the appropriateness of the sitting United States President to show up to an AME Church, our history shows that he is just the latest in a long line of persons who have come to our doors.

Furthermore, President Biden has a special relationship with the AME Church. He was a frequent visitor at Bethel AME Church in Wilmington, Delaware, when he represented that state in the United States Senate. He also personally visited the families of the Mother Emanuel victims and the survivors of the 2015 massacre days after the tragedy in a show of solidarity—even though his own son, Beau, had died of cancer days before. As Congressman James Clyburn (and AME Church member) said in his introduction of the President, “We know Joe.” With this context, the visit of President Biden to an AME Church makes sense.

But we know contexts change. The Black Church is not what it once was, and American Democracy is not what it once was. When the protestors stood up in Mother Emanuel during the President’s speech, I immediately

noticed they were the youngest people in the sanctuary.

Given that they couldn’t bring in signs, I appreciated their boldness and that, when asked to leave, they respectfully did so and honored the fact that it was a house of worship and sacred ground. We know that there is a generational and ethnic divide in American opinion on the conflict in Gaza, and many of the people were more concerned that they were “disrespecting the President” than their actual viewpoint about genocide. The largely 60-plus crowd in the room was a friendly audience to the President. And we know that the Black Church as an institution is losing inroads among younger generations. Faith will always be important to African Americans—but how that faith is practiced and what institutions shape it is evolving and changing. Likewise, African American voting patterns are shifting, and the arguments and appeals to Black voters must shift.

Bishop Samuel Green, Presiding Prelate of the 7th Episcopal District, reminded those assembled in his remarks that while Ella Baker, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and other luminaries of the African American freedom struggle might have had issues with American democracy if there was a choice between President Biden or former President Trump, we know they adamantly would have backed the incumbent. This stark reminder of the situation of American democracy, where White nationalist demagogues and insurrectionists have seemingly hijacked one party, speaks to the peril that the country is in. Yet, for a generation that has seen the ladder to opportunity kicked down, George Floyd’s life crushed out of him, and the US Capitol bathed in tear gas, the entire electoral process and its benefits are questionable.

As I walked out of Mother Emanuel and back to my office, I saw the snappy punditry beginning to digest the President’s visit. Some things, however, take time to sit and think through. We do ourselves a disservice with snap judgments for a microwave news cycle. Members of the AME Church must think about what it means for the President of the United States to visit our church and what it means for Israel to flout humanitarian norms in the Gaza Strip. We must ask ourselves how best to use our resources to serve the communities we minister to in this troubling time for American Democracy.

There are no easy answers, but we know that our faith in Christ will guide us, and we must be obedient enough to follow and act upon it.

March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Ecumenical

The Reverend Dr. Jerry Lee Christian, Jr. Speaks on Grants Panel at Foundation's Annual Meeting Reverend Dr. Jerry Lee Christian, Jr., senior pastor at Russell Memorial CME Church in Durham, N.C., addressed The Foundation for Evangelism's board of trustees on November 10 as a panelist of Equipping the Local Church Grant 2023 recipients from diverse contexts and denominations. This panel was comprised of three grant recipients from different settings and denominations including United Methodist, Church of the Nazarene, and Christian Methodist Episcopal. It provided an opportunity for Dr. Christian and the two other grant recipients to share their experiences, Dr. Jerry Lee Christian, Jr. (center) in group photo. challenges, and successes resulting from the Foundation's grant funding.

Dr. Christian shared how the grant has helped his urban church continue to be a pillar and beacon of hope in the community. The funding has helped the church reach out to their community with food and housing assistance, but through the process, they realized many of those they served struggled with mental health. The grant helped them to connect one-on-one with at-risk and vulnerable individuals in their community such as the unhoused, formerly incarcerated, and veterans.

"We’ve witnessed, through getting to know people personally and through small groups, people changing their lives and reaching back to others so that no one is left behind. Many of the people in the African American community trust the church.... The grant has allowed God to open doors and show us untapped resources and people – now we’ve seen new people sharing their talents." Rev. Christian shared.

"We are honored to have Rev. Dr. Christian share the story of his church's experience at our annual meeting," said Dr. Heather Lear, Vice President for Grant Administration for The Foundation for Evangelism. "He candidly shared the challenges, joys, and transformational outcomes that demonstrate the power of our grant program in equipping local churches to create a culture of evangelism."

The Foundation for Evangelism's Equipping the Local Church Grant program aims to provide financial assistance to churches with innovative projects and ideas that align with their mission of nurturing disciples and sharing the message of Jesus Christ. Since its inception, the grant program has supported numerous churches across various settings, denominations, and geographic locations, fostering positive change and enabling them to reach their communities with renewed purpose.

About The Foundation for Evangelism: The Foundation for Evangelism is a globally recognized Wesleyan- tradition grant-making organization chartered in 1949 to “diffuse the blessing of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Today, we carry out that vision by providing grants as the catalyst to equip disciples to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our approach empowers teams of pastors and laity working together to spark a movement inviting all people to join the Christian journey. Our grant-making is focused in three specific areas: Raising Up Gospel Leaders Engaging the Ministry of the Laity Equipping the Local Church To learn more about the Equipping the Local Church Grants, or others visit https://foundationforevangelism.org/grants/.

The Foundation for Evangelism | P.O. Box 985, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 Accompanying Photo: https://foundationforevangelism.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ELCGrantPanel-AM2023-e1700688222989.jpg 34

The Christian Index • March 2024

Ecumenical

Bradley Family Supports Atlanta-Rome District Submitted by Dr. Jerry Woodfork Presiding Elder, Atlanta-Rome District

On June 3, 2023, London Byron Bradley, an Executive with Allstate Insurance of Canada, supported a recognition project for one hundred and thirty-five "80 and Older Club" members from seventeen churches in the Atlanta Rome District. The project was sponsored by Reverend Jerry D. Woodfork, Sr., Presiding Elder of the Atlanta Rome District, and pastor of Holsey Temple CME Church.

The program was held at the College Park CME Church, located at 2750 Creel Road, College Park, Georgia.

Reverend Albert Lee III, Mrs. Lee, and his congregation hosted this special program. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr. and Dr. Louise Baker Brown were not able to attend the program; however, they supported the program monetarily and spiritually.

Brother William McFarland and sister, Olivia Woodfork Bradley, designed and presented a T-shirt to each member in the 80 and over club from seventeen churches in the Atlanta Rome District.

London Byron Bradley made a sizeable monetary contribution to this project. He is passionate and excited to support CME Churches accept and serve Christ.

Sister Karen Searcy, Sister Rita Drake, and Sister Evelyn Brown also assisted with making this project a great success.

London Byron is married to Veronica Cantu Bradley; they live in Toronto, Canada. London Byron is the proud father of two sons: Nicholas Terrell, who recently received a Master’s Degree in Accounting from Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas; and London Tyler, who lives in South Barrington, Illinois, and works for a ”CARVANA” CAR company.

For the past three years Olivia has researched and presented educational moments via Zoom at Holsey Chapel CME Church and Holsey Temple CME Church.

THE BRADLEY FAMILY Top row (l-r): London Byron, Veronica, and Olivia Bottom row (l-r): Nick Terrell and London Tyler March 2024 • The Christian Index

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Ecumenical

MARCH U.S. Land Dispossession

1865

40,000 freed Africans were settled on some 400,000 acres of land in GA and SC. Later that summer, President Andrew Johnson reverses the policy and orders the land be returned to the confederate planter oligarchy.

Lament and Hope in Angola

A History of 1865 Migration, Immigration and Enslavement

Congress established the Freedmen’s Bureau providing for the redistribution of abandoned or confiscated lands to freedmen (up to 40 acres). The Freedmen’s Bureau never controlled more than two tenths of 1% of the land in the South and President Johnson’s amnesty proclamation

forced restoration of much of that land. Congress shut the Bureau in 1872.

Top: Recently liberated slaves, who had belonged to Thomas F. Drayton, on the Magnolia Plantation in South Carolina. Photo by Henry P. Moore / Library of Congress Bottom: Land Order for Richard Brown, April 1, 1865: “permission is hereby granted to Richard Brown to take possession of and occupy forty acres of land,” situated in St. Andrews Parish, Island of James, South Carolina, Berkley District. Source: National Archives

Rescinding the 40-acre promise to those who were recently enslaved and fought for their country prevented them from becoming fully independent from their former owners. They were legally free, but they were prevented from becoming financially free. If the 4 million people forced into sharecropping had owned their land, they could have started earning income and eventually would have been able to put aside assets for the future. But sharecropping’s continual debt cycle made it nearly impossible to get enough to eat, let alone earn money. Sharecropping continued for three generations. These families were often hungry and/or poorly nourished, far more likely to live in poverty than white people, and far less able to accumulate wealth.

Source: Bread for the World’s Racial Wealth Gap Policy Packet (http://files.bread.org/institute/simulation/Racial-Wealth-Gap-Policy-Packet.pdf)

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LAMENT and HOPE: A Pan-African Devotional Guide

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Ecumenical

LAMENT AND HOPE

President Andrew Johnson’s Land Policies Weekly Scripture Lessons: First Sunday: “The Promise of Land and Community” (Genesis 15:1-15) Second Sunday: “Wise Women and Stewardship of God’s Creation” (Proverbs 14:1) Third Sunday: “Land, Liberty and Hope for God’s People” (Luke 4:18-19) Fourth Sunday: “Advocating for Land Justice and Women’s Empowerment” (Hebrews 11:8-16) Fifth Sunday: “Advocating for Equitable Policies and Dignified Work” (Psalm 27:1-14) and (Proverbs 30:5) Biblical Reflection: The importance of land is a recurrent theme throughout the Bible. The relationship between the descendants of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar and the land became central to the covenant God forms with Abram and the Israelite people. God first promises the land of Canaan to Abram’s descendants in Genesis 12:1-17 and later it was codified through the covenant in Genesis 15 and 17.

Later, a shift occurred from the nomadic traditional life of Abraham and Sarah to the creation of a stationary homeland.

It took generations for Abraham’s descendants to inherit the land they were promised. The journey was long and violent— including the experience of slavery in Egypt. Yet even when the promise of land was fulfilled, the Bible tells us that the descendants of Abraham would be separated from the land and forced to live in diaspora.

There are parallels in the African-American experience. Like the Ancient Israelites, African Americans were promised 40-acres of land, but this was rescinded under President Andrew Johnson’s land policies despite the contributions of African Americans in the Civil War. This intensified the status of living in diaspora without the ownership of land since the forced transport of enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. Since that time, African Americans have longed for a place to call home and have had to make home wherever they have been. Enslaved foremothers had a primary role of doing this in the fields and at kitchen tables. In the face of family separation policies that attempted to remove black men from community life, women weaved together a collective understanding of home from the fields to church fellowship halls to community centers ensuring a sense of belonging. Now we must imagine a sense of home that is no longer bound by unjust public policies and take action to make that vision a reality.

Prayer: God, open the eyes of our hearts to hear the cries of those who long for a place to call home. Grant us the courage to move beyond our discomfort and accompany those who are suffering by challenging the systems and policies that would keep them in bondage. In so doing, allow us to become ambassadors of your love. Amen.

Reflection Questions: Week 1: What vision of community and home do you long for?

Week 2: As we celebrate Women’s History Month, what unique role do women play in God’s vision of creating beloved community?

Week 3: Jesus proclaims his purpose in Luke 4. How might that purpose inspire hope for those who are without land and home?

Week 4: How can we faithfully advocate for just policies with a gender lens of empowerment?

Week 5: What should be included in policies that advocate dignified work and goodness for men and women?

Rev. Jennifer Bailey is the executive director of Faith Matters Network and an African Methodist Episcopal Minister.

Bibliography Bailey, Rev. Jennifer. "President Andrew Johnson’s Land Policies." Lament and Hope: A Pan-African Devotional Commemorating the 2019 Quad-Centennial of the Forced Transatlantic Voyage of EnslavedMARCH African Bread for Guide the World Peoples to Jamestown, Virginia (USA) (2019): 6-7. Used by permission.

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Obituaries

Joining the Great Cloud

Florida Jean Souder Merriex

Parthenia Freeman

Florida Jean Souder Merriex, 77, transitioned from this life on January 21, 2024, in Albany, Georgia. She was born October 9, 1946, in Key West, Florida, to the late Reverend W. L. and Grace L. Souder, the sixth of eight children.

Florida grew up in Gainesville, Florida, where the family had moved when she was four years old.

She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1964 and Albany State College (now Albany State University) in Albany, Georgia, in 1968. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. After graduation, she returned to live in Gainesville and worked at the University of Florida Shands Hospital. She earned a master's degree from the University of Florida and returned to Albany State as an instructor in the School of Nursing for several years. In Albany, she also worked at Phoebe Putney Hospital and Slater King Adult Day Care Rehabilitation Center. She was the consummate nurse until her retirement.

Florida joined Hines Memorial CME Church after she returned to Albany and remained a devoted and active member for the duration of her life. She was a faithful Sunday School teacher and choir member.

She had an unwavering and sincere love for her church family.

Florida Jean, as she was called by those closest to her, was treasured by her family. She is survived by her loving and devoted goddaughter, Tangela Tumblin; three sisters, Wessie Morris, Perlyn Staggers, and Marva Souder; one brother, Raymond Souder; two sisters-in-law, Deborah Souder and Hazel Souder; one brother-in-­law, Nelson Morris; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was married to Leroy Prince Merriex until his death.

Florida was also blessed by a loyal and caring community of friends, neighbors, and church family who loved and aided her during her life. Special thanks to Mother Orisa Jefferson, Lucy K. Mims, Marva Swint, and a multitude of others whose names we may not know.

Ms. Parthenia Freeman, MIC (BS 69), passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2024.

A wake for her was held January 19, 2024, from 2 to 5 P.M. at Rogers Funeral Home in Coldwater, Mississippi.

A viewing/layout was held January 20, 2024, from 11 A.M. to 12 noon, followed by her funeral service at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church, 1612 Wall Hill Road in Byhalia, MS. She was a retired teacher, having taught more than 35 years in Quitman and Panola Counties.

She was a member of the Roberts Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church in Byhalia (Marshall County), MS, and a staunch member of the CME Church's Women's Missionary Society on the local, district, and regional levels. She was also staunch supporter of the Mississippi Industrial College Alumni Association, Inc. She is survived by her son, Kendrick Freeman of Atlanta, Georgia.

Okima Havis

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Register at: https://boldmoneymatters.mykajabi.com/offers/eq6NWcoP/checkout 42

The Christian Index • March 2024

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

OR 6thdistrict@thecmechurch.org Bishop Kenneth Wayne Carter - 4th Episcopal District - 5417 Robinson Road Extension, Jackson MS 39204; 769-251-0531 (office); 769-251-0758 (fax); 817-938-3747; KWCarter8@gmail.com Bishop James B. Walker - 7th Episcopal District, P.O. Box 1481, Hartford CT 06144; 301-270-7136; 301-270-7139 (fax) Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr. - 3rd Episcopal District, Post Office Box 211237, Normandy MO 63121; 314-381-3111 (office); 314-381-2060 (fax); sw58cme@aol.com Bishop Teresa E. Snorton - Ecumenical Representative and Development Officer, P.O. Box 5069, Sun City Center FL 33571; 404-307-2911; BishopSnorton@thecmechurch.org Bishop Marvin Frank Thomas - 1st Episcopal District, Suite 222, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis TN 38116; 901-345-4114 (office) and 901-345-4115 (fax) Bishop C. Kelby Heath - 5th Episcopal District CME Church, P.O. Box 13383, Birmingham AL 35202-3383; 205-202-6504; cmec35203@yahoo.com; Web site: www.cmefifthdistrict.org;

office located at 2615 12th Avenue N, Birmingham Al. 35234 (do not send mail to the office address) Bishop Denise Anders-Modest - 2nd Episcopal District, P.O. Box 36455, Cincinnati OH 45236; 318-348-8982; bishopandersmodest@thecmechurch.org; 2ndEpiscopaldistrictcme.org Bishop Charley Hames, Jr. - 9th Episcopal District, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 300, Los Angeles CA 90067; 323-294-3830; bishophames@thecmechurch.org Bishop Ricky D. Helton - 10th Episcopal District, 1703 Tamarack Street NW, Washington DC 20012; 202-726-5103; heltonfam1@aol.com Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei - 11th Episcopal District, P. O. Box AN 7639, Accra, Ghana, West Africa; 011-233-244-630267; rev.adjei@hotmail.com.

Bishop C. James King, Retired - 311 Magnolia Dr., Thomson GA 30824; 502-494-5366; kingcmep1@aol.com OR constance3088@gmail.com Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Retired - 3576 Golf Walk Circle E, Memphis TN 38125; 310-902-8193; hwillia531@aol.com Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Retired - 8145 Summerwood Circle, Olive Branch MS 38654-7060; phone: 662-890-0021; bishoppstewart@aol.com Bishop Othal H. Lakey, Retired - 4441 Magnolia Path Pl., Buford GA 30518; 678-482-7066 Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Retired - 683 Beacontree Court, Concord NC 28027; 704-786-3226; mgilmore1@windstream.net THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Dr. Pene' G. Woods - Executive Secretary, 517 Forest Hill Irene Rd. South, Cordova TN 38018-4829; Email: cao@thecmechurch.org; 901-489-9253 THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL Atty. Bernard Snell, President - P.O. Box 27333, Macon GA 31221 or 5801 Zebulon Rd., Unit #446, Macon GA 31220; 478-731-1897; bernard.snell@usdoj.gov Rev. Dr. Russell Fuller, Sr., Vice President - 647 Shadyway, Dallas TX 75232; 214-793-1945; fwdistrict@yahoo.com.

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

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

THE GENERAL OFFICERS Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield - General Secretary, Department of Christian Education & Formation - Suite 300, 4466 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis TN 38116-7100; 901-345 4109 (office); 901-261-3289 (fax); basiz1@aol.com; also 1119 Linksview Lane West, Cordova TN 38018 Dr. Roderick D. Lewis, Sr. - General Secretary, Department of Publications, 4237 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis TN 38116; 901-396-5400; cmepublishing@bellsouth.net; rdlsr@aol.com Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. - Editor, The Christian Index, 1700 Whisperwood Street, Albany GA 31721; 901-515-6510; ChristianIndex@thecmechurch.org Dr. Victor Taylor - General Secretary & CFO, Dept. of Finance and Investments, 1101 Davis St. - Suite 5224, Evanston IL 60204; 847-274-0182 (main); 312-648-5232 (work); 240-359-6272 (fax);

finance@thecmechurch.org; https://www.hightail.com/u/cmefinance (securely upload confidential documents here) Rev. Dr. Leon C. Moore, Jr. - General Secretary of Evangelism and Missions, 2893 Hwy 178 West, Holly Springs MS 38635; 678-362-7549; cmegdem@gmail.com Dr. Jacqueline I. Scott - President, Women's Missionary Council, 7255 Richmond Road, Memphis, TN 38125; 901-737-7675; scottjacqueline210@yahoo.com Rev. Reginald G. Barnes - Gen. Sect. General Bd. of Personnel Services, P.O. Box 74 - Memphis TN 38101-0074; 901-345-4100; FAX 901-345-4107 Mr. Anthony J. Smoaks, Sr. - Gen. Sect., Ministry to Men, PO Box 3, Egg Harbor NJ 08215; 201-892-3942; CMEM2M@gmail.com.

Mr. Shannon L. Faulk - Gen. Sect. Dept. of Lay Ministries, 400 Corporate Pointe, Ste. 300, Culver City CA 90230; 310-902-6836 (cell); 310-590-4522 (office); slfaulk3@aol.com Dr. Theresa Duhart - Gen. Sect. and CIO, Dept. of Communications & Information Technology; 1907 Willow Lane West, University Place WA 98466, cio@thecmechurch.org; 253-376-6361 Dr. William George - General Secretary, Emeritus, Dept. of Publications, 535 Harwood Cove, Memphis TN 38120; 901-683-7883; email;weg38@aol.com.

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

Dr. Tyrone T. Davis - General Secretary, Emeritus, General Board of Personnel Services, Retired; 809 Sapphire Ave., Memphis TN 38109-6421; 901-218-0091; Tyrone.T.Davis@comcast.net Dr. Leo Pinkett - General Secretary, Ministry to Men, Retired - 2850 Shoreland Dr., S.W., Atlanta GA 30331; 404-349-1722; email: lpinkettace@yahoo.com Dr. Clifford Harris - Gen. Sect. of Lay Ministry, Retired - 15485 Prairie Bell Rd., Okmulgee OK 74447-8690; 918-519-4233 (c);918-304-1999 (h); MrCliffHarris@yahoo.com OTHER CONNECTIONAL OFFICERS Rev. James Smith - Coordinator, Chaplain Services; 493 Robin Song Ct., Blythewood SC 29016; 803-800-9788; SmithJEJR@aol.com Mrs. Claudette Nichols Branch - President, CME Historical Society; 1511 Brownwood Avenue, Memphis TN 38116-4403 Rev. Cassandry Keys - President of the Ministers' and Laymen's Council - P.O. Box 170703, Spartanburg SC 29301; 251-689-7969; email: cassandry@att.net Mrs. Felicia G. Johnson - President, Connectional Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department - 832-284-1847 (c); fefejohnson@outlook.com Ms. Barbara Christian Campbell - President, Connectional Lay Council - 4819 Eagles Ridge Loop, Lithonia GA 30038; or 2012 Memorial Drive SE, Atlanta GA 30317; loviebarbara1@gmail.com; 404-587-8311 or 678-641-9745 Ms. Tiffanie Thompson - President, Connectional Young Adult Ministry; 2501 20th Place Ensley, Birmingham AL 35208; 205-746-6764; cyampresident@gmail.com Rev. Dr. Jetson Ronzell Maness - President, Presiding Elders’ Council - 2 Rebecca's Ct., North Augusta SC 29860; 706-495-0298 (c); jetson_maness@yahoo.com Ms. Jolinda Dugger - President, Connectional Stewardesses, 110 Montclair Dr., Jackson TN 38301; 731-736-0961 (h); 731-394-7504 (cell); email: Jmdugger810@aol.com Rev. Lisa Lewis Balboa - Coordinator, Commission on the Concerns of Women in the Ministry; 47 Angela Drive, Trenton KY 42286; 270-305-6204 (cell); Lbalboa67@yahoo.com Mr. Freddie McKnight - President, Connectional Stewards, 24 Canton Street; West Haven CT 06516; 203-933-7230 (h); 203-500-6377 (cell) Attorney Barbara Bouknight - President, Connectional Trustees Ms. Dorruth Boyd - President of Connectional Ushers, 5135 Menefee Drive, Dallas TX 75227; 214-533-7553; email: dorruthboyd@att.net Rev. Jermaine Marshall, PhD - General Conference Secretary; 2239 Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Blvd., New York NY 10027; 904-422-1627; jermmar25@gmail.com Rev. Dr. Valencia Edner - Coordinator, Connectional Music and Arts Ministry - 17206 Atascocita Bend Dr., Humble TX 77396; 936-465-7284;Pastorvee522@yahoo.com CME GENERAL COUNSEL Attorney Ouida Brown - General Counsel - P.O. Box 587, Tuscombia AL 35674; 256-383-9620; fax: 256-383-9933 HEADS OF CONNECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS 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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