The Christian Index - November 2023

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

THE CHRISTIAN INDEX

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

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

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

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

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The Christian Index • November 2023

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

Volume 156, Number 11

November 2023

Connectional Interests Episcopacy

The Courage to Make Bold Moves 4 Department of Finance/Investments 10 Department of Publications 14 Dept. of Evangelism/Missions 16 Dept. of Christian Education/Formation 17 Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers 18 CME-Affiliated Schools

Texas College Continues with JAMP 19

Hampton on Constitution Day 21

Paine Partners with Coc Bowman 22 2023 CME Calendar of Events 23 Submissions A Golden Anniversary for Muldrows 24 Supervisor Daniel Earns Doctorate 25 Central Celebrates National Seniors Day 26 2023-2024 Liturgical Calendar 28 Slater Speaks at Founders' Day 30 MS/South Ushers Celebrate Rededication 31 New Vibrant Ministries at Lynch Street 33 Children/Youth 35 Obituaries - Joining the Great Cloud 37 Connectional Directory 43

Cover: https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/ view-image.php?image=270672&picture=thanksgivi ng-greetings-autumn.

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

Submitted to the Publisher: October 15, 2023

Editorial

Peace in Time of War This past weekend, on Saturday, October 7, 2023, during the occasion of the Jewish festival celebrating the end of one year of reading through the Torah and the beginning of the next year of the same, the US-labelled terrorist group Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel. According to multiple internet sources, the two-day holiday (holy day) known as Shemini Atzeret, properly begins on the evening of October 6 and ends the evening of October 8. However, in the Jewish diaspora (including the US), this name applies only to the first day; the second day is called Simchat Torah. The festival follows the seven-day celebration of Sukkot, more commonly known by Protestant Christians as the Feast of Tabernacles (Tents) and is supposed to be a time of great rejoicing.

Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Editor The causes of the ongoing conflict and animosity between the two groups are lost on most people. Nevertheless, the whole world seems to be shocked at the suddenness and success of the surprise attack leading to the deaths, initially, of hundreds and now, as of October 12, upwards of a thousand, including civilian men, women, and children, and injuries to many more. The US government has rushed to condemn Hamas and the attack and has equally as quickly rushed to the defense and aid of its ally Israel. However, much remains unknown about the provocations by Israel to precipitate such a brazen breach of their southwestern border.

Israel, also, has garnered criticism because its military response appears to be grossly inappropriate to the offense, having resulted already (October 12) in the deaths of more than a thousand Palestinians, including hundreds of young children, over 6,000 injured, and the displacement of more than 300,000 civilians. A humanitarian crisis is already in process and is expected to grow to more than a million people.

Regardless of what side you take or what position you hold, this is the kind of thing that happens when people are more concerned about possessions, territory, and self-advancement than about the welfare of their neighbor and the mutual advancement of their fellow human beings. This is what happens when one person or community devalues another person or community. The Bible says this kind of thinking and greed is a result of the war within individuals and is what leads to wars and conflict externally. (James 4:1-3) This internal war is a matter of human nature; it is a part of the human condition. We wrestle. We are in a wretched circumstance, we are wretched human beings, and when we yield to temptations, this wretchedness is revealed to the dismay of God, the detriment of others, and the sorrow of our souls. We create obstacles to our faith, to the blessings of God, and to our Christian witness. The US is far from being what some like to call a Christian nation since in many ways we have left off both love and justice, yet persons in our and other nations around the world have taken a so-called moral or Biblical stance, unilaterally chosen a "side" in what has become a declared war, and have judged the other side guilty.

Hamas does many terrible things, but neither is Israel innocent. There is enough wrongdoing to go around. Just because Israel is stated to be the Biblical chosen people of God does not give them carte blanche. Political bodies act in order to maintain a political state, but the church and individual believers must remember we have a citizenship that is not of this world. We as Christian individuals and communions must resist the temptation to follow blind or misguided leadership. Ours is not a way of war, but of peace and reconciliation. We are engaged in a spiritual warfare, whose weapons are not carnal or earthly but spiritual. Even those of us who serve on the battlefield as armed soldiers should not feel good about and glory in the deaths of those who have been named as enemies. We are called to be witnesses of the peace and grace of God to all peoples, serving as agents of God's love and blessings. How can you promote peace?

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.

November 2023 • The Christian Index

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The Christian Index • November 2023

Green

January 6, 2024

Purple

Purple

Purple

Purple

Black

Black

White

White

White

March 25, 2024

March 27, 2024

March 28, 2024

March 29, 2024

March 30, 2024

March 31, 2024

March 31, 2024

April 7, 2024

Purple

March 24, 2024

March 26, 2024

Purple

Purple

March 17, 2024

March 24, 2024

White

Purple

March 10, 2024

Purple

February 25, 2024

March 3, 2024

Purple

Purple

February 18, 2024

February 11, 2024

February 14, 2024

White

White

February 4, 2024

Green

White

January 28, 2024

February 2, 2024

Green

White

January 1, 2024

January 21, 2024

Baptism of the Lord

White

December 31, 2023

White

White

December 25, 2023

Green

Purple

December 24, 2023

January 7, 2024

Purple

December 24, 2023

January 14, 2024

Epiphany of the Lord

Purple

December 24, 2023

Third Sunday of Advent

Psalm Reading

Isaiah 25:6‐9 Acts 4:32‐35

Easter Evening

Acts 10:34‐43 or Isaiah 25:6‐9

Job 14:1‐14 or Lamentations 3:1‐9, 19‐24

Isaiah 52:13‐53:12

Exodus 12:1‐4, (5‐10), 11‐14

Isaiah 50:4‐9a

Isaiah 49:1‐7

Isaiah 42:1‐9

Isaiah 50:4‐9a

Jeremiah 31:31‐34

Numbers 21:4‐9

Exodus 20:1‐17

Genesis 17:1‐7, 15‐16

Genesis 9:8‐17

Joel 2:1‐2, 12‐17 or Isaiah 58:1‐12

2 Kings 2:1‐12

Isaiah 40:21‐31

Malachi 3:1‐4

Deuteronomy 18:15‐20

Jonah 3:1‐5, 10

Epistle Reading

Psalm 133

Psalm 114

Psalm 118:1‐2, 14‐24

Psalm 31:1‐4, 15‐16

Psalm 22

Psalm 116:1‐2, 12‐19

Psalm 70

Psalm 71:1‐14

Psalm 36:5‐11

Psalm 31:9‐16

1 John 1:1‐2:2

1 Corinthians 5:6b‐8

1 Corinthians 15:1‐11 or Acts 10:34‐43

1 Peter 4:1‐8

Hebrews 10:16‐25 or Hebrews 4:14‐16; 5:7‐9

1 Corinthians 11:23‐26

Hebrews 12:1‐3

1 Corinthians 1:18‐31

Hebrews 9:11‐15

Philippians 2:5‐11

Hebrews 5:5‐10

Psalm 51:1‐12 or Psalm 119:9‐16 Psalm 118:1‐2, 19‐29

Ephesians 2:1‐10

1 Corinthians 1:18‐25

Romans 4:13‐25

1 Peter 3:18‐22

2 Corinthians 5:20b‐6:10

2 Corinthians 4:3‐6

1 Corinthians 9:16‐23

Hebrews 2:14‐18

1 Corinthians 8:1‐13

1 Corinthians 7:29‐31

1 Corinthians 6:12‐20

Acts 19:1‐7

Ephesians 3:1‐12

Revelation 21:1‐6a

Galatians 4:4‐7

Hebrews 9:1‐14

Hebrews 1:1‐4, (5‐12)

Titus 3:4‐7

Titus 2:11‐14

Romans 16:25‐27

1 Thessalonians 5:16‐24

2 Peter 3:8‐15a

1 Corinthians 1:3‐9

Psalm 107:1‐3, 17‐22

Psalm 19

Psalm 22:23‐31

Psalm 25:1‐10

Psalm 51:1‐17

Psalm 50:1‐6

Psalm 147:1‐11, 20c

Psalm 84 or Psalm 24:7‐10

Psalm 111

Psalm 62:5‐12

Psalm 139:1‐6, 13‐18

Psalm 29

Genesis 1:1‐5 1 Samuel 3:1‐10, (11‐20)

Psalm 72:1‐7, 10‐14

Psalm 8

Psalm 148

Psalm 98

Psalm 97

Psalm 96

Luke 1:46b‐55 or Psalm 89:1‐4, 19‐26

Psalm 126 or Luke 1:46b‐55

Psalm 85:1‐2, 8‐13

Psalm 80:1‐7, 17‐19

Isaiah 60:1‐6

Ecclesiastes 3:1‐13

Isaiah 61:10‐62:3

1 Samuel 1:1‐18

Isaiah 52:7‐10

Isaiah 62:6‐12

Isaiah 9:2‐7

2 Samuel 7:1‐11, 16

Isaiah 61:1‐4, 8‐11

Isaiah 40:1‐11

Isaiah 64:1‐9

Hebrew Reading

Second Sunday of Easter

Resurrection of the Lord

Holy Saturday

Good Friday

Maundy Thursday

Wednesday of Holy Week

Tuesday of Holy Week

Monday of Holy Week

Liturgy of the Passion

Liturgy of the Palms

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Third Sunday in Lent

Second Sunday in Lent

First Sunday in Lent

Ash Wednesday

Transfiguration Sunday

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

Presentation of the Lord

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

Second Sunday after the Epiphany

New Year's Day

First Sunday after Christmas Day

Christmas Day

Nativity of the Lord ‐ Proper III

Nativity of the Lord ‐ Proper II

Nativity of the Lord ‐ Proper I

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Purple

Purple

Second Sunday of Advent

December 17, 2023

Purple

December 10, 2023

Liturgical Date

First Sunday of Advent

December 24, 2023

Color

White

Calendar Date

December 3, 2023

2023 ‐ 2024 Liturgical Calendar An adaptation of The Revised Common Lectionary, Year B Prepared by the Editor of The Christian Index Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr. Gospel Reading

John 20:19‐31

Luke 24:13‐49

John 20:1‐18 or Mark 16:1‐8

Matthew 27:57‐66 or John 19:38‐42

John 18:1‐19:42

John 13:1‐17, 31b‐35

John 13:21‐32

John 12:20‐36

John 12:1‐11

Mark 14:1‐15:47 or Mark 15:1‐39, (40‐47)

Mark 11:1‐11 or John 12:12‐16

John 12:20‐33

John 3:14‐21

John 2:13‐22

Mark 8:31‐38 or Mark 9:2‐9

Mark 1:9‐15

Matthew 6:1‐6, 16‐21

Mark 9:2‐9

Mark 1:29‐39

Luke 2:22‐40

Mark 1:21‐28

Mark 1:14‐20

John 1:43‐51

Mark 1:4‐11

Matthew 2:1‐12

Matthew 25:31‐46

Luke 2:22‐40

Luke 1:46b‐55

John 1:1‐14

Luke 2:(1‐7), 8‐20

Luke 2:1‐14, (15‐20)

Luke 1:26‐38

John 1:6‐8, 19‐28

Mark 1:1‐8

Mark 13:24‐37

November 2023 • The Christian Index

29

Red

Red

June 16, 2024

June 23, 2024

Green

Green

Green

White

Green

Green

Red

White

White

Green

Green

Green

White

September 15, 2024

September 22, 2024

September 29, 2024

October 6, 2024

October 13, 2024

October 20, 2024

October 27, 2024

November 1, 2024

November 3, 2024

November 10, 2024

November 17, 2024

November 24, 2024

November 28, 2024

2 Samuel 18:5‐9, 15, 31‐33 and Psalm 130

Thanksgiving Day, USA

Reign of Christ ‐ Proper 29 (34)

Thirteenth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Twelfth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Eleventh Sunday of Kingdomtide

All Saints Day

Reformation Sunday

Ninth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Eighth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Seventh Sunday of Kingdomtide

Sixth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Fourth Sunday of Kingdomtide

Third Sunday of Kingdomtide

Second Sunday of Kingdomtide

First Sunday of Kingdomtide

Joel 2:21‐27 and Psalm 126

Daniel 12:1‐3 and Psalm 16 Daniel 7:9‐10, 13‐14 and Psalm 93

2 Samuel 23:1‐7 and Psalm 132:1‐12, (13‐18)

1 Kings 17:8‐16 and Psalm 146

Deuteronomy 6:1‐9 and Psalm 119:1‐8

Jeremiah 31:7‐9 and Psalm 126

Isaiah 53:4‐12 and Psalm 91:9‐16

Amos 5:6‐7, 10‐15 and Psalm 90:12‐17

Genesis 2:18‐24 and Psalm 8

1 Samuel 1:4‐20 and 1 Samuel 2:1‐10

Ruth 3:1‐5; 4:13‐17 and Psalm 127

Ruth 1:1‐18 and Psalm 146

Wisdom of Solomon 3:1‐9 or Isaiah 25:6‐9 and Psalm 24

Job 42:1‐6, 10‐17 and Psalm 34:1‐8, (19‐22)

Job 38:1‐7, (34‐41) and Psalm 104:1‐9, 24, 35c

Job 23:1‐9, 16‐17 and Psalm 22:1‐15

Job 1:1, 2:1‐10 and Psalm 26

Esther 7:1‐6, 9‐10; 9:20‐22 and Psalm 124

Proverbs 31:10‐31 and Psalm 1

Isaiah 50:4‐9a and Psalm 116:1‐9

Proverbs 1:20‐33 and Psalm 19 or Wisdom of Solomon 7:26 ‐ 8:1

James 3:1‐12

James 2:1‐10, (11‐13), 14‐17

James 1:17‐27

Ephesians 6:10‐20

Ephesians 5:15‐20

Ephesians 4:25‐5:2

Ephesians 4:1‐16

Ephesians 3:14‐21

Ephesians 2:11‐22

Ephesians 1:3‐14

2 Corinthians 12:2‐10

1 Timothy 2:1‐7

Revelation 1:4b‐8

Hebrews 10:11‐14, (15‐18), 19‐25

Hebrews 9:24‐28

Hebrews 9:11‐14

Revelation 21:1‐6a

Hebrews 7:23‐28

Hebrews 5:1‐10

Hebrews 4:12‐16

Hebrews 1:1‐4, 2:5‐12

Wisdom of Solomon 1:16‐2:1, 12‐22 or James 3:13 ‐ 4:3, 7‐8a Jeremiah 11:18‐20 and Psalm 54 Numbers 11:4‐6, 10‐16, 24‐29 and Psalm 19:7‐ James 5:13‐20 14

Isaiah 35:4‐7a and Psalm 146

Deuteronomy 4:1‐2, 6‐9 and Psalm 15

Joshua 24:1‐2a, 14‐18 and Psalm 34:15‐22

Proverbs 9:1‐6 and Psalm 34:9‐14

1 Kings 19:4‐8 and Psalm 34:1‐8

Exodus 16:2‐4, 9‐15 and Psalm 78:23‐29

2 Kings 4:42‐44 and Psalm 145:10‐18

Jeremiah 23:1‐6 and Psalm 23

Amos 7:7‐15 and Psalm 85:8‐13

Proverbs 22:1‐2, 8‐9, 22‐23 and Psalm 125

Song of Solomon 2:8‐13 and Psalm 45:1‐2, 6‐9

1 Kings 8:(1,6,10‐11), 22‐30, 41‐43 and Psalm 84

1 Kings 2:10‐12; 3:3‐14 and Psalm 111

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

2 Samuel 11:26 ‐ 12:13a and Psalm 51:1‐12

2 Samuel 11:1‐15 and Psalm 14

2 Samuel 7:1‐14a and Psalm 89:20‐37

2 Samuel 6:1‐5, 12b‐19 and Psalm 24

Ezekiel 2:1‐5 and Psalm 123

2 Corinthians 8:7‐15

2 Samuel 5:1‐5, 9‐10 and Psalm 48

2 Samuel 1:1, 17‐27 and Psalm 130

2 Corinthians 6:1‐13

Job 38:1‐11 and Psalm 107:1‐3, 23‐32 Wisdom of Solomon 1:13‐15, 2:23‐24 or Lamentations 3:22‐33 and Psalm 30

Matthew 6:25‐33

John 18:33‐37

Mark 13:1‐8

Mark 12:38‐44

Mark 12:28‐34

John 11:32‐44

Mark 10:46‐52

Mark 10:35‐45

Mark 10:17‐31

Mark 10:2‐16

Mark 9:38‐50

Mark 9:30‐37

Mark 8:27‐38

Mark 7:24‐37

Mark 7:1‐8, 14‐15, 21‐23

John 6:56‐69

John 6:51‐58

John 6:35, 41‐51

John 6:24‐35

John 6:1‐21

Mark 6:30‐34, 53‐56

Mark 6:14‐29

Mark 6:1‐13

Mark 5:21‐43

Mark 4:35‐41

Mark 4:26‐34

2 Corinthians 5:6‐10, (11‐13), 14‐17

Ezekiel 17:22‐24 and Psalm 92:1‐4, 12‐15

Mark 3:20‐35

Mark 2:23‐3:6

John 3:1‐17

John 15:26‐27; 16:4b‐15

John 17:6‐19

Luke 24:44‐53

John 15:9‐17

John 15:1‐8

John 10:11‐18

Luke 24:36b‐48

2 Corinthians 4:13‐5:1

1 Samuel 15:34 ‐ 16:13 and Psalm 20

Genesis 3:8‐15 and Psalm 130

1 Samuel 8:4‐11, (12‐15), 16‐20, (11:14‐15) and Psalm 138

2 Corinthians 4:5‐12

Romans 8:12‐17

Romans 8:22‐27 or Acts 2:1‐21

1 John 5:9‐13

Ephesians 1:15‐23

1 John 5:1‐6

1 John 4:7‐21

1 John 3:16‐24

1 John 3:1‐7

1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4‐11, 19‐23), 32‐49 and Psalm 9:9‐ 20 or 1 Samuel 17:57‐18:5, 18:10‐16 and Psalm 133

Deuteronomy 5:12‐15 and Psalm 81:1‐10

Psalm 104:24‐34, 35b

Psalm 1

Psalm 47 or Psalm 93

Psalm 98

Psalm 22:25‐31

Psalm 23

Psalm 4

1 Samuel 3:1‐10, (11‐20) and Psalm 139:1‐6, 13‐18

Isaiah 6:1‐8 and Psalm 29

Acts 2:1‐21 or Ezekiel 37:1‐14

Acts 1:15‐17, 21‐26

Acts 1:1‐11

Acts 10:44‐48

Acts 8:26‐40

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Third Sunday after Pentecost

Second Sunday after Pentecost

Trinity Sunday

Day of Pentecost

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 4:5‐12

Acts 3:12‐19

Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts. Used by permission.

Green

White

September 1, 2024

Green

August 25, 2024

September 8, 2024

Red

Red

August 11, 2024

August 4, 2024

August 18, 2024

Red

White

July 28, 2024

Red

Red

June 9, 2024

Red

White

June 2, 2024

July 21, 2024

White

May 26, 2024

July 14, 2024

Red

May 19, 2024

Red

White

White

White

May 9, 2024

May 12, 2024

July 7, 2024

Ascension of the Lord

White

May 5, 2024

June 30, 2024

Sixth Sunday of Easter

White

April 28, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Easter

White

April 21, 2024

Third Sunday of Easter

White

April 14, 2024