The Body of Christ is made of many parts, and people experience their understanding of God in many different ways. On this blog, we'll consider the beliefs and activities of congregations, denominations and different religions.
Thursday, July 8, 2021
General Conference News Digest 07.08.2021
General Conference News Digest July 8th
Editor's Note: The Christian Recorder will provide coverage on-site from our columnists as well as contributors from across the connectional church. We are especially thankful for our 11th Episcopal District media partners. You can also access us on the GC2020 App on your Android, iPhone, or computer. Please make sure to check out the AME Church Facebook and YouTube pages for photos and updates.
Congresswoman Val Demings Address the General Conference By Rev. Renita Green, TCR Columnist
Representative Val Demings greeted the General Conference during the opening business session on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Demings is a candidate for the US Senate in Florida’s 10th District. She is a member of St. Mark AME Church in Orlando, Florida where the Reverend Terence Gray is the Pastor.
During her address to the members of the Connectional AME Church, Congresswoman Demings expressed great appreciation for our presence in the state of Florida during this conference, but even more so for our continuing prophetic witness across the United States. The Congresswoman echoed the question often asked of those outside the Black Church tradition: Does the Church have a place in politics?
The One Who Goes Before Us: Episcopal Address Reflections
By Rev. Dr. Barry Settle, Contributing Writer
Bishop Ingram summarized, “The next three years will be a period of unparalleled challenges and challenges for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, so as we look to the future, not only must we give and begin the process of determining how to stay on track and commit to our legacy and mission, but we must cast new vision and establish our quadrennial goals that the whole entire global church will embrace and implement.”
By Rev. Dr. Shakira Sanchez Collins, TCR Columnist
Members of the General Officers council, bishops, family members, friends, and colleagues gathered to honor the retiring general officers at the General Officer Appreciation dinner held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. The evening highlighted and recognized the legacy of four General Officers who will retire during the 51st Quadrennial Session of the General Conference: Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the AME Church; Dr. George F. Flowers, the Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry; Dr. Jerome V. Harris, the Executive Director of the Department of Retirement Services; and Dr. James C. Wade, the Executive Director of the Department of Church Growth and Development.
By Mrs. Maggie Grootboom de Bruyn, 15th Episcopal District TCR Field Representative
Initially, I have mixed emotions on today as I know that there are some technical challenges in some of our areas in the conference, but it as a joy when I noted the number of people that have connected to make the 15th District delegation more visibly at the beginning of the quadrennial.
G*d Sees, Hears, Knows & Loves By Rev. Jennifer S. Leath, Ph.D., 5th Episcopal District
Pictured here is a button I found yesterday in the Hyatt gift shop on-site at the General Conference. The card stock paper on which this black, rainbow-fleeced sheep was presented stated: “I’m the Rainbow Sheep of the Family.” Yes, I celebrate being Black. Yes, I celebrate being quare.* However, I did not purchase this “black rainbow sheep” for those reasons. I purchased the “black rainbow sheep” because, when I saw it, I not only recognized myself signified, but also remembered I am not alone: “The Lord is my Shepherd!” (Psalm 23.1). G*d, my Shepherd, sees me, G*d hears me, G*d knows me, and G*d loves me. As my Shepherd, G*d has covenanted with me, with us as African Methodists, and with others like me in the AME Church.
By Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd, TCR Contributing Writer
Despite twinges of travelers apprehension, we have come through many airports to join with those we haven’t seen since 2016: handshakes, fist bumps, elbow bumps and tentative or warm hugs. While masks make recognition difficult, there is the freedom to greet the many people you pass by. We are emotionally safe, and among friends, we know and don’t know. We are united across districts. We are the AME Church!
Editor's Note: We are reprinting this article from yesterday due to a linking error.
Business Session Highlights:
Reports of Treasurer, Publishing House, and The Christian Recorder Approved Commission on Statistics and Finance: Budget referred back for clarifications Revisions Committee First Report Approved Bill Status: JA-05 Deleted on 2nd Reading
(For details, see the appropriate sections in the GC2021 App).
The Christian Recorder is the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the oldest continuously produced publication by persons of African descent.
Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, Chair of the General Board Commission on Publications Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, President/Publisher of the AME Sunday School Union Mr. John Thomas III, Editor of The Christian Recorder
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