We, the people of the AME Church…
By John Thomas III, Editor
Over the last nineteen months, I have attended multiple annual conference and planning meetings across the connectional church in addition to the 2021 General Conference. Seeing and hearing the reports of ministry at the different levels of the denomination is enlightening. Even during the pandemic, mortgages have been retired, buildings have been constructed, ministries have been expanded, and souls have been saved. Yet, as I’ve listened to the statistics and watched videos, I ask the question, “Where are the people?”
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The 19th Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society holds “A Woman of Firsts” Celebration in honour of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke
By The Rev. Thato Mere, Contributing Writer  The 19th Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) hosted “A Woman of Firsts” in honour of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke. The session was held on Zoom on 14 August 2021. This comes as one of the 150th Celebration of the birth of Charlotte Maxeke, a response to a clarion call by the South African President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa to celebrate the life and legacy of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke and her contribution towards the political and socio-economic landscape .
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When your Opponent also loves God: Discerning the Correct Path
The Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist
 It is no secret that the people of God often disagree. For example, the story of the two prophets who disagreed in 1 Kings 13, the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over the role of Mark in Acts 15:36-41, the denial of Peter concerning the presence of Christ in his life in Luke 22:54-62, and the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche, two people who worked with Paul in the Christian ministry, in Philippians 4 provide credence to the assertion that people who love the Lord often disagree. Even though Jesus instructed his disciples to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44), as members of the body of Christ, I don’t believe that Christians should view one another as enemies.
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A Christian Response to Afghanistan
By Quardricos Bernard Driskell, Columnist 
I am a healthcare lobbyist. I teach religion and politics. I am not a politician or a policymaker, nor do I lobby on behalf of foreign policy.And so, I’m not going to prescribe any solutions to the absolute mess and humanitarian catastrophe, which is ongoing in Afghanistan. However, the last few weeks of the ensuing strife in the country has led to widespread criticism from lawmakers, refugee advocates, and humanitarian organizations that its efforts at diplomacy with the Taliban have created confusion and are harming rather than helping specific Americans and Afghan allies who are still trying to leave Afghanistan by air and land. Read More Here |
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Reimagining Ministry: A COVID Collaboration
 The opportunity to reopen the doors of the church is one that many African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) pastors have awaited for over a year. Many of our A.M.E. family have returned to the sanctuary, but there are still congregations that remain virtual. In our reimagination of the church, returning to what was is not an option. Hybrid models, smaller congregations, masks, social distancing, increased social justice preaching, political and global awareness all enter the new African Methodist Episcopal Church. Read More Here |
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Mt Zion A.M.E. Dover Dedicates Community Garden
By Cheryl Fisher, 1st Episcopal District 
Taking our health into our own hands has never been more important than at this very moment. In the midst of a pandemic, it is crucial that our churches pool resources to provide fresh food to our communities. Planning, planting, and harvesting our own food in our own gardens is the key, according to the African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.C.) International Health Commission to Prevent Food Insecurity and Food Injustice Program. The immediate past President of the A.M.E.C. Health Commission, Bishop Harry L. Seawright, said, “The vision of the A.M.E.C. is to take our health into our own hands and to grow our own food; it starts with each church doing its part. Growing a garden on church property should be a vision for all churches.”
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Johns Chapel, Enterprise Alabama assists flood victims 
On Saturday, September 11th, a day in which America takes pause to remember the tragic events that took place 20 years ago. The faithful members of Johns Chapel A.M.E. Church of Enterprise, Alabama, under the leadership of Pastor Willie White, Jr. and Co-Chairs Sis. Helen Nichols and Sis. Debra Brown. collected donations to assist new neighbors who had recently been relocated to Alabama due to the torrential flooding and aftermath caused by Hurricane Ida. Read More Here |
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"Measure Twice. Cut Once." A Word about HBCU Funding in the Biden Administration
By Antjuan Seawright, Columnist 
The 24-hour news cycle can not only be exhausting, it can be used as a weapon of mass political distraction and destruction. Just look at the “HBCU Cuts” nonsense which has dominated so much of this past week’s public debate. A few days ago, several articles were published reporting that the Biden administration had cut HBCU funding. According to Politifact, claims stemmed from an original social media post whose headline read “Biden Breaks Promise, Cuts $30B to Black Colleges & Universities." Read More Here |
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Statement from the Council of Bishops on the Department of Retirement Services
The Department of Retirement Services has reported a material loss in the value of one or more of its departmental investments. A comprehensive audit and review of the Department, the subject investments and the fiduciaries overseeing the retirement funds and other accounts is underway. The review is being conducted by an independent law firm and accounting firm. A report with detailed findings has been requested and will be made available publicly upon its receipt.
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What do Young People Want?” Dialogue in the 21st Century Church
By Jordan DeVeaux, Connectional YPD 2nd Vice President
 For much of my Christian journey, particularly as a participant in ministry, variations of the same question have been asked of me rather frequently. It may be presented through the lens of church growth and retention or simply a neutral curiosity. However, regardless of the motivations behind asking, the inquiries all boil down to the same idea—what do young people want from the church? From desires for town halls and community forums to the conception of individual podcasts, the answer is painfully obvious.
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Fellowship of Christian Education: We are Still the Village
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has many facets that equip, mentor, and enhance the life of a believer. The Fellowship of Christian Education (FCE) is that entity that provides such an experience. Membership in this organization is open to all church educators who have been appointed to serve in the teaching ministry at all connectional levels. When I was a small child in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, we had a Christian Education Director (CED) who was loving yet stern, and because of her love of the Lord, her teaching was much more prioritized. Read More Here |
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The Connectional Lay Organization (CLO) President Makiti Unveils Vision for the Next Four Years
 A month after Matikane Abednego Makiti’s historic election as the first-ever African President of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO), he moved expeditiously to unveil his vision at the CLO’s first Executive Board Meeting, held on Saturday, 21 August 2021. The vision will guide and direct the CLO for the next four years and is premised on the overall mission and vision of the Lay Organization, which is to teach, train and provide greater leadership opportunities for the lay members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In his opening statement, Makiti emphasized that the CLO should strive to meet the needs and aspirations of the Church’s laypersons, including all auxiliaries, because they are the CLO’s most important stakeholders. Read More Here |
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President/Dean of Turner Theological Seminary – Atlanta, Georgia
Turner Theological Seminary (www.turnerseminary.com), a consortium member of the Interdenominational Theological Center (www.itc.edu), is accepting nominations and applications for the position of President/Dean. The President/Dean of Turner Theological Seminary (TTS) serves as the Chief Executive Officer, is the primary liaison between the Board of Trustees, faculty, students, administration, and alumni and is responsible for executing a strategic plan in alignment with the mission of the Seminary. The next TTS President must be an innovative and strategic leader capitalizing on the Seminary’s accomplishments since its founding. Beginning in 1894, Turner Theological Seminary remains committed to its motto “For a Prepared Ministry,” and delivers the vision to be “an institution for the preparation of young men and women for every department of Christian work.” TTS Graduates can be found in all areas of leadership within the church, colleges and seminaries as well as civic and political roles.
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Edward Waters Enrollment Skyrockets as University Shatters 1000 Student Threshold for First Time in Nearly Two Decades
Jacksonville, Florida – Overall enrollment at the newly named Edward Waters University (EWU) has increased by a stunning 14%, as marked at the close of its fall registration period on Friday, August 27, 2021. The phenomenal single-year, double-digit percentage enrollment increase culminated in a final fall 2021 enrollment count of 1104 students at Florida’s first historically black college or university (HBCU) and first private institution of higher education—the highest overall enrollment the institution has seen in close to twenty years. Relatedly, the university simultaneously welcomed its largest class of new students on record, as a total of 531 new students enrolled at the state of Florida’s and Jacksonville’s newest university, which represents a 27% increase in total newly enrolled students at EWU over fall 2020 and a 50% increase over fall 2019.
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Global religious leaders, scientists join to release “Faith and Science: An Appeal for COP26”
 Almost 40 faith leaders signed the joint appeal, which was presented by Pope Francis.
Signatories included World Council of Churches acting general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, along with representatives from across the Christian denominations, Sunni and Shi’a Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism.
The appeal calls for the world to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible, and to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
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The 32nd Annual NGO Conference - Virtual
Shawn M. Ross, WMS-AMEC NGO Commissioner and UN Representative
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The News Digest contains selected articles from the newspaper. Click below to get full access! |
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