THE COMMISSION ON CHAPLAINS GENERAL BOARD REPORT – JUNE 2017
THE RIGHT REVEREND FRA NK M. REID III ~ ENDORSING AGEN T
MRS MARLAA HALL REID ~ EPISCOPAL SUPERVI SOR
THE REVEREND AMMIE L DAVIS~ EXECUTIVE LI ASON
The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017 The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
Chaplains serve as an extension of the local church in places that other members and church staff sometimes cannot go. The Chaplaincy has a place of service for you. Chaplains are not only in hospitals and in military uniforms. They are in boardrooms and classrooms. They work with a diverse group of people in various settings. Chaplains have virtually unlimited opportunities to serve in hospitals, military, law enforcement, institutions, corporations and places that are sometimes closed to “professional clergy.”
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
BISHOP FRANK M. REID III ENDORSING AGENT
LTCOL KENNETH JOHNSO N JR USAF /ACTIVE DUTY
C D R G L E N D A HARRISON USN/ACTIVE DUTY (EX OFFICIO)
REVEREND G. DIANNE L E W I S VETERAN S AFFAIRS - A C T I V E
MAJ RONALD OWENS USA/RETIRED
COL RAMOTSEPA DAN NK OPODI SOUTH AFRICA USA/ACTIVE DUTY
MAJ EFFSON BRYANT VETERAN S AFFAIRS – ACTIVE USAF/RETIRED
REVEREND DR. J . E D G A R BOYD NON - MEMBER OF HMTCA
Page 1 The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
ENDORSING AGENT’S GREETINGS AME CHAPLAINCY MINISTRY OVERVIEW “A Legacy of Empowering Excellence” Chaplains are an extension of the local church, The African Methodist Church has established taking the gospel and prayer to places many a legacy of excellence through our churches and pastors cannot go. We ask for extraordinary chaplains. Henry McNeal Turner your continued prayers for chaplains as they and Theophilus Stewart are just a few of the take the gospel as ambassadors of African early pioneers who served God, the church of Methodism. Christ and the nation as chaplains. Under the leadership of Bishop John Andrew Gregg, the Our Chaplaincy Strategy: AME Church became one of the leading • Embrace our chaplains and their denominations in military chaplaincy. families Legendary AME Chaplains with names like • Educate our pastors and churches on John A. DeVeaux Jr., Carroll R. Chambliss, the ministry of the chaplaincy I.V. Tolbert, W.O. Gillard, Elliott Strickland, Calvin H. Sydnor III., Mabel Mixon, John • Engage our pastors and denominational leaders on an Morrison, Greene H. White, William H. intentional strategy in support of our Hightower, Lorenzo D. Bennett, Cecelia chaplains and their families Williams continued the AME Church’s empowering legacy of excellence. • Enlist chaplains for continued local church ministry on all levels of the Today, the AME mantle of excellence is being church held high by Chaplains like Benita Livingston, Kenneth Johnson Jr., Addison Burgess Sr., * Our Chaplaincy Goals: Maurice Buford* and Autumn Wilson*. • Endorse the best AME chaplains
This is my first full report as the Endorsing • Conduct annual chaplain training Agent for our Zion. I want to thank the events following organizations and persons for their • Provide pastoral care to our chaplains leadership and guidance this year: all the (Chaplains’ Ambassador Program- leadership entities of The AME Church, The Initiative) Commission on Chaplains, The Henry McNeal Turner Associations and Bishop Reginald Our Chaplaincy Strength: Jackson (the AME Endorsing Agent for 2012- • 80 AME Endorsed Chaplains 2016). ❖ Federal Chaplains Finally, the help and guidance of Supervisor Marlaa Reid and retired Navy Chaplain, The o 50 Military Reverend Ammie L. Davis (8th District) have o 17 Veterans Affairs been invaluable this year. They are the key o 1 Federal Bureau of Prisons staff people who have worked hard to uphold and build upon our legacy of empowering ❖ Non-Federal Chaplains excellence in the 21st Century. o 7 Board of Chaplaincy Respectfully Submitted, Certification Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III o 2 Prison o 1 Hospice o 2 Corporate *See Significant Achievement Highlights
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The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT REQUIREMENTS ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT PATHWAY
The 2012 Book of Discipline requirements for endorsements is listed under "Commission on Chaplains"—Section E-5, pages182. To ensure a Submit complete response to requests for endorsements, Package for each candidate must prepare, complete and submit the following documents: Endorsement
Endorsement Checklist for Endorsing Agent files: 1. Letter from Presiding Bishop stating the candidate is in good and regular standing (Letter should be sent directly to Bishop Reid). 2. Curricula Vitae (CV) or Resume Applicant Receives Letter 3. Copy Itinerant Deacon and Elder Ordination Acknowledging Receipt Certificate with seal 4. Official Transcripts (Mail sealed transcripts to Bishop Reid). 5. Type of job for endorsement Package Reviewed for
• Federal (VA, Military or Federal Bureau of Compliance & Completion Prisons) • Non-Federal (CPE, Hospice, Corporate, Hospital, etc.) Note: Federal Chaplains (only) are seated as General Conference Delegates Endorsing
6. Copy of the recent background check (Mail to Agent Reviews Bishop Reid). Completed
7. Current Photo Package 8. Copy of References submitted with application 9. Interview with the Bishop Reid and the Commission on Chaplains (may be completed via Skype or Google Hangout) 10. Copy of the last endorsement form signed by the former Endorser Agent. 11. A Copy of the last Annual Conference Chaplain's Report (not applicable for new Endorsing Agent endorsed Chaplains or Chaplain Candidates). Approves & Signs 12. A "Call to Chaplaincy" Personal Statement Endorsement (one-page only). 13. A Certified Copy of Mental Health Assessment results conducted within the last two years is required (Mail to Bishop Reid). 14. Complete Application for Ecclesiastical Endorsement & Profile Form via link: https://goo.gl/forms/OeAMaZcrjlQfcmxk2 Ecclesiastical Candidates may scan all documents and email them to [email protected] Endorsement is
Mail the completed package to: Mailed or Faxed to
Bishop Frank M. Reid III Requested Agency The Office of the Endorsing Agent 1498-M Reisterstown Road -Suite 318 Pikesville, MD 21208 Office: (443) 963-9440
Page 3 The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSEMENT REQUESTS ENDORSING AGENT As of July 12, 2016 - May 31, 2017 2016-2017 EVENTS, MEETING, & VISTATIONS As of March 31, 2017
August 12, 2016—Attended Retirement Ceremony of Chaplain (LCDR) Ammie L. Davis The Department of Defense (5) at the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi September 8, 2016—Met with Chaplain (CAPT) Jack Lea III (RET), the Executive Director of the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces, in Baltimore, Maryland November 16, 2016—Met with Randy The Veterans Affairs (11) Edwards, the Chaplaincy Coordinator, Federal Chaplaincies for the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Chaplaincy and Endorsing Agent for the North American Mission Board (NAMB), in Alpharetta, Georgia December 6, 2016—Met with the Commission on Chaplains at the General Board Meeting in Board of Chaplaincy Certification (7) Nashville, Tennessee December 8, 2016—Attended Naval Chaplaincy School and Center Basic Leadership Course 17010 Graduation at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Chaplain (LTjg) Netetia Walker, a member of the 4th Episcopal District graduated.
December 8, 2016—Attended Army’s Captain Career Course Banquet at Fort Jackson, South
Carolina. Chaplain(CPT) Stephanie Handy, a member of the 2nd Episcopal District graduated on December 9, 2016.
National Guards (1) January 5, 2017—Annual Endorsing Agent meeting held with AME Chaplains and the Henry McNeil Turner Chaplains Association (HMTCA) in Memphis, Tennessee
January 9-11, 2017—Attended the Annual Endorsing Agent’s Training at the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF) in Alexandria, Virginia
January 11, 2017—Panelist at the Marine Chaplaincy Ministry (3) Corps University Martin Luther King Jr., Breakfast in Quantico, Virginia
(Hospice, Prison, Corporate, Hospital) January 30, 2017 – Submitted the Annual AME Chaplain Religious Compliance Form to the Armed Forces Board for Military Chaplains
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The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
MILITARY CHAPLAINCY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Military chaplains provide military personnel ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSED CHAPLAINS and their families with religious services and ARMED FORCES CHAPLAINS programs where they can exercise their right of freedom of religion. The military depends on all ACTIVE, RESERVES & NATIONAL GUARDS faith groups to provide theologically trained, As of January 31, 2017 spiritually motivated and qualified ministers to serve as chaplains.
Active Duty-Military personnel and families often endure frequent transfers from one installation to another. As a result, they are often isolated and limited in active involvement in AME churches. AME chaplains serving on full-time active duty help bridge this gap. ❖ UNITED STATES ARMY (9) o COL RAMOTSEPA DAN NKOPODI (SOUTH AFRICAN) Reserve/National Guard--Ministers engaged in o COL ADDISON BURGESS SR full-time ministry within the AME Church may o LTCOL HOLLIS GRACE be qualified to serve as chaplains to Reserve o MAJ MONICA LAWSON and National Guard units. As an adjunct to their o MAJ MARK CISCO (RESERVE) full-time pastorate, these chaplains are affiliated o CPT STEPHANIE HANDY with a military unit. This relationship enhances o CPT SAMUEL SIEBO o CPT A'SHELLARIEN D. LANG (NATIONAL their church’s outreach and ministry. GUARDS) o CPT LEVY MARSHALL (RESERVE) Chaplain Candidate--The Chaplain Candidate Program was developed to provide qualified and ❖ UNITED STATES NAVY (10) competent chaplains for Active Duty, Reserve, o CAPT (SEL) MAURICE BUFORD and National Guard. This program affords o CDR GLENDA JENNINGS-HARRISON seminarians a firsthand look at the o LCDR DEVON FOSTER responsibilities and opportunities for ministry o LCDR CHRISTILENE WHALEN o LCDR SHERRI GARRETT (RESERVE) within the military chaplaincy. o LCDR JAMES ASKIEW (RESERVE) o LT NANCY CREWS HEALTHCARE CHAPLAINCY o LT MONYA STUBBS o LT AUTUMN WILSON Healthcare chaplains are persons called by God o LTJG NETETIA WALKER and trained to serve in an environment of sickness, pain, birth and death. The term "holistic medicine" means treating people as ❖ UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (9) total beings: mind, body and spirit. Total patient o COL IONA SMITH o LTCOL DWAYNE JONES care provides for a person's spiritual as well as o LTCOL KENNETH JOHNSON JR physical and mental needs. Chaplaincy o LTCOL HAROLD OWENS (NATIONAL GUARDS) programs that provide pastoral care are essential o MAJ REGINA SAMUEL services in total patient care. o MAJ SHAWN MENCHION o MAJ TRAVIS ALLEN Healthcare chaplains serve in variety of o CPT TARA DIXON facilities: VA medical centers, Hospice, Mental o CPT TEMERA TATEM Health Centers and facilities for those who are mentally handicapped, hospitalized, and wounded.
Page 5 The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION (VA) THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSED CHAPLAINS ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSED CHAPLAINS As of May 31, 2017 ARMED FORCES CHAPLAINS - RETIRED As of January 31, 2017
❖ VA CHAPLAINCY - ACTIVE (13)
o THE REVEREND DR. ACIE COLLINS o THE REVEREND DEBERRY COOK o THE REVEREND JENNIFER DUKES ❖ UNITED STATES ARMY - RETIRED o THE REVEREND ROBERT C. FREEDMAN JR o COL CALVIN SYDNOR o THE REVEREND LIONEL JACKSON o COL JAMES S COOPER o THE REVEREND MELVIN JONES JR o LTCOL JAMES R. JOHNSON SR o THE REVEREND OREA JONES-WELLS o LTCOL WILLIAM LIPTROT o THE REVEREND G. DIANNE LEWIS o MAJ SANDY MCLEAN o THE REVEREND DR. BENITA LIVINGSTON o THE REVEREND OBIE MADISON o MAJ RONALD OWENS o THE REVEREND DR. VALERIE SANDERS o THE REVEREND JACQUELINE LONG o THE REVEREND REGINALD CLEAVER ❖ UNITED STATES NAVY - RETIRED o CAPT JOHN MORRISON ❖ VA CHAPLAINCY - RETIRED (4) o CDR DAVID BROWN o LCDR MABEL MIXON o THE REVEREND DR. WILTON BLAKE o LCDR GERALD BAILEY o THE REVEREND CECILIA WILLIAMS o LCDR JON R. BLACK o THE REVEREND LEODIS STRONG o LCDR CASSIE ALLEN o THE REVEREND DR. QUENTIN WHITE o LCDR ATTICUS TAYLOR o LCDR AMMIE L. DAVIS
THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS ❖ UNITED STATES AIR FORCE - RETIRED ECCLESIASTICAL ENDORSED CHAPLAINS o COL WILFRED H. BRISTOL As of May 31, 2017 o LTCOL OLEDIA F. BELL o LTCOL ROGER L. ARMSTEAD o MAJ JOSEPHINE PINKNEY o MAJ BRUCE JONES o MAJ EFFSON C. BRYANT
o MAJ LEROY WEATHERS ❖ FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS (1) o CPT WINSTON JONES
o The Reverend Valerie Perry-White
Page 6 The Commission on Chaplains General Board Report – June 2017
Ecclesiastical Endorsed Chaplains’ DID YOU KNOW? Significant Achievements & Highlights The lack of diversity in the military may play a • Chaplain Addison Burgess - Promoted to role in unequal justice for black troops. In 2016, Colonel (USA) US Army Central and Third about 78% of military officers were white, and Army Command Chaplain 8% were black. (USA Today) • Chaplain Maurice Buford – Selected for promotion to Captain (USN) • Black troops are far more likely than their • Autumn Wilson – First AME Chaplain white comrades to face court martial or assigned to the US Naval Academy in other forms of military punishment, according Annapolis, Maryland to a study to be released Wednesday, June • Reverend Dr. A'Shellarien Lang – First 7, 2017 (USA Today) woman to serve as Chaplain in the Delaware Army National Guards • Over the past decade, racial disparities • Chaplain Shawn Menchion – Promoted to have persisted in the military justice system Lieutenant Colonel (USAF) without indications of improvement,” the • Chaplain Regina Samuels – Selected for report states. “These disparities are promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (USAF) particularly striking for black service • Chaplain David Brown – Organized a new members, who face military justice or mission church Hale Ho'onani Fellowship-AME disciplinary action at much higher rates than Church in Hawaii white service members in every service • Chaplain Stephanie Handy - Completed the branch. In fact, the size of the disparity Army’s Doctor of Ministry Degree program at between white and black service members’ Erskine Theological Seminary (USA) military justices involvement has remained • Chaplain Mark Cisco – Promoted to consistent over the years, and, in the case of Lieutenant Colonel (USA Reserves) the Air Force and Marine Corps has increased.” (USA Today) • Chaplain Gerald Bailey – Graduated with a Master in Social Work from Rutgers University, o Black Marines were 2.6 times more likely Piscataway, NJ (USN Retired) than whites to receive a guilty finding at • Chaplain Glenda Harrison – Plan to retire a general court martial, the military from active-duty service on January 1, judicial proceeding for more serious 2018 after serving over 20 years as a Navy offenses. Chaplain (USN) o Black airmen were 71% more likely than • Chaplain Effson Bryant – Board Member (Chaplain) for the newly developed National whites in the Air Force to face court Association for Black Veterans, Inc. (NABVETS) martial or non-judicial punishment, in Columbia, SC (VA, USAF-Retired) discipline meted out for less serious offenses. • Chaplain Obie Madison - serve as a full time permanent Chaplain at Fargo VA health Care o The Army and Navy, show disparities as in Fargo, North Dakota (VA) well. Black soldiers were 61% more • Chaplain Christilene Whalen – Promoted to likely to face court martial than whites in Lieutenant Commander (USN) the Army; and black sailors were 40% • Chaplain Timothy Storms – Completed more likely than whites in the Navy to be Doctor of Ministry; Prophetic Preaching and court martialed. That percentage is 32% Praxis program at United Theological for black Marines. Seminary in Dayton, Ohio (VA) • Reverend Dr. G. Dianne Lewis – Promoted to Chief of Chaplain Services at the Charlie *The article was written by Tom Vanden Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Brook , USA TODAY Published 12:05 a.m. ET Augusta, Georgia (VA) June 7, 2017
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