************************************************************************************* Volume 2, Issue 3: November 27, 2010 WWW.WCCLO.ORG
The Official Website of the West Coast Conference Lay Organization
I N S I D E T H I S I SSUE
2 Message from the President, Douglas M. Thomas
3 The Mission / The Laymen’s Hymn / The Lay Benediction 4 “Lively” Lakeland District News, Lenora White
5 “Sizzling” St. Petersburg District News, Hugh Yancy Jr.
6 “Tremendous” Tampa District News, Wanda L. Glover
8 Lay Benevolence
9 Upcoming Events/Meeting Dates/Conference Officers 10 Thinking Corner/Joke of the Quarter 11 Quarterly DOLA Lesson : Liturgical Colors
15 The West Coast Conference Challenge
16 Meeting Pictures
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature. -Mark 16:15
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
-Ephesians 4: 11-13
West Coast Conference
St. Lakeland Tampa Petersburg
Praise God, the Father, through His Son Jesus the Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, for the favor bestowed upon the ―Wonderful‖ West Coast Conference. As we look forward to the future, we anticipate wonderful changes in our spiritual growth and development, as we seek to spread the Word of God and His Kingdom through evangelism!
May God shower His blessings upon the church, as we continue to do His work, His way, to extend the Kingdom of God, on earth as it is in Heaven. We intend to organize and train the Laity in the total programs of the church by encouraging them to support, practice and become accountable to loving one another.
The present Biennial Theme, ―“Building on our Global Legacy of Christ-Centered Leadership and Training” (Ephesians 4:11-13 & St. Mark 16:15), has made us realize from whence we got our great start in this great Zion, by going back and researching who were some of our global leaders, like Bishops William Paul Quinn and Henry McNeal Turner, and with the expansion of African Methodism into Canada and Africa.
We are able to obtain a wealth of the above knowledge by moving outside of the four walls of our local Zion‘s. There are personal benefits in becoming a part of the organized Lay Organization. The strategic implementation of training, which is provided to the lay members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, so that each member may utilize to the maximum, their abilities, and skills granted by God, in assisting with the improvement and extension of God's kingdom, and creating happiness, peace and harmony among its members.
Along with the West Coast Conference Lay Organization‘s main information portal, www.wcclo.org, we continue striving to be your main source to keep you informed of upcoming meeting dates, leadership and training sessions, and other pertinent information regarding the entire West Coast Conference to help you grow spiritually in your walk with our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. Together we can make a difference in growing the Kingdom of God and making other disciples, as we have been commanded to do by our Savior.
If you want to make a positive difference in the direction of the Church, you belong in the Lay Organization.
2 THE MISSION OF THE LAY ORGANIZATION The objectives and purpose of the Lay Organization are outlines in its Constitution. The main objectives are stated in brief as follows:
To create a love and appreciation of the History and Principles of African Methodism Keep the memory of Richard Allen alive Respect constituted authority Stimulate and educate the Laity in the total program of the Church Study the Book of Discipline and learn the laws of the Church Encourage financial support of the Church’s program Teach and practice stewardship and work with the youth to teach them Methodism
These objectives can best be met when one works to understand the program of the church and relate the church to the world around us. The Layman’s Hymn
(1) (2)
Laymen now have thus assembled We are banded one in union In Thy blessed name, O God to fulfill Thy just command
Guide us in our true endeavor May we be Thy true disciples Light the pathway that we trod holding to Thy mighty hand Give us strength to ever labor for thy cause Give us blessings from the fountain of thy love
Give us strength to ever labor for thy cause Give us blessings from the fountain of thy love
(3) (4)
As we walk this Christian journey May we stand before Thine Alter let us keep our armor bright pledging, Lord, to work for thee
Let our words be pure and holy In the vineyard, in the pastures that we stand within Thy sight Let us, Lord, Thy Pilgrims be Laymen soldiers, strong in unity and love Let us lift the Cross forever to the skies
Laymen soldiers, strong in unity and love Let us lift the Cross forever to the skies
The Lay Benediction May God bless us with the true spirit of Christianity, that we may live together, not as man over man, but as Laypersons working with God. Amen.
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TThhee ““LLIIVVEELLYY”” LLaakkeellaanndd DDiissttrriicctt !!
I am reminded of a story I read about a commanding general in the Marines who was awaiting the nod to lead his troop to war in Iraq. The general was being interviewed on a morning show when one last question was posed. The interviewer asked if the general had any hobbies and he quickly answered, yes, I love photography, especially taking pictures of the men in my troop. He went on to share that waiting to go to war; he would email the photos with a brief note to their mothers back in the USA. The note went something like this…
Dear Mrs. Johnson,
I thought you might enjoy seeing this picture of your son. He is doing great. I also wanted you to know that you did a wonderful job of raising him. You must be proud and I am certainly honored to serve with him in the U.S. Marines.
The General
Well, I am certainly not a professional photographer but will like to share these snapshots for you while awaiting the start of a new conference year.
The ―Lively‖ Lakeland District Lay Organization appreciates the support of their leaders, Presiding F. Bernard Lemon and Mrs. Laurastine Lemon. We are proud to be under their leadership. We are most appreciative to the Pastors and Churches of the ―Lively‖ Lakeland District who has supported the Lay Organization throughout the conference year. To the all the fine people of the ―Lively‖ Lakeland District, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making the district‘s lay organization a ―beacon‖ in the West Coast Conference .
With Much Love,
Lenora White.
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The “Sizzling” St. Petersburg
District !
There is no district like the St. Petersburg District. We have enjoyed and continue to enjoy the blessings of a mighty God. We are looking forward with excitement to this conference year. We had a fantastic training session on Parliamentary Procedure. It included an in depth study of
Robert‘s Rules of Order. The main points were: The History, What Is Parliamentary
Procedure?, Why is Parliamentary Procedure Important? and Using Parliamentary Procedure for
Meetings. Our wonderful DOLA also covered such topics as: Basic Tools, By-Laws,
Conducting an Effective Meeting, The Types of Motions and Basic Tools For Meeting
Chairpersons. It included breakfast, lunch and a training component. The training component, conducted by Episcopal Director of Lay Activities, was an examination of the roles and responsibilities we have as officers. Each participant received a workbook; the interactive session included activities and opportunities for us to explore our personality preferences, examine our roles and discuss the expectations and requirements of the offices we hold or aspire to hold. As a wrap up we held a ‗snowball fight‘ in which we conducted a written dialog which consisted of us sharing our ideas about how to make our organization better. This retreat was full of humor, laughter, collaboration and learning.
We are on a mission to take our organization to the next level. We are The St. Petersburg
District, People of the Anvil: Incomparable Leaders and Infinite Learners.
5 THE “TREMEnDOUS”
Tampa District !
All is well on the Tampa District as we prepare for the new 2010-2011 conference year. In keeping with the Book of Discipline, churches are now organizing and formulating their plans for the year. At the close of the Annual Conference two churches merged to become one, St. Paul/Gregg Temple – the new name has not been revealed. Looking ahead, we‘ve elected a delegate to attend the Connectional Workshop/Seminar to be held in Jacksonville December 10-11. We‘re also planning our annual Advent Service for the 3rd Sunday, December 19th - place to be announced. The Tampa District is excited and committed to carrying out our mission to instill in its membership a love and appreciation for the history, tradition and principles of African Methodism; advocating respect and loyalty to constituted authority; encouraging the support of the total program of the local church; fostering systematic and regular study which will provide greater knowledge and participation in the church and organizing and training lay members… To God be the Glory! ******************************************************************************
Raised in a Black Church?
If you were raised in a Black church these should be familiar to you - can you fill in the blanks?
First giving ______to God, who is the ______of my life, I'd like to say I'm glad to be in the ______of the Lord one mo' time. Cause he brought me from a ___long_____. I coulda been dead, sleeping in my______, but God is______all the ______, and all the_____, God is ______.
He's a ______over troubled waters. He's a mother to the ______, and a______to the ______, a doctor in a ______room, and a______in the courtroom! (smile) He's the______of the valley, a bright and ______star. He got up early one ______mon'ing,with all ______in his ______. Pray for me that I grow ______in the Lord."
Also, as you look in your church______, under the special ______please keep in your prayer ______Sista Buela-Mae Jenkins who will be having her ______surgery this week.
6 And while you give your tithes and ______we humbly ask that you contribute to the church______fund and we will be celebrating the pastor's fifteenth______so anybody please who serves on the ______board please meet in the ______following______.
And the women's auxiliary will be selling ______dinners for $7.00 a _____ along with the youth ______who will be having their annual ______sale to help fund their trip to the national youth ministry______in Tennessee this summer.
Parents please be ______that vacation______school begins June 19, please have your child______by May 13.
You knew them all, if not most of them, didn't you?!!! You must be a member of a Black church!
Answers are listed below
Honor, head, house, mighty/way, grave, good, time, time, good, bridge, motherless father/fatherless, sickroom, lawyer, Lily, shining, Sunday, power/hands, stronger, bulletins, announcements, requests, hip, offerings, building, anniversary, usher, sanctuary/service, chicken, plate, Choir, bake, convention, mindful, bible, registered
IF YOU MISS MORE THAN 3 YOU NEED TO BE IN CHUCH
THIS SUNDAY!
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Please Pray for the Following Members
Bishop McKinley Young & Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young All Officers of the 11th Episcopal District Lay Organization All West Coast Conference Presiding Elders All West Coast Conference Pastors All Officers of the West Coast Conference Lay Organization All Officers of the Lakeland District Lay Organization All Officers of the St. Petersburg District Lay Organization All Officers of the Tampa District Lay Organization All Officers of the local Lay Organizations Sandra Burke and Family
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NEW MEMBERS:
Dr. John Frierson III -Tampa District
WELCOME NEW LAY MEMBERS! All new Lay members, if you have not received your welcome packet, please contact Bro. Dasher at (941) 266-2795 or [email protected]
8 2011 WEST COAST CONFERENCE MEETING DATES West Coast Conference Officers
Episcopal Director of Lay Activities January 29, 2011 : LOCATION TBA Patricia Wright: Bethel, St. Petersburg May 28, 2011: LOCATION TBA
July 30, 2011 : LOCATION TBA President
October 29, 2011: LOCATION TBA Douglas M. Thomas: Hurst Chapel, Winter Haven
West Coast Conference Convention 1st Vice President March 26-27, 2011: LOCATION TBA Wanda L. Glover: St. Luke, Tampa
nd *********************************************** 2 Vice President Hugh Yancy, Jr.: Greater Hurst Chapel, Sarasota
Don’t forget to log onto WWW.WCCLO.ORG to view 3rd Vice President meeting excerpts, DOLA lessons and Lay Program Lenora White: New Mount Zion, Wauchula sermons. Secretary *********************************************** Valarie Russ: Payne Chapel, Sarasota
The Second Regional Seminar/Workshop meeting Asst. Secretary will be held on Friday, December 10, 2010. Included Gilda Williams: Greater Hurst Chapel, Sarasota in this region are the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th districts. Corresponding Secretary Doris Anderson: Greater Mount Carmel, Tampa
The Crown Plaza Hotel 14670 Duval Road - Jacksonville, Florida 32218 Financial Secretary Dr. Brenda Satchel: Mount Zion, Mulberry Room Rate: $89.00 plus $13% tax Executive Suite: $109.00 + 13% tax Treasurer
Phone: 904-741-4404 Fax: 904-741-5045 Frankie Craddock: Turner Chapel, Palmetto *Please ask for the Connectional Lay AME Church* We will meet as follows: Chaplain Evelyn Welch Graham: Bethel, St. Petersburg
On Friday, December 10, 2010 1:00 P.M. at the Crown Plaza Hotel Historiographer VACANT 7:00 P.M. Worship Service St. Stephen AME Pastor Michael L. Mitchell 915 West Fifth Street Jacksonville, FL 32209 Director of Lay Activities Dr. Frank R. Satchel, Jr.: Mount Zion, Mulberry
Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 8:30 A.M. St. Paul Parliamentarian AME Church Pastor Marvin C. Zanders 6910 New James Honors: Mt. Sinai, Medulla Kings Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32219-3865 Director of Youth & Young Adults Teresa White: New Mount Zion, Wauchula
Director of Public Relations Wallace Dasher, III., Greater Hurst Chapel, Sarasota
Advisors Lolita D. Brown, Bethel, St. Petersburg
Robert Wright, Sr.: Mt. Olive, Tampa Rogers Humphrey: St. James, Progress Village, Tampa 9
Excerpt from Rev. Edward Green
By the grace of God, you are what you are. Until you realize who God is…you are insane. That‘s why people that don‘t know God can do anything that they want. They can live all kinds of crazy lifestyles and do all kinds of immoral acts. But when we realize who God is, we become clothed in our right mind. When you don‘t know what to do, take one step at a time. God must increase and we must decrease.
God wants you to get rid of your messiah complex. You need to get out of the way of God. Stop trying to fix things on your own because you can‘t. God doesn‘t want you taking any credit and glory that belongs to the Lord. God is a jealous God.
You don‘t need an intermediary to pray to God. God didn‘t use an intermediary with Moses. He spoke to him directly. You need to pray for yourself.
God doesn‘t give us grace for 2 steps at a time. God opened the red sea for the Israelites after they took one step at a time. When they took a step, God opened the sea. When they took another step, it opened some more. As you go forward the sea will open.
You will have adversities in your life but that doesn‘t have to stop you. Don‘t faint in the day of adversary. Do not doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light. When you trust and never doubt, he will surely bring you out.
Quit arguing with dead people---people that are spiritually dead and have been that way for years. Why argue with people that aren‘t doing anything or aren‘t going anywhere.
************************************************************************************************************* Joke of the Quarter
A man sobering up from the night before is sitting through the Sunday sermon, finding it long and boring. Still feeling hung over and tired, he finally nods off. The pastor has been watching him all along, noticing his apparent hangover and is disgusted. At the end of the sermon, the preacher decides to make an example of him. He says to his congregation, "All those wishing to have a place in heaven, please stand." The whole room stands up except, of course, the sleeping man. Then the preacher says even more loudly, "And he who would like to find a place in hell, please STAND UP!" The weary man catching only the last part groggily stands up, only to find that he's the only one standing. Confused and embarrassed he says, "I don't know what we're voting on here, pastor, but it sure seems like you and me are the only ones standing for it!"
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By Linnell Baker, Director of Lay Activities – St. Petersburg District
LITURGICAL COLORS: LITURGICAL NOTES on the CHRISTIAN CALENDAR
Worship of Liturgy is divided into Seasons:
Advent Christmas Epiphany Lent Easter Pentecost
The Liturgical Seasons Advent
Celebrates the coming of Christ Is the beginning of the church new year and includes the four Sundays preceding Christmas The traditional color is purple (violet) or blue Rose may be used in the third Sunday of Advent, and on the fourth Sunday of Advent. It expresses the joy of anticipation for Christmas and Easter, respectively
Christmastide
Christmas celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Christ Christmastide begins Christmas Day and lasts for 12 days Usually designated two Sundays after Christmas Day The liturgical color is White
Epiphany
Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of the divine Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi The season on Epiphany begins the first Sunday in January and varies in length depending on the date set for Easter. The designation is Sundays after Epiphany On Epiphany Sunday the color is White of Gold The remainder of the season the color is Green
11 Ash Wednesday
The first movement of the season and it marks the formal beginning of Lent In a special service of worship, ashes created from the burning palms from the previous year are placed on the foreheads of worshippers as a sign of penitence and mourning for sin They also serve as a reminder of human mortality and the Christian call to walk in the steps of Jesus in one‘s life until death
The Lent Season
Lent observes a season of penitence The Lenten Season covers forty days and includes six Sundays before Easter designated as Sundays in Lent The fifth Sunday may be called Passion Sunday and the sixth Sunday is called Palm Sunday The color for Lent is Purple. The color for Passion and Palm Sunday is Purple or Red.
Palm Sunday
Celebrated the Sunday before Easter, begins the Holy Week Represents great joy in the Hosannas that met Jesus in His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem The liturgical observations on this Sunday symbolize the extremes or triumph and sorrow in the joyous distribution and procession with palms and, the sobering account of the Passion of Jesus from the Synoptic Gospels
Holy Week
The third liturgical movement is experienced on Maundry Thursday This day celebrates the institution of the Lord‘s Supper, commemorating Holy Communion Also associated with this day is the blessing of oil, the washing of feet and the adorning (stripping) of the alter.
Good Friday
The fourth movement of the season, derives its name from Anglo-Saxon word for god (Good) and is the most somber day in the Church year The anniversary of the crucifixion, it directs the thoughts of Christmas toward the passion of Jesus through recollection of the trial and execution The culmination of the week of Passion and pain comes through the joy of the resurrection on Easter Sunday
12 Easter – Ascension Day
Easter celebrates the commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ Easter begins on Easter Sunday and continues for fifty days until Pentecost Designated as six other Sundays after Easter of which the last may be called Ascension Day The liturgical colors are white and gold
Pentecost
Pentecost commemorates the decent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples Pentecost (the birth of the Christian Church) begins Pentecost Sunday and continues until Advent Begins the 50th day after Easter and is the longest season of the church year The liturgical color for Pentecost Sunday is Red; Trinity Sunday is White. All remaining 24 Sundays are designated Sundays after Pentecost and the color is green
The Communion Table – Alter Table
Should be furnished with an appropriate cross of 24 or 30 inches in height The cross should be in the center representing the Divinity and Humanity of Jesus Christ The flower vases are on the outside of the candles ―ONLY LIVE‖ flowers should be placed on the Communion Table and in the Chancel Area
13 The Liturgical Colors and Their Meanings
RED is a power color. It is appropriate for Pentecost Sunday when we remember the power and fire of ―the Lord and giver of Life, who revealed Himself as the Promised One.‖ Red is the color of blood and fire, symbolizing the sacrifice of our Lord, zeal and warmth of devotion. It is used on occasions for emphasizing the church mission, ordination, consecration, confirmation, ad for non-liturgical days such as Thanksgiving, Groundbreaking celebrations, Founder‘s Day and Church Anniversaries.
PURPLE symbolizes dignity, royalty and repentance, and is used during the seasons of preparation such as Advent, Lent and Maundry Thursday, except when the Sacrament of the Lord‘s Supper is being celebrated. This deep rich color represents soberness, penitence and prayer.
BLUE, also used at Advent (traditional color if purple), communicates the message of hope. Blue symbolizes eternity and God‘s spacious firmament.
WHITE is the color of purity and completeness. Traditionally and universally white symbolizes purity, light, joy, glory, victory, celebration, and is used during the Christmas, Epiphany, Easter (Resurrection Sunday), and on Trinity; also may be used for weddings, baptisms, and Holy Communion.
SCARLET is called for during the Holy Week, from Palm Sunday to Maundry Thursday. It is associated with royalty and passion---the color of blood.
GOLD is the optional color for Easter (Resurrection) Sunday. It is also suggested for the last Sunday of the church year—Christ the King Sunday. It represents value and growth. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ gives our lives meaning and worth.
GREEN is used during the seasons of Epiphany and Pentecost. Green symbolizes growth, the growth of the believer in the Christian faith. The Sundays following Pentecost emphasize our need to grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ.
BLACK is used only twice, Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. Black represents despair and mourning. Black is the absence of light. Frequently used for funerals, but is increasingly being replaced by white to focus on the Christian faith and hope on the Resurrection which is a reason for joy.
These colors serve God‘s worshipping community by assisting in communication the holy faith from generation to generation.
Resources: African Methodist Episcopal Church Book of Worship
14 The West Coast Conference Challenge: Read the Book Of Discipline Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 in a year
IT’S ONLY 702 PAGES (Minus the Index)
58 ½ PAGES PER MONTH
13 ½ PAGES PER WEEK
2 PAGES PER DAY
WOW HOW EASY IS THAT!
The more you know, the more power you have. Let’s take this conference year to educate/re-educate ourselves on the laws of the African Methodist Episcopal Church!
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