August 2018 Northwest Texas Conference Lay Organization NWTC Lay Organization Newsletter Smith wins 10th District Lay Person of the Year Special points of interest: NWTC Lay Organization Elections Smith wins 10th District Lay Person of the Year Inside this issue: Highlights from State Convention 2 COB AME V Alert 3 Condemnation of Treatment of Maxine Waters 4 Call to Conscience 6 Message from President Bell 8 The North West Texas Conference Lay Organization s Lay Person of the Year, Mr. Royce B. Smith, brought home the coveted Lay Person of the Year for the 10th Episcopal District at this year s 10th Episcopal District's Lay Organization s State Lay Convention.. Smith, a member of Wayman Chapel AME Church, Temple, TX serves as the Northwest Texas Conference Lay Organization s Director of Public Relations; the recently elect Paul Quinn District President and he serves as his local Lay President. He serves as a Trustee, a member of the Stewardship & Finance Committee and the Minister of Music at Wyman Chapel. Smith s favorite scripture comes from Galatians 10: Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one be not deceived, God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. He that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life eternal. And let us not grow weary in swell doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially those who are o the household of faith. ons Brother Smith. NWTCLO Election of Executive Officers The election of the Executive Board of Officers for the Northwest Texas Conference Lay Organization will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at the Anderson Chapel AME Church, Killeen, Texas.
NWTC Lay Organization Newsletter 10th Episcopal District State Lay Convention Page 2
COB AME V-Alert Statement - July 30 2018 Dear Brothers and Sisters: In 98 days, citizens across the United States will have the right and the responsibility to go the polls to elect federal, state and local officials. There is much at stake for our municipalities, states, and nation in this year s mid-term election. I do not have the words to convey how important this election is. Control of state legislatures, governor s offices, and control of the US Congress will be determined. The outcome of elections across the country will be determined by you, the registered voters, who go to the polls and cast their ballots. Your vote represents your interest and participation in our democracy. It is your voice in our government. If each of us registers and votes, we will have tremendous power. It is not enough just to register, WE MUST REGISTER AND VOTE. The bishops of the church ask each of you to focus your attention and give your commitment to the work of AME V-ALERT. This will help us to register, educate, organize and mobilize our citizens and communities to VOTE. The AME V-ALERT (http://www.amev-alert.org) Tool Kit and the AME Church Social Action Commission (http://www.ame-sac.org) website are available to assist you in creating your action plan to register and ensure all of our congregants and citizens vote. It is available to you, to be used. Historically, the African Methodist Episcopal Church has met the challenges that are before us. If we register, educate, mobilize and vote, we can again rise to the occasion. The Council of Bishops ask each of us, to be committed, responsible, register to vote and make our way to the polls to vote. Let s make the difference! Yours and His, Reginald T. Jackson President, Council of Bishops Peace, Jeffery Cooper General Secretary/CIO African Methodist Episcopal Church Page 3
AME Church Southern California Conference Ministerial Alliance Condemns Harassment of Congresswoman Maxine Waters The Ministerial Alliance of the Southern California Conference of the AME Church (SCCMA) condemns the protest and threats to physical safety being initiated by the Oath Keepers outside of the office of Congresswoman Maxine Waters. While joining Congresswoman Waters in re -affirming the right of every American's First Amendment rights, the actions of blocking the entrance and intimidating visitors and staff of Congresswoman Waters are undeniably counter to the stand that the AME Church has historically taken to ensure the freedom, safety, and justice for all people. SCCMA President, the Rev. John E. Cager, III, the pastor of Ward AME Church (home of the LA Free So Africa Movement) declares, "We condemn the hatred, ignorance, and violence promoted by the Oath Keepers. We stand against the rise of white nationalism that permeates the life community and institutions of our democracy. We follow the example of Congressperson Waters in confronting the sociopolitical structures that are suffocating us." SCCMA member, the Rev. Francine Brookins, who is the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Fontana in the Inland Empire Region says, "We speak the truth that groups like the Oath Keepers and officials like the San Bernardino District Attorney have kept oaths of discrimination; they have kept oaths of hatred; they have kept false oaths; they have kept oaths of division; [and] they have kept oaths of segregation. As African Methodists, our commitment is to stand with all whose voices are being muzzled despite documented losses of person and property as a result of the racist ideologies and practices promoted by groups such as the Oath Keepers. We have seen and felt our blood run inside our sanctuaries, schools, and streets because of the hatred and ignorance taught by white nationalists. We know the consequences of the kind of actions being promoted by the Oath Keepers outside of a public servant whose voice has been heard repeatedly in the halls of government while attempting to protect the rights of those often left out and disregarded. The SCCMA issues this Call to Action. First, we call on all people of good will to pray and to act for peace and safety for all people. We support the First Amendment right to gather for peaceful resistance to unjust and immoral laws and public policies. It was our peaceful non-violent protests that paved the way for our right to vote, eat, fellowship, and live free as human beings no matter what we look like or from whence we have come. Page 4
NWTC Lay Organization Newsletter AME Church Southern California Conference Ministerial Alliance Condemns Harassment of Congresswoman Maxine Waters Continued... Second, we call on all people of good will to write articles and Op-Eds and issue press releases calling for freedom, justice, and equality for all. We hold a torch for justice and keep an oath for liberation. We keep an oath to our God and our communities for the spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, and financial wellness for all people. Third, we call on all people of good will to stand with Congresswoman Waters and all who believe in freedom and justice for all people. Let her know by phone call or email. Speak up and out whenever you witness injustices. Contact us to share your actions and solicit our involvement in the work you have initiated. For more information, contact the Rev. Francine Brookins, J.D., M.Div., Program Chair, SCCMA of the AME Church at (909)561-7949 or revfabesq@ymail.com. Page 5
A Call To Conscience The Council of Bishop This is a challenging and difficult time in the life of our nation and the world. It is a time which demands the church of Jesus Christ, to live up to what it is called to do, to represent Jesus Christ in His world, to be about the work of His kingdom on earth. Historically, the Black Church has been the conscience of the nation. During the Civil Rights Movement, it was the Black Church, which called and moved the nation to live up to its words and its creeds, to genuinely seek, to be one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all. Today the Black Church is called again, to be the conscience of the nation. The conscience is an inner voice that speaks to the rightness or wrongness of a person, group, or nation s behavior. The Council of Bishops of the AME Church believe we have no choice but to speak to the conscience of the nation regarding its behavior, policies and issues. We believe the future of the nation, as well as Black and Brown citizens is at risk. Somebody not only needs to say something, somebody needs to do something. The church has a moral obligation to lead the charge for prophetic action in times like these. Therefore, we are issuing a Call to Conscience: Forward to Action Rally to be held on Thursday, September 6that 9 AM in Washington, DC. We are seeking to secure Lafayette Park, across the street from the White House. On Wednesday, September 5thwe invite denominational and judicatory leaders, clergy and laity to join us for a strategy and briefing session. In the afternoon we will meet with Congressional leaders, and visit the offices of our Senators and Representatives. While the call is being issued by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it is our hope and prayer, that other faith communions will join us, in addition to leading Civil Rights and justice organizations, as well as citizens who are guided by their conscience to seek justice, and promote God s kingdom on earth. In a word, we are at war, against spiritual wickedness in high places. We are at war against racism, we are at war against immigration efforts which deliberately seek to prevent immigrants of color from entering the country, in- order to maintain the status quo and maintain white privilege, while separating children from parents, deporting Dreamers, and accusing immigrants of color of being terrorist, murderers, rapists, evil people. We are at war against gun violence which is increasing across the nation, as the political leadership bows to the demands and threats of the gun lobby, leaving no place safe from the sorrow and consequence of gun violence. We are against economic injustice which is exacerbated by laws and policies which benefit the wealthiest 10% while burdening and stagnating 90% of the population. We are at war against deliberate efforts to undermine our democracy by distorting the integrity and independence of the Justice Department, and freedom of the press, and we fight against the policies and actions of this administration and Congress which seek to turn back time and contradict God s Word. We hear a lot about Evangelical Christians, 75% of whom support the policies of this administration, and turn a blind eye to the unrighteous, immoral and sinful behavior, which contradicts what they say they believe. We call for Conscientious Christians, who let God s Word, and our conscience be our guide as we fight the good fight of faith. It is our hope and expectation that connectional leaders, pastors, laity, missionaries, millennials, and others who can attend will come to Washington, DC, the nation s capital in response to this Call to Conscience. We are in a war, and the soldiers of the Lord are being called to active duty: Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before Christ the royal Master, leads against the foe, forward into battle, see His banners go Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus, going on before! Page 6
A Call to Conscience Continued Onward then ye people, join our happy throng, blend with us your voices, in the triumph song, glory, laud and honor, unto Christ the King; this through countless ages, men and angels sing, Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before! Hotel information will be available next week. The tentative schedule is as follows: Sunday, September 2nd Social Justice Sunday Ministers across the nation are asked to preach sermons related to social justice and the Call to Conscience (suggested music, scriptures, litany s will be provided). Press Release will go out announcing Social Justice Sunday Every Sunday from September 9th to November 4th, ministers, lay leaders will provide for voter registration, and remind of upcoming election. Dependent upon each state, churches will organize for early voting, particularly for seniors. Wednesday, September 5th (Reid Temple AME Church, Glenn Dale, MD) 9AM 12Noon Briefing for Bishops, Pastors, Attendees 2PM 4PM Leaders meet with Congressional Leadership (U S Capital) Pastors, laity and attendees visit their Congressional members (Senators and Representatives) offices 7PM Worship Reid Temple AME Church, Glenn Dale, MD. Thursday, September 6 th 9AM Assemble Lafayette Park 10AM Call to Conscience Vigil Lafayette Park 12:30PM Lunch Metropolitan AME Church, Washington, DC 2PM Press Conference Metropolitan AME Church, Washington, DC Sunday, November 4th Voters to the Polls Sunday Ministers will preach or urge their congregants to vote on November 6th Respectfully, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, President of the Council of Bishops Bishop Gregory Ingram, President of the General Board Bishop McKinley Young, Senior Bishop a. Evangelical Christians Conscientious Christians b. Mid- Term Election Importance National and State Implication, Registration, Education, Mobilization, Early Voting, Organization c. Explication of Issues 12:30PM 2PM Lunch Page 7
Northwest Texas Conference Lay Organization We re on the web at http://www.nwtclo.org A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive it out, only love can do that. Dr. Martin Luther King Our country is in a very dark place now. What is going on daily in Washington DC turns out more lights in the world. In Puerto Rico; across the southern borders of the United States of America families are being ripped apart; in Congress some find no way to call the Executive branch of government to order as required by the Constitution; security clearances are being ripped away from some and threats are being made against others; and the leader of the free world has been recorded as telling over 6,000 lies since occupying the White House. Now therefore, this is a CALL TO ACTION FOR THE MEM- BERS OF THE CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION, at all levels of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, to support and participate. Our Biennial theme states: Laity Walking Humbly with God to do justice and to love kindness. We are asking all who can join us in Washington DC on September 5-6, 2018, to unite with other AME s and people of faith. Please reschedule your appointments, take a day or two off from your job, postpone non-essential things and come to this gathering to help raise our voices with crescendo effect against tyrants and tyrannical ways in America. Valerie Gary Bell President Connectional Lay Organization Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr. Chairman, Lay Commission African Methodist Episcopal Church