The Cathedral @ ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH 1260 Hamilton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63112 Church Office: (314) 385-8900 Pastor Residence: (314) 475-5355 Email: [email protected] Website: stpaulamestl.net Advancement in Discipleship, Evangelism, Membership Guide The Rev. Dr. Spencer Lamar Booker, DMin., Pastor Sis. Gail Booker, First Lady "The Church networking to meet the needs of all people through Jesus Christ Our Lord' Matthew 28:19-20, St. Luke 4:18-20
ADVANCEMENT IN DISCIPLESHIP, EVANGELISM AND MEMBERSHIP SESSIONS Session I……………………………………………..1 - 3 Pastor’s Hour Pastor Booker Session II………………………………………………..4 Defining Christian Discipleship Pastor Booker Session III…………………………………………...5 - 6 About Us Sis. Alice Lacy Session IV…………………………………………….7 - 9 What We Believe & Sacraments Sis. Rosalie Bell Session V………………………………………….….10-14 History AME Church St. Paul AME Church History Sis. Mattie Berry Session VI…………………………………………….15-19 AME Church Structure Elder W. B. Finney Church Protocol…………………………….….20 - 23 Atty. Benjamin Edwards Session VII………………………………………….24 - 27 Religious Symbols Sis. Louise Welch Session VIII……………………………………..….28 – 29 The Chancel at St. Paul Sis. Vivienne Anderson Session IX…………………………………………...30 - 31 Stewardship Pastor Booker Session X………………………………………..….32 - 33 Preparing for the Right Hand of Fellowship Pastor Booker
OUR PASTOR THE REVEREND SPENCER LAMAR BOOKER, B.A., M.Div., D.Min. Spencer Lamar Booker is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, born on May 15th to the parents of The Rev. Benjamin Roosevelt Booker, Sr. (Retired Presiding Elder) and Mother Roxey Anna Booker Walton. He is the seventh child of this union. He was educated in the public schools of Memphis, Tennessee. Pastor Booker graduated May 1987 from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science & Philosophy. He received his Master of Divinity degree May 1991 from Turner Theological Seminary where he majored in Christian Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. He has matriculated at the United Theological Seminary in Dayton Ohio, working toward his Doctor of Ministry degree. In June 1998 he received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from the Emmanuel Bible Theological Seminary in Macon, Georgia because of his humanitarian thrust in developing a faithbased community outreach center for the citizens of the community. In May 2018, Pastor Booker was conferred Doctor of Ministry Degree from Payne Theological Seminary. Pastor Booker has traveled nationally and internationally. He has served nationally as a Fellow of the Congress of National Black Churches where he traveled to metropolitan cities seeking models for Economic Development for bleak communities in Atlanta. Also, he traveled internationally as a missionary. His missionary assignment took him to South Africa where he was instrumental in instructing citizens how to vote during the first democratic election. His second visit was during the Centennial Celebration of the African Methodist Episcopal Church where he joined thousands in a celebration of religious freedom in South Africa. He visited the Holy Land where he preached on The Sea of Galilee and reconfirmed his baptism in The Jordan River. Pastor Booker was called to preach at the age of 17. He's a Licensed and Ordained Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has 35 years of Pastoral experience in Tennessee, Georgia and Missouri. He has served as the Connectional Vice-President of the Richard Allen Youth Council of the A.M.E. Church. He was elected Delegate-Alternate Delegate respectively to the General Conference of the A.M.E. Church since 1996. Pastor Booker is a Church Builder and People Builder for the Kingdom of God. At St. James, Monticello, Ga., he led the parishioners to erect a state-of-the-art Family Life Center. At New Grant, East Point, GA., the church facility was gutted out and completely renovated. Several ministries were implemented. Over 400 souls were converted and added to the church. Pastor Booker implemented a radio broadcast entitled, "The Moments of Inspiration Broadcast." He is CEO of Rehoboth Ministries, Inc., where several outreached ministries were developed and implemented. Pastor Booker was the coordinator of City-Wide Safety Summer Initiative in partnership with the East Point Police Department with four satellite sites throughout the city to provide a safe haven for the youth during the summer season. Pastor Booker served as the Lead Chaplain of the East Point Police Department and was appointed to the East Point Housing Authority Board. On November 3, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland, the Presiding Bishop of the 5th Episcopal District of the AME Church appointed Pastor Booker to the Pastoral SESSION 1 1
2 Charge of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Kansas City, Missouri. In addition to his pastoral appointment, Pastor Booker served on the board of trustees, the board of examiners, and the treasurer of the Midwest Annual Conference. During his tenure at Bethel, Pastor Booker led Bethel into New Visions and the possibilities of God's grace and provisions. Under his leadership a Spiritual Renaissance took place in the lives of the parishioners. He established a Centennial Renovation Program in which Phase I was completed with a renovated sanctuary. He led the parishioner in the first step of acquiring all the remaining lots across from the church for a future multi-ministry center. A Media Ministry was established with the "Moments of Inspiration" Radio Broadcast and an internet online site to view Worship Celebrations. He coordinated the First City-Wide Martin Luther King, Jr., Youth Parade. He established the Bethel Buck O'Neil Home for Boys where six to eight boys will be housed, nurtured, tutored and trained to become productive citizens. Pastor Booker served as President of The Methodist Ministry Fellowship of Greater Kansas City. On November 3, 2013, Pastor Booker assumed the Pastoral Charge of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, St. Louis, Missouri, the Mother Church of African Methodism west of the Mississippi River. Pastor Booker has a 20/20 Vision entitled "Networking to meet the needs of ALL people through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Matthew 28:19-20 Luke 4:18-19) Upon his arrival our Pastor has been teaching and preaching how God wants us to be at our best. He set forth a revitalization ministry of the spiritual souls of the parishioners and a renovation of the physical worship and fellowship center. On July 2017, Bishop Clement W. Fugh, dedicated the completed renovated sanctuary and fellowship center which included a state of the art: Bishop Vinton Anderson Conference Room and a Flex Room with a Computer lap. The Book is opened for what God will perform. Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has it entered the hearts the bountiful blessings God has in store for St Paul, St Louis. He is married to Lady Gail G. Booker and has two sons Daeryl "Scooter" and Nicholas Lamar who are accomplished musicians. Pastor Booker ministry motto is: "Ministry is my life, my life is my ministry, God called me, and God can depend on me!"
3 A. Matthew 16:13-19 Matthew 28:19 ....Luke 4:18-20......Ephesians 4:1-16 B. Developing Slogans that maintains Purpose: 1. Every Member is a minister/ambassador the Christ 2. All Leaders are Learners 3. We are Saved to Serve 4. Win the Lost at all Cost 5. It's not Taught it is Caught C. Developing a Five Star Church with Purpose 1. Church Provisions a. Worship helps people focus on God b. Fellowship helps people face life's issues c. Discipleship helps people fortify their faith d. Ministry helps people find their talents e. Evangelism helps people fulfil their mission 2. Church Gives a. God's Purpose to live for (Mission) . b. God's People to live with (Membership) c. God's Principles to live by (Maturity) c. God's Profession to live out (Ministry) d. God's Power to live on (Magnify) 3. Our (MY) Responsibilities a. God wants me to be a Member of His Family Ephesians 2:19 b. God wants me to be a Model of His Character I Timothy 4:12b c. God wants me to be a Minister of His Grace I Peter 4:10 d. God wants me to be a Messenger of His Love II Corinthians 5:17-21 e. God want me to Magnify His Name Psalms 34:1-3 Summary of Mission Statement: "The Church networking to meet the needs of all people through Jesus Christ Our Lord' Commit to Your Memory and Heart: The Cathedral @ St. Paul AME Church, St. Louis, MO The Pastor's Bible Hour Praise and Worship Pastor Booker, Instructor We the members have been chosen by God, at The Cathedral @ St. Paul, to be spiritual vessels and perform temporal ministry(s) on behalf of our God. Therefore, we will engage ourselves in church work being mindful of the work of the church which is our Christian duty, that is to meet and minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading the liberating move of God through Jesus Christ and the anointing of the Holy Ghost with praise, prayer, preaching, purpose and performance. "We are the church networking to meet the needs of all people through Jesus Christ our Lord." St. Luke 4: 18-20///Matthew 28:19-20. Rediscovering Our Purpose
4 Definition of Christian Discipleship “Go Ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing, them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” Matthew 28:19 IN NEW TESTAMENT USAGE Disciple Means: 1. Believer (Trusts in, Clings to, Relies upon) John 3; Romans 10 2. Follower (One who obeys) Matthew16:13-28 3. Learner (Lifelong) II Timothy 2:15 4. Minister (Spiritual Gifts) I Corinthians 12; Acts 2 BASIC QUALITIES A Disciple: 1. Lives a life consciously and constantly identifying with Christ: a. In His life, death and resurrection. I Corinthians 15 b. In words, behavior, attitudes, motives and purposes. Galatians 5 2. Fully actualizes Christ’s absolute ownership of his/her life. Psalms 1; Matthew 6; Psalms 27 3. Joyfully embraces the saviorhood of Christ. Matthew 5; Matthew 11 4. Delights in the lordship of Christ. Psalms 37 5. Lives by the abiding, indwelling resources of Christ. Psalms 23; Psalms 12; Hebrews 11 6. Lives according to the imprinted pattern and purpose of Christ. Ephesians 6 7. Lives for the chief end of glorifying his/her Lord and Savior. Psalms 34; Psalms 100; Psalms 24 MEANING OF THE GREAT COMMISSION: 1. Making disciples is the focus of the commission. 2. Disciples are to be made of all nations (people groups). 3. Making disciples involves a process of going, baptizing and teaching. a. This is Christian development through fellowship (established churches). b. This is Christian development through instruction (designed to make a true disciple). INTENDED EFFECT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION: “To produce disciples who will produce disciples, who will follow Christ and evangelize the entire world by the power of the Holy Spirit.” SESSION 2
5 About Us - Our Name The word African means that the church was organized by people of African descent and heritage. It does not mean that the church was founded in Africa, or that it was for persons of African descent only. The church's roots are of the family of Methodist churches. Methodism provides an orderly system of rules and regulations and places emphasis on a plain and simple gospel. Episcopal refers to the form of government under which the church operates. The chief executive and administrative officers of the African Methodist Episcopal denomination are the Bishops of the church. About Us - Our Mission The Mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ's liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of the Connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved: that is, to seek out and save the lost, and serve the needy through a continuing program of (1) preaching the gospel, (2) feeding the hungry, (3) clothing the naked, (4) housing the homeless, (5) cheering the fallen, (6) providing jobs for the jobless, (7) administering to the needs of those in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, asylums and mental institutions, senior citizens' homes; caring for the sick, the shut-in, the mentally and socially disturbed, and (8) encouraging thrift and economic advancement. The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2000 page 13. About Us - Our Motto Classical Traditional Motto: “God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Man our Brother” Derived from Bishop Daniel Payne (1811-1893). Contemporary Motto: "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, the Holy Spirit our Comforter, Humankind our Family” I Corinthians 12:20-21, 26 SESSION 3
6 About Us - Our Beliefs The Motto "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother" is a great summary of what the African Methodist Episcopal Church believes. Also known as the A.M.E. Church for short, the denomination is Methodist in terms of its basic doctrine and order of worship. It was born, through adversity, of the Methodist church and to this day does not differ in any major way from what all Methodists believe. The split from the main branch of the Methodist Church was not a result of doctrinal differences but rather the result of a time period that was marked by man's intolerance of his fellow man, based on the color of his skin. It was a time of slavery, oppression and the dehumanization of people of African descent and many of these un-Christian practices were brought into the church, forcing Richard Allen and a group of fellow worshippers of color to form a splinter denomination of the Methodist Church. Bishop Benjamin Arnett, in an address to the 893 World’s Parliament of Religions, reminded the audience of the presence of blacks in the formation of Christianity. Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner wrote in 1895 in “The Color of Solomon is what?” That biblical scholar wrongly portrayed the son of David as a white man. In the post civil rights era theologians James H. Cone, Cecil W. Cone, and Jacqueline Grant who came out of the AME Church tradition criticized Eurocentric Christianity and African American Churches for their shortcomings in fully impacting the plight of those oppressed by racism, sexism, and economic disadvantaged. To find the basic foundations of the beliefs of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, you need look no further than The Apostles' Creed and The Twenty Five Articles of Religion. Apostle's Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. The third day he arose from the dead' he ascended into heaven and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Church Universal, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen. Local Church Mission Statement We, the members have been chosen by God, at the Cathedral @ St. Paul Church, to be spiritual vessels and perform temporal ministries on behalf of our God. Therefore, we will engage ourselves in church work being mindful of the work of the church which is our Christian duty, that is to meet and minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and environmental needs of all people by spreading the liberating move of God through Jesus Christ and the anointing of the Holy Ghost with praise, prayer, preaching, purpose and performance. “We are the church networking to meet the needs of all people through Jesus Christ our Lord.” St. Luke 4:18///Matthew 28:19-20
7 Articles of Our Faith THE TWENTY-FIVE ARTICLES OF RELIGION 1. THE HOLY TRINITY - We experience the one God through the three aspects of His personality; namely, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2. The Incarnation of Christ - In Christ there are two natures, The Divine and the Human joined in one person. 3. The Resurrection of Christ - Christ truly arose from the dead and ascended into heaven. 4. The Holy Spirit - The Holy Spirit is of one substance with the Father and the Son. 5. The Holy Scriptures - The Bible contains all we need to know to be saved. The Names of the Canonical Books: Genesis The First Book of Chronicles Exodus The Second Book of Chronicles Leviticus The Book of Ezra Numbers The Book of Nehemiah Deuteronomy The Book of Esther Joshua The Book of Job Judges The Book of Psalms Ruth The Proverbs The First Book of Samuel Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher The Second Book of Samuel Song of Solomon The First Book of Kings Four Major Prophets The Second Book of Kings Twelve Minor Prophets All the books of the New Testament as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical. Matthew 1 Corinthians 1 Thessalonians Hebrews Mark 2 Corinthians 2 Thessalonians James Luke Galatians 1 Timothy 1,2 Peter John Ephesians 2 Timothy 1, 2, 3 John Acts Philippians Titus Jude Romans Colossians Philemon Revelations 6. The Old Testament - The Old Testament is not contrary to the New, in both the Old andthe New Testament eternal life is offered to mankind. 7. Original Sin - This corruption of the nature of every man is called “Original Sin.” It goes back to Adam, the first man. 8. Free Will - Every person is free to choose right or wrong; but even if you choose right, you must have God’s help to live a good and holy life. 9. The Justification of Man - We are saved by faith in Christ and by that faith alone. Good works cannot save us. 10. Good Works - Good works are fruits of our faith in Christ. 11. Works of Supererogation - The belief one can do more good than God requires is called “works of supererogation.” SESSION 4
8 12. Sin After Justification - Christians who truly repent receive God’s forgiveness and rise again to a good and holy life. 13. The Church - The Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered. 14. Purgatory - We do not believe in the idea of purgatory, which is the doctrine that there is a place other than heaven or hell where souls go to be cleansed. 15. Familiar Speech - Public worship and the sacraments should be conducted in a language the people can understand. 16. The Sacraments - There are only two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. 17. Baptism - Baptism is the sign of regeneration or the new birth. 18. The Lord’s Supper - The Supper of the Lord is a symbol of Christ’s suffering and death for us. 19. Communion in Both Kinds - Both the bread and wine are to be given to the people in the Lord’s Supper. 20. The Sacrifice of Christ - The Sacrifice of Christ is for the sins of the whole world, both original and actual. 21. The Marriage of Ministers - The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law to abstain from marriage. 22. Rites and Ceremonies of the Church - It is not necessary that the rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same or exactly alike. 23. The Government of the United States - All righteous government should be supported and defended by Christians. 24. Christian Men’s Goods - Christian have a right to own private property. However, every man should give liberally of his possessions to help others. 25. A Christian Man’s Oath - Christians should not swear. They may take an oath required by the courts of the land.
9 SACRAMENTS The A.M.E. Church recognizes two in which Christ Himself participated: BAPTISM COMMUNION Symbolic of the cleansing and regenerating power of God To remember Jesus died for us -allows full membership in the church Water is applied by sprinkling. Pouring and immersion are also modes. In the vows of baptism, we declare faith in Christ and the church, and ask for help and guidance. Parents vow to teach infants or children in Christ’s way. -to experience his continued life in the body of the church. The bread and wine symbolize Christ’s body and blood. In the sacrament, the believer follows Christ’s order to “do this in remembrance of me” It is a time to feel a part of the community of believers and Christian servants. Everyone has a Responsibility to Serve God and the World through: WORSHIP -Bringing members together in Christ; strengthening and renewing faith. STEWARDSHIP -Cooperating to give needed financial support to the church. FELLOWSHIP -Sharing the joy of Christian living with others. EDUCATION -Every local church supporting Christian Education. MISSIONS -Supporting missionary efforts all over the world EVANGELISM -Reaching out to win new members for Christ and the church. PUBLICATIONS -Informing members about the work of the church and their Christian responsibility. WELFARE -Making an effort on all levels for progress and social justice.
10 About Us - Our History The African Methodist Episcopal Church was started in 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when Richard Allen and forty-two others walked out of Saint George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in protest of years of racial discrimination. Richard Allen had been traveling and preaching for several years throughout the Atlantic states. He was a part of the historic Christmas Conference that met in Baltimore in 1784 to carry out John Wesley’s plan to organize Methodism in the colonies. When Allen returned to the city of Philadelphia, he was a member of the Old Saint George’s Methodist Society. Many people of African descent usuallyattended Saint George’s Church, but when they began to increase in number, the white members had them removed from their seats and placed them around the walls. Allen considered the attitude of increasing hostility towardsthem, andin 1786, he organized a group of forty-two people among the oppressed within the church. The incident that sparked the walkout happened when the people of African descent were pulled off their knees and “ruffled” during prayer one Sunday Morning during the worship service. In 1786, their contributions helped to build a balcony in the church where they thought they had a right to sit, however, while Richard Allen and his friends were reverently kneeling, one of the officers of the church attempted to pull Rev. Jones from his knees and told them they could not worship there. Rev. Jones pleaded to the officer to let them remain until prayer was over, but the officer insisted that if they did not remove themselves from the area, he would call for help and have them thrown out. When the prayer was over, Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and the others walked out saying, “we will trouble you no more.” Richard Allen had formed the Free African Society earlier that year to help and protect the economic, political, social and spiritual well-being of his people. He held the position that every person should be rewarded for their work to secure their own future. Richard Allen had seen in his town and in his travels, many African brothers and sisters that had been a longforgotten people who were not able to attend church. Allen wanted to establish a church for the well-being of all people. He wanted to minister to people that were not being minister to because of race and lower social condition. Allen knew not where they were going, but they trusted God, south freedom of worship, personal dignity and self-esteem. They went out on faith, and on the first day collected $360 and rented a storeroom as a place of worship. Later, Richard Allen purchased an old abandoned blacksmith shop for $35 dollars, hauled it with his own team of six horses to a lot at the corner of Sixth and Lombard Streets which he had purchased from Mark Wilson. Richard Allen dug the first spade-full of earth and repaired the shop for a place of worship. When the church was built, Bishop Francis Asbury dedicated it, and John Dickens offered a prayer that it might be called “Bethel.” Today, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church continues the work of Allen. People of African descent in other areas faced similar problems as Allen faced in the Saint George’s Church. In his letters to Richard Allen, Daniel Coker of Baltimore, wrote of prejudice and segregation in the house of the Lord. Consequently, in April 1816, Richard Allen, Daniel Coker, and representative from Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey met to form a connection, and named it the African Methodist Episcopal Church with Richard Allen as its first consecrated Bishop. Therefore, the A.M.E. Church is the first formally organized African-American Church in America. Today the A.M.E. Church is right on target with the timeless reaching, leadership, and courage of Richard Allen. He was the father of the resistance struggle in America, especially among African-Americans, and offers the most promising model for a comp temporary African-American theology. We were organized, educated, received economic, political,and social gains through the church. Therefore, the church that Allen started provides the spirit of self-help and determination. Today there are nearly 2 million members, 8,000 ministers, and 7,000 churches in more than 39 nations in North and South America, Africa, and Europe. Twenty-one bishops, retired bishops and nine general officers comprise the leadership of our denomination. SESSION 5
11 Richard Allen was born a slave boy to Benjamin Chew of Philadelphia, in February 14, 1760. His mother and father, and four children were sold to Delaware state near Cover. He lived there until he was twenty. He was saved and accepted Christ at that time. He and his brother joined the Methodist Society and started going to their classes with John Gray (their class leader) in the style of the Methodist Church. They were blessed to have a master that let them attend these meetings. Some of their neighbors were saying that religion would make the slaves worse servants. So he, and his brother worked hard to ensure that all the field work was completed to prove them wrong. His master allowed them to hold meetings at their house, and he converted to Christianity. He felt it was wrong to own slaves, so he proposed to them, freedom for $2,000 continental money. Richard bought his and his brother's freedom in 1783. Richard Allen was a man of sublime courage and indestructible and passionate faith. Equipped with these two spiritual weapons he could not be beaten down. In 1787 when he and others of African descent were denied the freedom to worship God in the St. George Methodist Episcopal Church (now known as the United Methodist Church) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania he politely walked out. The movement which was begun as a result of the walk out blossomed into the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. Richard Allen felt that he had a special duty to spread the gospel among Africans and people of African descent as well as those of all ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds. These were the people, who, because of segregation and discrimination in church and state, were being dehumanized, ostracized, exploited, robbed, by-passed and otherwise mistreated. They needed to be organized and needed to have a Christian guiding principle of action. With these high goals and noble purposes in mind, he proceeded to take the ugly social situation which made his movement necessary, and, like Joseph of old, used it as a channel of blessing which stirred up in the African a burning determination to be first class Christians and first-class Americans. Between 1815 and 1830 Richard Allen was often recognized as a leader of free Blacks in the north. In 1816 Richard Allen was consecrated the first bishop of this new denomination. In 1817 his Bethel A.M.E. Church hosted the first general mass meeting by Blacks to protest the deportation policies made by the American Colonization Society. After this was over, he continued his career of preaching and organizing. He died in 1831. The Life of Richard Allen
12 Although largely overlooked, Sara Bass Allen, the second wife of AME Church founder Richard Allen, was characterized by those who knew her as "a pillar [of] the building, a mother in Israel" whose work enabled Richard Allen and his fellow ministers to carry on their work. Sara was born into slavery in 1764 in Virginia's Isle of Wight County, but was brought to Philadelphia when she was eight years old. Little is known about her early life, but by 1800 she had obtained her freedom. She met Allen in 1800, and they were married within a year. Their first child, Richard Jr., was born the following year, and five others followed: James, John, Peter, Sara and Ann. Sara's primary work consisted in managing the Allen household and raising the children, but she also actively supported Allen's activism and assisted in the work of the AME Church. With her husband, Sara assisted runaway slaves, hiding, feeding and clothing them in their home and in the church. The bedraggled appearance of the ministers at the AME Church's first annual conference inspired her to organize the Daughters of Conference, officially designated in 1827. These AME women mended the garments of the ministers, gave them food, and provided them with the material support they needed to survive. The work of the Daughters of Conference continued long after Sara's death. When Richard died in 1831, he had provided well enough for his family that unlike most widows, Sara could afford not to seek employment. Sara Allen died on July 16, 1849 in the home of her youngest daughter, Ann. She was interred beside her husband in a tomb in the lower level of Mother Bethel Church. Sara Allen, wife of Richard Allen
13 CHURCH HISTORY St. Paul A.M.E Church, St Louis "The Mother Church of the 5th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church" St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church has the second oldest black congregation in St. Louis and is "the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church west of the Mississippi River." The date on the cornerstone from the Lawton-Leffingwell building places the formal organization of St. Paul A.M.E. Church at 1841. Older documents and records of the church indicate, there were several earlier beginnings. Bishop Charles Spencer Smith, in his book "The History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church" has tied the beginnings of the local congregation to the work of Rev. Jordan Winston Early, a member of the Methodist Church South, who left that group in 1832 to associate himself with the A.M.E. Church movement in St. Louis. Prayer meetings or societies had been organized much earlier and met in private homes, due to the growing power of slavery, and the Nat Turner Insurrection of 1831; they also were obligated to proceed with caution. One of the several meeting homes was that of Priscilla Baltimore, a slave and nurse who purchased her own freedom and that of her husband. The society came to be known as "Little Bethel Chapel." Mrs. Baltimore was a moving force during these early years, until her death in 1882. In the course of time, Rev. Early and others obtained a small log cabin near the end of Main Street. Later they moved to an old mission located at the corner of 7th and Washington Streets, which was obtained from the Presbyterians. In due time, the Mission, having become too small to accommodate the society, was moved to a large hall secured on Broadway, over an engine house near the center of the city for continued worshipping. From another old record, it is indicated that the Rev. John Anderson was appointed to the charge of the A.M.E. Church in St. Louis. The first leaders' meeting was held on the evening of July 29, 1840. In the year of 1836, Rev. William Paul Quinn was sent on a missionary journey by the A.M.E. Church General Conference, which met in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to work in the west. He came to Illinois and was not permitted at that time to preach in St. Louis, as Missouri was still a slave state. By 1840, Rev. William Paul Quinn conceived the idea of standing on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River and preaching across the river to the men and women, many of them slaves; on the Missouri side in (St. Louis). Thus was born the seed of African Methodism (in the west). In1841 under his leadership, St. Paul A.M.E. Church Chapel was born and was formally organized.
14 St. Paul A.M.E. Church was the initial birthplace of the St. Louis Chapter of the NAACP in 1913. It was also the church home of Annie Malone, Madame C.J. Walker, and Ethel Hedgeman Lyle, one of the head founders of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. St. Paul A.M.E. Church is one of the leading Congregations among 7000+ congregations established throughout America, Africa, and the Caribbean's. The St. Paul parishioners are successful citizens throughout Metro St. Louis and the United States. St. Paul is noted for its birth of denominational leaders in both clergy and lay. Outstanding Pastors has been elected from the pulpit of St Paul, as Bishops throughout various Episcopal Districts of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Distinguished Pastors such as: Frank Madison Reid, Sr., George Wayman Blakely, Vinton Randolph Anderson, and Cornal Garnett Henning. Currently, Attorney Benjamin Edwards serves on the Judicial Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. St Paul is noted for being a Church that serves the community: The "Our Redeemer Lives Ministry" feeds hundreds of families every month under the leadership of Evangelist Aileen Wynne. St. Paul Saturdays, a profound male mentoring program, was founded by former pastor Bishop C. Garnett Henning and Dr. William Harrison and formed in St. Paul. Their motto is: "Building men is better than mending boys." The following clergy have served St. Paul as Senior Pastors: John Anderson, Williams Douglas, Henry Cole, George W. Johnson, Byrd Parker, Israel Cole, W.H. Revels, John Turner, Thomas W. Henderson, M.W. Beckley, George Schafer, E.T. Cottman, C.W. Preston, D.P. Roberts, William D. Cook, John W. Sexton, W. Sampson Brooks, C.A. Williams, Noah W. Williams, Joseph Gomez, Frank Madison Reid, Sr., Russell Brown, Marcellous R. Dixon, G. Waymon Blakely, Vinton Randolph Anderson, James H. Oxley, Edward Sneed Foust, C. Garnett Henning, Felix Delano Dancy, E. Lewis Branch, Alvin L. Smith and J. Arthur Rumph. On October 27, 2013, Bishop T. Larry Kirkland appointed Rev. Spencer Lamar Booker to the charge of St. Paul. On November 3, 2013, Pastor Booker became the official Pastor of St. Paul with a 20/20 Vision entitled "Networking to meet the needs of ALL people through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Matthew 28:19-20 Luke 4:18-19) Under the leadership of Pastor Booker, a major renovation of the physical plant was implemented, completed, and dedicated to the Glory of God, on July 15, 2017. Since the historic rededication of St. Paul’s sanctuary, Bishop Clement W. Fugh has reassigned Pastor Booker to continue the vision he established upon his initial appointment in 2013. The Book is opened for what God’s will is yet to perform. Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, nor has it entered the hearts the bountiful blessings God has in store for St. Paul in Saint Louis, Missouri.
15 The Structure of the A.M.E. Church & Protocol The African Methodist Episcopal Church is a connectional organization. Each local church is a part of the larger connection. There is a book published every four years entitled The Doctrines and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, or The Discipline. The Discipline is a book of order, doctrine, ceremonies, rules and regulations that provides guidelines for our Church. The Bishops are the Chief Officers of the Connectional Organization. They are elected for life by a majority vote of the General Conference which meets every four years. Bishops are bound by the laws of the church to retire following their 75th birthday. Presiding Elders are the assistants, like middle management, whom the Bishops appoint to supervise the preachers in a Presiding Elder's District. A Presiding Elder District is one portion of an Annual Conference, which in turn is one part of the Episcopal District over which a Bishop presides. In the Presiding Elder District, the appointed Presiding Elder meets with the local churches, that comprise the District, at least once every three months for a Quarterly Conference. The Presiding Elder also presides over a District Conference and a Sunday School Convention in his or her District. At the end of an Annual Conference year, the Presiding Elder reports to the Bishop at the Annual Conference and makes recommendations for pastoral appointments. Pastors receive a yearly appointment to a charge (church), on the recommendation of the Presiding Elder and with the approval and final appointment of the Bishop. The pastor is in full charge of the Church and is an ex-official member of all boards, organizations and clubs of that Church. SESSION 6
16 1) The General Conference The General Conference is the supreme body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is composed of the Bishops, as ex-officio presidents, according to the rank of election, and an equal number of ministerial and lay delegates, elected by each of the Annual Conferences and the lay Electoral Colleges of the Annual Conferences. Other ex-officio members are the General Officers, College Presidents, Deans of Theological Seminaries; Chaplains in the Regular Armed Forces of the U.S.A. The General Conference meets quadrennial (every four years) but may have extra sessions in certain emergencies. 2) Council of Bishops The Council of Bishops is the Executive Branch of the Connectional Church. It has the general oversight of the Church during the interim between General Conferences. The Council of Bishops shall meet annually at such time and place as the majority of the Council shall determine and also at such other times as may be deemed necessary in the discharging its responsibility as the Executive Branch of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Council of Bishops includes all Elected and Consecrated active and retired Bishops of the AME Church. The Bishops Council of 1887 Richard Allen (1st) Morris Brown (2nd) Edward Waters (3rd) William P. Quinn (4th) Willis Nazrey (5th) Daniel A. Payne (6th) 3) Board of Incorporators The Board of Incorporators, also known as the General Board of Trustees, has the supervision, in trust, of all connectional property of the Church and is vested with authority to act in behalf of the Connectional Church wherever necessary. 4) The General Board The General Board is in many respects the administrative body and is comprised of various departmental Commissions made up of the respective Secretary-Treasurer, the General Secretary of the A.M.E,. Church the General Treasurer and the members of the various Commissions and one Bishop as presiding officer with the other Bishops associating. 5) Judicial Council The Judicial Council is the highest judicatory body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is an appellate court, elected by the General Conference and is amenable to it.
17 -Bishop -Traveling Preachers -Commissions -Presiding Elder -Lay Organization -Membership/Evangelism -Pastor -Women Missionary Society -Missions and Welfare -Stewards -Young People Department -Stewardship/Finance -Trustees -Choirs -Christian Education -Class Leaders -Ushers -Public Relations -Stewardesses -Sons of Allen -Social Action -Local Preachers -Church School -Outreach Ministries Each Church is part of a larger structure which unifies members and coordinates efforts. GENERAL CONFERENCE GENERAL BOARD Supreme legislative body; meets Elected by General conference Every 4 years; acts policy, elects administers denominational Bishops and General Officers. Affairs annually. EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS ANNUAL CONFERENCE Each is presided over by a The basic units of the whole church Bishops, divided into annual Meet every year to hear annual Conferences. Church Reports and appoint Pastors DISTRICT CONFERENCE THE LOCAL CHURCH A cluster of churches in a geographic QUARTERLY CONFERENCE Area within the annual conference, Quarterly meets with a PresidingElder Meets together for fellowship and CHURCH CONFERENCE Information All Members meet to discuss the work Of the Church, consider special Proposals. OFFICIAL BOARD Administrative body of the local church. Organizational Structure of Our AME Church
EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS OF THE A.M.E. CHURCH By States and Countries Our World Outreach 1st Episcopal District ……PA, NJ, NY, New England, DE, Bermuda 2nd Episcopal District ….MD, D.C. VA, NC, 3rd Episcopal District …..OH, PA,VA 4th Episcopal District …..Canada, IL,IN, MI 5th Episcopal District……MO, KS, NE, CA, NV, AZ, WA, OR, New Mexico 6th Episcopal District …..GA 7th Episcopal District …..SC 8th Episcopal District……MS, LA 9th Episcopal District …..AL 10th Episcopal District …TX 11th Episcopal District …FL 12th Episcopal District…AR,OK 13th Episcopal District …TN,KY 14th Episcopal District …Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’Ivorie, Togo Benin 15th Episcopal District …South Africa, Namibia, Angola 16th Episcopal District …Suriname-Guyana, Windward Islands, Virginia Islands Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, London 17th Episcopal District …Zimbabwe, Zambia, Congo, Rwanda, Katanga, Kananga, Kinshasa, Mbuji-mayi, and Burundi 18th Episcopal District …Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique 19th Episcopal District…South Africa, Johanesburg 20th Episcopal District…Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” I Corinthians 12:27 18
19 THE CHURCH The church is a community of people who believe in God and who have accepted Jesus Christ as the Guide and Master of their lives. Jesus Christ is the spiritual head of the Christian church. The church is organized into groups, clubs, boards, and classes in such a way as to have the members serve the needs of each other. The membership roll of the church represents the human materials out of which the church must be built. Whatever else we might say about the church we must never ignore the fact that the church is people. It cannot exist without people. It is more than people, but it is nothing without people. The A.M.E. Church is very closely organized. The A.M.E. Church is very closely organized. We speak of our church, as a whole, as THE CONNECTIONAL CHURCH, by which we mean that the parts are tied together, connected in such a way as to provide for unified and coordinated action. St. Paul A.M.E. Church is a company of people who have express their belief in Jesus Christ and have taken the vows and assumed the responsibilities of membership through ministries. By choosing a ministry you will share a sense of belonging. Among them are: Stewards Ministry – Spiritual Visionary Team.—Appointed By Pastor Booker Trustees Ministry – Temporal Service Team –Appointed by Pastor Booker Stewardesses Ministry – Season Mothers and Sisters - Appointed By Pastor Booker Men’s Ministry - Preparing Men for Leadership, Family, and community. Women’s Missionary Ministry – Women with Missionary Visionary. Youth and Children’s Ministry – Youth development and spiritual enrichment. Lay Ministry – Trained Laity of Doctrine and Discipline Music Ministry with Praise – Three Choirs and Two Praise Team The Bereavement Ministry The Intercessory Prayer Team Class Leaders – Call Ministry of People that provide spiritual leadership for small group. Church School Ministry -Biblical Lessons taken from the Standard Sunday School Guide Church At Study Ministry – Pastor Booker’s Biblical Teachings Wisdom on Wednesday WOW Media Ministry Health/Wholeness Ministry- A ministry to inform us on health, first aid emergency Season Saints Ministry – Season Saints that meet to study the Word, and fellowship Transportation Ministry-A Bus is available to all for transportation to and from Church The Redeemer Lives St. Paul Saturday’s Hospitality Greeters Ministry Rehoboth Ministries Inc. Outreach The Pastor’s Aid Board The Mission Possible Ministry And/or you can share a new ministry not listed above.
20 PROTOCOL IN THE A.M.E CHURCH The General Conference of the A.M.E. Church is responsible for the administration of the church. Rank and duties of the Bishops, General and Connectional Officers, College Presidents and Deans, Episcopal Supervisors, Presiding Elders, Ministers and Lay members are spelled out in the A.M.E. Discipline. The Book of Discipline contains information and listing pertinent to the protocol of the A.M.E. Church. The organizational structure of the church shows the General Conference, General Board, etc. The following is the tenure of office of personnel holding chairmanship. • General Conference meets every four (4) years. • General Board meets annually, Chairpersons serve for two (2) years. • President of Bishop's Council serves for one (1) year. Hierarchy of the Itinerant Ministry In the A.M.E. Church, protocol is determined by position and tenure. It is accepted that the hierarchy of the Itinerant Ministry is as follows: 1. Bishop 2. Presiding Elder 3. Itinerant Elder 4. Itinerant Deacon 5. Local Elder 6. Local Deacon 7. Evangelist 8. Licentiate Hierarchy of the Episcopacy 1. Senior Bishop (Retired) 2. Senior Bishop (Active) 3. President of the Council of Bishops 4. President of the General Board or, according to seniority (election), who is present when acknowledgements are made. Rotation Order of Bishops: It is important to note the rotational order of Bishops so that no one can introduce those names for the complete quadrennium; they change annually. Hierarchy of the Church in Open Session Bishops of the Church General Officers Judicial Council Connectional Officers Head of Department College Presidents and Deans Chaplains Preliminary Inquiry Episcopal District Officers Annual Conference Officers Presiding Elders’ District Officers Pastor Area Officers Secretaries, etc.
21 Hierarchy of the Local Church Presiding Elder (if present) Pastor Itinerant Elder Local or Associate Minister Stewards Trustees Hierarchy for Organizations President or Director Vice President Secretary Treasurer Basic Protocol Correct protocol should be observed at all meetings and emphasized at special guests meetings, the conference and the convention. The term “protocol” means the Official Etiquette or state of ceremonies. Some of these customs are hundreds of years old-they emphasize dignity and ceremony. Correct Introductions When you introduce guests of honor and they rise and bow only, you introduce the highest ranking guest first and go down the list. If your guests are each to say a few words of greeting or congratulations, then start with the guest of lowest rank and go up the list. The last expression comes from you top-ranking officers or guests. Do not hesitate to ask all to be brief, preferably before the meeting begins. Introductions of honored guests should be gracious but short. A rule to remember: The higher the office, the shorter the introduction. Pronounce all names correctly, check to be sure. In introducing, give the speaker’s history and why he or she will make the particular talk. Last of all give the speaker’s complete name, facing the audience so they all hear it clearly. Then, turn to the person to be introduced so all can see who is to rise and repeat the name only; this is the speaker’s cue to rise and makes for a smooth introduction. Guests of honor when they are national officers visiting an organization are always introduced by the President. The President should introduce National Officers when they are a guest. Some officers have a position of reverence in our society. Protocol afforded to them would be: Standing when they enter the room, giving appropriate applause, etc. providing assistance in getting around, and seating when needed. Guest Seating The Presiding Officers are always in the center of the head table or right off center first place. The Guest of Honor is always seated at the right of the Presiding Officer and takes precedence over any other dignitary. Other guests of honor may be seated right, left, right, left, etc. of the Presiding Officer according to rank; or all guests of honor may be seated to the right of the Presiding Officer and other dignitaries or local officers, all to the left of the Presiding Officer. If a special chairman is to present a program portion of the meeting, this person is usually seated at the left or the right of the Presiding Officer. Occasionally, the distance a guest travels has bearing on seating. When you have numerous guests and a special program group to be considered, two head tables at opposite ends of the room allow you to seat officers and honored guests at the No. 1 head table and the program participants at the No. 2 table. But keep the Guest of Honor at the Presiding Officer’s right. Do not break rank in seating, but if one arrangement or another will place friends together, use it.
22 Remember: The guest of Honor is always seated to the right of the Presiding Officer. The Reception Line The reception line is headed by the President or Chairman, usually preceded by one hostess to announce each person. The Guest of Honor is next to the President with other guest following in rank. A reception line should never be too long or progress will be delayed. Each person in line repeats to the person at the right the name of the person just greeted; if this is not done, then those going down the reception line should give their name to those in line. At conventions, a list of the reception line officers and guests should be typed and distributed those in line. Note: When a Connectional or District Board meets in your city or an officer is invited to your city the local organization or church should act as a Hospitality Committee for the comfort of the guest and, if possible, plan some special event, such as an early morning breakfast or dinner. Special Invitation Offer the Guest of Honor, well in advance of the meeting, a choice of dates if possible. Advise all guests you invite of their particular function at the meeting and give all a tentative outline of the program. A brief data sheet on your organization with its aims and policies is good to send. Written invitations are best and should include Ø City and place of meeting Ø Hour guest is on the program Ø List of other guests Ø Approximate size of audience, and Ø Their particular interests Do not hesitate to tell your guest(s) how long they are to talk and whether or not questions will be permitted from the assembly. It is also well to advise each guest what the other guests will do in the program, the size of the room and whether or not a microphone will be used. Confer with your guest(s) on the event title if they are to give a speech. If you phone your invitation, be sure to confirm by letter and to obtain acceptance by letter. Inviting Guest Speakers to Local Churches When inviting guest speakers to your church, organization, conference or district function, the Pastor or President should be consulted or informed. Once the availability of your guest is confirmed, the formal invitation should be made by the Pastor. It is acceptable form that the officer may sign the letter with the Pastor. Letter Writing Letters, or any type of communication, should not be sent representing an organization without the head of that organization’s knowledge. Examples: Ø Church Business – The Pastor should be aware. Ø Lay Organization – The District President should be aware if it is district business. The conference or local should be aware if it pertains to either. If the head is a Chairperson, that person should know what communication is going out. Ø Connectional – The Presiding Bishop should be informed if one wishes to invite another Bishop.
23 CHURCH ETIQUETTE Etiquette: The conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life. Church etiquette is defined as the rules we should follow and the respect that we should have and practice daily. Various sources were searched for information. The Usher’s Handbook, prepared and printed by Rev. J.C. Granberry, Jr. is very helpful. In the handbook, which was written by the late Rev. Ransom McCoy, Sr., the author states that, “The Lord’s servants should seek to achieve excellence in whatever their hands find to do.” This applies to all who profess to be God’s servants. Ushers are the hosts and hostesses, the doorkeepers in the house of the Lord and should be respected by worshippers as the same. Ushers by the same token, should take their roles as hosts and hostesses in the house of the Lord seriously and respect that role, the church and the worshipers with the highest esteem. Ushers should encourage worshippers to do the same. However, these are facts that everyone should know and practice. Whether you are a choir member, a part of the Sunday School Department, a Stewart or Trustee, being aware of these facts will make the Ushers’ roles easier and everyone’s attendance and life in the church more meaningful. If we are going to respect the church as we should, we need to know the church and its parts. Parts of the Church Ø Narthex – Entrance vestibule, a passage room between the outer doors and the interior (the Nave). The passage room is the area for such business as getting bulletins, registering guests, removing costs or other garments, distributing tickets, etc. This business should be done quietly and orderly while preparing to enter the Nave reverently. Ø Nave – The controlled division of the church in which the congregation is seated. One should enter this portion of the church reverently and sit quietly. Ø Entering the Nave – Upon entering the Nave, the Ushers should close the doors immediately following the entrance of the processional. Doors that enter the Nave should remain closed again during Prayer and Response. Doors may be opened during the Anthem. Doors are closed during the Scripture, Decalogue and Altar Call. Latecomers should be seated near the rear of the church or in the balcony at this point on to avoid distractions. Ø Sanctuary – The sacred portion of the church in which the Altar is a consecrated place. Ø Altar Rail – The Altar Rail separates the Altar, the sacred portion, from the Nave. This rail encloses the Sanctuary and is used by the worshipers to pray and receive Holy Communion. Ø Altar – The holy table o which nothing is placed except consecrated articles. The pulpit and lectern, where there is a divided Altar, each deserves proper respect for its particular use. Note: Worshipers should not cross in front of the Altar at any time during service. Ø Sermon – Persons arriving late should be seated in the rear or in the balcony after the sermon begins. All seating, moving around and talking should be limited to a minimum at all times. Ushers, Choir members and worshipers should adhere to the rules. Note: You should never chew gum services and meetings. End of Service – The end of the Service is as important as the beginning. Last impressions are lasting impressions. Speak to all visitors and friends.
24 AME AME EMBLEM The emblem displays characteristics which can be equated to a significant aspect of the African Methodist Episcopal doctrine and belief. The shape of the emblem is in the form of a three-pointed shield; the three points being symbolic of the official motto of the A.M.E. Church. "God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, Man our Brother." An anvil and cross occupy the center of the Emblem. The anvil represents the blacksmith shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the founder, Richard Allen, with a few followers, established the first African Methodist Episcopal Church; the cross represents the Church. AME Colors The Basic Colors are White and Purple. • White represents Purity; that state which all True Christians constantly strive to achieve. • Purple Represents Christ's Blood on the Cross. SESSION 7
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS The Anchor Cross used by the early Christians The Latin Cross. The most common used cross. in the Catacombs. Ancient Egyptian in origin. The Three Step-Cross. The steps, from the top down, The ihs. A modern depiction of the first three letters Stand for Faith, Hope and Charity. (iota ι, eta η·, sigma σ‚) of the Greek spelling of Jesus (Ίησονς). The bar above the eta denotes 'abbreviation' The Alpha and Omega. The Equilateral Triangle symbol of the The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet which signify Trinity. The three distinct angles combine that Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things. To make one complete figure. 25
26 The Lily The Peacock Symbol of immortality and Easter. Early symbol of the Resurrection, the peacock The bulb decays in the ground, yet sheds his feathers but then grow new, even from it new life is released. More brilliant feathers. The Dove The Wheat Symbolizes the Holy Spirit and peace. Heads of wheat symbolize the Bread of Life The dove brought an olive leaf to Noah to signify Mark 14:22. With clusters of grapes, appropriate the end of the flood. Mark 1:10. for holy tables. . The Candlestick The Lamp These suggest our Lord's words, A symbol for the Word of God. "I am the light of the world," John 8:12. A pair of candlesticksrepresent His two-fold nature - human and divine The Fish The Rehoboth Ministries Inc. A secret sign used by the early persecuted Christiansto designate A symbol with the world in the Palm of themselves as believers in Jesus. The initial letters forthe Greek our hands base on the Word and the Cross. words for " Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior", spell theGreek word Rehoboth: the Lord has made room for us. for fish. Genesis 26:22
27 Christian Church Religious Colors Green Season of Epiphany Season of Evangelism White Season of Easter Tide Holy Communion Purple Season of Lent Season of Advent Season Leading up to Easter Royal Blue Season of Advent Season of Christmas Red Season of Pentecost Kente Cloth Season of Afro centricity Black Season of Mourning
28 THE CHANCEL at ST. PAUL, ST. LOUIS. Submitted by: Supervisor Vivienne Anderson, Former Episcopal Supervisor of the A.M.E. Church Thanks to Pastor Booker for allowing me to describe the intent for the design of the chancel of St. Paul, and for preserving it during the recent renovation of the entire Church. I would dare to say that there is not another chancel in the AME Church that has the exact symbolism I am about to describe. The chancel at St. Paul AME Church in St. Louis was designed by the late Bishop Vinton R. Anderson when he pastored St. Paul from 1964 to 1972. His passion for ecumenicity or “oneness” was evident throughout his entire career, from the time he was a student at Payne Seminary to his selection as one of the presidents of the World Council of Churches, the primary Ecumenical Body. At the very back of the chancel you see the large empty cross which signifies the resurrection of Christ, indicating our hope and our promise of maximizing our potential into eternal life. There is a second small cross in the middle which was donated by a family of St. Paul in memory of a loved one before the new work was done. The family wanted that cross to be a central part of the chancel, but Rev. Anderson asked for their permission to insert it in the larger cross so that it would still be evidence of their memorial. On each side of the large cross, there are twelve symbols representing the twelve disciples of Christ. You might recognize the one with keys which are the symbols for the apostle Peter who is said to have been given the keys to the kingdom. (Please see Chart on next page for the other disciples) On the right side of the divided chancel there is a pulpit which is no longer used as such because each pastor has a different preference between the divided chancel and the central pulpit. Our pastor prefers the central pulpit and has moved the preaching of the Word to the center in front of the Communion Table. This is perfectly in order since it also allows for better eye contact with the congregation, as the width of the chancel is extensive. Above the original pulpit there is a book and a sword symbolizing the Word of God, the sword depicting the Word piercing the hearts of the people through the preached Word. On the left side of the chancel, is the part that is designed for the congregation. The prayer bench is the place where the prayer petitions are given for the people. The Lectern is where the people have a voice and can deal with the everyday business and challenges of the ministry. Above the lectern there is a hanging dove. This is the symbolism of the Holy Spirit descending upon the people, as in John’s gospel when the Holy Spirit acknowledged the baptism of Jesus saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The dove is the Holy Spirit with Us. In the very middle of the chancel is the communion Table. We note that the Communion Table is centered with the Cross so that when the people gather at the Table from one side of the Chancel to the other for Communion, it represents the completion of God’s sacrifice of His only begotten Son as we come together in oneness at the foot of the Cross. To me, this is the ultimate symbol of our faith. The only thing left, then, is the breaking of the bread together in oneness, the supreme goal of our humanity. SESSION 8
29 May I also add a personal note. Since I began reading about Quantum Physics, the communion has taken on new meaning for me. I now understand that the energy of Jesus and the bread is indestructible, because energy goes on forever; and when I receive it in faith it is just as potent as when Jesus broke bread with the Disciples.
30 Stewardship, Tithes and Offerings (Rules forGiving) Taken from "The Book of Discipline Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008") Tithing shall be the official doctrinalstewardship position ofthe AfricanMethodistEpiscopal Church. Every church shall work toward a full tithing commitment. The numerous benefits derived frommembership in theChristianChurch, which isthe very body of Christ, impose upon each member the responsibility of Christian stewardship, which isthe stewardship of all life as manifested in our time, talents, and treasure. FromourstudyofGod'swordandtheunfoldingrevelationofHiswillweareboundto conclude thateachmemberofthechurchisasteward.Astewardisonetowhoman important trust has been committed. We hold that time, talents, and treasure are gifts ofGodcommittedtousandtheuseto whichweputthesedetermineswhetherweare goodandfaithfulstewardsorcarelessand unprofitableones(Matthew25:14-30). As we face our responsibilities as Christian stewardsin the bright light of God'struth, these silent facts stand out before us: 1. Godisthesovereignownerandrulerofthisworld.Theseaishis,andhemadeit; andhis handsformerthedryland(Psalm95:5).Itishethatstretchethoutthe heavensasacurtain, andspreadeththemoutasatenttodwellin(Isaiah40:22). TheearthistheLord's,andthe fullnessthereof,theworld,andtheythatdwell therein (Psalm 24:1). 2. God's will for usis wholly good however much we may frustrate his purpose. He hasgiven mankinddominionintheearth(Psalm8:3-8).MostofallHegaveHis only Son as a ransom for many (John 3: 16). 3. Fortheseasgreatbenefitsandsuchhighanhonoranddignity,Godrequiresthat weuseour time,ourtalents,andourmoneyforhisbenefitandglory.Forevery steward must use the things committed in his hands, not for his own personal glory butforthegloryoftheownerto whomhemustfinallyaccount.(Matthew25:27) Most of us accept without question the three fundamentals ofChristian stewardship previously mentioned.WebelievedthatGodisoverall,thatallourpowersand possessionsareasacredtrust,and thatweareaccountabletohimfortheusewe make of them.Comes now the question, "How may one's belief in the stewardship of possessions(money and property) he made effective and transforming in his or her daily life!" What are the claims of Christ upon our money? 1. Christfoundedthechurchandgavehislifeforit.Throughit,hewouldwinthe world to Himself. Out business remains unfinished until God's will is accomplished. Therefore, we are required to share our earthly substance as long as Go shares with us. There is no discharge in this war. 2. And what does God require of us? The answer is simple, “Bring ye all the Tithes into the storehouse…saith the Lord…”and I” will pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” (Malachi 3:10). To those who would charge that the law of the tithe is Old Testament legalism no longer binding upon Christians who are under grace, we declare: The tithe is in no place in the New Testament challenged, disproved, or set aside. The sturdy principles that undergird it, such as divine ownership and human stewardship, are proclaimed on every page of the New Testament. Can anyone suppose that love that went to the Cross demands from us a smaller gift than the people who knew not Christ brought to the altars of ancient Israel? (Stewardship and the Tithe—Costen J. Harrell). If God is first in our affections and devotions, he cannot be last in our budgets. Therefore, upon the first day of the week, let everyone of you lay him in store a God has prospered him ( SESSION 9
31 Find where YOU are on the chart (your weekly income/giving). Move one block to the left to determine what GROW ONE % would be.
Order for Receiving Members into Full Membership On the day appointed, class leaders present the persons to be received into the church, calling them by name. The minister, addressing the congregation, shall say. Dearly beloved members, The Scriptures teach us that the church is the household of God, the body of which Christ is the Head; and that it is the design of the Gospel to bring together in one all who are Christ’s. The fellowship of the Church is the communion that its members enjoy one with another. The end of the fellowship, the maintenance of sound doctrine and the ordinances of that power, Godly admonition and discipline which Christ has committed to His Church is for the promotion of holiness. It is the duty of all people to unite to bear one another’s burdens; to prevent each other stumbling; to seek the intimacy of a friendly society among themselves; to continue steadfast in the faith and worship of the Gospel, and to pray and sympathize with each other. Among its privileges are peculiar incitements to holiness from the hearing of God’s Word; sharing Christ’s ordinances; placing persons under watchful care of pastors; and enjoyment of the blessings which are promised only “to those who are of the household of faith”, Into this holy fellowship this person (these persons) be for you, who has (have) already received this sacrament of Baptism come(s) to be admission into the Church. We now propose, in fear of God, to question this person (these persons) as to his (her/their) faith and purposes, that you may know that he (she) is a proper person (they are proper persons) to be admitted into the Church. In addressing the applicant(s) for admission, the minister shall say: Dearly beloved, You are now seeking the great privilege of union with the church which our Savior has purchased with His own blood. We rejoice in the grace of God given unto you, in that he has called you to be His follower(s). You have heard how blessed the privileges are and how solemn are the duties of membership in Christ’s church and before you are fully admitted, it is proper that you do here publicly renew your vows, confess your faith, and declare your purpose by answering the following questions: Question 1: Do you here in the presence of God and this congregation renew the solemn promise contained in the Baptismal Covenant, ratifying and confirming the same acknowledging yourself (yourselves) bound faithfully to observe and keep that covenant and all things contained therein? Answer: I do. Question 2: Have you saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Answer: I have. Question 3: Do you possess friendly feelings toward all members of this Church? Answer: I do. SESSION 10 32
33 Question 4: Do you believe in the Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures as set forth in the articles of religion of the African Method Episcopal Church? Answer: I do. Question 5: Will you be governed by the Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, hold sacred the ordinances of God and try as much as possible to promote the welfare of fellow members and the advancement of the Kingdom of God? Answer: I will. Question 6: Will you give of your time, talents, and money for the support of the Gospel, Church, poor, and various ministries of the church? Answer: I will Then the minister, addressing the church, shall say. Beloved Members: Is there any reason why the person (these persons) should not be received into full membership? If no objection is alleged, the minister shall give the name(s) of the candidate(s), and say: We cordially welcome you into the fellowship of the Church of God, and in light of our Christian love, I extend to you the right hand of fellowship, and may God grant that you may be faithful and useful member of the Church militant till you are called to the fellowship of the Church triumphant, which is faultless before the presence of God. After receiving the member(s) there should be fellowship and greetings from the congregation. “Welcome to The Cathedral @ St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church”
“Welcome to The Cathedral @ St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church” Printed May 2019