Yesterday, the Pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Emmanuel J. Vaughn, Sr., announced to the congregation that it was his last Sunday as our pastor for he had been reassigned to Grant Memorial in Chicago, effective immediately. For those of us who got the word on Saturday, it was still no less of a shock that the finality of our Shepard leaving this flock had arrived. There are numerous aspects of the A.M.E. church I love: the sacraments; the liturgy; and educational requirements to name a few. The Bishop has the responsibility of deciding a pastors assignment, and as good A.M.E.s, we trust and believe the Bishop is making the best decision for both pastor, his or her respective family, and the congregation.. I have followed Bishop John R. Bryant and Rev. Cs preaching ministry since he pastored Bethel-Baltimore, while I was a member of Metropolitan A.M.E. in D.C. I have been blessed by their individual and collective ministry. I have watched his growth in the ministry and noted his stance in the community. When the rumor was his announcing his candidacy for Bishop, I told my then pastor, Wm. Deveaux (Now a Bishop), that I was on board to help in any aspect. Bishop John, as many in the 4th Episcopal District are aware, is one of the dearest Bishops to my heart (the first being, you guessed, my former pastor, Bishop Deveaux!), Bishop John and Rev. C are my spiritual parents, for it was through him that I realized I had to accept the call to the preaching ministry while he was convening spring revival at Metropolitan and through her that I found my voice in the preaching ministry. I love, honor and revere them. If either of them told me to go, without question or hesitation I would, for I trust them immensely. This background is presented as the foundation of my trust in Bishop Johns decision to swap pastors. This summer I took a class on technology in the church for which Rev Virgil Woods taught. I, and others enjoyed, learned a lot and looked forward to the follow-up he committed to. I look forward to new beginnings and new potential with Rev Woods. Please pray for the respective preaching families and congregations, for change is not always smooth, but as good A.M.E.s, we at First will welcome with open arms our new Shepard as we wipe the tears for the departure of our former Shepard as I am sure Grant Memorial will as well.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:39:06 +0000
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