The Christian Recorder News Break – Just Curious – A Couple of Rhetorical Questions We have an important election in the United States tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4, 2014. Last week’s issue of The Christian Recorder Online (October 31, 2014) had two articles related to the upcoming election and its importance. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair of the AMEC Social Action Commission encouraged every pastor to speak to his or her congregation and remind and urge them, their family members and communities to vote. He urged lay leaders to use the “Let’s Get Out the Vote Toolkit” and observe this past Sunday, November 2, 2014 as “Turnout Sunday.” The other big item was Wilberforce University. Bishop McKinley Young and Dr. Algeania Warren Freeman, the new President of Wilberforce University submitted articles with an appeal for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and its members and friends to make contributions to help save Wilberforce University. The appeal explained that the funds were needed by November 15, 2014 “to help correct the deficiencies and save the accreditation of Wilberforce University: $6.2 million is needed to renovate eight (8) campus buildings as well as repair sidewalks and steps; $4.0 million is needed to pay off outstanding financial aid liabilities to the U.S. Department of Education; $5.0 million is needed to establish an endowed student scholarship fund; 97% of Wilberforce’s students are on financial aid; and $4.0 million is needed to establish an endowed fund to support ongoing operations such as hiring a qualified staff as mandated by the accreditation commission.” In a previous issue (October 10, 2014) of TCR Online, Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams wrote a passionate article entitled, “Will the AME Church Save Wilberforce?” - “Yes, We Must!” She wrote, “A call, therefore, is being sent across the United States and across the oceans and to the isles of the sea-- wherever the flag of African Methodism waves--to come to the rescue on the first Sunday in November by giving a voluntary offering—each according to his/her own means. We do not limit the appeal to only individual members, but we urge you to seek help from your families, friends, co-workers, organizations.” All three articles provided instructions on how to make contributions. We have also had a number of articles about the Ebola virus in West Africa (14th Episcopal District) and how to make contributions. TCR Online has provided ongoing coverage about HIV/AIDS in the Dr. Oveta Fuller’s “Getting to Zero” column and in other articles. My rhetorical questions 1) I wonder how many pastors made appeals encouraging parishioners to vote tomorrow (Tuesday, November 4, 2014)? 2) I wonder how many pastors made appeals for contributions to Wilberforce University? 3) I wonder how many pastors have made plans to lift offerings for Wilberforce University? 4) I wonder how many pastors even mentioned anything about voting, Wilberforce University or the Ebola crisis? 5) I wonder how many pastors have made appeals or collected money for the Ebola crises? 6) I wonder how many pastors even think about HIV/AIDS? Doing anything about it? 7) I wonder how many pastors are concerned enough to provide information about HIV/AIDS because it is still a serious problem for a lot of people in Episcopal Districts 1-20? An observation: This is not the first time the African Methodist Episcopal Church has made appeals for funds. We have saved our academic institutions and met other financial crises, not with philanthropic gifts from large donors, but with “dollar money.” If we all put our “dollars” together and respond to the calls for assistance as our foremothers and forefathers did, we can save Wilberforce and help “put a dent” in the Ebola crisis. And if AMEs and other minorities here in the United States went to the polls tomorrow, we could impact the election results in our favor. Suggestion: if your pastor or church failed to mention any of the items mentioned above, politely call your pastor and ask why he or she failed to make appeals that have been called for by the leaders of our Zion. Everybody cannot give hundreds of dollars, but all of us can give something: $1, $5, $10. $20, $50, $75, $100, $500, $1000 (and whatever the currency of your country) – Whatever you can give to Wilberforce AND to the Ebola crisis will be appreciated. And pastor, HIV/AIDS is not going away; it is still big problem in Episcopal Districts 1 -20.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:10:23 +0000
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