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Bishop Garnesin praise with

assistant,Bishop McCarter

on left

the new presiding bishop of the UnitedCovenant Churches of Christ...

Bishop Eric Garnes

Bishop Garnes issaluted by his daughter

Bishop Garnes issaluted by his wife

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Archbishop-Metropolitan J. Delano Ellis, spiritual father to

Bishop Garnes and establishmentarian of UCCC, served as the

chief installer. Archbishop Alfred A. Owens delivered the

homily.

Over 200 bishops, pastors, deacons, ministers, and adjutants

attended the service. Pageantry and excellence were the

hallmarks of the celebration.

The defining moment was the crowning of Bishop Garnes

by his predecessor and spiritual father, Archbishop Ellis who

called Bishop Garnes faithful, humble, and a true son. Tears of

joy could be seen streaming down the faces of those who

looked on while Archbishop Ellis laid hands and invoked the

blessings of God upon his son’s life. The new Presiding Bishop

and General Overseer selected Bishop Sheldon Mandel

McCarter of North Carolina who took an oath to assist him in

fulfilling his vision for UCCC.

Bishop Garnes is celebrated internationally as a prolific

preacher, teacher, and scholar of the Gospel. His succession in

ministry and the episcopacy has been unique. He has served in

The United Covenant Churches of Christ (UCCC) has anew leader in the person of Bishop Eric D. Garnes, thesenior pastor of Tabernacle of Praise (Brooklyn, NY). Bishop Garnes succeeds Bishop Larry D. Trotter of

Chicago, Illinois in office after his resignation in April ofthis year. The Service of Installation was held on Friday,October 30, 2009, and hosted by Archbishop Eugene J.Blount, Senior Pastor, at The Elim InternationalFellowship located in Brooklyn, New York.

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every capacity from deacon to senior pastor and from adjutant-general to assistant

presiding bishop. He is a highly accomplished visionary.

United Covenant Churches of Christ’s mission is:

-To build an innovative ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse organization through

which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed.

-To promote the growth of local churches and to create a resourceful and meaningful

networking environment for pastors.

-To support and foster theological and

secular academics.

Among the organizational goals are:

-Designing programs to foster higher

learning in order to cultivate well-rounded

clerical leadership world-wide.

-Develop “oneness” in the body of Christ

based on biblically sound teaching and the

principles and culture of God. gt

Garnes, UCCC...contBishop J.

Delano Ellisinstalls Bishop

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5

Last week, Maine dealt a

severe blow and setback to

the “gay marriage” movement

in the northeast sector of the

country; 53 percent of Maine

voters decided to repeal the

provision.

By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min

Maine OverturnsGay Marriage

Maine OverturnsGay Marriage

The People Have Spoken...

The defeat of the measuredemonstrates that in every instancewhere the question has been put to apopular vote or referendum, it has beensoundly defeated.

“I think thatactions of thecitizens of Mainepoints to the factthat there are stillsome old-fashioned valuesand beliefs thatreside at thecenter of people’sminds and

feelings in this country” said BishopAretha Morton (Wilmington, DE). “Thevote in the state of Maine shows thatGod is still on the throne and is still incontrol.”

“I amdelighted to seethat those whoembrace familyvalues havemade a stand inthe backyard ofthe liberal’ss t r o n g h o l d ”stated PastorJustin Cohen (Philadelphia, PA).

The contest had been viewed byboth sides as certain to have nationalrepercussions. Gay-marriage foesdesperately wanted to keep theirwinning streak alive, while gay-rightsactivists sought to blunt the argumentthat gay marriage was being foisted onthe country by courts and lawmakers

over the will of the people. gt

Bishop Aretha Morton

Pastor & Mrs. Justin Cohen

In Titus 2:3-5, Apostle Paul wrote,“...the older women likewise, thatthey be reverent in behavior, notslanderers, not given to muchwine, teachers of good things—that they admonish the youngwomen to love their husbands, tolove their children, to be discreet,chaste, homemakers, good,obedient to their own husbands,that the word of God may not beblasphemed.”

It appears that themessage of Paul has not fallenon deaf ears.

According toBlackVoices.com, First LadyMichelle Obama made news thisweek independent of her

husband and the world of politics,when she launched a mentoringprogram that would give girlsaccess to women at the WhiteHouse.

Thirteen young womenjoined the first lady and 18 WhiteHouse staffers, including advisersValerie Jarrett and MelodyBarnes, in the State Dining Roomto kick off the program, whichMrs. Obama said was one of hertop goals on becoming first lady.”reports blackvoices.com.

With her voice filled withemotion, the First Lady went on tosay how important she felt thiseffort will be. “We thought, whatcan we do to make the White

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By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.

First Lady Michelle Obama

Launches

Mentorship

Program

First Lady Michelle Obama

Launches

Mentorship

Program

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House different, to make kids in our ownnew neighborhood know that the WhiteHouse is a place for them?” she said.

The program is aimed at 10th and11th grade girls from both public andprivate schools in Washington D.C.,Maryland and Virginia. The goal is toinspire participants in the initiative bygiving them access to accomplishedwomen.

The First Lady advised the girlsthat the program is not a one way street.“We have some expectations from youas well,” said Mrs. Obama, “...that whenyou get to this position in your life thatyou do the same thing for somebodyelse.”

Reportedly, a similar program for

boys is also in the works. gt

First Lady Michelle Obama

Launches

Mentorship

Program

First Lady Michelle Obama

Launches

Mentorship

Program

Roland HairstonPastors