GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 1 MARCH 2020

VOL. 35, NO. 02 WOMEN’S HOME AND OVERSEAS MISSIONARY SOCIETY MARCH 2020 A FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH (BROOKLYN, NEW YORK) MISSION EDUCATION PUBLICATION

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 2 MARCH 2020

Inside This Issue Page

Harriet Tubman 3

WH&OMS Mass Meeting 5/6

NYCD Missionary of Year Extravaganza 7

Board of Bishops & Int’l Ministers & Lay 8

Mission Education: Leadership Potential 9

First Church Missionaries in Action 10

Senior Thing: Planning Ahead 11

March Days 12

2020 Census / CSW64 13

NY Conference Evangelistic Workshop 14

A Look at General Conference, Part II 15

Birthdays & Upcoming 16

AboutAbout Women’s History MonthWomen’s History Month

Every year March is designated Women’s History Month by Presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.

Did You Know? Women’s History Month started as Women’s History Week

Women’s History Month began as a local celebra-tion in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commis-sion on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to corre-spond with International Women’s Day. The move-ment spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebra-tions the following year.

In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and histo-rians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women's History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In Feb-ruary 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week.

Subsequent Presidents continued to proclaim a Na-tional Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proc-lamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The 2020 Wom-en’s History Month theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.” The theme honors "the brave women who fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others."

https://www.womenshistory.org/womens-history/womens-history-

month

Have You SeenHave You Seen The Movie:The Movie: “Harriet”“Harriet”

If not, see the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tub-

man's escape from slavery and transformation

into one of America's greatest heroes, whose

courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds

of slaves and changed the course of history.

(And she was a member of the A.M.E. Zion

Church.)

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 3 MARCH 2020

Her maiden name was Araminta Ross. She was the granddaughter of a native African, born in 1820 or 1821, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Har-riet Tubman, the famous fugitive slave from Maryland, risked her life sneaking into slave territory to free slaves. Slaveholders posted a $40,000 reward for the capture of the "Black Moses."

In her youth she received a severe blow on her head from a heavy weight thrown by her master at another slave, but which accidentally hit her. The blow produced a disease of the brain which was severe for a long time, and made her very lethargic.

She was married about 1844 to a free colored man named John Tubman, but never had any children. Owing to changes in her owner's family, it was determined to sell her and some other slaves; but her health was so much in-jured, that a purchaser was not easily found. She became convinced that she would soon be carried away, and she decided to escape. Her brothers did not agree with her plans, and she walked off alone, following the guidance of the brooks, which she had observed to run North.

She remained two years in Philadel-phia working hard and carefully hoard-ing her money. Then she hired a room, furnished it as well as she could, bought a nice suit of men's clothes, and went back to Maryland for her hus-band. But the faithless man had taken another wife. Harriet did not dare ven-ture into her presence, but sent word to her husband where she was. He de-clined joining her.

At first her grief and anger were excessive, but finally she thought..."if he could do without me, I could do without him," and so "he dropped out of her heart," and she determined to give her life to brave deeds. With her simple brave motto, "I can't die but once," she began the work which made her Moses — the deliverer of her peo-ple.

Seven or eight times she returned to the neighborhood of her former home, always at the risk of death in the most

terrible forms, and each time brought away a company of fugitive slaves, and led them safely to the free States, or to Canada. Every time she went, the dan-gers increased. In 1857, she brought away her old parents, and, as they were too feeble to walk, she was obliged to hire a wagon, which added greatly to the perils of the journey. In 1860 she went for the last time, and among her troop was an infant whom they were obliged to keep stupefied with lauda-num to prevent its outcries.

She always came in the winter when the nights were long and dark, and people who have homes stay in them. She was never seen on the plan-tation herself; but appointed a rendez-vous for her company eight or ten miles distant, so that if they were dis-covered at the first start, she was not compromised.

She started on Saturday night; the slaves at that time being allowed to go away from home to visit their friends —- so that they would not be missed until Monday morning. Even then they were supposed to have loitered on the way, and it would often be late on Monday afternoon before the flight would be certainly known. If by any further delay the advertisement was not sent out before Tuesday morning, she felt secure of keeping ahead of it; but if it were, it required all her ingenuity to escape.

She resorted to various devices; she had confidential friends all along the road. She would hire a man to follow

the one who put up the notices, and take them down as soon as his back was turned. She crossed creeks on rail-road bridges by night, she hid her com-pany in the woods while she herself not being advertised went into the towns in search of information.

The expedition was governed by the strictest rules. If any man gave out, he must be shot. "Would you really do that?" she was asked. "Yes," she re-plied, "if he was weak enough to give out, he'd be weak enough to betray us all, and all who had helped us; and do you think I'd let so many die just for one coward man?"

"Did you ever have to shoot any one?" she was asked. "One time," she said, "a man gave out on the second night; his feet were sore and swollen, he couldn't go any further; he'd rather go back and die, if he must." They tried all arguments in vain, bathed his feet, tried to strengthen him, but it was of no use, he would go back. Then she said, "I told the boys to get their guns ready, and shoot him. They'd have done it in a minute; but when he heard that, he jumped right up and went on as well as any body...."

When going on these journeys she often lay alone in the forests all night. Her whole soul was filled with awe of the mysterious Unseen Presence, which thrilled her with such depths of emo-tion, that all other care and fear van-ished. Then she seemed to speak with her Maker "as a man talketh with his friend;" her child-like petitions had direct answers, and beautiful visions lifted her up above all doubt and anxie-ty into serene trust and faith.

No man can be a hero without this faith in some form; the sense that he walks not in his own strength, but lean-ing on an almighty arm. Call it fate, destiny, what you will, Moses of old, Moses of today, believed it to be Al-mighty God.

Excerpted from the Commonwealth (Juy 17, 1863); Freeman’s Record (March 1865)

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 4 MARCH 2020

From The Editor

Greetings of Love, Peace, Joy and Hope…. As I reflect on the Lenten season and its cul-

mination into the celebration of the resurrection on Easter Sunday, I cannot help but think of God’s loving grace and mercy, which reminds me of a good “definition” of grace printed in a couple of Good News issues. . .

“When a person works an eight-hour day and receives a fair day’s pay for her time, that is a wage. When a person competes with an opponent and receives a trophy for her performance, that is a prize. When a person receives appropriate recognition for her long service or high achieve-ments, that is an award.

But when a person is not capable of earning a wage, can win no prize, and deserves no award—yet receives such a gift anyway—that is a good picture of God’s unmerited favor. That is what we mean when we talk about the Grace of God.” God’s grace is deep and powerful!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Thanks be to God for his loving grace!

MISSION STUDY

Satan’s Bait for Christians

Food for Thought: Genesis 3:1; Matthew 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 2:11; 1 Timothy 6:9; James 1:14,15

Mousetraps were built to catch mice. Keeping in mind what mice are like, and using common materials — wood, wire, and metal — the inventor of the common mousetrap built a very effective device.

A mouse gets caught when it goes after the cheese bating the trap. There's nothing wrong with the cheese. But it is the wrong time, the wrong place, and the wrong conditions for the mouse to eat the cheese. Most mice caught in traps have two things in common. One, they have a mouthful of cheese—their last bite! And two, they are dead! Those mice were more concerned with the bait than the conditions that surrounded it.

Satan is a great inventor of very effective traps in which to catch Christians. He knows what we are like, and he can arrange simple, everyday things into a trap that will cripple us and pull us away from God’s fellowship and His will. Satan is clever. He personalizes the conditions and the bait he uses when he sets traps for us. If he is after a person (and he is after all of us), he will bait the trap with something that will attract the person; something he or she likes; and usually, something good.

But he places the bait so that it is at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or under the wrong conditions. The bait may be money. Money isn’t bad—we all need it. Or sex. There’s nothing wrong with sex—it’s how we all got here. Or friends. Most of us would have a hard time getting along without friends. But under the wrong conditions, any of these things can lead us into one of Satan’s traps.

The mouse that is more concerned with the bait than the conditions that surround it is sure to get caught. Christians, too, who are more interested in the bait Satan uses than the conditions that surround it are bound to get caught in his trap. There are plenty of traps out there. Let’s not get caught in them!

Source: “Outrageous Object Lessons”

GOOD NEWS is published monthly [except August and 2 July/s during each quadrennium] by the Mission Education Committee of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 54 MacDonough Street, Brooklyn, New York 11216; 718.638.3343; and made available electronically via link on GN website: goodnewsfirstchurch.org.

MATTIE WILSON TAYLOR, EDITOR

Dr. Marvin D. Hooks, Sr., Pastor

Deadline for submission of articles is the 20th of each month. Material may be emailed to Editor: goodnewseditor@aol.com. All articles subject to review and edit by Editor.

If interested in access to monthly GN publication, enter email address at goodnewsfirstchurch.org. Send comments/questions to goodnewsdigital@gmail.com. Annual Subscription to GOOD NEWS is $15.00, made payable to “First AME Zion Church” and either mailed to First AME Zion Church at the address listed above (attention GOOD NEWS) or paid via PayPal on the Good News website: goodnewsfirstchurch.org.

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 5 MARCH 2020

The Tri-Meeting of the New York City District is the hosting body of the District’s quarterly meetings of the Women’s Home and Overseas Mission-ary Society (Ruth Young, District Presi-dent), Christian Education Department (Cartez Johnson, Director); and Lay Council (Joan Capel, President), serving as the leadership team. The Reverend A. Alfred Carson is Presiding Elder.

The 3rd Quarterly Tri/Mass Meeting was held at Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church (Jamaica, NY) where Sis Debra Walrond serves as Local President and Rev. Quavon Newton is Pastor. Regis-tration and breakfast began at 8:30 A.M. The joint youth ministry of the Christian Education Department and the Youth Missionary Society led the as-sembly in worship with spiritual songs by Alexandria and Alexia Carson, Sha-naysha Bennett (Mother Walls) and Timothy Jenkins (Woods Memorial); Bro. Jenkins read the scripture and Miss Bennett prayed.

The Lay Council President Joan Capel opened the departmental presenta-tions advocating Environmental Justice (no plastic bags, limit water waste, etc.). “Mercy, Mercy Me” (by Marvin Gaye) was played, pointing out that since the 70’s humanity continues to be embroiled in how we can save Planet Earth from poisoning the air, oceans, fish with nuclear waste, and lands being polluted with plastic and other chemi-cals, Lottie Tann stressed the im-portance of Census 2020 and the need for everyone to be counted for proper funding and resourcing to come into our communities.

The Christian Education Depart-ment under the leadership of Cartez Johnson, Director, and Dianne Chap-pelle, Assistant Director (facilitator), shared that educational and inspirational activities can be developed in line with the Christian liturgical calendar. Anoth-er important activity for churches is to maintain or establish an archive to se-cure our local history and herit-age. Odessa Hickman (Caldwell Tem-ple) reported on the workshops and ac-tivities of the 2019 Mid-Winter Meet-ing. Family Life Director, Regina John-

son spoke on the importance of heart health for women, not just during Febru-ary (which is the American Heart Asso-ciation’s time of emphasizing Go Red for Women’s Heart Health), but at all times.

W.H.&O. M. Society Mass Meeting

WH&OMS District President Ruth Young presided at the opening of the Mass Meeting and was decorated with missional, cultural and ecumenical pins signifying the ongoing activities that will take place until our next meeting in May. The President thanked “Super” Y Secretary Edith Mayfield for doing a fantastic job in unfurling her vision of the first NYCD WHOMS Youth Re-treat. President Young also acknowl-edged the hard work of the “Super” Buds Superintendent Dorian Carson for going the second mile in our “My Bud-dy” subscription drive of “Plus 1” (last year’s subscription number, plus 1) for 2020. The President provided folders to Local Presidents full of information to develop mission enthusiasm and aware-ness towards upcoming endeavors: #Missions Matter – WH&OMS Missions

is a 12-month ministry – let’s get busy!

Literature/Promotional Items - now pro-

cessed through A.M.E. Zion Publishing

House at https://amezpublishinghouse.

org/ whoms

Black History Month (American Bible

Society – Blacks in Biblical Antiquity)

FEMA DHS Protecting Houses of Wor-

ship Grants

Agape Sunday Program-2nd Sunday

(promoting “Second Mile Offering” for

Home/Overseas Missions) purchase of Second

Mile pin.

“Go Red” for Women’s Heart Health –

postcard presented on the signs of a

heart attack and stroke

Women's History Month – Theme: Valiant

Women & The Vote (on the im-

portance of women in ministry and

history)

Harriet Tubman Sunday – shared in wom-

en’s suffrage movement, 2020 makes

the centennial of Women’s Right to

Vote

YAMS HIV/AIDS Health Prayer Vig-

il (and Candlelighting)

WH&OMS 140th Anniversary - 1st Week

In May

Workshop: It’s Time to Detox –

Part I. Rev. Patricia A. Phillips, facil-itator of “Time For A Spiritual Detox, spoke on the central scripture, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit,” to elucidate on 10 ways to detoxify your soul. (1) De-tox your soul of contaminates; (2) Real-ize that everything courts; (3) Identify the lies that have deceived you; (4) Clean up your thoughts; (5) Choose positive words and avoid negative words; (6) Uncover your hidden sins; (7) Dig up bitter roots from your soul; (8) Get rid of envy; (9) Express anger productively rather than destructively; and (10) Break free from fear. To get rid of toxic influences on your life fol-low the 12-steps of NA with scripture.

Workshop: It’s Time to Detox – Part II. Carolyn Aird, facilitator and Founder, Thousand Pounds of Kale, is a certified holistic health coach, took time to talk about the simple yet lasting changes that can make a dramatic im-pact on long-term wellness. Measures such as eliminating pesticide-laden pro-duce from diet, don’t cook with alumi-num, hydrate often with water and fresh lemon juice (no sweetners), reduce sodi-um intake and ingesting fried foods, use lotion and beauty products free of para-bens.

President Young acknowledged Connectional Treasurer, Verdelle Cun-ningham. The Buds showcased the spe-cial days of “Lent” and “Easter” learned by Carla: Ash Wednesday, Palm Sun-day, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Our spe-cial Bud, Kaylee Anika Roberts, de-signed a green a receiving box for the upcoming Buds Eyeglass Project. Mem-bers contributed $100 for the Red Wag-on Project.

Humbly submitted, Ruth Young

Cont’d on page 6

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 6 MARCH 2020

Continued from page 5

Worship Leaders: Timothy Jenkins, Alexia Carson,

Alexandria Carson, Shanasha Bennett Family Life Director Regina Johnson and

Assistant CED Director Dianne Chappell

Some of the Attendees

President Ruth Young displaying array

of mission, cultural and Ecumenical

Pins

District Buds Superintendent Dorian Carson

And Bud Kaylee Anika Roberts

Registrars Cynthia Wilson (R) and Denise Niles

(c) share with President Young (L)

Surrounded by Black History Month Exhibit

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 7 MARCH 2020

New York City District W.H.&O.M. Society “Missionary of the Year”

Extravaganza and Fashion Show The New York City District Wom-

en’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society is excited to announce its “Missionary of the Year” Extravaganza & Fashion Show” on Saturday, May 23, 2020 – 12 Noon at First A.M.E. Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY. Sis. Verdelle Cunningham, Local WH&OMS Presi-dent; Rev. Dr. Marvin D. Hooks, Pastor.

Adult ticket $20.00 | Child ticket $12.00.

We acknowledge that each mission-ary serves the Great Commission from a unique gifting of time, treasure and tal-ent. But if we are true, there is always that special someone who goes beyond meeting requirements to exceeding ex-pectations. Do you recognize that person in your Society? You may ask, What does this look like? It looks closest in resemblance to Jesus. Scripture helps us to envision the exactness of this mis-sional image to be one that maximizes global healing and wins the world for

Christ: Luke 4:18 (NLV): “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me. He has put His hand on Me to preach the Good News to poor people. He has sent Me to heal those with a sad heart. He has sent Me to tell those who are being held that they can go free. He has sent Me to make the blind to see and to free those who are held because of trouble. He sent Me to tell of the time when men can receive favor with the Lord.” For this purpose, the NYC District WH&OM Society has called on each church to name that ex-traordinary missionary who personifies excellence in mission ministry.

On May 23, 2020, this honorary sa-lute will include a fashion show spot-lighting four categories: (1) Casual, Cul-tural or Sport; (2) Church Attire; (3) “All White” Fashions; and (4) “After 5” Elegance. The fashion show is open to any interested person. Honorees are invited to participate in one, if not all, of the categories.

All missionaries and honoree’s fami-ly, friends and affiliations are asked to register their well wishes in our “Missionary of the Year” Journal (half-size). A journal contract is availa-ble from any Steering Committee mem-ber (see below).

Deadline for tickets and journal ad payment is the 4th Quarterly Mass Meeting – Saturday, May 2, 2020. Make all checks payable to: NY AMEZ NYC DISTRICT WHOMS.

These special occasions are always memorable and fun-filled! Don’t miss it! Mark your calendar now and invite all missionaries, friends, and church members to be with us on May 23!

Steering Committee:

Joan Capel, Cynthia Wilson,

Chloe Grimes Jones, Verdelle Cunningham,

Wilhelmina S. Lee, Clorisa Cook,

Mattie Taylor, Ruth Young (District President,

NYC WH&OMS

JOURNAL

(Half Page Journal) Page Size: 5.5”x4.25” (half of standard 8-1/2x11) Rates:

$50 Full Page (maximum 25 lines)

$35 Half Page (max. 15 lines, 1 photo allowed)

$25 Signature Ad (max. 4 lines)

$20 Supporter (Name only)

Ads must be camera ready

PAYMENT | DEADLINE

Deadline for Ticket Payment, Ad(s) Submission with Ad Payment Saturday, May 2, 2020 (4th Quarterly Mass Meeting).

If mailing, send check to Chairperson: NYC WHOMS-MOY, 17616 Linden Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11434

EMAIL Camera Ready Ads to: rstevens.10@hotmail.com

(For Further Information, Contact Ruth Young: 718-604-3681)

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 8 MARCH 2020

The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama was the site for the winter meetings of the Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Interna-tional Ministers and Lay Association, February 10-14, 2020.

Clergy and lay persons from across the denomination attended the meeting hosted by Bishop Seth O. Lartey and Mrs. Jacqueline Lartey, and members of the Alabama/Florida Episcopal District.

The Board of Bishops meeting opened on Wednesday morning with Communion Service; Bishop W. Darin Moore, presided. Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Presiding Prelate of the South Western Delta Episcopal District and the retiring Board of Bishops President, preached the sermon from the subject, “Divine Exposure or Divinely Exposed” Matthew 21:18-19.

The formality of electing officers for the Board of Bishops to serve until the Connectional Council in July brought to the presidency of the Board, Bishop Staccato Powell, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal District. Other officers elected were Bishop Ken-neth Monroe, Secretary; Bishop Mi-chael A. Frencher, Assistant Secretary; Bishop George Battle, Treasurer; Bish-op Darryl B. Starnes, Sr., Chaplain; and Bishop Seth O. Lartey, Asst. Chaplain.

Evening sermons were preached by Bishop Hilliard Dogbe, Presiding Bish-op of the Western West Africa Episco-pal District on Wednesday; and by Rev. Arthur Lee Gilliam, III, Pastor, Greater Salem AME Zion Church, Panola, Ala-bama, on Thursday.

The hospitality of Bishop and Mrs. Lartey, and the officers and members of the Alabama-Florida Episcopal Dis-trict, was superb. In addition to the daily fellowship and warmth exhibited by the hosts, invitees and registered individu-als dined at Luncheons on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

THE INTERNATIONAL MINISTERS AND LAY ASSOCIATION MEETING

The International Ministers and Lay Association, the Rev. Dr. An-thony Witherspoon, president, was in session simultaneously with the Board of Bishops. The Associa-tion’s agenda, Tuesday through Thursday, included worship, busi-ness, presentation of candidates for Bishop and General Office, Inter-generational Panel Presentation, Memorial Service, Presentation on NAACP and the Present Age.

Tuesday evening the 42nd annual Cameron W. Jackson Awards and Recognition Banquet honored twelve Zionites:

Bishop George Edward Battle, Jr (Episcopal Award)

Katherine Burrell (Paul Robe-son Award)

Carolyn Oliver (Bishop Alfred G. Dunston, Jr. Salute to Service Award)

Dr. Joy Kennedy & Eric Al-phonso Smith II (Young, Gifted & Black Award)

Ida Mae Francis (Samantha Wormley Lay Leadership Award)

Bishop George W.C. Walker Sr. (Harriet Tubman Award),

Rev. Dr. Erlynda Dobson (Sojourner Truth Lifetime Achieve-ment Award),

Rev. Ezekiel T. Washington, Sr. (Frederick Douglass Award),

Rev. Dr. Claude Shufford (President’s Award),

Rev. Dr. Harold O. Robinson & Rev. Dr. Benjamin Lartey (Bishop Small/Lartey International Award).

President Witherspoon gave his address on Wednesday afternoon.

Members were encouraged to get the IMLA Pin.

During Thursday morning’s Me-morial Service the Reverend Dr. Fredna Grimmett, Pastor of Pine Level A.M.E. Zion Church, Hatchechubee, AL, preached the Memorial Message. Greetings were brought by Dr. Mary Matthews, In-ternational President, Connectional Lay Council.

Presentations were given by Rev. Edwin Ferguson on the Millennial Perspective, Bishop Staccato Powell on New Overseas Provisional Con-ferences and Bishop W. Darin Moore on Restructuring Commis-sion updates.

IMLA officers are

Rev. Dr. Anthony Witherspoon, President;

Mrs. Lula K. Howard First Vice President;

Dr. Myrtle Bowen, Second Vice President;

Rev. Dr. Gregory R. Smith, Execu-tive Director;

Ms. Denise Niles, Secretary;

Ms. Carlous Tyrance, Assistant Sec-retary

Rev. Dr. David T. Miller, Treasurer;

Rev. Dr. Maurice Harden, Financial Secretary;

Rev. Dr. J. Martin Bouler, Sr., Chap-lain.

There are twelve Regional Vice Presidents.

The Rev. Monica H. Marshall is Regional Vice President for the North Eastern Episcopal District (of which the New York Conference is a part).

Bishop Staccato Powell

President, Board of Bishops

Bishop George E. Battle, Jr

Senior Bishop Dr. Anthony Witherspoon, President

International Ministers & Lay Association

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 9 MARCH 2020

Many people have undiscovered qualities of natural leadership that are important to spiritual leadership. There is value in seeking to discover leadership potential both in oneself and others. A look at the following traits and standards of self-measurement could discover such qualities in yourself and others. Moreover, we must be constantly vigilant of opportunities to train those in our Society who possess these hidden traits for true service to insure our continued growth and success in world missions.

Some traits or qualities usually found among natural-born leaders are: enthusiasm, persistence, opti-mism, ambition, competitiveness, knowledge, insight, inquisitiveness, friendliness, independence, adven-turousness, security decisiveness, integrity, flexibility, discipline, sense of humor, creativity, practi-cality, aggressiveness, poise.

Some questions that can be used as standards of self-measurement of leadership potential are:

Have you ever broken yourself of a bad habit? A leader must be master of self.

Do you retain control of yourself when things go wrong? A leader who loses self-control forfeits respect and loses influence.

Do you think independently? While using the thoughts of others, the leader must do her own thinking and decision-making.

Can you handle criticism objectively and remain un-moved under it? Do you turn it to good account? The humble leader can derive benefit from petty and even malicious criticism.

Can you accept opposition to your viewpoint or decision without considering it a personal affront and reacting accordingly? Leaders must expect opposition and not be offended by it.

Are you unduly dependent on the praise or approval of others?

Are you really interested in people? All people? Or do you foster cliques in your group?

Do you readily secure the cooperation and win the respect and confidence of others?

Do you welcome respon-sibility?

If you are a leader, pay atten-

tion to the discoveries made about yourself as a leader and take some of the points of weakness and failure and, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, strengthen and correct yourself. Natural vs. Spiritual Leadership

Spiritual leadership is a blending of natural and spiritual qualities. The spiritual leader influences others not by the power of her own personality alone but by that personality empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Natural leadership and spiritual leadership have many points of similarity.

The indispensable require-ment of effective spiritual leadership is a spirit-filled person.

Criteria of Leadership Potential Source:

“Missionary Enrichment Syllabus” by Dr. Adlise I. Porter

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 10 MARCH 2020

First Church Missionaries “Go Red” During

Agape Celebration

Although the Agape Celebration was not held on the

second Sunday in February, the Sunday designated for

the observance, First Church missionaries observed the

celebration on the third Sunday, February 16, 2020.

Members had been asked to wear red in support of the

American Heart Association’s “Go Red” campaign to

educate about the seriousness of heart disease in wom-

en.

Parent Body President Verdelle Cunningham called

our attention to heart health and the significance of

Agape and “Go Red” as follows…..

Agape love represents the highest form of love:

-- the love of God for man and man for God

-- brotherly love (family, church family, friends and

frenemies

-- unconditional love; not judgmental

-- selfless love; not self-serving love

-- forgiving love which compels us to let go hurts and

grievances;

-- radical love which encompasses social justice and

reminds us to remember what God requires of us. Let us

act justly, love mercifully and walk humbly.

Agape love requires us to hear the cries of “those

needing love; those within the prison walls; the sick and

the pleas of the oppressed.” We confess that we hear

the cries of and see the lonely and most times turn our

heads away. Let us act justly, love mercifully and walk

humbly.

Bob Marley’s edict was “Get up, stand up, stand up

for your rights; Get up, stand up, stand up for your

rights; Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights; Get

up, stand up, don't give up the fight” In John 5: 8 Jesus

said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

May we demonstrate Agape love as we get up! stand

up and act justly, love mercifully and walk humbly.

Our thanks to the members of First Church who gen-

erously shared their financial gifts in support of Agape

and “Go Red”.

The 2020 season of Lent began on Ash Wednesday, February 26, and will end on Holy Saturday, April 11, 2020. Easter is Sunday, April 12, 2020. Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays.

Lent comes from the Anglo Saxon word lencten, mean-ing “lengthen” and refers to the lengthening days of spring. The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilder-ness, enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin his ministry.

Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by new converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. Today, Christians focus on relationship with God, growing as disci-ples and extending ourselves, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of ourselves for others.

Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days be-cause each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the rever-ent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.

Did You Know…….

Registration for the 2020 General Conference

began January 13, 2020 for Delegates, Bish-

ops, General Officers and Judicial Council

members. Registration for Alternates and

the general community will open April 6th.

Until then, only Delegates, Bishops, General

Officers and Judicial Council members may

register and reserve rooms.

The glory of life is love, not to be loved; to

give, not to get; to serve, not to be served.

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 11 MARCH 2020

IT’S A SENIOR THING

Planning Ahead Why It’s a Good Idea To Make End-of-Life Plans Now

Costco Connection, January 2020 Rosemary Paul

One of the greatest legacies you can leave your loved ones is to ensure they have the information they need if you are unable to speak for yourself due to illness, injury or death. This allows your family to focus on grieving and cele-brating your life or on supporting your recovery rather than being consumed by stressful searches for information or family conflicts in regard to decisions. As a bonus, preplanning results in con-versations that can create a more mean-ingful process for the whole family.

Most of us don’t know where to start and are hesitant to bring up the topic. Here are a few steps to help guide the process.

Have a Will, and more. Although having a will is accepted as

extremely important, almost half of Americans over age 55 do not have one. Worse, even fewer have a health care directive or power of attorney.

A good rule of thumb is that a revision of your will is required after any major life event, such as the birth of a child, death of a spouse or child, marriage, divorce, major financial changes or at least every five; years.

If you become incompetent, a Power of Attorney (written authorization to represent or act on another’s behalf in private affairs, business or other legal matters) is required in order to have your affairs managed appropriately.

A Health Care Directive expresses your preferences for medical care if you are unable to make decisions for your-self. Your wishes about organ donation should also be documented.

Having this paperwork completed provides guidance to your family and physicians, while ensuring you get the medical care you need and want.

Tip: Most lawyers offer a package price for all three documents, or you can do it yourself using a reputable online will kit.

Organize your documentation

Imagine you are asked to produce your birth certificate, marriage certifi-cate, a list of all your investments, bank accounts and insurance policies; a key to your safe deposit box; and a list of your passwords. Now imagine having to find all that information if you have no idea where to look.

Failure to leave a list of your pass-words can have cascading effects, from loss of access to family photos if they were on the phone of the deceased, to social media accounts continuing for years past a person’s death, to bank ac-counts and insurance policies going unclaimed.

Tip: Collecting the information and leaving clear directions takes time, but once it is completed, keeping it up to date annually is easy.

How do you want to be remembered?

One of the more difficult areas to deal with is how you want to be remem-bered. If writing your own life story,

obituary or funeral plan is too difficult to contemplate, you can assist your fam-ily by leaving information such as fami-ly history, resumes, awards, favorite causes, funeral ideas, favorite flowers, music and other preferences that they can use to make funeral decisions and write an obituary.

Tip: Most funeral providers have ex-cellent complementary preplanning re-source materials available upon re-quest. As well, a growing number of alternative funeral providers throughout North America provide basic services at a much-reduced cost or specialize in “green” funerals. Search for “inexpen-sive funerals” or other keyword phrases to look for providers in your area.

Planning ahead is difficult; however,

the immediate rewards can be deeper understanding, closer family relation-ships and a sense of accomplishment. Longer term, being prepared brings comfort during stressful times because your family knows they are honoring your wishes.

If you were to die suddenly, do you have peace of mind that your affairs are in order?

Free Resources Online: theconversationproject.org Expert advice on how to start and have he diffi-cult conversations; includes free kits, also in Spanish.

estateworkbook.com Insights and tips on topics such as passwords, photos, pet care, wills social media, aging well, writing your autobiography funeral planning and having the conversations.

organdonor.gov U.S. government site that provides information you need to make a decision that fits your wishes.

“It’s A Senior Thing” is a regular column on issues of interest to Good News readers 50 years & older (and their caregivers).

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 12 MARCH 2020

International Women’s Day—March 8

Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

International Women's Day 2020 campaign theme is #EachforEqual

An equal world is an enabled world. Individually, we are all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can actively choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions, improve situations and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, each one of us can help create a gender equal world. Let's all be #EachforEqual.

Although International Women’s Day may be a day of global celebration, there is NO ROOM for complacency as women continue to face inequity and violence on many fronts—not just overseas but even in America. What will you or your organization do to end violence against women and girls, and promote equity for women?

https://www.internationalwomensday.com/

International Day for Elimination

Of Racial Discrimination The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the

Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed with a series of events and activities worldwide on March 21st each year. The day aims to remind people of racial discrimination’s negative consequences. It also encourages people to remember their obligation and determination to combat racial discrimination. The observance was adopted by UN General Assembly resolution, October 26, 1966.

On March 21, people of all nations are called to rejoice in the God-given gift of human diversity, and to join together to build a world based on justice and peace. It is hoped that Christians around the world will join with peoples of other faiths in seeking to create a world free of the poverty and forms of discrimination that are at the root of violence.

Spiritual Awareness Month

Colon Cancer Awareness Month

American Red Cross Month

National Nutrition Month

National Peanut Month

Save Your Vision Month

6th—Employee Appreciation Day –1st Friday

6th—World Day of Prayer—1st Friday

8th—Girl Scout Day

10th—National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

12th—World Kidney Day

12th—Popcorn Lovers Day —2nd Thursday

13th—National Open Your Umbrella Indoors Day

13th—Clinton College Founder’s Day Program

14th—National Potato Chip Day

17th—St. Patrick’s Day

18th—World Sleep Day

20th—First Day of Spring

20th—International Day of Happiness

21st—World Poetry Day

Connectional Lay Council Convocation

Thursday-Saturday

March 19-21, 2020

Simon Temple AME Zion Church Fayetteville, NC

Ms. Rhandi Stith

New York Conference Lay Council President Dr. Mary J. Matthews

CLC International President

Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society

2019-2023 Quadrennial Theme:

The Great Commission - #Missions Matter

Globally Committed to Social Justice-

Environmental Stewardship-Transformative Service-

Agape Love

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 13 MARCH 2020

World Day of Prayer Friday

March 6, 2020

"Ecumenical Women @UNCSW 64 2020 "

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovern-mental body exclusively dedicated to the pro-motion of gender equality and the empower-ment of women. Women from countries around the world are expected to attend.

Registration for Orientation Day, Satur-day, March 7th, 8 am - 3:45 pm at the Church Center for the UN, 777 UN Plaza, New York City is CLOSED. This popular event is held the Saturday before UNCSW opens. Many AME Zion women attend.

If you didn’t register for the Orientation or to attend the CSW64 Sessions during March 9-20, 2020, you can still attend the daily early morning ecumenical worship services, 8 am in the Church Center Chapel; and in many cases the Parallel Events that take place at the Church Center across from the UN.

The World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women will be in charge of the WORSHIP on Wednesday morning, March 11. Dr. Brenda Smith and Joan Capel are the coordinators. If you are in the New York area during this time, please plan to attend. Worship is only 30-45 minutes.

If you haven’t heard by now, the Census is ex-

tremely vital to communities of color across the

nation. A complete and accurate count would en-

sure that the appropriate funds, up to billions of

dollars, are allocated to local, state, and tribal

governments to improve the lives of our people.

Access to quality education, healthcare, good

roads, and even the number of Congressional

seats our communities receive are all at stake.

That’s why we all have the civic responsibility to

be counted.

In mid-March, homes across the country will begin receiving invitations to complete the 2020 Census. Once the invitation arrives, you should re-spond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail.

March 12 - 20: Households will begin receiv-ing official Census Bureau mail with detailed infor-mation on how to respond to the 2020 Census online, by phone, or by mail.

March 30 - April 1: The Census Bureau will count people who are experiencing homeless-ness over these three days. As part of this process, the Census Bureau counts people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at non-sheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.

April 1: Census Day is observed nationwide. By this date, every home will receive an invitation to participate in the 2020 Census. Once the invita-tion arrives, you should respond for your home in one of three ways: online, by phone, or by mail. When you respond to the census, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020.

April: Census takers will begin visiting college

students who live on campus, people living in sen-

ior centers, and others who live among large groups

of people. Census takers also begin conducting

quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate

count.

The 2020 Census Is Coming!

Get Ready! Get Ready! Get Ready!

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 14 MARCH 2020

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 15 MARCH 2020

The governing body of Methodism is known as the General Conference and it meets every four years for seven days.

The only delegates at the first General Conference were ministers. The next nine general conferences were held with no lay representation.

In the 1860 General Conference held on May 30th at the Wesley Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nine lay delegates were included in the roll of 98 preachers and four bishops, including retired Bishop Christopher Rush, representing three of the seven annual conferences.

The representation of lay members to the General Conference was adjusted over the years and several General Conferences until the General Conference of 1928 that met in St. Louis, Missouri. The resolution presented by Rev. S. W. Hamilton was passed by the revision committee and ratified by the General Conference. From this time forward, the General Conference has been composed equally of ministerial and lay delegates. The other important stipulation is that the lay delegate must be a member in full connection for four consecutive years preceding his/her election. That law went into effect after the 1900 General Conference.

In order to qualify, the General Conference of 1900 also made the regulation that a minister shall have traveled at least four years from the time he was received into the conference.

Ministerial Representation An important change was the ratio system based upon pastoral appointments within an Annual Conference, which was first introduced in the General Conference of 1872. The law stated that one delegate for every seven members of each Annual Conference shall be elected. This remained in effect until 1888, when Bishop Hood offered a resolution resulting in the change of the ratio to one delegate for every ten members, to be appointed by seniority or choice, at the discretion of the Annual Conference. This rule continued until the 1912 General Conference in Charlotte, N.C.

After Bishop Cicero Richardson Harris presented a resolution on representation in the General Conference, the revision committee recommended that there be one ministerial delegate for every 10 pastoral charges up to 20, and above 20, one for every 15 pastoral charges, and one for every two-third fraction.

Over the years, much discussion and debate occurred over the delegate representation formula. At the 2004 General Conference in Greensboro, NC, The Reverend Frank E. Jones, then president of the Ministers and Lay International Association, and others proposed significant changes to the formula in resolutions that were adopted..

Of course, this change in formula caused considerable discussion, concern and changes—more dele-gates for some conferences and fewer delegates for others. The current formula for Ministerial Delegates to the General Confer-ence is as follows:

One delegate for every fifteen pastoral charges plus one delegate for every $50,000.00 paid in connectional claims

Annual conferences in existence prior to 2000 and had fewer than thirty (30) churches with two or more delegates shall be granted two ministerial delegates plus one for each $50,000.00 paid in connectional claims.

The Lay Delegation shall consist of one lay delegate for each ministerial delegate.

(See The 2016 Book of Discipline of the A.M.E. Zion Church for pages 34-36,

paragraphs 106-112 for information on General Conference delegate election &

representation)

A Look At The The General Conference

Of The A.M.E. Zion Church “Membership/Representation”

PART II

The 51st Quadrennial Session of the A.M.E. Zion Church General Conference will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2020 to Tuesday, July 28, 2020 in Atlanta, GA at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 265 Peachtree St. NE

404-577-1234

GOOD NEWS—34 Years Page 16 MARCH 2020

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER Friday, March 6, 2020

LONG ISLAND DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Friday, March 6, 2020 — Shaw Temple AME Zion Church, Amityville, NY

HARRIET TUBMAN DAY — A.M.E. ZION CHURCH OBSERVANCE

Sunday, March 8, 2020

ANNUAL STATES TEA—FIRST A.M.E. ZION CHURCH

Sunday, March 8, 2020

ORIENTATION FOR UNITED NATIONS CSW64 [ECUMENICAL WOMEN]

Saturday, March 7, 2020, Church Center for United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, NYC

UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN [CSW64]

Monday-Friday, March 9-20, 2020 — United Nations, New York City

NEW YORK CITY DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Friday-Saturday, March 13-14, 2020—Church on the Hill, New York, NY, 7pm

CONNECTIONAL LAY COUNCIL CONVOCATION

Thursday-Saturday, March 19-21, 2020—Simon Temple AME Zion Church, Fayetteville NC

WESTCHESTER DISTRICT CONFERENCE

Friday, March 20, 2020 — St. Frances AME Zion Church, Port Chester, NY

EASTER Sunday, April 12, 2020

CHECK-UP MEETING, NEW YORK CONFERENCE

Saturday, April 25, 2020—Hosted by Mount Hope AME Zion Church, White Plains, NY

QUADRENNIAL CELEBRATION FOR BISHOP DENNIS V PROCTOR

Saturday, April 25, 2020—Rye Town Hilton Hotel

W.H.&O.M. SOCIETY 140TH ANNNIVERSARY MONTH May 2020 MAY FRIENDSHIP DAY Friday, May 1, 2020

4TH QUARTERLY NYC DISTRICT TRI/MASS MEETING

Saturday, May 2, 2020 — Naomi AME Zion Church, Coney Island, NY

MOTHER’S DAY

Sunday, May 10, 2020

NEW JERSEY ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday-Sunday, May 13-17, 2020

NYC DISTRICT MISSIONARH OF THE YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA

Saturday, May 23, 2020 — First AME Zion Church, Brooklyn NY

NEW ENGLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday-Sunday, June 17-21, 2020

NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday-Sunday, June 24-28, 2020 — Westchester Marriott Hotel, Tarrytown, NY

WESTERN NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday-Sunday, July 1-5, 2020— Hyatt Regency, Rochester NY

51st QUADRENNIAL GENERAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday-Tuesday, July 22-28, 2020—Hyatt Regency Hotel, Atlanta, GA

LONDON-MIDLAND CONFERENCE—50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Wednesday-Sunday, August 26-30, 2020—Hilton London Metropole, London, England

Sis. Fay Fagan March 05

Rev. Dr. William Smalls March 09

Sis. Ivine Johnson March 10

Sis. Irene Boykin March 10

Sis. Susan Gatson March 14

Dr. Frederick Staton March 15

Sis. Irma Sanders March 16

Sis. Mary E. Aiken March 16

Sis. Stephanie D. Taylor March 18

Rev. Patricia Phillips March 23

Sis. Alice Steele Robinson March 27

Sis. Iris M. Battle March 28

Sis. Irene Boykin March 31

We pause to remember The Reverend Dr. Louis E. Sanders, retired minister who served for over twenty years as pastor of St. Charles AME Zion Church, Sparkill, NY. De-tails were not available as of Good News press time.

March 8