United Together in Kingdom Building (Matt 6:9-13)

WESLEY A.M.E. CHURCH
REV. LEO GRIFFIN, PASTOR
MAY 2011
VOLUME 9.3
United Together in Kingdom Building (Matt 6:9-13)
2011 Graduates
Pastor Leo Griffin & First Lady
Evangelist Mary Griffin
INSIDE T HIS ISSUE
Bishop Sarah Davis Visits
Wesley Hit by Thieves
WMS Prayer Breakfast
Queen Esther Initiative
Bishop Ingram Preaches
Youth Celebrate Easter
Good Friday Service
Mothers Honored
Bishop Kirkland Visits
Home Safety
2011 Graduates
Wesley members Shine
Youth Sunday
Healing List
Mark Your Calendars
Thanks to Contributors
Rev. Walter Cuby
Stephen Compton
Pamela Johnson
Phyllis Mays
Laurel Thomas
Bishop Sarah Davis and Episcopal Supervisor
Claytie Davis were in Houston recently and
worshipped at Wesley on Easter Sunday. It is
always good to have Bishop Davis “come back
home” to Wesley AME Church where she
served as a faithful and devoted choir member
before accepting the call to the ministry. You
never know when you’re in the midst of
greatness! Bishop Sarah Davis’s historic
th
election in 2004 as the 126 elected and
consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church made her only the third woman in the 218 year history of the
denomination to ascend to its highest level of Episcopal service in African Methodism.
th
Bishop Davis is presiding prelate of the 16 Episcopal District comprised of churches and
schools in South America (Guyana and Suriname); Windward Islands (Trinidad, Tobago,
Barbados and Grenada); the Caribbean Islands (Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and
Virgin Islands); and Europe (London and France). She was always a great teacher and
continues to encourage and inspire others in their Christian walk.
TRIVIA QUESTIONS:
a) Who was the first female elected Bishop in AME Church?
________________________
b) Who was the second female elected Bishop in the AME Church?
__________________
See Trivia Answers on page 7
WESLEY HIT BY THIEVES
Within a two week period, Wesley’s air conditioner units were vandalized by thieves. The
th
thief occurred May 4, 2011 and again on May 11 . Even with the security provided, they
found a way to maneuver into the cage surrounding the system and cause massive
destruction at a cost of nearly $50,000.00. The church is insured, but deductibles have to
be paid and eventually insurance carriers can and sometimes do cancel your policy if you
become too high-risk. As Wesley tries to move forward, the devil is constantly testing the
will power of the people. We must continue to be prayerful.
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May 2011
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W.M.S. ANNUAL PRAYER BREAKFAST
Theme: Women, the Fragrance of Christ
By Pamela “PJ” Johnson
On Saturday, April 9, 2011, the M.E. Rickmeyer Missionary Society held its third annual prayer breakfast at
Wesley A.M.E. Church. As the many attendees entered the lower auditorium of the church, their ears were
filled with wonderful gospel music dee-jayed by Mrs. Elizabeth Sims. Yellow, green and white decorations
created a happy, cheerful, springtime atmosphere. As guests introduced themselves and their churches, we
were pleased to see they came from many different denominations and churches in the city.
“Let’s get ready for praise and worship!” chanted the colorful Mistress of Ceremony Minister Tammy Wilkerson.
Her charm and wit was delightful. As the attendees got their praise on, you could smell the aroma of breakfast
being prepared for the nourishment of our bodies by Chef Gerald Allen and wife Robin.
Prayer, scripture, the welcome and a solo by Sheila Richardson was just the beginning of a spirit-filled morning
followed by the Word by Reverend Detoma Dawson who serves on staff at St. Paul A.M.E Church. Using 2
Corinthians 2:15-16, the Missionaries’ scripture for the occasion, Rev. Dawson preached on “The Fragrance of
Christ.”
As this year’s annual prayer breakfast came to an end, everyone was fired up and ready to start work on the
next one. God bless the W.M.S.
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Queen Esther Coronation Extravaganza
By Pamela Johnson
On Friday night May 13, 2011, the fifth culmination
program for the Queen Esther Initiative was held at the
Sheraton North Hotel. Our candidate for this year was
Sandra Green, First Vice President of Wesley’s M.E.
Rickmeyer Women’s Missionary Society.
The extravaganza began with the formality of the
welcome, introductions and seating of the royal guests.
It was now time for the entrance of the royal court. The
court consisted of Queen Esther candidates and their
escorts from the Northwest, North, Southwest, and
Texas Conferences of the Tenth Episcopal District. All
the candidates looked regal in their long white dresses
as they were escorted in. Sandra Green was escorted
by her proud husband Richard Green.
After a musical tribute by Ladette William, District Third
Vice President, the Queens were serenaded by Rev.
James W. Ford, Presiding Elder of the Greater Dallas
District.
.The moment had come. As the cadence of the drum
roll grew, the room was filled with suspense. All the
candidates had worked long and hard to bring the
crown to their church and conference. The room was
silent as Rev. Jessica announced this year’s
winner…Gwendolyn Harrison of St. Paul AME Church,
Dallas, Texas. It was a very close race and Sandra
captured second place. Although she did not win the
crown that night, Wesley is very proud of her and
applauds her efforts. She will always be our queen.
Long Live the Queen!
May Day Activities closed on
Saturday, May 14, 2011. On that
th
Sunday, May 15 Wesley was
blessed with the presence and
preaching of the Tenth
Episcopal District’s own Bishop
Gregory G.M. Ingram. It was a
spirit-filled day of praise and
worship for Wesley’s “Each One
Bring One” Initiative.
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AN “EGGCELLENT” GOOD TIME
By Pamela “PJ” Johnson
On Saturday, April 23, 2011, Wesley’s YPD had an
excellent time learning the true meaning of Easter.
During the Bible lesson by Laurel Thomas they
learned that Jesus died on the cross for you and me
and arose the third day that we may live eternally.
After the Bible lesson, the fun began with fancy face
painting and dancing music by “PJ” the clown. (Kudos
to Rev. Tamika Baker who was the assistant to “PJ”
that day.)
3
GOOD FRIDAY: Seven Last Words of Christ
The Texas Conference of the Tenth Episcopal
District held its Fifth Annual “Good Friday Seven
Last Words of Christ Worship Service” at Wesley
A.M.E.Church on April 22, 2011. Episcopal Supervisor
Rev. Jessica Ingram was the Worship leader on this
occasion. The congregation was blessed with seven
powerful messages delivered by seven dynamic men
and women of God.
FIRST WORD – “Father, Forgive Them”
Luke 23:26-38 … Rev. Brenda Payne
SECOND WORD – “Today Thou Shalt Be With Me”
Luke 23:39-43… Rev. Harvey McGruder
THIRD WORD – “Woman, Behold Thy Son”
John 19:23-27…Rev. Gloria Cash
FOURTH WORD – “My God, My God”
Matt. 27:39-46…Rev. Kenneth Franklin
FIFTH WORD – “I Thirst”
John 19:28-29…Rev. Hunt Harris
SIXTH WORD – “It Is Finished”
John 19:30…Rev. Mary Reed
PJ the clown and friends
The day could not end without the traditional Easter
Egg Hunt. A special thank you to the Y.P.D. Director
Sheri Dominique and Co Chairmen of the Youth
Department, Minister Sean Nickleberry and Stephen
Compton and to all those who had a part in making
this Easter “eggtraordinary” for everyone.
SEVENTH WORD – “Father, Into Thy Hands”
Luke 23:44-48…Rev. Kevin Bullock
See you next year!!!
Parents were on hand to help the little ones
Pictures by Stephen Compton
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CONGRATULATIONS 2011 GRADUATES!!!
Graduates, as you embark on the next phase of your life, remember that your church family is behind you 100%.
Wesley is proud of your accomplishments so far and know that you are destined to do great things. Remember
also Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who stengtheneth me.” (KJV) Keep God first in your life
and you will succeed.
Latasha Jones is a
graduate of Magnolia
High School. Her
favorite subjects:
Theater and Volleyball.
She is very athletic
was a member of the
track, volleyball and
basketball teams. She
also participated in
Peer Mediation and
Cheer. Latasha is a
member of Praise
Dance Team, and
Youth Choir. She plans
to attend Navarro College in San Antonio, Texas and
major in Communications.
Eddie Jamal Cooper III (Tre) is
a graduate of Ross Shaw
Sterling High School. His favorite
subjects: History and English.
He was a member of the
Football and Basketball Teams
at Sterling High. Eddie is a
Youth Usher and a member of
the Youth Choir. He plans to
attend Texas Southern
University and major in Criminal
Justice.
Demaree Robertson
is a graduate of Ebbert
L. Furr High School.
His favorite subjects:
English and
Mathematics.
Demaree pledged the
“Gents Club” was a
percussionist in the
Marching Band and
was Stepmaster for
the Step Team.
Demaree plans to
attend Texas Southern
University and major in music
Hayley Nicole Leonard is a
graduate of Lawrence E.
Elkins High School. Her
favorite subjects: English
and Constitutional Law.
School activities: iOrchestra,
Constitutional Law, National
Honor Society, National
Science Honor Society and
National English Honor
Society. Hayley is a Junior
Stewardess, member of the
Praise Dance Team and
Youth Choir. She plans to
attend Baylor University in Waco, Texas and major in
Biochemistry or Business leading to a career in
Dentistry
Jon’Tay Warner is a graduate of J. Frank Dobie High
School. Her favorite
subjects: English and
Math. She was a
member of the
“Lariaettes Drill Team.
Jon’Tay is a member of
the Praise Dance Team,
Youth Choir and YPD.
She plans to attend
Southern University in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
and major in Nursing
specializing in Pediatric
Nursing. Her passion is
dance and she someday
hopes to dance for the New Orleans Hornets.
Boris Lee is a graduate of College Park High School.
His favorite subjects:
Government and
History. Boris was a
starting Strong Safety
and kick off returner for
College Park. He had
two kickoffs returned for
touchdowns, and three
interceptions. He was
also on the track team
and his events were the
triple jump and the 4X4
100. Boris plans to
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May 2011
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attend Blinn College in Brenham, Texas for General
Studies and later transfer to L.S. U. and major in
5
Business.
2011 GRADUATES
CONGRATULATIONS
Shia J. Matthews is a graduate
of
Houston
Academy
of
International
Studies.
Her
favorite subjects: English and
Math. Shia was active on junior
and
senior
committees,
volunteered at the Diabetes
Marathon and Houston Area
Food Bank. Shia is a member of
the Praise Dance Team, Youth
Choir, and YPD. Shia plans to
attend Prairie View A & M
University and major in Business
Management
Darrell “Colin” Warner received
a Bachelor of Science degree
from Southern University A & M
College in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana. He has accepted an
offer to work at The Boeing
Company in Seattle,
Washington.
Jeffery Baldwin: Bro. Baldwin has been
st
selected as one of the recipients of the 1
Annual Paul Cuffee Maritime Leadership
Award-(PCMLA).
The Texas Southern
University Maritime Industry Advisory Board
created the PCMLA to recognize and
promote the accomplishments of minorities
in the maritime industry along the Texas
Gulf Coast. He will be honored with an
award at the TSU Summer Maritime
Academy Closing Ceremony on Friday, July
1, 2011.
Dameon Thomas: This article appeared in
the Navy Newsletter for spouses and
families.
Greetings from the GREATEST Line Shack
in Naval Aviation. We are all doing well out
here doing "God’s Work". For all of our
loved ones who did not realize exactly what
we do, we are the first ones on the flight
deck in the morning and the last ones to
leave after the helicopters take off. We are
staying focused and training hard under the
leadership of ATC (AW) Sean M. Rogers
and AM1 (AW) William A. Hughes.
Everyone in the Division is working on one
or more qualifications to better themselves
and better the Command. Congratulations
go out to AT3 Michael Lynch, AMAN Ivan
Ray, and AMAN Ryan Sileo and last but not
least AEAN Dameon Thomas for achieving
their Plane Captain Qualification.AT3
Lynch, AMAN Ray, and AEAN Thomas also
completed their Landing Signalman Enlisted
Qualification and are on their flight deck
launching and recovering our helicopters.
AEAN Dameon Thomas
shows off certificate
By Darlean Brown
Wesley’s Youth Department,
under the direction of Minister
Sean Nickleberry and Stephen
Compton:
co-chairs;
Sheri
Dominique: YPD Director and
Tangy Reed: Worship and Arts,
continues to surprise and
amaze. This is an awesome team.
You probably tire of hearing
about the excitement on fourth
Sundays when our Youth are in
charge.
But….The children are fired up
for Christ and you can see and
feel it as they sing, pray, dance
and mime. You can’t help
spreading the good news when
our children are doing such good
things. As stated earlier, “They
are fired up for Christ.”
The Wesley church family
supports and encourages these
youngsters because they are
our future and now is the time
to help mold, shape and train
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them to be productive citizens
of tomorrow. They hold the
future…let’s make sure they are
prepared.
6
So…You should be in the house on fourth
Sunday!!! Your hearts will be gladdened
and your spirits lifted as our children
usher in the Holy Spirit.
is Presiding Prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District.
By Darlean Brown
Mothers’ Day was a special day for all at Wesley.
Mrs. Audrey Carroll and her team deserve a
special thank you for providing flowers in honor
of mothers who are still with us and those who
have passed on. Before entering the sanctuary,
each person was pinned with a flower.
During service, Wesley honored three of its
mothers, Evangelist Mary Griffin, Mrs. Ruby
Stephen and Mrs. Maggie Edwards who are the
two oldest active members (96 and 92
respectively) at Wesley and they are sisters. They
were presented with a bouquet of roses and well
wishes through applause from the congregation.
The Praise Team, under the leadership of
LaQuondra Patterson followed with its tribute.
This was their first performance and it was an
inspiring tribute to all mothers.
And there was more. Jon’Tay Warner, a member
of the Lariaettes at Dobie High School, offered
another tribute. She performed a powerful dance
as Maya Angelo’s “Phenomenal Woman” played
in the background. Jon’Tay has great dancing
skills. She really thrilled and awed the
congregation with her spectacular leaps and
jumps, ending her performance with a couple of
breathtaking cartwheels.
Worshipping with Wesley
on Mothers’ Day, May 8,
2011, were Bishop T. Larry
Kirkland, Supervisor Mary
Kirkland and their two
daughters. Bishop Kirkland
HOME SAFETY: THIRTEEN THINGS
YOUR BURGLAR WON’T TELL YOU
Submitted by Phyllis Mays
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week
cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or
delivering your new refrigerator.
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I
was working in your yard last week. While I was in
there, I unlatched the back window to make my return
a little easier.
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste...
and taste means there are nice things inside. Those
yard toys your kids leave out always make me
wonder what type of gaming system they have.
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the
driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front
door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to
create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts
in the driveway are dead giveaways.
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't
let your alarm company install the control pad where I
can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
7. A good security company alarms the window over the
sink. And the windows on the second floor, which
often access the master bedroom - and your jeweler.
It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there
too.
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and
you forget to lock your door - understandable. But
understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad
weather.
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for
directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters.
(Don't take me up on it.)
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer?
I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table,
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and the medicine cabinet.
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids'
rooms.
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into
that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's
not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the
“THE HEALING LIST”
Isabelle
B. Baskin
Pauline Lindley
Martha Burns
Gloria Matlock
Rosie Campbell
Mattie R. McCarty
Carolyn Cuby
Valda J. Morgan
Jennie M. Gamble
Camilya Neblett
June 10, 2011
York F. Gibson, Jr
Melbony Pink
Sarah Hardeman
Rene Singleton
South Houston District
Sunday Church School Convocation
Porretto Beach, Galveston
th
8 and Seawall
Dorothy Herndon
Ozell Stephens
▄
Elizabeth Hobbs
Minnie Thomas
June 23-24, 2011
Mable Hunter
Ruth Thomas
Dorothy B, Jackson
Evelyn Walker
Sylvia Johnson
Ora Woodfork
June 26, 2011
Irene Kinney
Ennis Wilson
Concert: Worship Unplugged
Wesley AME Church
3:30 PM
Continue to Pray for Members on the
Healing List and those not listed.
7
best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your
TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35
device that works on a timer and simulates the
flickering glow a real television.
(Find it at http://www.faketv.com/)
UPCOMING EVENTS
(Mark Your Calendars)
▄
Music Ministry Annual Workshop
Wesley AME Church
7:00 PM
▄
▄
July 7 - 9, 2011
Super Summer Convocation
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Addison, Texas
▄
July 23 – 31, 2011
Quadrennial 2011
Orlando Marriott Hotel
Orlando, Florida
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YPD - July 23-27
WMS - July 27-31
????????????????????????????
▄
Answer to Trivia Questions from page 1
OCTOBER 30, 2011
NEW DEADLINE
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITMENT
WESLEY CHAPEL AME CHURCH
2209 Dowling Street
Houston, Texas 77003
SCHOOL’S OUT…
a) Bishop Vashti McKenzie elected in July 2000
b) Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry elected n July 2004
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
HOUSTON, TX.
PERMIT NO. 13121
WATCH OUT FOR OUR CHILDREN DURING SUMMER VACATION
The Wesley Messenger is published for the members and friends of WESLEY AME CHURCH.
Leo Griffin, Pastor; Darlean Brown, Editor; Prince Washington, Assistant Editor; Marbry Bolden, Photographer; Janice Taylor, Proofreader
Rosalind Baldwin, Allyson Cannon, Pamela Johnson, Sean Nickleberry
Many problems would cease to exist
if we could learn to listen
as well as we speak.
Author unknown
The June 5, 2011 deadline for completing your
Capital Campaign Commitment has been
extended to October 30, 2011. For those
persons who submitted Commitments Cards,
you should have received a letter a few weeks
ago summarizing your contributions to date
and the amount still outstanding. Although the
deadline has been extended, we ask that each
member
complete
their
commitment
contribution as soon as possible but no later
than October 30, 2011
.Let’s support our Music Ministry as they hold a two
day workshop culminating in a “Concert” on Sunday,
June 26, 2011. The workshop features Elder Eric B.
Davis, guest clinician. Everyone is invited. It is not “just
for choir members only.” Registration fee is only $20.00.
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Bible Verse:” Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.”
Psalm 95:1 (NIV)
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