One of the things I love about this board is meeting people across the connection. We live in such different places. I know some of you cannot understand why I would choose to live in Montana. I love my state!!!! It is so beautiful with mountains ranges, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, rivers, creeks, Native Americans,rodeos, ghost towns, gold mines and the friendliest people in the world. I live in a ski resort, 5,000 feet above sea level. So tell me about the area that you live in. Thanks everyone,

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Answers

I live in Indianapolis, IN. The home on the famous 500 Speedway. Not that I've ever been.

In Christ,

Carmen

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Hello Carmen,

I have spent quality "recreational" time in your city. While most do know Indianapolis by way of the Indy 500, I know the city as the home of the legendary basketball star and one of my boyhood idols, Oscar "Big O" Robertson. The city is also home to the Madame C.J. Walker Museum. As successful as Ms. Walker was it is embarrasing that no college, white or black, to my knowledge, has an endowed chair in her name. I tried to correct for this about ten years ago but no one seemed interested. QED

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

I live in Georgia, the Peach state. We are known for our peach and pecan orchards and Vidilla onions. Atlanta, a fast going town for progessive Afrikan Amercians, looms with excitment and offers many different activities. I am not attached to this state and will move anyplace that offers employment advancement and/or spiritual growth.

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Hi Rev. Rogers, I would one day like to see the beautiful Grand Teton mountain range which I believe extends from Wyoming to Montana. Other than the brutal winters in Montana, I would imagine that your state has some of the most natural beautiful scenery in the world. Although a native Virginian,I was not born in Richmond, Va the capitol. This area is known as central Virginia and fortunately, most cities in Virginia are not arrested in the 19th century confederate past like this city. Although, there are many similarities between Richmond and Atlanta, Ga. The folks here in Richmond have not arrived in the twenty-first century yet. I guess by now you have deduced that I am not a member of the chamber of commerce. In Richmond, our leaders fight about confederate flags, statues,or banners relating to the civil war or about modern day scandals in the city government. If you ever come to Richmond, stop by Third Street Bethel AME church where we worship in a church building which was built by our slave ancestors over 150 years ago. To me that's so amazing to worship in something built by those saints of the past. Otherwise, keep on going to the Va. Beach/Tidewater area or up to the shenadoah valley area with its beautiful mountains(You will probably call them hills) or go to Northern Va near D.C.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Thanks everyone for sharing thus far, and Jazzman you are right about the Teton mounatian range. Yes we do have cold and long winters. It usually snows till May. But I love winter. So do come in the summer, we have low humidity and the entire state is breathtaking. I am only 10 minutes away from several national forests. And I forgot to mention montana has the largest free roaming buffalo herd, and wolves, and eagels and great fly fishing. I would love to visit georgia and virginia.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Montana sounds wonderful. Having lived in Denver for many years I would no doubt like Montana. My wife however considers 50 degrees cold. The great state of Texas where everything is larger than life. I live south of Fort Worth and just north of the new Texas White House. I claim President Bush as my neighbor. We moved to the country 3 years ago and love the life in the woods. I still haven't broken my habit of going to town each day however. Texas is growing by leaps and bounds due to the high technology industry in Austin (Dell), Dallas (Texas Instruments, Paul Quinn College) and Houston (Compaq). This gives us a diverse population and sometimes native Texans are hard to find. A newcomer becomes a Texan when he/she gets a pickup truck and boots. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Pastor Paris, I know you would enjoy Montana. But it does get cold. This has been more of a normal winter for us. Four days ago it got down to -21 below zero at night;-) in my town. In the winter we have to plug our cars into our houses to keep the engine warm. It should not be too bad tonight only down to -5 below zero. Texas has always seem like a seperate country to me. (heehee) Has immigration from Mexico been a problem? And how are black people doing as a whole in Texas?

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

As I write this, we are at the beginning of a beautiful Nor'Easter with 20+ inches of snow in the Boston area and about 40 inches in the Worcester hils. They always say around boston and New England, if you don't like the weather, wait a minute it will change. This area is the hub of culture and educational institutions like Mass. Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard, Brandeis, Boston College, just to name a few. There are quite a few championship banners hanging in Boston Garden (now Fleet Center)both Basketbal (Celtics) and hockey (Bruins). We are a shirt drive to the seashore at Cape Cod and Marthas Vineyard. Also a short drive up to ski country of Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire.We have 4 seasons. Folks come from all over the country to see the foliage in the fall or to go to Tanglewood (Boston Symphony)in the Berkshires in the Summer. Of course, politically, Mass. is a liberal/progressive state. Home of the Kennedys and the Lodges. Howver, we were the first state to send a Black Senator to Washington, Edward Brooke. We have 6 AME Churchs in the Boston area, St Paul,Charles St.,Grant, Bethel Boston, Bethel Lynn, and Peoples Chelsea. oh yeah, we do have a Baseball team, the Redsox but I don't talk about them. Stop by if you are ever in the area. You will enjoy it. Bob McCain

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

I have been to Boston but not since 1979 I was performing in the Broadway Musical "Ain't Misbehavin" at the Shubert theater. At that time race relations were really bad. Hope things have changed. And I love Cape Cod. It is exciting to hear about the six AME churches in the Area. Do you know how long the AME church has been in Boston. And what district are you in. I do not think I will be on the east coast until next year when I will go back for my class reunion at Princeton Seminary. By the way in Montana we only have two seasons WINTER and SUMNMER. Mostly winter 8 months where I live;-)

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

The AME Church got its start in Boston in the 1830s. First AME (now Charles St.) was the first charge, following Bethel New Haven in CT.

St. Paul, where Bob is a member, started in the home of brother Henry Buckner in 1873. Its pastors have included Bishop Rembert Stokes, Bishop John Bryant, and its current pastor of over 24 years, Dr. Leroy Attles.

Boston is part of the Boston-Hartford District of the New England Annual Conference, First District. Rev. Herbert l Eddy was the PE from about 1982 to today, and Bishop Donald K. G. Ming is the Presiding Prelate.

One small historical nit: I understood Rev. Hiram Revels, an AME, to be the first black senator, hailing from the south (Mississippi?). Corrections are welcome.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Jerryl isn't it amazing how our denomination grew. Thanks for the info. We always think about Boston in terms of it's contribution to American History and now it is good to know the early AME presence in Boston. Do you know how the message of Richard Allen got to Boston? I am always interested in evangelism. Also how did the AME church get to your part of the country. Thanks for the info.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

The following is excerpted from the "Centennial History of the AME Church", R.R. Wright (1916).

During the first fifty years, the church was confined almost entirely to the Northern States, as it was not allowed to operate among the slaves in the South, though in Charleston, New Orleans, and one or two other places, there were small organizations among free Negroes. In Boston, Newport, New Bedford, New York, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Washington, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, Sacramento and other Northern and Western cities, where there were a hundred or more Negroes, a church was organized. During this period many of the ministers of this church were active in the anti-slavery movement and "Underground Railroad," and much of the actual work of receiving and transporting escaped slaves was done by them.

Rev. Charles Burch carried African Methodism to New England and planted a mission at New Haven, in 1830. Rev. Noah C. W. Cannon organized it on Anderson Street, Boston, Mass., in 1830, and from thence it spread over the New England States.

Boston, Mass.--The First African Methodist Episcopal Church, more generally known as "The Charles Street A. M. E. Church," was organized in Boston in 1833. Its founder was Noah C. W. Cannon, a man of piety and capability; the church was first located in the West End, on a street named Belnap; it afterwards occupied the following sites: West Cedar Street, Cambridge Street, North Russel Street, then to Anderson Street, from which place it moved to its present house of worship at the corner of Charles and Mount Vernon Streets, December 15, 1876. The membership at this time was about 200 persons. The church building and ground, which is just below Beacon Hill and the State House, a block and a half from the beautiful Charles River basin and the same in another direction from the historic public gardens, includes a pipe organ, the first installed in any church in Boston, magnificent oak pews and other furnishings, was purchased from the Charles Street Baptist Society for the sum of $40,000 .The undertaking was a stupendous one for this small number. Rev. William H. Hunter was the pastor. Rev. Ebenezer T. Williams paid off the mortgage on the church building on Anderson Street, and opened the way for the larger venture. Rev. Josesph P. Shreves, the next pastor, looking to the future of the society, began a sinking fund, held a rally, raised the sum of $3,050.50, which was deposited in the bank for the purchasing of a new church. Rev. William H. Hunter took charge about this time and within six months had launched plans for the purchase of the present property. The property on Anderson Street was mortgaged for $6,000, which with the sinking fund made a total of $9,050.50; it was resolved to raise $10,000 for the first payment on the indebtedness; the good women led off in the endeavor. Mrs. Elizabeth Clinton pledged the sum of $50, also Mrs. Rosetta Allston, Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Ruth Hill, Mrs. Mary Thomas and others contributed like sums, which with the aid of other friends succeeded in making the grand total. Dr. J. T. Jenifer, who served this congregation as pastor from 1881 to 1887, in the year 1882, raised and paid $22,000 on the property; this is probably the largest amount ever raised at one time by any church in the connection.

A charter was granted the society in 1839 by the Legislature, the same signed by the Speaker of the House, the Hon. Edward Hale. In the early history of this church the Negroes of Boston were only allowed to occupy the first two rows in the gallery on the Charles Street side during the services. Now they own the building. Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, Dr. E. E. Hale, General Ben. Butler, Phillips Brooks, W. H. Foote, Brook Hereford, Dr. Dura and other notables of world-wide fame have been a part of this congregation and contributed some of the best service in times past. In its history and within her walls the "Boston Associated Charity Society" was organized. "The St. Andrew's Church" was born here, as well as the great "Tremont Temple" and its mighty following of the present. Four of its pastors have served as general officers in the great connection of which it is a part, viz., Theodore Gould, T. W. Henderson, J. T. Jenifer, and Reverdy C. Ransom. Two have also been elevated to the bishopric--Revs. J. P. Campbell and W. F. Dickerson. Other able ministers have served this congregation adding to its advancement and prosperity, namely, Father Johnson, R. F. Hurley, D. P. Roberts, W. H. Thomas, Sr., R. W. Fickland, J. M. Henderson, W. H. Thomas, Jr., and the present incumbent, Montrose William Thornton. Under Dr. Thornton's administration the mortgage had been reduced and electric lights installed. Charles Street Church is considered the leading church among the Negroes in New England. Its present trustees are Samuel Griffin, vice chairman; James H. Hawkins, secretary; Dr. William Worthy, treasurer; William C. Lovett, S. M. Hoxter, Theodore Gould, Jr., E. P. Tucker, J. D. Augustine and G. A. Bisbee. Its membership includes some of the leading and most representative men and women of Boston, many of whom are in business and professional service and are large property owners. Its present membership is 649, seating capacity, 1,140. It has 16 classes, 16 auxiliary societies, 4 local preachers, parsonage, raised in 1914, $7,100. It contains a bell and has stood intact as it is on one present foundation 108 years, owned and occupied by the present congregation 39 years.

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For a history of Reedy Chapel, the Mother Church of texas, please visit our web-site at http://www.ghg.net/jlpayne/reedy.html.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Jerryl, I am having so much fun reading your posts and learning about my denomination. It is absolutely incredible the monies raised and fortitude of the AME church in Boston, and in Texas. I have got to make a point to visit the Boston churches and Reedy point. Your information gives me the inspiration to carry on. Thanks brother Jerryl and please keep sharing tidbits from other parts of our country and the world.

-- Anonymous, March 05, 2001

Southern California is where I call home (I am a native). We have four seasons: Flooding, Fire, Earthquakes, and Mudslides. Otherwise, I am 2 hours from Mexico, 3 hours from the mountains, 4 hours from Las Vegas (I've heard), and except for a football team, I have all the sports I need.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

Well John in my state of Montana, we have two seasons winter and summer. I will never forget last year when I was in route to my daughters college graduation (in washington, d.c) I had to sit in my plane on the runway for two hours as they shoveled snow off the run way and de-iced the plane three times, we had 12 inches of snow that morning. Oh the date was May 13, 2000. I live in a valley that is completely surrounded by the rocky mountains, so from anywhere in town you can see the mountains. Last year we too had bad forest fires. Our neighborhood park is YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. We do not have sport teams, but that's o.k.

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001

I live in one of the worlds most bautiful cities.Cape Town.It is a tourist capital in Africa.Mor and more movies and ads are made in my city.We have a beautiful mountain called Table mountain.When the wind blows athin layer of clouds cover the top of the mountain.Everyone then says that the cloth is on the table.We are rapidly moving into Autumn and the wind has a chilly feel to it.We are similar to California with stretches of white beaches and two currents in the ocean.cape town is found on the farthest point in Africa and Is surrounded by sea.I live on the Cape Flats where non whites were moved to during the time of Apartheid. I love this laid back city where people are from all nationalities and the weather is Meditereanean.It never snows in our city with very little on the Top of Table mountain, now and again

-- Anonymous, March 20, 2001