I love this discussion board and meeting wonderful people from around the world. I wanted to take the time to welcome those that are new to the board. I hope you will take the time to say hello so we can greet you with the love of Christ! And if you have never posted, just jump in. There is a lot of love and support on the board. Again welcome, God loves you so much and so do we!

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Answers

Thank you so very much for extending such a warm greeting. I am no stranger to the site but I have never answered anyone, but after reading the love that you exemplified in your message, I just had to come out of my timidness and say, "thank you" for you truly exhibit what it is to be a TRUE Christian. Debra

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Debra thanks for posting! Isn't God great. Keep posting so we will know how you are doing. I am going to add you to our Church prayer list for God to reigh down his blessings on you. I can't wait until we have an AME-Today party. Of course we can have it at my house;-) I have elk meat in the freezer. (I am not kidding, I do have elk meat in the freezer.) Happy New Year Debra!!!!

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

You are such a positive person and I have been reading your postings for a while. Welcome to the AME family and I pray that God continues to bless you in your ministry. and the party sounds great!!!!!!!!!!!! But I have never had elk meat before!!!!!!! Your Bishop id my former bishop and I can tel that you respect and love him dearly Bishop John is that type of person. Well Happy New ear to you also and contiue to spread your joy to others. Peace and Love

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

Seasons greetings to the b b members, Just a note from the Great 8TH Episc Dist to say hello and to let you know that God is still in the blessing business here in the deep south. Maybe some of us may meet at the Evangelism Seminar in Richardson Tx on the 8th of Jan. The sound of a B B party sounds great. I have had a lot of wild game, here in south la and Ms. but we don't have Elk, we have Deer meat.Just give us a few months notice and we might just be able to make it. God's blessings be upon Pastor John and Family and all of the rest of the members and their families that post here on this Board!

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

P.S. forgot to mention that one of my home boys from here in slidell, la will be presenting at the seminar in Richardson Tx. He is none other than the Rev. Jimmy A. McDonald,Connectional Director, Healing Ministry, Dept of Church Growth and Development, A>M>E> Church; renound, Tenor Soloist, and Preacher extradinary will be presenting at in his area of expertise,

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

We really should plan on having an A.M.E Today reunion!! Does anyone have any ideas. Perhaps it can be in connection with a conference. And of course we will have to have music, hint, hint Jerryl Payne. And Debra you are so right about Bishop John, he and Dr. C are two of the most anointed people I have met. And Dr. C is a powerful role model for clergywomen. I am thrilled to have Bishop Bryant as my Bishop and one of the reasons is that he supports rural ministry and those of us who feel called to do rural ministry. One last note pastor fields if you like deer meat you will love elk. It is so much better and does not taste gamey. I also love buffalo, which is my favorite. So any suggestions on where we can have an A.M.E Today party? We definitely have to have Rev. John make some ribs;-)!!!!

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

I have the perfect place for an AME Today retreat/party, FLORIDA!!! The weather is great, the beaches are the best, Disney World is centrally located and best of all our voting problems have been corrected. Plus, I must be in a venue where I can enhance my God- given tan skin tone :-) QED

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

Bill I don't know if you are kidding or not. But florida would be a great place. Let's see what other people think and let's go for it. Lord knows we don't want you to loose your tan.

-- Anonymous, December 30, 2001

How about the First District, most importantly Philadelphia where it all began. All those who have not been to Mother Bethel would really enjoy it. The services are wonderful and there is a museum there also.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Mary I have never seen Mother Bethel, and on the other hand if we do it in Philadelphia, we would be assured Rev. John could attend. After all we can't have a party without him. I still want to hear some more input and if there is enough interest, let's start planning for 2003.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Thank you Sister Brooks for suggesting that at least the first A.M.E. Today Discussion Board gathering be conducted in the First Disttrict, the home of A.M.E. Today.

I would consider a privelege and a high honor to provide the logistics for the first get together;. We of course, would have to include a tour of Mother Bethel, the grave of Richard and Sarah Allen, as part of the reunion.

Also you would get to visit my little church in the country, Bensalem A.M.E. which contains one of the three known pulpits crafted by Richard Allen, from which I am priveleged to preach behind,

Given proper notice, there is a lot to be seen and done in this neck of the woods. Sister Brooks was correct in that the First Episcopal was the first to formally acknowledge A.M.E. Today. But its birht was just a little North of town in Bensalem where it still is the ministry of Bensalem A.M.E. Church.

It would be great seeing all of the people who have been instrumental to the growth of this online community. And as the virtual pastor of the community, I gladly extended the hospitality of the founding area of A.M.E. Today for the reunion.

May God bless and keep you in what I know will be a prosperous and spiritually uplifting New Year.

Rev. John

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

I apologize Rev. Fisher. When I said Philadelphia, where it all began, I meant the A.M.E. Church and not A.M.E. Today. I look forward to worshiping at Bensalem A.M.E. God's blessings to you all for the New Year.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Sister Brooks,

There is no apology needed!!!

Bensalem is proudly a part of the Philadelphia District (The Mother District) of the Philadelphia Annual Conference (the Mother Conference) or the First Episcopal District (the Mother Episcopal District).

The only non-Philadelphia thing about my church is the physical location and it is less that one mile north of the Philadelphia boundary. So although I am in the country, I am Phhiladelphia in my heart and soul.

And Bensalem was one of the earliest churches, founded in 1818 to come into the connection. It currently is on the National Registry of Historic Places. And Sister Brooks, do not feel you have to wait for a get-together to get together, you are welcome to come visit with us any time the spirit moves you North on I-95. We would love the opportunity to fellowship with you.

As I type this note, it is with the wafting of collard greens, black eye peas and a well season ham making a major assualt on my nasal passages.

We are preparing for our Watch Night service, where as a congregation we also come early to have a down-home pot-luck supper before the service that finds us on our knees, at the altar, as the New Year enters in.

Now I am wondering how many others are smelling a similar familiar smell as they prepare for services this evening?

Again Sister Brooks, you are welcome anytime and we would love to meet and greet you!

Rev. John

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

I really love the idea of Philadelphia being the reunion site. However, I would hope this could be done sometime later in 2002. My reason being that 2003 will be the year of major Connectional Meetings such as the Missionary Quadrennial and the Lay Biennial, in addition to the regular session of the Bishops' Council. We would also love to entertain you in Atlanta, (in the summer of course), so Bill could keep his tan.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Thank you Rev. Fisher. I am going to make it a point of visiting Ben salem A.M.E. I know its location and it is a beautiful church located Northeast of the city of brotherly love.(Notice how I put that in there so everyone will want to come to Philadelphia?) You have enough lawn area where we can have a good picnic.

We met briefly at the 2000 Annual Conference. I complimented you on your website; however, mine was more than likely one of many compliments you received.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

I am so excited about our first A.M.E Today reunion. If we have it in Philadelphia, then I can visit my friends at Princeton Seminary. My dream is that this is something we can do every two or three years and move the reunion around. I for one really want to visit Namibia. Actually we have to have a jam session also. Yahoo! I have never attended a family reunion for all my family died when I was young. By serving God, I also get a wonderful family. Let's really pray about this.

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001