Greetings my internet family! Ol' Ray has just returned from the Philadelphia Annual Conference, hosted by the Mount Tabor AME Church and its dynamic, yet down to earth, pastor Rev. Martha Lang! I was also blessed to visit Mother Bethel AME. The Rev. Dr. Jeffery Leath was most gracious in allowing Ol'Ray to visit the historical area, which included artifacts circa the early founding of the Free African Society. I was able to see the tomb of Bishop Richard Allen and Sara Allen. I learned that Bishop Morris Brown is in the tomb as well...that was interesting! My guide gave an explanation as this overlooked point...to learn about it, visit the museum! Before leaving the church, I was blessed to share a moment with Sister Fisher, the widow of the late Rev. John Fisher. She has requested the prayers of her internet family! The editors of the book series "Chicken Soup for the Soul" have expressed interests in publishing one of Rev. John's pieces entitled "The Old Rugged Pew." His legacy continues! I asked how she was doing. She has requested that we pray for her strength and to continue to keep her name before the altar. The unexpected passing of her husband has exposed the necessity of planning for the unexpected. Rev. John did not have a "will" and some things are being ironed out in the legal realm. Consequently, some things are frozen...including access to Rev. John's email. Those of us with legal expertise, please lend an ear to her. Before I left, I asked her permission concerning an earlier message I wrote upon honoring her husband through the renaming of this area "The Fisher Forum." She was pleased and gave her blessing! I made a promise that Ol'Ray would blab this information, and post it on the discussion board! Yep...Ray has done his part! Now, will you do your part in continuing the legacy? Let's pray and offer support to Sister Fisher. And let us encourage the editors of the "Chicken Soup" series that Rev. John's piece is inspiring!

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2003

Answers

Brother Ray thank you for the update on Sis. Fisher. I will keep her in prayer and we will not forget Rev. Fisher at the A.M.E. Herald. That is exciting news about his work being published. We will claim the victory. It sounds like you had fun in Philly. Did you have any good food?;-)

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2003

Brother Ray!

I also attended the Philadelphia Annual Conference yesteday at Mt. Tabor. I wish I recognized you so that I could have said hello. Rev. Lang is doing an excellent job, and the Mt. Tabor choir sang yesterday. We had CHURCH!!!!!

I was sad when they did the roll call yesterday, and Rev. Fisher's name was called. He is missed.

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2003

Sister Denise...unfortunately, Ol'Ray was riding with some vegetarians! I saw the Cheese Steaks...and greasy fries...but they would not stop! I was forced eat green vegetables...and other tasteless things! For desert, we ate diary free Chocolate Chip cookies...I cried...I really wanted fries!

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2003

Brother Ray you must be a young man. Because when I was growing up. If you were traveling, you always had some fried chicken in a brown paper bag, there was also corn bread or biscuits. We never traveled without food. And when you got to your destination, you made sure that somebody invited you over for a home cook meal. Ah, what happened to those old black traditions? My brother Ray, the next time you travel with vegans, bring your food and tell them you have to make a phone call and make a run for it!;-)

-- Anonymous, May 22, 2003

Sounds like Parson Ray should have called my mother-in-law in West Philly for emergency food relief!! My sister-in-laws in Philly can make cheese steak sandwiches as well. As an aside they are smart, ambitious and attractive women and they need HUSBANDS!! I should know I married their oldest sister. Anyway, our Discipline emphasizes "food and susentation" as requirements for official AME business. I'm quite sure that specific language was not the handiwork of vegetarian zealots :-) QED

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2003

Bro. Bill, Pastor Ray you both are my BIOLOGICAL BROTHERS!!! Bill always makes me laugh. I love philly cheese steak sandwiches so much. I am not allowed to eat them anymore. This past year I have lost 75 pounds and still losing. And yes brother Bill, I look good. I have worked very hard. My nutrionist has worked hard also, but she knows me and she knows the good food of the A.M.E. church. So she says she is coming with me to major a.m.e functions to protect her interest. So ray I may need the phone number of your vegetarian when I attend ame functions. My trainer also said he may come too for he has also worked hard. This may be a new form of evangelism; So brother bill eat a cheese steak for me.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 2003

Sis. Denise, no offense intended but you must be older than I thought. As a youth I recall that when my mother and her mother traveled, they packed the proverbial brown bag with fried chicken and stuff with them on the train because the food on the train was so expensive. Also, they were heading to Georgia and probably wouldn't be allowed in the dining cars anyhow.

But in more recent years, we pack a few snacks, but we can stop almost anywhere and find good food to purchase.

I didn't think people still packed greasy (lard fried ?) chicken anymore.

Hmmmm. maybe I'm giving away my age now. :-)

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2003

Now my brother you must be older than I thought;-)Lard? Do they even still make Lard;-) Actually I am 51. I was making a joke with Pastor Ray about the chicken.

-- Anonymous, May 24, 2003