This is somewhat vague now but I recall several years ago being in a meeting in the 5th district where there was a push on to collect funds to build a convention center for the AME church. It was explained that this facility would serve to house the many meetings held by the AME church and allow us to reap the dollars generated by these meeting and going into the pockets of others. Does anyone recall this effort and if so what is the status of this endeavor?

-- Anonymous, July 08, 2003

Answers

You are right there was ameeting to raise money for the Center but somehow it dropped by the way side

-- Anonymous, July 09, 2003

We should all be thankful to Jessie for raising this fundamental question. I'm just returning from the Lay Biennial and I can attest that there are 1,668 delegates, excluding alternates and observers, in attendance. Including these two groups will probably be raise the number to close to 2,000 Lay attendees. The basic expenditures (lodging & meals) for four nights $600 (lodging) + $200 (food) = average expenditure of $800 per attendee. If you multiply this amount by the registered delegates you obtain an amount of $1.33 million dollars. If you multiply the per cost amount to include alternates and observers the amount rises to $1.6 million dollars. Neither of these projected expenditures include incidental purchases or the conspicuous consumption on New Orleans souvenirs and paraphanalia. The downton Hilton Hotel was understandably pleased with the decision to make this property the conference hotel for the Biennial.

The Hilton is the primary beneficiary of the AME "economic stimulus". This is precisely the point Tony Brown stressed some time ago about the money that black organizations freely spend in non- black owned establishments. When you consider the frequency with which our church meets it is incomprehensible why we do not have a Convention Center and adjoining hotel where all major meetings can be held (Gen Con, Quadrennials of Lay, WMS, Christian Ed, Convos, etc). The money we could save could go a long way towards addressing some of the basic fiscal problems which currently plauge our organizational effectiveness. QED

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2003

Come on folks, get real!!! we all know the reason this has not been addressed. The highers ups would not have need of such high salaries and the luxuries that we as lay allow them to have. This type of need has not just been talked about in the last year or so. I can recall as a child this was on the agenda, remember when we had annual conferences and the delegates would stay with the members of the host church? That's how far back ago this was talked about. We do not need to continue to meet and talk about it, just do it. It is a necessity as our Brother Bill has given the figures. Another reason we are discouraged about the management of our church. Come on folks get real.We all know the real deal and we just love to tap dance around it.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2003

Hello Folks,

I agree with Linda and Bill. We have danced on this subject and it never go thru. I believe and at the time this was being discussed in the 5th District a dispute about where this would be. We have made the white man prosperous on our dollars and we don't thing about ourselves unless it benefit us.

In the 5th District the Economic Developement has bought a hotel and I don't know the perticulars on this.

Mother Hening was trying to buy in so that we could purchase a hotel that would benefit the AME Church, employment and etc.... Then the EDF decided they could do better.

We need our our Convention Head Quarters with the Hotel being all in one. Just think of the Econmics $ we could receive from this and I hope we don't lose it du to greed.

On the General Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., where is the hotel and do they have this information out yet.

Thanks,

Margaret in Kansas City

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2003

In addition to the AMEC having its own meeting facilities it is also important for the church to adopt video conferencing technologies. Video conferencing will allow those who cannot be physically present at a Biennial meeeting or Gen Con to enjoy real-tiime access via computing technology. Our current method of AME meetings is no different from that used by our foreparents 150 years ago. This fosters inefficiency and signals subtle messages that those who know are those "in the know" or present at the meetings. This mode of thinking must change if we desire to reach a wider range of participants. It is imperative we think and act in a smart manner.

Users of video conferencing (VC)are able to directly communicate with their "distant" colleagues via voice, data and video file transfers. Imagine the possibilities of you not being able to attend the WMS Biennial due to work or family obligations but you can catch some of the general sessions because you have a laptop or desk top pc which can make the network connection to the WMS Biennial Hotel in Dallas, TX. You would be able to hear, view and actually make oral comments and have data exchanged thru file transfers. The benefits of video confrencing are obvious. You save on air fare and the wear and tear of driving long distances to make meetings. Plus, you can better manage your persoanl schedule knowing you can now do some of both (work and attend AME meeting). VC isn't for everybody. It is a second-best solution to talking and meeting with an AME member in person. The fellowship experienced thru lunches and side-bar conversations in the hotel lobby is invaluable. However, VC does offer a realistic alternative for those of us who do have professional careers which often conflicts with AME meeting dates and times. The idea of the AMEC as a Connection is further enhanced if we exploit VC technologies. QED

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2003

Bill, I like your idea, I know for me and my congregation it would be great, it is very expensive to fly from Montana. The United Methodist are doing webcasts so that they can hear from members around the world. This might be something for us as A.M.E.'s. Below is an article from the united methodist news service

A UMNS Report By Tom McAnally*

United Methodist leaders from around the world affirmed the global nature of the denomination during a two-hour webcast July 8, but they acknowledged some impediments and challenges must be faced.

The second "Forum on the Future" webcast, focusing on "Strengthening our Global Connection and Ecumenical Relationships," originated from Dearborn, Mich., during a meeting of the Servant Leadership Team of the church's General Council on Ministries. Some team members participated online, while others participated by phone.

The first webcast, originating from United Methodist Communications in Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 26, sought participation primarily from within the United States. The July 8 webcast encouraged participation from the church's central conferences - regions outside the United States. Individuals could send questions or comments by phone or e-mail during the webcast. An estimated 551 people logged on to the second webcast, according to UMCom figures.

The GCOM, in cooperation with the Inter-Agency Research Task Force, hosted the Internet conversations. Host was Bryan Cottingham of Nashville.

Near the close of the July 8 conversations, GCOM member Oyvind Helliesen of Norway made a plea for strengthening the church's global connections. "It is important that the United Methodist Church be a global church," he said. "We (central conferences) would be poorer if we lose the United States, and I also think you would be poorer without us. I think we need each other. ... We need to share resources, opinions, how we can see Christ and how we can present Christ in our different circumstances."

Critics sometimes say that the United Methodist Church, with more than 80 percent of its members in the United States, is really an American church with appendages in other countries. Speaking from Dearborn, Zimbabwean Solomon Chiripasi strongly disagreed. "I belong to the United Methodist Church, which is a global connection. I am a member of the connection wherever I am. ... We might have differences, but we have more in common."

Helliesen, also in Dearborn, concurred. "We are brothers and sisters. We are Christians. We have a common history. ... We belong to a connection. We depend on the connection. We don't depend on the United States but on the connection. ... Some of us can give, some can receive. One time I give and others receive; sometimes I receive and others give."

Jan Love, a United Methodist widely known for her work in worldwide ecumenical circles, spoke from her home in Columbia, S.C. She said it is relatively easy for people to come together in a global arena to deal with mission, ministry, liturgy and worship, "but when it comes to government and this big event we have every four years called General Conference, that's a particular forum and style that is, in my view, very American. It doesn't have a lot to do with the way the culture and decision making takes place in places like Zimbabwe.

"When we start deciding on matters that we care about very passionately in an arena that unites our religion with our politics, I think you then begin to see much more heightened cultural differences than one might see in worship styles or the styles of outreach to those who are unchurched."

The General Conference meets every four years and sets policy for the entire church. The number of delegates is based on membership in the regional units. Of the 994 delegates coming to the next conference in 2004, about 800 will be from the United States.

Homosexuality has been a hot-button issue for delegates to every General Conference since 1972, and Chiripasi said homosexuality is basically a U.S. problem, not a problem for the Zimbabwean church. While it may be appropriate to discuss the issue, he said it should not dominate the General Conference agenda. He suggested delegates spend more time sharing and learning from each other on such matters as church growth.

In a recorded message, Emma Cantor, GCOM member from the Philippines, said the church should not hesitate to challenge cultural values. Citing the church's role in the emancipation of women, she observed, "Opposing what is culturally practiced is a long, long struggle."

Helliesen affirmed the importance of the church taking positions on social issues, even if those stands conflict with practices or beliefs of a particular culture. Pointing to the church's opposition to the death penalty, he said, "I'm happy the church has a clear stand on that question."

Love said there is creative excitement when diverse people come together, but when it comes to theological diversity, "we don't have a handle on that yet."

People in the United States are hungry for alternative, less- adversarial styles of deliberation and decision making, she observed. "Many people in America would like to find a more civil type of deliberative system where many more options are available." She said the World Council of Churches, of which she is an elected leader, has replaced the traditional Robert's Rules of Order with a consensus style.

More important than deliberative style is what is on the agenda, Love said. "The American segment of the United Methodist Church has an agenda that may not be what the Zimbabwe church wants to focus on or what the Filipino church wants to focus on. ... I think we may need to find a new organizational style. I don't want any piece of the body of Christ to have to give up its burning issues, but on the other hand, we must find a way in international arenas to speak about our burning passions in the body of Christ in a way that translates appropriately to people who come from very different situations."

Speaking by phone from Austria, GCOM member Roland Siegrist said it is important for U.S. members to understand that United Methodist churches overseas are making an important witness in societies where they are overshadowed by Catholic, Orthodox or Lutheran churches.

Because of his work with the GCOM and other churchwide efforts, Siegrist said he has developed a broader view of what it means to be a United Methodist. "I see that we are not a small church. ... It helped me not to have a typical inferiority complex that quite often a minority church develops. I felt ... imbedded in a bigger movement and tradition. This influenced my perspective of the church, my church."

Chiripasi also spoke of his sense of being part of a larger movement. "I feel like a member of the family. There is no question if the United Methodist Church is a global church or not. No superior or inferior complex."

The Rev. Ben Silva-Netto, a GCOM staff member and Filipino-American, said the desire of some central conferences to become autonomous is forcing the church to "redefine our connectionalism." A strong pro- autonomy movement is under way in the Philippines, where the church has grown rapidly in recent years. While United Methodism has units in Africa, Europe and Asia, Methodist bodies are autonomous in many parts of the world, including England, Korea, India and countries throughout Latin and South America.

The desire for empowerment is one reason some are pushing for autonomy, according to Helliesen. "That is the challenge. We have to find ways to empower different churches in the connection outside the United States." Already, central conferences are allowed to adapt portions of the church's Book of Discipline to fit their unique needs.

GCOM member Jay Williams, a recent Harvard graduate who has been a leader in the anti-slavery movement in the Sudan, joined the conversations by phone. People outside the United States often have a more profound sense of what it means to be part of a global community, he observed. "America is the architect of globalization, but we as Americans are not global ourselves."

People in the United States normally speak only one language, read one newspaper and know little of what is going on in other parts of the world, Williams said. "The challenge for the church, especially for American United Methodists, would be to live outside of that mode of what Americans are and really try to envision and live out something that is new."

Betty Jane and Martin Bailey, co-authors of Who are the Christians of the Middle East?, spoke by phone about the influence of the United Methodists in that volatile region of the world. They applauded the ministry of the Rev. Sandra Olewine, whose work in Jerusalem is supported by the church through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

Speaking by phone, the Rev. Bruce Robbins said the church in the future will require greater sharing of ecumenical resources. "What does it mean for us to be wealthy when other parts of our body are desperately poor and dying of starvation?" he asked. "How do we challenge ourselves to act out of that rather than to talk about it constantly? That is a huge issue that will only increase in the future." Robbins is top staff executive of the church's Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns in New York.

Speaking from Dearborn, Bishop Edward Paup, president of the GCOM, said the Council of Bishops, like the whole church, is learning to live out what it means to be a global church. "As we ground our life together in covenant in times of scripture, prayer, study, reflection, theological dialogue, etc., that then sets the stage for us to also be able to deal with difficult issues together as well. We are already in many ways living it, but we pray by God's grace we can live it more effectively."

# # #

*McAnally is the retired director of United Methodist News Service.

-- Anonymous, July 10, 2003

Please, Please first thing first, before we try doing a webcast, let try to complete getting a convention center and hotel. The opportunties are there, but the folks in charge don't seem to get with the little folks that pay their salaries to inform them of economic opportunties. I know in the 11th there are pleanty of opportunties for the AMEC to purchase hotels, property and build a convention center. We must complete one venture before entering another. There are churches that need repairng, remodeling etc. God help those whmo help them selves.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2003

Linda -

You can actually pursue both activities (AME Convention Center/Hotel & webcasting AME Meetings) concurrently. One does not necessarily have to wait for the completion of the other. The costs associated with video conferencing or webcasting is much, much lower now given the advances in information technologies. It only takes careful planning and letting the RIGHT people be empowered to complete the mission. I'm in full support of a centralized meeting location but as Denise correctly notes above, many of our members live in rural and insular locations which make air travel too expensive even if we did have an AME Convention Center/Hotel. My interest is focused on exploring options whereby we can maximize AME input and participation and save money so that we can address some of our neglected areas in the AMEC. QED

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2003

I agree Bill, I still think we should follow through on convention center, the rates are low and now that you mention it we could do bot, now is the time.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2003

Focus. Focus. Focus. I do not understand. Last month everyone wanted to throw money at Morris Brown. This month it is a national convention center. If we do not take time to prioritize how and where our moneys should be spent we are in trouble.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2003

One of the wonderful blessings of being the editor/publisher of the A.M.E. Herald is that I am learning that the very things we discuss on this board have been discusses by our bishops and general officers and often they are working on the very thing we are discussing. I think one of the challenges to our denomination is dispensing information to our members regarding what is actually happening in the denomination. For example there was and is great work being done for morris brown and as was reported in the herald last week their will be a meeting to discuss all of our universities.

My hope is that this discussion board will be more than just siting what is wrong but will also be a place where we can go into action for God. Bill brought up some technological alternatives, bill can you do some investigating and present them to the board and dr. fugh, if we have questions about convention centers and hotels, let's ask the president of the bishop's council if there are any plans.

I am new to the ame church two years. But if I wanted information, I would write or call bishops, elders etc and ask. I am amazed at how kind people are in this church. I do not pastor a mega church, people have not heard of me, but I email introduce myself and they write back.

I hope we will be pro-active and be a part of the solution. This is our denomination. The ideas are great! Now let's go to the next level.

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2003

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN, my brother or sister.

MARGARET FROM KANSAS CITY

-- Anonymous, July 11, 2003

Since I have been attending Biennial Conventions for three decades or more, I distinctly remember this ideas being discussed and I also know what became of it.

First let me say that I stand in awe of the fact that at each Biennial Session of the Connectional Lay, those who have, presented the workshops and forums have been right on task. As a result, without corroboration with each other each has nevertheless been a most accurate barometer of where we stand as a church.

At this Biennial Session what I clearly heard from almost every sermon and workshop, from the opening sermon of Bishop Henning, Vernon Jordan and workshop leaders as well is that we are Methodist-- a fact that we sometimes seem to forget.

Thus the problems which we now face are a direct result of our confusion of what it means to be Methodist and what Methodists believe. So, both God and our Church are calling us back. As sons and daughters of Allen this is required if we intend to solve our problems and survive as a church.

Having presented this background let me now address the question presented here.

In 1981, the Lay Biennial Convention was held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC. I believe this is accurate because it was the year that Ronald Reagan was shot and the same hotel as well.

At this Convention, I attended a workshop presented by the late Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Jr. Again let me digress. I remember Bishop Reid to be a clear thinking person who was well informed. He was also in tune with the times in which we live. He even had a robot, which he sometimes used to escort the ladies to the dais where he sat.

In the workshop, which I attended, Bishop Reid addressed the issue of an AME Convention Center being built. What he said is still true and was basically this:

1) In addition to attending our conventions wherever they are held, most of us who attend these conventions link it with our vacations as well.

2) If this is true who do you think will continue to come to a convention which is always held in Indianapolis, Atlanta, Kansas City, New York, Dallas or Anaheim each year?

3) If such a location were chosen who would run or support it when we were not there and would it be solely left to the Episcopal District in which it was located or built?

4) With the lack of our support twelve months of the year, how cost effective would it actually be.

5) Having weighed all the above issues and others as well. The only way this would work is that we either built our own chain of hotels/convention sites or that we held a controlling interest in an already established chain of hotels nationwide. Thus wherever we met we would have our own hotels located in several cities and not just one.

I believe that Bishop Reid was right. Since we have yet to act on the suggestions he made more than two decades ago, we still find ourselves wondering what has become of it. Perhaps now we need to look at the work of FAS2, the Richard Allen Foundation and the like so that two decades from now the question will not still have to be asked.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

If a facility was owned and operated by the AMEC it could be used for our conventions, retreats, etc but also made available to others who also hold conventions, meetings, etc. This would require persons with experience and expertise in this area to operate the facility in a manner which would make it profitable. This means it would not be sitting ideal for months out of the year. There are many organizations, businesses, etc. all over the world who could make use of the facility. Of course the schedules of the AMEC would be a first priority. This facility would be in competition with all other convention centers as well. It would mean that the facility has to be top rate since that is the criteria used when the AMEC selects facilities for our meetings. So although it will be our facility we must operate it as any other first rate center is operated. But this would not be a problem since the expertise is out there.

Is there an estimate of how much has been collected so far for this project and where is the money being held?

What is the first step to implement use of the new technology for conferencing. How do we at the grassroots level move this discussion from talk to action. What is the first step to begin the process?

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Let me modify the question regarding beginning the process at the grassroots. How does the laity use the current chain of command to began implementation of teleconferencing for communicating to the church membership at large?

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Jessie, I think the first step for a grass roots effort is to contact Dr. Fugh, the general secretary of our denomination and chief information officer. He might have some ideas and we may find there is something already in the works. He can be reached by going to the official ame church website www.ame-church.com

Also the A.M.E. Herald has a chat room, that can be used if people want to discuss grassroots ideas. We even have private rooms.

www.ameherald.com

One would need to contact me to set up a time.

One last thing, there are wonderful ministries being done in our denomination. We don't hear about them to often on this board. And often times the emphasis is on what is wrong.

I do hope that the readers of this board will not be discouraged and will draw strength from the bible and also know our denomination is strong and making wonderful spiritual inroads for Christ.

Let's start posting news about our churches ministries, if one knows of a convention call hotels in the area and ask for a group rate. Then put the word out. That is what one pastor did in my conference for the hotel picked for annual conference was 119.00 she and laity called another hotel and found one for 55.00 a night. We can do all things with Christ, focus on Christ and we will thrive.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Robert - If your sponsored legislation is passed and enacted across the entire Connection the AMEC would be able to use a portion of those resources to help underwrite the costs for hotel properties and fulfill this noble idea. Reading the above constructive criticism about having a single location for an AME Convention Center/Hotel has caused me to rethink my earlier comments. In fact I agree with you and others that the problem about where to have such a hotel would be subject to endless debate. Therefore, I would like to propose the idea of the AMEC having not one but perhaps four major hotels strategically located in LA (no, not lower Alabama), Philly, Atlanta and Chicago. These cities represent key Episcopal hdqrts in the West, East, South and Midwest. These cities offer some of the best in culture, entertainment, black entrepreneurship and diversity. I can't think of a better combination of cities to select for AME hotels.

Now you raise an interesting point about the fact that many of the attendees at AME Connectional Meetings base their decision to participate as a type of surrogate vacation. I feel this mode of thinking is one of our challenges. Are we getting together to discuss AME business or are we interested in rest and relaxation? When I'm on vacation, I sleep in my hotel room late, very late. When I arise from my slumber and began my day I am not in the mindset to be rushed to attend eary morning meetings. Instead, I look forward to beaches, sight-seeing tours, music and a host of other unnamed activities :-) When I attend professional meetings with my peers in economics, mathematics and history I serve as a presenter, discussant or moderator. I sit and listen and provide comments during schedule keynote speeches. I work on my assigned sub-committees. There is little time left for "fun and play". Given the full schedules and committee meetings at Biennials & other Episcopal Meetings I don't think you can do both without one area being neglected.

In I Kings 18:22, Elijah admonished the people to make a decision about serving God or serving the idol Baal. We as AMEs must decide whether we are planning to have meetings to do the work of the AMEC or indulge in the pleasures and distractions associated with being away from work. Like Elijah, I feel the two decisions are mutually exclusive. QED

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Bill two years ago, Bishop Bryant shared at the Pacific Northwest annual conference that there was an ame hotel being built in Denver. I will check on that next week.

Also our denomination has set up a wonderful program with marriott hotel, I will have a story on this in the July 14th edition of the Herald. It is part of the "storehouse iniatiave" our general officers and Bishops have been busy and Dr. Harris has done some wonderful things for our denomination. So do check out the Herald.

We also have a young, gifted economist who has a continuing series on economics that really ties in with building hotels, etc. His name is Bill Dickens;-)

www.ameherald.com

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Dr. J.C. McKinney, past general treasurer, once stated that a city which is suited for AME Meetings is St. Louis. One of the drawbacks to creating and building this convention center is Location. I can remember as a child the idea being posed by my Grandfather, father and others. They thought some meetings could be hosted at the church school, which was Kittrell Junior College (2nd District). They often stated that it was church property, so it should receive church money. In my opinion,we must see what we have before embarking on purchasing/building a convention center. Atlanta serves as the hub of commerce in Southeast, and is growing everyday. We have property there...Morris Brown College! I know that people would have a hard time of adjusting to dorm style living...but it is not forever. It would be interesting to use this site as a trial run to see just how feasible it would be for a church related conference center. Atlanta is very accessible. A few years back, Bishop Cummings posed the idea of purchasing a hotel which was across the street from the site of the Episcopal Headquarters in the 11th. He was trying to tie it in with Edward Waters College and serve as a model for devloping a school related program in hotel management and administration. Good idea, just wrong timing! Why can't we use church propery to host church meetings (e.g. Morris Brown College)? There are enough to go around. We should investigate building within an area we have a presence as well as other amenities...property!

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Brother Ray, Atlanta is a great idea! For several reasons, it has all the major airlines flying there. Which for me in Montana is delta airlines and since atlanta is a hub for delta, air fate there is cheaper. Morris Brown College would receive some much needed money, and more people could attend because dormitory housing would be a lot cheaper than a hotel, for those who wanted to stay in a hotel there are many in Atlanta, I love the idea of Atlanta. Ray I always knew you were a genius!

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2003

Reverend Allen,

To my knowledge, none of our schools are able to support an AME Convention on the scale that they have now reached. They can no longer provide adequate housing or meals for the number of persons who now attend. Some cities even are hard pressed to do so as well.

In the past Morris Brown College was used for most Episcopal District Meetings which the Sixth Episcopal District held. Presently we have simply outgrown its ability to do so. As a result we first moved to the schools operated by Georgia State. Presently we have even had to move the location from those as well and we now use a State Owned Convention Centers or major hotels. The AME Church is larger than many think or imagine it to be and our conventions now draw capacity crowds.

Additionally, as I previously stated we work hard at all these meeting but we also need time to play. When the working sessions are adjoined this is what we want and need to do. Therefore, many tie it in to their vacations as well. Many also have to schedule their time off from the job around these conventions in order to attend.

No one wants to be stuck in the same city each year. As a native Atlantan, I certainly would not dream of being in Atlanta every time we meet. Each Episcopal District should also have the right to serve as host whatever a meeting is being held. For this reason we simply must purchase interest in major Convention Centers or hotels.

Therefore, CLEDC, FAS2 and the Richard Allen Foundation deserve our consideration and support. If we fail to do so we will be asking this same question twenty years from now and the answer will be the same.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2003

Amen Rev. Matthews, as I stated before we as AME"S have great ideas on paper but somehow we can not seem to get them into reality. Let's stop talking about it and be aboit it. There is a Center locate in St. Petersburg, FL nmea the Bayfron Center, it is rarely used for activities, Sinc the building of Tropicana Baseball file. I think perhaps a delegation of scouct should check it out with the city to see if perhaps it can be purchased by the AMEC.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2003

If I remember correctly, the Richard Allen Foundation has already purchased a hotel in Florida. I believe a Howard Johnson has been purchased.

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2003

I know of a black owned hotel in Miami but I'm certain it is not connected with the Richard Allen Foundation. Several weeks ago in a discussion about economics Rev. Harper provided the necessary information about the state of AME properties. His point was that the AMEC did not own any hotel properties. This appeared accurate from what I know. Now I don't profess to know everything about the economic conditions of black America but this point about hotel property acquisition by the AMEC is pretty clear. QED

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2003

Bill,

It seems to me a flyer was sent out from the Richard Allen Foundation last spring confirming the purchase of a hotel, I thought in Florida. Does the Richard Allen Foundation fall under the AME Church or is it an independent organization?

-- Anonymous, July 14, 2003