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FEBRUARY 2021
COMMUNICATION BRIEFINGS
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FEATURED ARTICLE
"Road Trip... 2020 Won"
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
FBDCW lead inaugural Fifth Sunday
UPCOMING EVENTS
Let Us Pray (Second Tuesday, 2/9)
SoulCare for Black Clergy (2/10)
2022 It's Real (Save-the-Date)
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CELEBRATIONS
Black History Month
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Special Offering
Lift Every Voice & Sing Choir Project
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BOOKS SPOTLIGHT
The Gathering, A Womanist Church
Journey Towards Wholeness
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CONNECTIONS
Stay Connected
Visit Our Website
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The vision of the National Convocation is to be a leaven in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) under One God as One Church with One Mission in the world, as a voice promoting pertinent issues related to the African American Church, carrying out the biblical mandate to transform lives. |
SELAH will feature the vital ministries of worship, education, justice, advocacy, fellowship, and discipleship that abound throughout our congregations as well as ministry resources, and Convocation events that are crucial for discerning future ministry and leadership of the National Convocation. There is strength in community. Please send congregational updates, ministry concerns, and prayer needs here.
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ROAD TRIP… 2020 WON
Mark 10:32-34
I love to travel, the fact is, I love everything about traveling. The excitement of experiencing a new destination, the thrill of preparing, packing, and seeing something I have not seen before. I absolutely love traveling and this love for traveling only grew when I accepted a full football scholarship to Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. This love grew, in part, because the football team traveled to a new city at least six out of the eleven games we played.
We were fortunate to experience new sights and scenes on a weekly basis. I loved the traveling or as we called it the road trips. The road trips were awesome in that they revealed a whole new world, good and bad, that was out there. It was during these road trips, over the four-year course of my football career, that I learned many valuable lessons.
One of the lessons I learned was the importance of teamwork and togetherness. The Central State University football team grew together as a family because of these road trips. The all-night bus rides and the countless airplane flights, staying in hotels, and eating at some great restaurants built a bond that is not easily broken. And even though some thirty years have passed since the last road trip I took with the Central State University football team the relationships I made then have been maintained even to this day.
The relationships that were forged by the road trips are as strong today as they were then. And as I thought about those trips thirty years ago I was reminded of the road trips Jesus took with his team of Disciples two thousand years ago. The road trip that underscores our text is found in the Gospel of Mark. In Mark 10:32-34, Jesus and his Disciples are on their way to Jerusalem. Mark conveys for us, in verse 32, that this road trip will bring a great challenge to these Disciples.
The fact is it will not be an easy road trip. Even though this road trip to Jerusalem is one that these Disciples have taken, over the course of their ministry together, with Jesus on numerous occasions. However, there is something different with this road trip as foretold by Jesus remarks (v. 33-34). In verses 32-34, Mark conveys to the Disciples the road trip itinerary.
The chief priests turned against Jesus. The crowds would have nothing to do with Jesus. The Disciples abandoned Jesus. The justice system tried Jesus on trumped-up charges and that’s when the violence that had the Disciples afraid began.
The record states that they whipped him and beat him all night. The accusers disrespected his humanity and dignity. They forced him to carry his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem out to an old hill on Calvary where they hung him high and stretched him wide. And yet Jesus, according to Mark 10:32-34, not only accepted this road trip but he went joyfully and boldly.
The itinerary confirms that Jesus went ahead of them, Jesus led the way with confidence and calm even though he was about to suffer a horrific outcome. Yet, Mark points out for us that Jesus went with joy and peace while his team of Disciples had mixed emotions about the road trip. The writer tells us that they were both amazed and afraid at what awaited them at their destination (v. 32). As a Pastor and follower, of Jesus, I can understand the Disciples mixed emotions. I too have experienced times when I found myself both amazed and afraid at the itinerary that Jesus assigned me to undertake.
The opportunity to impact the world with the good news is amazing. But then the challenge of balancing a church budget in this economy is frightening. The joy of welcoming new members to the church family is beautiful but the frustration of losing members because of conflict is heartbreaking. And like these Disciples sometimes worry and fear overrules our peace and calm and we allow fear to get the best of us (v. 32).
However, Mark's Gospel captures the right image of Jesus and gives us a wonderful example to follow in the time of trial and tribulation (v. 34). Even though Ministry is difficult and sometimes overwhelming we have an exemplary model to follow. Jesus paints for us an incredible paradigm in which we can embrace. We too can embrace the journey and assignments of ministry with boldness and joy.
I began this conversation talking about my love for travel, my love for road trips with the Central State University football team. If I asked the team what made the road trip most enjoyable they would all say the trip back home after we won the game. We loved the means of travel whether it was a jetliner or a spacious bus. We loved the accommodations the hotels were always five stars.
We loved the food we always ate at the best restaurants. But what made the road trip was after we completed our business on the field wrapping it all up with a big win. We always had a ball on the return trip home. We laughed; we celebrated.
We sung the latest hit songs. It was a party all the way back to Wilberforce, Ohio. And it never failed we always talked about the game and the significant plays that won the game on the field. Whoever had a big play, a great catch, an amazing tackle, or a great block. We replayed the game at some point on the road trip back home.
As Mark closes this story he does the exact same thing. Mark tells us that inspite of how tough the road trip was in the end Jesus won (v. 34). Jesus won the biggest victory of all, which was, the defeat of death and the overcoming of the grave. And because Jesus won you and I can win now.
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Rev. Dr. William E. Crowder, Jr.
Vice President of the
Board of Trustees for the National Convocation
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Fifth Sunday gathering highlights:
FBDCW lead inaugural event
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National Convocation’s inaugural Fifth Sunday "Hour of Power" was led by the Fellowship of Black Disciples Clergy Women on January 31. FBDCW leaders including Monique Crain Spells (Texas), Ann Picket-Parker (Mississippi), Sydney Avent (New York), Belinda King and Paula Pettis-Garrett (Indiana), Delesslyn Kennebrew (Missouri), and Anita Cobb (Nevada) led a powerful time of worship and visioning for the future.
Rev. Monique Crain Spells, President of the FBDCW, offered a charge to "Book Your Flight," as she reflected on Psalm 121:1,7-8. The "Hour of Power" concluded with a time to share creative ideas and future stories led by Rev. Yvonne Gilmore, Interim Administrative Secretary. Click on the picture to the left to access the recording. Click here to learn more about the FBDCW.
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PRAYER LEADERS BY CONVENTION |
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February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Mid-America & Northeast Regional African-American Convocation
Piedmont District Convention, South Carolina Missionary Convention
Southern & Western District of Churches of Christ (Disciples of Christ)
Kentucky Christian Missionary Convention & Ohio African-American Convention
Alabama-Northwest Florida Christian Missionary Convention
Texas Christian Missionary Convention
Goldsboro/Raleigh Assembly, Goldsboro (West of Tarr River)
Michigan and Oklahoma African-American Convention
MOKAN Fellowship & Mississippi Christian Missionary Convention
Washington and Norfolk District of Churches of Christ (Disciples of Christ), East of Tarr River
Pacific Southwest African-American Convocation
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SoulCare Moment for Black Clergy |
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National Convocation
has invited Rev. Angela Whitenhill, Mental Health Initiative Manager, National Benevolent Association (NBA) to facilitate a SoulCare moment for Black clergy impacted by the trauma of the U.S. Capitol insurrection.
Please join us on Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30pm (EST), 6:30pm (CST), 4:30pm (PST), for a moment to pause and process.
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting in Zoom. |
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SAVE THE DATES: JULY 20-23, 2022 |
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HONOR | CELEBRATE | INSPIRE |
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month is celebrated across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands, and from school systems to television networks, many organizations recognize the month by building Black history into their programming during the month of February.
African Americans have played important roles in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Some have created inventions that change how we live today. Others continue to be pioneers and create a path to follow.
Black History Month is the perfect time to honor past African-American achievements, unite in the present, and inspire everyone to believe in the power of a dream as we join together to shape the future.
This year, remember the pioneers who with their own excellence led the path for people to Believe, Achieve, and Succeed. Make sure you spend time this month, reflecting upon all aspects of Black History, educating others about Black history, or celebrating Black history. Remind individuals that despite the struggles faced throughout Black History, African Americans continue to inspire and make wonderful achievements.
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WAYS YOU CAN CELEBRATE
- Support a Black business
- Visit a Black History or Civil Rights Museum in your local area
- Donate to a Black organization
- Host a Black film marathon
- Wear your hair out in it's natural form to school, work or a social event
- Trace your family history
- Spend time with a Black elder in your community
- Read a book by a Black author
- Sign up to mentor a Black child in your community
- Attend or host a Black culture event in your community
- Support a Black creative (artist, poet, local musician, etc.)
- Study the African Diaspora
- Explore Black Music
- Call out racism and prejudice in your community
- Sign up to receive news from a Black organization
- Engage in healthy conversations about Black history on social media
- Read Dr. King’s I Have a Dream Speech
- Decorate your home with Black Art
- Read a biography of an influential Black figure
- Make sure you are registered to vote!
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Special thanks to everyone that submitted a video. The virtual choir video is coming soon. Stay tuned.
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Faith-Based Black HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Guide
The National Benevolent Association offers a resource for communities of faith to learn about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and how it disproportionately affects the Black community.
The "Faith-Based Black HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention Guide" is a 16-page PDF resource. This resource provides historical insight into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, sermon starters, and statistics that highlight how different communities are affected. Included in the PDF are resources for your continued learning. Click below to download this rich resource!
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Suggested Offering Dates, February 21 & 28 |
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Week of Compassion Special Offering
When you give to Week of Compassion, you deploy resources to people in need all around the world. Through sustainable development projects, our partners help provide life-giving water and other critical resources that help communities reinvent and reimagine what is possible. When water comes to a village, people are safer, healthier, and free to pursue learning and growth, and share more than just water. Let love flow opportunities.
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“Nobody hungry, nobody thirsty, shade from the sun, shelter from the wind, For the Compassionate One guides them, takes them to the best springs.” — Isaiah 49:10 |
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Journey Toward Wholeness
by Brenda M. Cardwell and
William K. Fox, Sr.
From Convention to Convocation:
No longer "Objects of" Mission but "Partners In" the Work
With roots stretching to before the Civil War, the National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) today serves as the connection between African Americans and the Stone-Campbell Movement. Founders of the African American Convention movement were visionaries, coordinating the opposition to slavery, forced relocation of free African Americans to Africa, and a multitude of social ills. Journey toward Wholeness: A History of Black Disciples of Christ in the Mission of the Christian Church chronicles the predecessors of the National Convocation and the movement's roots and growth through almost three centuries.
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The Gathering, A Womanist Church: Origins, Stories, Sermons, and Litanies by Irie Lynne Session, Kamilah Hall Sharp, and Jann Aldridge-Clanton
This Bible study/sermon series will elevate and center the narratives of biblical women who either directly or indirectly, experienced some kind of emotional distress amid a patriarchal culture and found a way to navigate life in ways that enabled their own flourishing as well as that of the larger community. We will mine these stories for womanist tenets of traditional communalism (community wholeness), radical subjectivity (she matters), redemptive self-love (loving oneself regardless-bodycentric), and critical engagement (confronting the Powers).
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