ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

This week a new feature was added to the Home Page of the Official Website of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  It is a clock that counts down to the opening day of the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church that convenes June 27-July 4, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee.

This meter not only serves as a reminder to would-be observers to get their registrations in, but also it reminds me that of how little time remains for me to get the message of the Recovery Movement out, and to solicit support for my candidacy for Episcopal Service.  “Time is of the essence!”

So Team, I am reaching out to you again for your help and support.  A current listing of my schedule from now until the General Conference will be posted on this website.   I look forward to greeting you when I am in your area.  But in the meantime, please share the vision of the Recovery Movement with your constituency and solicit their VOTE on my behalf.

GOD IS WITH US

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me…”
Psalm 23: 4 (KJV)

“Behold, a virgin…shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.”
St Matthew 1: 23 (KJV)

JESUS!
“She shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS! He shall save His people from their sins.”

EMMANUEL!
“They shall call His name Emmanuel, which is being interpreted, God with us.”
God with us!
God is with us!
God is with us in Jesus to save us from our sin.
In fact, God is always with us, with you and with me.
Say it, “God is always with me!”
“God sees all we do! He overheard what you were whispering! He saw what you did when you thought all heads were bowed and every eye was closed. He saw! And where men and women are impressed by ‘what we do,’ God looks into our minds and into our hearts to determine ‘why we do.’

God is always with us.

God’s abiding presence, His constancy of oversight and companionship are not for the sake of JUDGEMENT, but for LOVE’S SAKE!
It is motivated by love for us, love toward us.
“He never sleeps, He never slumbers, He watches over us by night and by day.”

God is always with us!

John 16: 13 tells us that it is the Spirit of God that gives us the ability to discern between truth and the lesser realities to which we give ourselves that carry with them major consequences.

Some of those lesser realities are:

• WEALTH! “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and to lose his own soul?” (St Matthew 16: 26)
• BEAUTY! “All flesh is grass and the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass witherth, the flower fadeth:” (Isaiah 40: 6)
• SECURITY! “The earth is the Lord’s, the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein; for He hath founded it…He hast established it.” (Psalm 24: 1, 2)

We lose ourselves in empty pursuits, oblivious to the presence of God, blind to the truths of God. Yet, God does not abandon us. In Jesus, those who are the people of God are assured of the comfort and the protection and the advocacy of God Himself.

“God was in Christ Jesus, reconciling the world unto Himself!”
Imagine that! Behind the person of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, is the face of God, the welcome embrace of the arms of God, extending tender mercies, loving kindness and great compassion!

“O come, let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.”

AMEN!

Clement W. Fugh
Candidate for Episcopal Service – 2012

And a good time was had by all…

“And a good time was had by all…”  Thanks and appreciation are extended to all who contributed to the success of the Holiday Luncheon held December 13, 2011, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center during the meeting of the General Conference Commission and CONVO XV, sponsored by the Clement W. Fugh for Episcopal Service Team.  The venue, the food, and the fellowship came together as a warm expression of sincere hospitality.

A HEART OF THANKSGIVING!

“With my hands lifted up
And my mouth filled with praise
With a heart of thanksgiving
I will bless Thee, O Lord.”

(Words by Teresa Muller)

This is my refrain to THE SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING AND CELEBRATION presented Sunday, November 20, 2011, by the Middle Tennessee Area Ministerial Fellowships, the South Nashville and the North Nashville Districts, and the Tennessee Conference AME-Women In Ministry to benefit The Recovery Movement and my Candidacy for Episcopal Service – 2012.  Special thanks go out to Pastor Broadnax and Greater Bethel AME Church, Nashville, TN, for hosting the Service; to Rev. Darrell Drumwright and The Temple Church for the anointed Word and Song; to Mr. Sam Robinson and the Tennessee Conference Choir, our featured musical ensemble; to the Program Committee and Participants; and to each of you who supported the Event with your presence, your gifts and your prayers.

I thank God for each of you.

Clement W. Fugh

A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE!

“No Hands But Our Hands”

“Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today
He has no feet but our feet to lead men in the way
He has no tongue but our tongue to tell men how He died
He has no help but our help to bring them to His side.

“We are the only Bible the careless world will read,
We are the sinner’s Gospel; we are the scoffer’s creed;
We are the Lord’s last message, given in word and deed…”
(Annie Johnson Flint)

The First Thanksgiving observed by the Pilgrims was during their SECOND winter in the New World. It was only by the grace of God and the help of a friendly tribe of local Indians that they survived their first winter. The Indians taught them how to preserve and to store what was in abundance in the summer for times of scarcity in the winter. So, when the second winter (November) came around, they were so well prepared with rations that the whole colony came together for a “thanksgiving feast.” They invited the local Indians, to whom they owed so much, to share in the festivities.

As was the case with the Pilgrims of early America, survival requires more than a one time gift of turkey and trimmings. It requires the sharing of skills and insights that can sustain in tough times.

Thanksgiving!

What better time than the “Season of Thanksgiving” to reflect upon the hard times, the rough places, and the storms the Lord has brought us through? What better time than Thanksgiving to celebrate the persons whom He sent in to our midst to be His hands, His feet, His eyes, His mouth, and His help to us? Even though we may not be able to share a common meal (feast!), we can at least pick up the phone (Yes! Phone! Voice/Words/Audible!) to inquire about the well-being of those who “walk with feet of clay” who were our deliverers.

The best expression of having received a blessing is to be a blessing!

“Pay it forward!”

Happy Thanksgiving!

HOUR OF POWER

HOUR OF POWER, Central South Carolina Annual Conference, Orangeburg, SC.
Bishop Preston Williams II, Presiding Bishop.

An Open Door

On the Road to Recovery, as I travel across the Church

“There is a wide open door for a great work…” (I Corinthians 16: 9)

Among the many benefits of my travels throughout the African Methodist Episcopal Church is the opportunity to witness ministry taking place “in hard and remote places.” I was in Hyderabad, India, for the Opening Service of the AME-India Annual Conference, when I heard the Rev. Dr. Cecilia Bryant make the prophetic declaration that India will soon rival South Korea in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the continent of Asia.  This predominantly Hindu nation about the size of Texas, has the world’s second largest population.  Because of its strict adherence to a caste system, however, nearly one third of India’s population – roughly that of America – is marginalized and disenfranchised as “Dalits” (untouchables or oppressed people) or “Harijans” (God’s people).  They provide fertile fields of souls ripe for harvest.  Muslims seized upon this opportunity early on, and in recent years the Christian Church has begun to show a more noticeable presence.  One of the presenters at the Conference estimated that Christians presence to be as high as twelve (12) to thirteen (13) percent in some regions of the country.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church, since its beginnings in 1816, has recognized and acted on opportunities to expand the Church:

• In 1824, Richard Allen endorsed a mission to Haiti
• In the 1830’s, William Paul Quinn took the Church “westward,” even into the slave states of Kentucky and Missouri
• In 1840, Morris Brown welcomed Canadians into the Church
• In 1891, Henry McNeil Turner took the Church to Africa

In 2007, Bishop John R. Bryant, followed in the tradition of those who had gone before him.   At the invitation of the Reverends Abraham Peddiny and Minnie Sarah Peddiny, who had oversight of several small Christian congregations and who sought an association into the Church of Richard Allen, Bishop Bryant worked out the terms of that partnership in ministry.  This agreement was confirmed at the Cathedral of St Thomas (named after the Apostle Thomas who is credited with having taken the Gospel to India after the death of Christ) in Chennai, India.

The 48^th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference (2008) officially accepted the membership of AME-India, thereby establishing the presence of the AME Church on the continent of Asia.

At this, the Second Session of the AME-India Annual Conference:

• 40 congregations reported a total membership that exceeded 2000.
• Lay, WMS and YPD components met.
• The Book of Discipline was presented to candidates for ministry.
• 8 deacons were ordained.
• 39 pastors were charged and sent out.
• Delegates were elected to the 49^th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference.

It was the foresight of pastors and members of the Fifth Episcopal District who embraced the vision of establishing an AME Outpost on the continent of Asia, and the unwavering support of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland that have brought us to this point.  Bishop Preston Warren Williams II, Presiding Bishop, and the constituency of the Seventh Episcopal District, along with the generous support of AME’s Connectionally, have assisted pastors and delegates with the necessary sustentation, travel and housing.

For all that my eyes saw, that my ears heard, and that my heart felt, I am grateful!

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  So, courtesy of the Rev. Gary McCants, Presiding Elder of the South District, Illinois Conference, I invite you to view the attached “pictorial” for the rest of the story.

Clement Fugh

To view descriptions, click the Play button, then click the Expand button on the lower right, and then click the “Show Info” link in the upper right.

HAPPY EASTER

As a prelude to the performance of the Mime Ministry at the church where I worshiped on Palm Sunday, projected on the huge screens throughout the sanctuary was the gruesome/brutal beating scene from Mel Gibson’s movie, Passion of Christ. Suddenly, the pew where I was sitting did not seem as comfortable; the well appointed sanctuary did not feel distant and detached from the horrific price that Jesus paid for me to occupy that space.  The contrast was disturbing, to say the least.  I sat in soul-searching reflection.  Could I have borne up under what Jesus suffered for my sake?

“But He was wounded for our transgressions

He was bruised for our iniquities:

the chastisement of our peace was upon Him;

and with His stripes we are healed.”

(Isaiah 53: 5 KJV)

I left the service last Sunday humiliated to my lowest degree for the sins and transgressions that I had committed, and loving the Christ of God more than ever for His love toward me.

“Forbid it, Lord that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ, my God,

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.”

(Isaac Watts, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”)

What a wonderful surprise!

I am humbled and thankful for those who believe that I am worthy to be named among the churchmen and churchwomen who share this distinction of Black Christian History Makers.  Thank you!

Players win games. Teams win titles!

“Players win games. Teams win titles,” a quote from the Boston Celtics locker room was used by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Bishop of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, while addressing the attendees of the standing-room-only Strategy Breakfast of The Recovery Movement and Campaign to Elect Dr. Clement W. Fugh to Episcopal Service in 2012. The meeting was held on Thursday, July 22, 2010, at the Renaissance Hotel, Nashville, TN, the site of the Episcopal District Christian Education Congress.

“Team 13” is the unified/solidified force of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, poised to host the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference in Nashville, June 27 – July 4, 2012. She stated that “Team 13” must be committed to victory in every aspect, including helping our “Home Team Candidate for Episcopal Service” on to victory.

The Breakfast served as an occasion for Dr. Fugh to introduce some of the key players of the Recovery Movement to rank and file supporters:

Presiding Elder Linda T. Martin, General Chairperson
Presiding Elder Thomas Hughes (4), Connectional Coordinator
Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson, Connectional Liaison
Mr. John Thomas III, Young Adult Advisor

Bishop McKenzie announced that Dr. and Mrs. Clement Fugh will serve as the Honorary Chairpersons for the Quadrennial Banquet, to be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center on June 26, 2012, the evening before the opening of the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference.

Dr. Fugh thanked those in attendance for their show of confidence. His partner in life, Mrs. Alexia Fugh, joined him in sharing her appreciation for the love and support of Bishop McKenzie and of “Team 13.”

Special thanks was extended to Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Henderson of Henderson Financial Group for underwriting the event.

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