News and Announcements

Rev. Jerri D. Edmonds
Women’s Season 2012
11:00 am Worship

The Women’s Season Core Committee, Public Relations Commission, and Church School of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church invite you to an enjoyable dining and documentary event on Sunday, May 6, 2012.  Following the 11:00 a.m. service, the exciting programs of Metropolitan’s Women’s Season 2012 will continue with a “Taste of the Met” smorgasbord, featuring the culinary skills and delectable delights of the women of Metropolitan.  The smorgasbord will be highlighted with a special screening of the film, “Daisy Bates:  First Lady of Little Rock.”  Following the film’s presentation, the director and producer, Sharon La Cruise, will share a “behind-the-scenes” look at the film, which tells the inspiring story of the legendary woman who fought for the right of nine black students to attend the segregated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Metropolitan’s own Ernie Green of the Little Rock Nine and Ellen Fizer, who has historic ties to the Little Rock Nine, will join Ms. La Cruise in a discussion, moderated by Metropolitan’s award-winning journalist, Dorothy Gilliam.  Tickets for the event are $10 and will be available from members of the three sponsoring organizations.

Rev. Nancy T. Lee
Community of Hope AME Church
Speaking at Metropolitan AME Church
Women’s Day, 7:45 a.m. Service
Sunday, April 15, 2012
www.metropolitanamec.org

2011 was a challenging year, full of storms.  But a storm for YOU is not necessarily a storm for ME.  Some of us experienced physical storms, such as a disturbing report from the doctor.  But the storm is passing over, thanks be to God.  When you are going through a storm, have you noticed that much advice is available, but very little help?  2011 was a stormy year because some saw their homes subjected to foreclosure.  Some saw secure jobs lost. Some saw savings that had been accumulated over many years slowly exhausted.  Some of us found ourselves robbing Peter to pay Paul.

In verse 10 of the scripture, Paul advised the crew not to leave the harbor; but his warning was  ignored and they sailed into the storm.  Sometimes our impatience places us in a storm. Sometimes we enter in to a hasty marriage when all the signs were against it. Sometimes we are impatient to move to the other side of town to get away from the high crime rate, and we find ourselves being robbed on the other side of town.  Some of us are impatient about staying in a church in which we feel we are not being fed.  But you can’t get fed if you don’t come to the altar.

The scripture today gives us three “D’s” to guide us until the storm passes over:

1.         DON’T DRIFT.  In the scripture, when the storm got increasingly rough, the crew just gave up and started to drift.  When we drift, we let go of our goals and we forget where we are headed. We just go with the flow.  In the midst of your darkest storm, remember that God is the light, and there is no need to drift.

2.         DON’T DISCARD.   In the scripture, in the midst of the storm, the crew threw the cargo overboard.  Sometimes we drift, then we throw out the very things we need to keep:  We give up on our dreams, goals, relationships, and values.  V29:  “When it looked as if all were lost…”   The safest thing to do in the storm is to STAND STILL and watch God’s will unfold.

Sometimes situations seem so overwhelming that we just want to change everything. That’s when we need to anchor in God. We miss what God intends for us because we keep moving out of vision.  Have any of you ever experienced “missed blessings?”  You look back over your life and you see the blessings that you missed because you were too busy to appreciate them, or you didn’t stay in a relationship long enough to receive them.

3.         DON’T DESPAIR.  In Verse 20, they gave up all hope of being saved.  In order to withstand the storms, you need to be covered, covered by the blood of Jesus.  In verse 25, the disciples were covered because of Paul’s faith, not because of their own faith.  Some of us have been spared during the storms of life because of the prayers and the faith of others – our mothers, our fathers, our grandmothers our grandfathers.

Sometimes you are so down and in such despair that YOU can’t pray.  Make sure you’ve got some people in your life who can get a prayer through.

Finally, Brothers and Sisters, the storm is not meant to DESTROY you; it is meant to bring you closer to God.  Think about it – many of you found Jesus during a storm.  You were battered and scarred by an angry sea, and Jesus caught you.

So, no matter what it looks like; no matter whether you are in a storm, just got out of a storm, or are going into a storm, know that the storm is passing over.

Seven Last Words of Christ

with Rev. Jonathan V. Newton

Metropolitan A.M.E. Church  Celebrates Women’s Day 2012
with Guest Ministers,  Rev. Nancy T. Lee and Rev. Jerri D. Edmonds

Two dynamic women of God whose words will bless your spirits and strengthen your faith will be the guest preachers on Sunday, April 15, 2012, during Metropolitan’s Women’s Day worship services. The Women’s Day theme, “I Am My Sister’s Keeper,” will be presented through the powerful and personal sermons of Reverend Dr. Nancy T. Lee during the 7:45 a.m. service and Reverend Jerri D. Edmonds at the 11 a.m. service. The call to serve as “your sister’s keeper” will be reinforced and you will leave praising the Lord for creating you in His image! The women of Metropolitan invite you to join us for both services to hear the anointed messages of these two great ministers.

Rev. Dr. Nancy T. Lee wraps her lifelong care for humankind in her professional study as a nurse and in her call to the ministry. She earned her nursing degree from Bellevue School of Nursing in New York City, a Masters degree in Religious Studies (with honors), and a Doctorate degree, both from Howard University. Rev. Lee’s doctoral research focused on “Caring for the African American Caregiver.” Rev. Lee’s expertise has garnered her nominations for awards through several civic and nursing associations. In 2011 she received the Religious Leader of the Year Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Rev. Lee is a native Washingtonian who currently serves as the Executive Minister of Community of Hope A.M.E. Church, Temple Hills, MD, under the pastorate of her son, Rev. Tony Lee, Senior Pastor. She resides in Fort Washington, MD with her husband of 44 years, Orlando W. E. Lee, and is the proud mother of two sons, Rev. Tony Lee and Rev. Bill Lee. In everything she gives God the glory and declares Philippians 4:13 her personal testimony (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”).

Rev. Jerri D. Edmonds acknowledged her call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in September 1997 and preached her trial sermon in June 1998. She was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in April 2002. Rev. Edmonds is married to Rev. Raymond F. Edmonds, Jr., and they are the proud parents of two teenagers, Raymond, III and Cierra. In October 1995, the ministers began the Gethsemane Ministry, which is now the Gethsemane A.M.E. Church. Rev. Edmonds presently serves as an Associate Minister at Falls Road A.M.E. Church where her husband is the pastor.

Rev. Edmonds has a passion for empowering our young people to become all God has called them to be through the Word of God and is committed to edifying the body of Christ by any means necessary. At Falls Road she serves as the Ministerial Liaison to the Music and Fine Arts Ministries, Director of the Harvest Evangelism Ministry, Director of the Youth and Young Adult Choir, and Director of the Fellowship Choir.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Rev. Edmonds is the second of three children of Garfield and Ruth Hudson. She received her early education in the Baltimore City Public School System. She received a B.A. in Information Science and Systems, and a Masters of Business Administration from Morgan State University. Serving the State of Maryland for over 26 years, Rev. Edmonds is currently employed at Morgan State University as a programmer analyst.

Rev. Edmonds cites as her favorite scripture, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” She loves the Lord and prays that she will always be a vessel that He can use for His glory.

Support Women’s Season 2012.

News4′s Pat Muse spole with Pastors from the Washington, D.C. region about what Easter really means. View on our web site.

 
Rev. Ronald E. Braxton
April 8, 2012 – Easter Sunday

“…Intreat me not to leave thee…for whither thou goest, I will go…” Ruth 1:16-18

March 29, 2012

Dear Women of Metropolitan:

A new and infectious spirit abounds at our beloved Metropolitan, and you can feel it everywhere!

Women’s Day is Sunday April 15, 2012. It promises to be an extraordinary day when believers will be called anew to witness God’s love, mercy, grace, goodness and faithfulness to us.  We can all show our commitment to our theme “I Am My Sister’s Keeper” by wearing purple and white on this special day.

The co-chairs for Women’s Season, Sisters Jo Jewel Butler (dbutle64@aol.com  703-768-2093), Selena Fizer (self11678@aol.com 301-633-0611) and Linda Jefferson (Lhjeferson@aol.com  202-285-5502) welcome all women of Metropolitan to join the 80 women already planning many exciting activities – your time, talent and treasure are needed.

The many demands to serve our community require our financial support more than ever.  Each Metropolitan woman is asked to make a special contribution of $200 by Women’s Day and men $100. Metropolitan youth are also encouraged to participate as they can.  Contributions may be made in single or multiple payments and Sisters Janet Huggins, Gail Primus or Harriett Harper will be available after each Sunday service to accept them and answer questions.

A Women’s Day souvenir program book, “I Am My Sister’s Keeper,” is being created for our special day. It will comprise tributes to special women in our lives, and there are many options for you to participate by purchasing an ad as well as selling ads to the Metropolitan family, colleagues, neighbors or anyone looking for a unique way to express themselves.  Sisters Dina Curtis (dinacurtis@gmail.com) or Cynthia Morris (cslm79@aol.com) will be happy to provide any information you need, and an online ad form is available by clicking here.

While Women’s Season seeks to address some of the financial needs of Metropolitan, it is also meant to provide multiple opportunities to connect to our church community and to reach out to others, inviting them to join us in our mission to serve the greater Metropolitan Washington, DC community.  This series of activities began in early March with a prayer breakfast that was attended by more than 100 women (and men!) who enjoyed interactive discussions on health, employment, education and family life as they prayed for each other and our greater community.  Many additional events and activities are planned, and we hope you will be a part of them:

Join the 100 voices of Metropolitan women, dressed in white for the Women’s Day service, joyfully praising God through song.  Come out to meet and fellowship with these special women at our rehearsals Saturday mornings at 10 am. Contact Sisters Anita Drayton (antald@aol.com), Susan Edwards (sue.edwards@frms.treas.gov) or Jocelyn Harris (Jocelyn.Harris@cosoa.gov) to join this dynamic group!

Join our outreach effort to serve the Capitol Hill Pregnancy Center in Washington, D.C. and the St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home in Hyattsville, Maryland led by Sisters Lorraine Gillian (Babymker@aol.com) and Josie Woodley-Jones (josiewj@aol.com).

“A Taste of The Met” smorgasbord featuring the culinary skills of the women of Metropolitan to be held after the 11:00 service on Sunday May 6, 2012 in Douglass Hall.  Your $10 contribution will provide a wonderful meal and a special screening of the film “Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock.”

“A Women of All Seasons” program will recognize “Strong African American Women of Metropolitan AME Church Making Strong Contributions” on Saturday June 2, 2012 from Noon to 5:00 pm in Douglass Hall.  Please contact Sister Carolyn McClain at Carolyn.McClain@hud.gov to make a nomination or get more information about the program.

In these challenging times for so many, our church and our community are looking to you to make a difference.  I implore you to join us and to stay informed about these and other special activities through our church bulletin and on the Metropolitan website www.metroplitanamec.org.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our Lord and Savior and to the Metropolitan family.

In His Service,

Ronald E. Braxton