Inside this Issue

Graduates, P.1
Sister’s, P. 2
Delegate’s, P. 5
Bates, P. 7
Smalls, P. 9
Lay, P. 11
Gilliam, P. 13
Scholarships, P. 15
Men’s, P.15
Youth, P. 16
Kenya, P. 18
Personalities, P. 19
History, P. 20

The Metropolitan Spirit is a Publication of the Commission on Public Relations

Inside  this Issue

Task Force, P. 1
Pastor’s Vision, P. 2
Class Leaders, P. 4
Celebrating, P. 5
Workshop, P. 7
Peace Corps, P. 8
Stewardess, P. 10
Memorial, P. 11
Hebou, P. 15
Personalities, P. 16
Ambassadors, P. 17
ML King, Jr., P. 19
Restoration, P. 20
Facts, P. 22
Theme, P.22

The Metropolitan Spirit is a Publication of the
Commission on Public Relations

Metropolitan A. M. E. Church’s performance of Handel’s Messiah gives back to the community The Cathedral Choir of Historic Metropolitan A. M. E. Church in downtown Washington, D. C. presented its 35th performance of the oratorio last Sunday. Led by the church’s Minister of Music, Dr. Lester Green, the choir rendered the work accompanied by chamber orchestra and guest soloists: soprano Michele Gutrick, mezzo-soprano Monique Holmes, tenor Keith Byron Craig, baritone David Griffiths and baritone Vashawn Savoy McIlwain. Surrounded by the majestic architecture of the sanctuary, adorned in holiday greenery, the church was bursting with joy as the choir rendered the timeless masterwork. Read more . . .

Inside this Issue
Graduates, P. 1
Faith, P. 3
Newton, P. 4
Interview, P.5
Society, P. 6
Construction, P. 7
Memoriam, P. 11
Delegate, P. 11
MCM, P. 13
AME/Curry, P. 14
Restoration, P. 15
Circles, P. 17
Scholarships, P. 18
Personalities, P. 18

The “Episcopacy Window” – one of twenty-nine (29) windows in The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (MAMEC) of Washington, DC – was recently restored, as part of the restoration project. Although the church is still undergoing restoration, the 123-year old “Episcopacy Window” – having completed a “journey” from the church to the restoration studio of Higgins & Associates in Front Royal, Virginia – is now back in all of its splendor and beauty, and resting majestically in its original location on the balcony level of the sanctuary. To protect the window during removal for restoration and re-installation, scaffolding was built around the window – both inside and outside.

This brochure was written and produced by Metropolitan A.M.E. Public Relations Commission member Delores Zimmerman‐Jeter with assistance from PRC members Nancy Harvin and Ruby Gourdine. Photographs were provided by Higgins & Associates, Stained Glass Restoration Studio.

Table of Contents:

The Episcopacy Window – Preparation for Removal, Page 1
Interview with Trustee Terry Johnson, Page 3
Interview with Gene Higgins of Higgins & Associates, Page 7
Interview with Reverend Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Page 14
Interview with Deaconess Nellie Abner, Page 14
Interview with Reverend Johanna Green, Page 17
Episcopacy Window Angular Pane, Page 21
Episcopacy Window Installed – After Restoration, Page 25
Notes, Page 26

Living in the Wonder of God

“And Mary said, ‘I’m bursting with God—news; I’m dancing the song of my
Savior God. God took one good look at me, and look what happened—I’m the
most fortunate woman on earth! What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy
flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before Him…He has
performed mighty deeds with his arm”. Luke 1:46-51A The Message Bible
The angel Gabriel had just announced to Mary that the Lord had found favor
with her and she would soon give birth to a son “Who will be great”. In this
passage of Luke’s gospel which is entitled, “Mary’s Song,” the young girl
Mary rejoices in the wonder of God’s power over her life. According to the
Message Bible her spirit is dancing and bursting with God—news (at first I
thought that the printer left out the “O” in good, but God—news is better
than good news). This God—news has left Mary in “Awe”.

When we look at the story of the birth of Jesus, each person who in one way or
the other encounters this wonder is left in awe. Life going forward is a life
lived in the wonder of God’s awesomeness. Like Mary, the shepherds are left
to live out their lives in the wonder of God’s awesomeness. So it was with the
Magi from the East. Joseph who would eventually marry Mary will live the
rest of his life in the wonder of God’s action. Our record does not record the
hundreds of thousands who, at the time, heard of this wondrous moment and
event and would live life, from then on out, in the wonder of God’s power,
mercy and good favor.

I wonder how long did it take for life to settle down and all who witnessed or
heard the God—news to return back to the normality of life and business as
usual? As Advent prepares us for Christmas and we are once again filled with
the awe, joy and wonder of our God in the birth of the Christ child, it does not
take long, post-Christmas, for us to return to the normal everyday living of
life and business as usual.

As you wrestle and struggle with all of the cares and concerns of family, home,
church, job, personal conflicts, illnesses, tragedies and death in the coming
new year, remember the celebration of Christ’s birth so that you might find
yourselves, “Living in the Wonder of God.” This is the God “Whose mercy
flows in wave after wave”, who sent to us One who still awes us and can cause
our spirits to dance, bursting with the God—news that He is come and looks
on us with favor.

Ronald E. Braxton, D. Min

Table of Contents

2009 – 2010 Graduates, Page 1
Just Trusting, Page 4
Keep Your Hand on the Plow, Hold On, Page 5
Restoration: Frequently Asked Questions, Page 7
A Gift from God to Share with Others, Page 10
DAPRP, Still Journeying, Page 12
Washington Annual Conf. Delegate Report, Page 13
My Journey to Metropolitan AME Church, Page 15
And the Winner Is…, Page 17
An Interview with Dr. Gladys Gary Vaughn, Page 17
Almanac, Page 20
People, Page 22
Capital Campaign, Page 24

Program Cover for an address by Rev. Francis Grimke

The newest issue of Beltway Poetry Quarterly is now available online, and one essay in particular will be of interest to members and staff of Metropolitan AME. 

Beltway Poetry Quarterly’s Spring 2010 issue is dedicated to examining literary organizations that have nurtured writers in DC.  This is the fourth in an ongoing series on the city’s rich literary heritage.

The issue includes an essay, “The Bethel Literary and Historical Society” by Kim Roberts, documenting the groundbreaking learned society hosted by Metropolitan AME Church from 1881 to 1913.

Table of Contents

Celebrating a Centenarian: Deaconess Wilma G. Shepherd
Making God Real
Playing with Three Strings
Restoring Our Legacy -  Insuring Our Future
Restoration: Frequently Asked Questions
Reflections: The Seniors’ Perspective
Becoming a Member of Metropolitan AME Church
Usher Notes: A Tribute to the Late Ms. Dorothy Spells
Tracing Our AME Roots

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The devotions in this booklet were written by the people of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, a community of believers. Writing and distributing the booklet have become an important ministry of the Commission on Christian Education.

These reflections are our gift to you. Our hope is that you will find the scripture, thoughts and prayers helpful as you experience this season of Lent.

This collection of thoughts and prayers come from a variety of perspectives. Each serves as a testimony to the writer’s desire to share his/her spiritual journey. Through these devotions you get a glimpse of our Metropolitan family’s efforts to follow the teachings of Jesus.

We hope you will find this booklet useful as a rich resource for your daily devotions. We invite you to begin by using the guide on pages 46-47 to chart your spiritual journey through Lent and on to the glory of Easter.

May God Bless You!

Dr. Yvonne L. Bolling
Director, Commission on Christian Education