We are Still the Village
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has many facets that equip, mentor, and enhance the life of a believer. The Fellowship of Christian Education (FCE) is that entity that provides such an experience. Membership in this organization is open to all church educators who have been appointed to serve in the teaching ministry at all connectional levels.
When I was a small child in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, we had a Christian Education Director (CED) who was loving yet stern, and because of her love of the Lord, her teaching was much more prioritized. The children would feign to pass her without being corrected; however, I desired her tenacity. She would teach about the altar and what it should mean to a believer. She taught respect for the sanctuary. She imparted that the space between the first pew to the chancel rail was just as holy as being up in the pulpit. We were taught that we couldn’t walk across the holy place, that we had to give reverence when we entered the sanctuary, and that, of course, we can’t stand on the kneeling place!
Our director would take your hand and fold it over to spank your knuckles with the ruler. Oh yes, she was also a librarian at the public elementary school, just up the street from the church. It was a poor neighborhood but rich in love and the value of people. Yes, she was the conservative dresser, arms folded, gloves, hat, and manners to match. Not only was she the CED and Sunday School teacher, but she was also the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) President, lay advocate, and a former connectional director. For her, everything began with the Lord’s Service!
My director also took the time to take as many would participate to see the Desoto Caverns and New Jerusalem in Northern Alabama. Neighborhood children would be glad to go someplace outside of the norm. For years we learned the Catechism, the duties of the Stewards, Trustees, and other church officers. We attended the congresses and learned how to conduct ourselves down to wearing shower shoes. She taught about the laity and the various levels of the church—local, conference, district, episcopal, and the connection. Yes, she became the apple of my learning and teaching eye. She helped with little love offerings of $2 now and again to encourage me and others to stay on the journey as she loved each child and met each need. In hindsight, I think she was as good as a surrogate mother. See, my mother was working in the “White Folks” house, across the mountain; but, since my mother had to work, she trusted the director to teach her children about the God she believed. My dad was working as well. I often sit and wonder if she knew the impact she had on my life?
After High School, I wanted a break from school, mostly because my parents had six children. It was hard for me to enter college until my director taught me about scholarships and grants, making college a reality. In my early twenties, I remember going to Bible Study with the seasoned saints, where I was fed the word. No smooth over but the cut to chase the word of God. I thank her profusely now, for I know a God that some will never get to know because of a closed heart, mind, and hand. I recall one week that she trained me how to pray. I was informed that next week that I would lead the prayer. Feeling intimidated by the elders’ way of praying, I wrote and rehearsed word for word, the prayer. When the time came to lead, I couldn’t remember a word. Of course, she had me sit directly in front of her. She just smiled and said, “You tried to remember it, didn’t you?” I said, “Yes, ma’am.” She said, Young lady, just talk to Him just like you would your mom or dad.” And, thus began my prayer life. Thank God, mom; you sent us to learn the truth from an excellent, godly representative!
Once, the elders were expounding on Matthew 13 about the sower, and I mentioned that the word was not for all persons but God’s people. A senior begged to differ, which brought pure delight and approval to Dr. Hattie Bryant Whitt Greene’s face. The pastor was called out of his study to join in the conversation. That instance showed me always to have scripture ready as the epitome of your instruction, for its God’s word, not mine. As we discussed the lesson, we all learned that age does not make a difference, for we all learn as we seek his face.
Fellowship of Christian Educators is a department that helps with a person’s education. In our overseas connection, where most poverty-stricken areas are, and throughout the US, we have such a leader who wants to support others. We meet to assist the newly appointed Commission, Presiding Prelate, Frank Madison Reid III, Executive Christian Education Director, The Rev. Dr. Garland Pierce, and our FCE Director, Robin Porter-Smith, who is adamant about the project to help others. All the board members are lovingly trying to push the FCE forward, as to touch all 20 Districts’ Christian Education Directors. Perhaps the fruition of a multi-level Connectional teaching curriculum down to the local level can be unified for our growth!
The 15th and 20th Districts already have been the recipients of the FCE scholarship. Upcoming is the 14th and 18th Districts, then back to the 16th and 13th Districts. We get around and pray you will join us in growing the FCE. You may find us on https://ameced.com/church-educators/.
Ready, set, go! We could use every Districts’ Christian Education Director to help with many more scholarships and more togetherness…. hence, Connected! We are Still the Village!
$40.00 membership fee includes a subscription to The Journal of Christian Education.
Join online or mail checks payable to Fellowship of Church Educator
to
The Rev. Dr. Madonna Gray
Fellowship of Church Educators, PO Box 1346, Aliquippa, PA 15001
