Richard Allen and the Importance of Historical Literacy

 Hello Wonderful People of God,

February 14 commemorates the birthday of Bishop Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  All Episcopal Districts within the AME Connectional Church set aside time for special reflection upon Allen's importance to the church.  However, this year many AME's  and interested persons with Internet access around the globe, had a unique opportunity to view a minidocumentary, Bishop Richard Allen, Apostle of Freedom.  This first rate film illustrates the life of Richard Allen and reflects the effective collaboration between Dr. Mark Tyler, Sr. Pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, PA, and Sam Katz's History Making Productions.

Philly.com  -a digital news journal of the Informer newspaper, published a wonderful article by Howard Shapiro on the "watch party"  and Founders Day Worship Service at Mother Bethel last Sunday.  When I read the article I was struck by the last sentence of the article, which was a quote by DeBrickashaw Ferguson, NFL player and financial supporter of the film.  Mr. Ferguson offered this commentary:  "It's easy to see why people are blessed in this church,...because they come from a great history, and a great founder."

This statement succinctly sums up my theme for this post - HISTORICAL LITERACY.  This phrase uses History as an analogy to a hot topic in the country right now - health literacy.  Literacy simply means the ability to read and write. However, health literacy is defined as the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to adopt healthy behaviors and make appropriate health decisions. Advocates for health literacy know that persons who cannot read, write, or comprehend the information are likely to have higher health care costs and poorer health outcomes, therefore they create opportunities for health care professionals to learn how to communicate effectively with people.  Disparaging health statistics reveal the impact of poor health literacy on people living in poverty, which adversely affects people of color and the elderly.

Well, what about HISTORICAL LITERACY and the importance of historical knowledge to a person's wellbeing?  As a historian, I define HISTORICAL LITERACY as the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic historic information. HISTORICAL LITERACY provides access to information and tools to interpret that information - so that individuals and communities can adopt healthy cultural attributes which contribute to life-afffirming choices based on:  a sense of communal awareness; positive self identity; and divine purpose.

HISTORICAL LITERACY is not just  for the development of the intellect, it is necessary for the health of one's soul.  When you look at communities who succeed at a higher rate than others, they are communities who make significant investment in the preservation of their history. The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is one such community of faith  -with a high success rate of achievement and contribution in all sectors of these United States, and across the globe.  I am convinced that it is due to Bishop Richard Allen's grasp of the importance of HISTORICAL LITERACY - as revealed in the "Historical Statement" of the The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  I believe Bishop Allen understood that an enslaved people would never become fully liberated in body and soul unless they had access to information which illustrated their struggles and triumphs in times past.  The "Historical Statement"  has been revised, but never excluded - it can be found in every published AMEC Book of Discipline, and is a constant reminder that history matters. 

This is why I often state that "History is not just my discipline, it is my ministry".  One cannot engage in the cure and care of souls without utilizing history in some form.  The historical principle is biblical  and spiritual. Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, persons are reminded to serve the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  They are taught that YHWH is the One True God whom the ancestors worshipped and who constantly acts in history to liberate oppressed people.  The Christ event is a historical event - the Transcendent God became Incarnate at a specific time and in a specific place in history to redeem sinful people.  History Matters.  The Free African Society was organized  in 1787, by people of African descent who lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a goal to mitigate and eventually obliterate the factors which kept Africans in bondage physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually.  History Matters.

The  Richard Allen documentary released globally this week is a significant achievement in the effort to increase HISTORICAL LITERACY among all persons interested in the history of our founder and his contribution to the United States of America.  Happy Founders Day week to African Methodists everywhere!  Bishop Allen's legacy through the AME Church continues to make an impact across the world.


Rev. Sharon
"Today's Historian for Tomorrow's Church"

Looking Back to Look Forward

Happy Black History Month from the Quest 2012 Campaign!!

Check out the images below. You may click anywhere on the image to enlarge it!

A Weekend with Bishop Sarah- San Antonio

Last weekend was filled with two wonderful events for Quest 2012.  Bishop Sarah F. Davis and Supervisor Claytie Davis were present to support my aspiration for Historiographer/Executive Director of Research & Scholarship. The theme for the weekend was “Moving Forward in a Season of Change”. The first evening was an intimate fellowship dinner held at the Fort Sam Houston Golf Clubhouse on Friday, January 21, 2011.  It was a full house and all enjoyed listening to Bishop Sarah and Supervisor Claytie share their experiences of conducting ministry in the 16^th Episcopal District, and especially the ongoing critical situation in Haiti.  Bishop Jim Dorff from the UMC attended and welcomed Bishop Sarah Davis back to the Southwest Texas region. 

Saturday morning was another elegant affair. The Brunch featuring Bishop Sarah was simply amazing!  Persons travelled from Austin, Corpus Christi, and Dallas Texas  - even members from Districts 1 and 2 were present!  Of course, Bethel AME and Bethel UMC, San Antonio represented their beloved sister/ daughter!

The connectional AME Church continues to surprise me as I discover how relationships are cultivated and sustained within our transnational Zion.  Rev. Joni Russ served as a dynamic Worship leader! Even  the County Commissioner, The Honorable Tommy Adkisson who attended to present a resolution to Bishop Sarah commented upon her charismatic personality as she led us well.

Bishop Sarah preached a powerful sermon from the text Isaiah 42. She reminded us all to stay keenly aware of the place from which we receive our instruction and to hold firmly to the decision to listen only to the voice of God.

Dr. Raye Adkins and a special Planning Committee from the Southwest Texas Conference worked tirelessly to make sure that these events were thoughtfully planned and smoothly executed. I am so grateful to have such dynamic supporters in my corner! Special thanks to them and everyone who attended, supported financially, lifted us in prayer and otherwise showed support for my effort.

I’ve posted some miscellaneous photographs that do simply do not justice the wonderful time that was had with family, loved ones and supporters near and far!

Thank you,
Rev, Sharon

"Moving Forward in a Season of Change"

Holiday Inn- San Antonio International Airport

Saturday, January 22, 2011

QUEST 2012

Hello Wonderful People of God,

I want to use some of the precious moments remaining in 2010, to share why I have chosen to name my aspiration to the Connectional Office of Historiographer/Executive Director of Research and Scholarship a ‘QUEST’.   Quest can be simply defined as a journey filled with challenges with the object of attaining a particular goal.  For some, the word quest, conjures up medieval images of knights searching for treasure, romance and fame.  However for me, as an African American woman who is a scholar and an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), the word quest reminds me of the importance of focused perseverance as one works toward the fulfillment of a God-given task.  The history of our Christian tradition as Methodists provides a framework for this topic:

·         The early Christians in the Roman Empire understood the importance of focused perseverance as they committed themselves to the cause of the coming of Christ’s kingdom even at the risk of losing their lives.  The kingdom of God was worth dying for because it was a realm where injustice and oppression did not exist, and suffering and death had been defeated.

·         The early Methodists in England’s industrial age during the mid 1700’s, understood the importance of focused perseverance as they committed themselves to lifestyles which reflected personal sanctification and social holiness.  The early Methodist members of Methodist societies committed themselves to perform works of piety and works of mercy in response to God’s grace at work in their lives.  The object of the quest was to transform their society through visible love in action toward God and neighbor.

·         The early African Methodists in North America during the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, understood the importance of focused perseverance as they committed themselves to the principles of the Free African Society, creating viable communities which ensured that enslaved and free Africans had access to material and spiritual resources that nourished their damaged souls and bodies.  Our fore parents search for the material necessities of life, dignity, and respect were rooted in spiritual principles of faith, integrity and charity.

In spite of the complex social and cultural challenges of our time, the quest remains the same for all Christians who anxiously await the kingdom of God.  We must identify our God-given task and do all that our hands find to do to accomplish it.  My prayer is that as the AME Church continues in its quest of liberation and reconciliation for all God’s people - that all of us vigorously do our part to manifest the righteousness, peace and joy of Christ’s kingdom within our midst.

I continue to solicit your prayers and your support.   May your New Year be filled with joy!

Rev. Sharon

2012 Candidate for Historiographer/Executive Director for Research and Scholarship

Reflections on Advent

If you are like me it is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of 2010. 

Yet, here we are in yet another season of Advent, anticipating the coming of the Christ Child.  I heard a wonderful sermon  a few days ago, the First Sunday of Advent, in which the pastor shared that there are times when the Lord allows us to rest, because of the hectic lifestyles that we have assumed.  Yet, during this time of Advent, God says to us “Awake!” be alert, be expectant, be vigilant, I am about to do a new thing!  Many of you have just completed the season of Annual Conferences and Planning Meetings, and are beginning to implement the vision that our Episcopal Leaders have put forth for us.  Others are  starting to prepare for Annual Conferences that will begin in the next two or three months. Whatever ecclesiastical calendar we operate on, it is clear that 2010 is quickly becoming the ‘old year’, and most of us have already planned for activities that are to begin in 2011. 

I can recall that it was last year, during Thanksgiving 2009 - after  18 months of seeking God to determine if I should offer my service to the AME Church, that I began to move out with conviction and take the first steps to announce my aspiration to the General Officer post of Historiographer and Executive Director of Research and Scholarship.  Much has happened in the last year to encourage and excite me about the current work of God in our Zion.  During Advent, as we prepare our hearts, minds and souls to receive the gift of God afresh and anew, I invite you to stay awake and prayerful with me, in anticipation of the new thing that God desires to do in our lives and in the life of the beloved Church of Allen during this most holy season throughout Christendom. 

In closing, I want to share with you that I have a new published article on the history of African Methodism and the use of vestments in the recent issue of the AME REVIEW. The initial essay was initiated by the request of the presiding prelate of the 10^th Episcopal District, The Rt. Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram, as it related to the attire of clergy in the 10^th District.  I thought it might be wise to share it with the Church of Allen at large.  I urge you to read it, and let me know if you found it useful. 

In Christ’s grace,

Sharon Grant

“Today’s Historian for Tomorrow’s Church”

Candidate 2012

Historiographer/Executive Director of Research and Scholarship

Off to a Blessed Start!

The "Rev. Sharon for Historiographer" campaign official kick-off reception was held on Friday, November 12, 2010 during the 10th District Planning Meeting, which was held at the Hyatt North Dallas. The evening was filled with praise and worship, prayer and reflection on the rich history that will be placed in the hands of the next Historiographer of the AME Church. Rev. Sharon articulated her vision for the office in a passionate and inspiring way and Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram offered his full support for Rev. Sharon's candidacy. He encouraged everyone to remember that this effort is not a sprint, but a marathon, during which she will need continual help from her supporters.

Bishop Ingram, Rev. Sharon Grant, Rev. Juan Tolliver, Mr. Johnny Tellis

Rev. Sharon unveiled her campaign theme, "Today's Historiographer for Tomorrow's Church". Attendees were treated to a slideshow presentation that reflected some of her travels and experiences in her efforts to research AME History across the United States, in parts of Africa and in the Caribbean.

Rev. Sharon introduced her campaign team, pictured above, along with some campaign supporters (click to enlarge):

Sitting: L to R: Rev. Hector J. Grant, Sr. (Rev. Sharon's father), Candidate Rev. Sharon J. Grant, Hertha Black Grant (Rev. Sharon's mother)

Standing: L to R: William Earl (Co-chair), Barbara Siggers (Volunteer), Rev. Phea Kennedy (Assistant Secretary), Tenner Hysmith (Volunteer),  Romella Jones (Volunteer),  Lisa Grant Davis (Social Networking/ Events), Melvin Braziel (Chair), Dianne Fuller (Volunteer)



Rev. Sharon at the Schomburg!

In early November, Rev. Sharon was at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in NYC!
She had the chance to pore over documents related to the history of the church in Black America in general, and the history of our AME tradition in particular. Ask her about it the next time you see her!