MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Walls

A RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE FOUNDERS CELEBRATION OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND COMMENDING THE ST. MATTHEW A.M.E. CHURCH OF GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI FOR ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE CELEBRATION.

WHEREAS, The African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by its first Bishop the Right Reverend Richard Allen; and

WHEREAS, the Founders celebration is a call to remembrance of the courage, faith, sacrifice and spiritual commitment that gave birth to the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and

WHEREAS, unlike most churches which have their origin in a theological, doctrinal or ideological dispute, the African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded to heed the cry of Americans of African descent to worship God freely, to grow in the Spirit, and to be recognized as fellow children of God; and

WHEREAS, in the face of discrimination, exploitation, hatred, ostracism and racism the African Methodist Episcopal Church responded not with ill-will toward those who inflicted such pain, but with a heart full of love for God; and

WHEREAS, this spiritual foundation of love caused the African Methodist Episcopal Church to blossom into a remarkable movement that was the catalyst for change in millions of lives; and

WHEREAS, as a result, every African Methodist Episcopal church proclaims and its members fulfill the noble purpose to be unquestionable Christians and American citizens; and

WHEREAS, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, its accomplishments, and its membership are the embodiment of its motto: "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother"; and

WHEREAS, the St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church of Greenville, Mississippi, of the Eighth District of the Connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of its pastor, Reverend Eric J. Boone will host the Founders celebration on February 18-20, 2000 with a Founders banquet on February 19, 2000; and

WHEREAS, the Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Right Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. and his wife, Mother Barbara J. Chappelle, will attend this celebration; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of this auspicious celebration Governor Ronnie Musgrove and Lieutenant Governor Amy Tuck of the State of Mississippi will attend the Founders banquet:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commemorate the founding and the Founders celebration of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and commend the St. Matthew A.M.E. Church of Greenville, Mississippi for its participation in the celebration and commend the leadership and service of the Right Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. and Reverend Eric J. Boone.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the St. Matthew A.M.E. Church of Greenville, the Right Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., Reverend Eric J. Boone and that copies be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.