Connectional Theme
Refocusing Our Ministry to Serve the Present Age
Scripture:
Galatians Chapter 6 verse 9-10
(King James Version)
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all (men), especially unto them
Who are of the household of faith"
Logo Interpretation
"The one who goeth forth and weepth, bearing precious
seed, shall doubtless come again and with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
-Psalm 126:6 KJV
This logo was created and interpreted by The Reverend Andrew M. Reynolds, Sr.
- Wall represents barriers before us as Christians that we have overcome
- Hands signify church working as one (unified in its purpose)
- World represents all nations
- Dirt represents our beginning before life was breathed into us becoming a living soul
- Gradient green plant represents the various stages of development in our lives as Chrisitians (continuous growth)
The insignia for the Connectional Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for this biennial is one rich with both symbolism and spiritual impact.
The rich hymnody of ancient Israel, as preserved in Psalter, beautifully explicated and under girds the meaning of our theme. Particularly in the 126th Psalm, at the last verse, we see most clearly the deeper and richer meaning of our hope fully expressed. Here, the Psalmist declares in a trumpeted conclusion that is stocked and stored with promise and fortified with unstinting faith the basis and foundation from which we may draw the spiritual and theological grounding of our theme.
The people of God had been through many hardship and difficulties in their existence. Always they had been assured of God's providential care both now and in the future. So, with a vigor born of confidence in a God who had never failed them, they sang with fervent gusto, "The one who goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
There is no indication that there will not be some difficulty, even sorrow in the struggle to do the tasks necessary for their own survival and the perpetuity of their progeny. As a matter of fact, twice they assert the fact that sorrows and tears are a part of the struggle (vv 5, 6). But, they are confident in the belief that just as encumbrances and stumbling blocks are set along the way, they may also find support and stepping stones. Rejoicing and reaping are the inevitable results of sorrow and sowing in faith.
Our Zion, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, stands in the third century of its existence. We have been and are now faced with many challenges that threaten the effectiveness and relevance of our community of faith. Others have sought to circumscript and circumscribe the scope and strength of our witness. Indeed, this Post Modern Era has erected many walls around us in an attempt to minimize and devalue our contribution of ministry and service. But, like the brave and undaunted souls who sang Psalm 126, we know that what we carry is "precious seed" and although we sow with sorrow and tears, we shall without a doubt return with great rejoicing bringing the product of our labor "the sheaves" with us.
We deem it duty to extend the rich legacy of Allen and the Gospel of our Christ beyond the walls of sexism, ageism, racism, economic depravity, social disparity, and walls yet unencumbered, but not unanticipated. We are determined to cast our seed on the fertile ground that is the heart of God's people in an effort to promote and produce the rich bounty of the Kingdom of God.