Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder

 TCR NEWS BREAK - Collects – Mrs Jarena Lee and Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and the significance of February in the Life of the African Methodist Episcopal Church:
 

The Council of Bishops
 
African Methodist Episcopal Church
 

 -- A Collect in Memory of Mrs. Jarena Lee - First Woman 

Licensed to Preach in the AME Church

-- Born on February 11, 1783
 
Gracious God, we praise You for the ministry of Jarena Lee!  We thank You that she heard the call to preach beyond the clamor of sexism.  We celebrate her tenacious obedience in pursuing ministry in spite of gender barriers.  Bless the ministry of women who still answer the call to preach in our Zion.  May the invitation to holiness reflected in the messages delivered by Jarena Lee continue to challenge our lives and invite us to faithfulness in our daily walk with God.  Amen.
 

-- A Collect in Memory of Bishop Henry McNeil Turner
1 February 1834 - 9 May 1915
Twelfth Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Almighty God, we thank You for the ministry of Bishop Henry McNeil Turner. We better understand You and ourselves because a bold servant defied racist representations of divinity and asserted that ebony sons and daughters are also made in Your image.  By Your Spirit, he was an instrument for spreading the gospel among the once enslaved.  With faithful vision, he built bridges for ministry in Mother Africa.  Strengthen our commitment to a liberating gospel, and empower us in the pursuit of justice. We glorify You in spirit and truth as we honor this faithful servant on the anniversary of his birth.  Amen.
 
The Collects may be read in unison, by one or several individuals. Bishop Leath added, "I would like to encourage people to pray the Jarena Lee Collect personally on 11 February…Jarena Lee’s actual birthday.
 
Jeffrey N. Leath
128^th Bishop, President, The Council of Bishops
 

-- February is an Important Month in the Life of the AME Church:

Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, President of the Council of Bishops and Presiding Prelate of the 13^th Episcopal District has shared information about the importance of February in the life of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Richard Allen, Bishop Morris Brown, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner, Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne and Mrs. Jarena Lee were all born in the month of February (Listed below in the order of day in February).
 
-- Henry McNeal Turner - 1 February 1834
-- Jarena Lee - 11 February 1783
-- Morris Brown - 13 February 1770
-- Richard Allen - 14 February 1760
-- Daniel Alexander Payne - 24 February 1811