BISHOP FUGH’S TRIBUTE STATEMENT
My Tribute!
“To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
To God be the glory,
For the things He has done.
“With His blood, He has saved me,
With His power, He has raised me,
To God be the glory,
For the Things He has done.”
“To God be the Glory” is the resounding chorus of a Holy Nation when God has performed the phenomenal through us!
That is the only explanation that I can give for what we experienced this past week as representatives from the five continents, the forty-one countries that make up the General Board and the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church convened in Los Angeles, The City of Angels.
The Fifth Episcopal District was phenomenal!
The scripture admonishes us to “be careful (how) we entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13: 2) That was undoubtedly the mantra under which the Hospitality Committee went about its duties – two hundred and forty (240) strong, comprised of YPD, WMS, Lay, Clergy. From the arrival of the first guest, you were all smiles and helping hands, assisting with luggage, transportation, in-room favors, name it, you were on it!
The trend in recent years has been for the passing of the Presidential Medallion to take place during the Council of Bishops’ Worship Service. We had a banquet. It proved to be a challenge to predict the attendance. The response was awesome! Yet you rose to the occasion. You gave preferential seating to our guests. You did so in a manner that bespoke more of honor than of grudging.
You raised the bar on Christian Hospitality!
And then there was the Service of Worship!
Hallelujah!
It occurred at FAME – the Cathedral of African Methodism in the Fifth Episcopal District – our own vine and fig tree!
My vision in the months leading up to this event was for a Worship Service with representation from each of the Annual Conferences that comprise the Fifth Episcopal District, a Service that modeled excellence, and that demonstrated a willingness to let the Lord have His way. That vision came into fruition through the anointed singing of the choir; in the preparation of the Lord’s Table by the Stewardesses; through Ushers who made themselves an extension of our Hospitality Committee; and by members-at-large whose very presence and spirit exuded warmth.
Late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning I received texts and emails from across this nation, and far beyond the shores of these United States from persons who stayed up to worship with us through live streaming.
The Lord still takes the faithful to perform the phenomenal!
“And if there be any praise,
Let it go to Calvary!
Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Bishop