Pastor`s Annual Report

Pastor’s Annual Report
Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church
Reverend Dr. J. Arthur Rumph
10435 South Central Avenue
Los Angeles “Watts”, California 90002
www.grantamechurch.org
90th Session of the
Southern California
2013-2014 Annual Report
Watts Towers
Pastor's Message
To: Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District; Mrs. Mary L. Kirkland,
Episcopal Supervisor, WMS; Host Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsay; Presiding Elder Norman D.
Copeland; Presiding Elder Benjamin Hollins; Host Pastor, Reverend Taurus Myhand; clergy, and
delegates to this the 90th Session of the Southern California Annual Conference. We, the pastor and
members, beg leave to make our report from and for the Grant African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
Church, Los Angeles, California.
Greetings!
This first year of service answering the call of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Grant AME Church
has been measurable and immeasurable blessed. Measurable as the Holy Spirit has helped the church to
grow. We have witnessed to and won souls, ministered to the needy, empowered and equipped men,
women, and children with a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank and praise God for
the 32 souls added to the church, 7 conversions, and 7 baptisms. We also thank God for the life and
labor of those who transferred from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant.
The leadership of the Steward Board helped enhance the spirituality and stewardship in the church. The
diligent work of the Trustees facilitated the speedy transition and relocation of this the new pastor. They
have also begun the work of painting the church. Organizational ministries, such as the WMS, YPD, and
Lay Organization have met needs in the church and community. Also we remain grateful for the
outreach of the Kirkland Academy of Excellence's Tutorial Program and Labor of Love Day Camp. We
are also grateful for the Summer Math Institute, the Imani Men's Ministry as well as the other varied
ministries.
Immeasurably, Grant remains a foremost catalyst in the restoration of the people church and
community. We continue to participate in the collaborative work between Grant Church and its
nonprofit, Grant Housing and Economic Development (GHED, Inc.) and our development partners. As a
group, we envision development plans based upon consensus. The forthcoming 2015 commemoration
of the Watts riots will bring hope of gaining local and national sensitivity to our people’s and
community’s need. We are grateful for our all-new Spanish Bible Study that is now six weeks old and
has grown to 14 participants. Demographic reports show Watts is approximately 74% Hispanic and 24%
African-American.
We offer thanks to Bishop Kirkland for this appointment to Grant and for his and Mrs. Kirkland’s
support. We remain grateful to the entire congregation of Grant and to all those who gave support to the
ministry this year. We thank God for the incredible work of the Holy Ghost in the restoring and
replenishing the ministry at Grant. Bless His holy Name.
James Arthur Rumph, D. Min.
Conference Year Highlights
Grant Church has been blessed in a mighty way this year. Below are a few highlights of
what the Lord has done with us in the life of the church during the year.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH MINISTRY
Honored Our Veterans: We paid homage to the men and women who served in the
military during our morning service. An excellent and sumptuous lunch was served
following the service.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner: Served dinner with all the trimmings and
distributed bags of groceries to over 300 people in the “Watts” Community.
Christmas Community Give-away: Clothes, household items, books, toys and bags
of groceries were distributed to over 400 people in the community, including free lunch.
Health & Wellness Community Fair: “Give Your Loved One the Gift of Health” The
event provided health screening for blood pressure and diabetes. The communities also
received free flu shots and were provided with education, resources and assistance
enrolling in affordable health care plans through Covered California.
CSU Supper Sunday: We continue to support the initiative by the California State
University in their efforts to increase African American interest in attending college.
Summer Math Institute: We offered a four-week program that was interactive,
hands-on thought provoking, excellent learning experience in mathematics for 5 th and
middle school students within the church and community. This was our seventh year
offering the summer program.
Kirkland Academy of Excellent Tutoring and Summer Day Camp: The church
offered a four-week program that served elementary school students from kindergarten
through sixth grade. More than 60 children were exposed to Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics concepts through interactive projects and weekly field
trips.
Daughters of Destiny: This year nine young women participated in a mentoring
program sponsored by Willie B. Webster Women’s Missionary Society. The six-week
program focused on self-esteem and promoted positive, healthy relationships. The
Grant daughters participated in the Southern California Conference Dedication
Ceremony where their parents and mentors witnessed their public dedication to God
and the life of a young Christian Woman.
Three Score & Ten Celebration: We honored seniors 70 years plus in our church
and community during our morning worship service and provided an excellent catered
lunch.
Vacation Bible School: “The Jesus Connection” We enjoyed a week of Bible Study
classes that included arts and crafts and delicious food every night. VBS culminated with
the Family and Community Gathering on the parking lot of the church. The
MUSIC & ARTS MINISTRY
Adult Annual Concert: “Oh Give Thanks” Special guest included the Spirit Chorale of
Los Angeles.
Black History Month Celebration: The Christian Education presented weekly skits
celebrating the struggle for justice, freedom and equality. The celebration ended with a
wonderful Black History Luncheon.
Joyful Praise Dance Ministry: The ministry presented a stirring January 2014
Drama/Praise Dance/Spoken Word Tribute to acknowledge Dr. Martin Luther King.
Sunrise Service: -Presented a Play “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God”, which
included Drama, Spoken Word, the Children’s and Senior Adult Choir and musicians of
the church.
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE
First Fruits: Members participated in the sacrificial giving of the first seven days of
one’s monthly income in addition to our $585 Vision Campaign, paying over and above
the Tithe.
12 Tribes of Israel: Christian education emphasis on sacrificial giving by Tribes
grouped according to Birthday Month.
STEWARD BOARD MINISTRY
The Steward Board Ministry has been very active this conference year providing
spiritual leadership at Grant Church. Special emphases were given on training on
training and stewardship. The stewards were also active in providing leadership for the
commissions. The Stewards spear-headed the following inspirational services: Ash
Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Easter. Each Service ministered to the church and
community.
TRUSTEE BOARD MINISTRY
Our Trustees continue to focus on the maintenance of our Church facilities and grounds.
We have been blessed to accomplished several needed repairs and purchases. They were
able to paint the church building and stairwells inside the church. A new refrigerator
and freezer and new copier machine for the administrative office were purchased.
Spring Revival: “Reconciling the World through Christ.“ We had three spirit-filled
nights of good preaching and good singing provided by Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Rev.
Gregory McCloud (Brookins AMEChurch) and Rev. Taurus Myhand (Ward AME
Church). Souls were revived, restored, and rededicated.
Church Wide Fast: Every Wednesday from 6:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. the members fast
and prayed to help deepen their relationship with God.
Church Wide Snow Trip: We traveled to the Snow Valley Mountain Valley Resort for
a day of fun and fellowship. We had 67 members, family and friends that attended the
snow trip.
Men’s Conference: “Encouragement through God’s Promises” The conference opened
with an Ecumenical Men’s Concert with seven participating churches within the
community. Saturday workshop was facilitated by our own Rev. Tony Robinson and
Licentiate Phillip Ross.
Youth Conference: “United Under One” The conference began with a Friday night
bonfire at Dockwilder Beach and Saturday workshops. The conference culminated with
an exciting youth led Worship Service.
Women’s Conference: “Break Every Chain” The celebration began with a Saturday
Workshop and Jazz Luncheon featuring children from the Harmony Project. Our guest
facilitators were Sister Shawna Edwards, First AME and our own Sister Lessie
Thompson. The conference culminated on Sunday with our Melodious Sister Choir
directed by April Cooper, Faith Fellowship Baptist Church and guest preacher Rev.
Carolyn Baskin Bell, Pastor of Rose of Sharon Church AME Church. The Adult Joyful
Praise Dance Ministry gave an inspirational dance to the music “Break Every Chain”.
WMS Annual Day: The outreach focus was Alzheimer’s where we made a contribution
to the Alzheimer Association. Our Sunday Service included a dynamic message from our
First Lady Sandra Rumph.
Annual Usher Day: The combined Usher Boards of Grant celebrated and recognized
our youth within the church and community. The Junior Choir presented musical
selections, and the youth participated in the liturgy. Guest speaker was Superior Court
Judge Barbara Rose Johnson.
Lay Witness Sunday: The Lay Organization held their Annual Lay Day Celebration.
Exhorter Gwen Williams of Brookins AME Church was the guest speaker.
Spanish Bible Study: Grant Church has a new and exciting Spanish Bible Study
Ministry on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
New Members
Conference Year 2013-2014
Tyler Washington
Lamont Bradley
Annette Williams
Marilyn Morgan
Demetri Gutierrez
Audrey Creymes
Cameo Green
DeMawne Franks
Sandra Rumph
JaSan Rumph
James Rumph II
Phoree Beamon Jr.
Cordelia Jennings
Jazme Terrell
Tracey Sims
Maya Craig
Deona Jackson
Aliyah Murrell
Michelle Washington
Maya Washington
Jahmyr Anthony Ballou
LaRhonda Johnson
La Ron Johnson
Rockell Hickeron
Gwenevere D. Woods
Gregory Barfield
Herbert Newell
Cheyenne Newell
Denesha Age
Vincent Brown
Dae Shania Earls
Joshua Scott Smith
12/01/2013
12/01/2013
12/01/2013
12/01/2013
12/01/2013
12/22/2013
12/29/2013
12/29/2013
12/29/2013
12/29/2013
12/29/2013
01/19/2014
01/19/2014
02/02/2014
02/09/2014
02/09/2014
02/02/2014
03/02/2014
03/05/2014
03/05/2014
03/16/2014
04/06/2014
04/06/2014
04/06/2014
04/13/2014
04/20/2014
05/18/2014
05/18/2014
05/18/2014
08/03/2014
08/03/2014
10/19/2014
Members Triumphant
Emily Ware
Rosa Collins
Alfreda La Rose
Dr. Gesna Scott
Gertrude Killebrew
Mattie Taplin
Irma Goree
Lillie Kanwal
Willie Stallworth
Eleanor Riddick
Viola Jackson
Eula Colbert
10/25/2013
11/18/2013
12/13/2013
12/17/2013
12/30/2013
01/31/3014
02/28/2014
04/20/2014
06/23/2014
08/17/2014
09/07/2014
09/16/2014
Baptisms
Jahmyr Anthony Ballou
03/16/2014
Maya Washington
04/27/2014
Deshania Jessica Earls
10/19/2014
Tyler Terrell Washington
10/19/2014
Joshua Scott Smith
10/19/2014
Juans Moten
10/19/2014
Darwin Walker
10/19/2014