6th Episcopal District CME Church

Bishop Brown reminds us of the importance of making our voices heard this election season. Be sure to vote, and encourage those you know to do the same!

Announcing The 29th Pastors' Conference & 81st Founders' Celebration, January 6-9, 2025 (new dates). Register at thecmechurch.org/pastors-conference/.

Bishop Brown is excited to announce the 6th District's partnership with Gloo to offer FREE TEXT MESSAGING for your local church. Click here to sign up today! https://app.gloo.us/sign-in?callbackUrl=/messaging

Join the 6th Episcopal District Gloo Team for Training November 12 at 7:00 PM. Sign your church up for their free account by Nov. 1 in order to have your assigned number by the training session.

FEMA News Release
Georgians Who Lost Income Due to Storms May Be Eligible for
Disaster Unemployment Assistance

ATLANTA – Employees or self-employed Georgians who became unemployed as a direct consequence of Tropical Storm Debby or Hurricane Helene may be eligible to receive Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance. Receiving this assistance does not affect your ability to apply for or receive other FEMA assistance.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a FEMA-funded, state managed federal program that helps workers whose primary income is lost or interrupted as a direct result of a disaster declared by the President. Unlike regular state unemployment insurance, it provides benefits to people who are self-employed, farmers, diversified farming operators, loggers, commission-paid employees, and others who are not eligible under the state's program.

In Georgia, the deadlines to apply depend on the disaster declaration dates.

For Tropical Storm Debby:
 Nov. 25 for residents in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, Long and Screven counties.

For Hurricane Helene:
 Dec. 2 for residents in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler counties.
 Dec. 3 for residents in Effingham, Elbert, Rabun and Tift counties.
 Dec. 6 for residents in Brantley, Bryan, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Dodge, Fulton, Glynn, Hancock, Long, McIntosh, Newton, Thomas, Warren and Wayne counties.

Click here for more information: (https://dol.georgia.gov/disaster-unemployment-assistance)

Reminder: Tomorrow is the deadline to sign up.

Subject: Operation Voter Turnout - Grant Opportunity for Church-Led Voter Transportation

Dear Pastors and Church Leaders,

We are excited to present an important opportunity to support our congregations and local communities through Operation Voter Turnout. This initiative is designed to help our members and local residents reach polling places during this crucial election period. Click here for more details: https://www.6thdistrictcme.org/post/operation-voter-turnout-grant-opportunity-for-church-led-voter-transportation

For Immediate Release - October 24, 2024
Paine College, Augusta, GA • paine.edu

Augusta, Ga The Board of Trustees of Paine College is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn as President-select. Known for his transformational leadership in higher education, Dr. McCorn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Paine College. McCorn will assume the presidency of the college on January 1, 2025.

Since 2017, McCorn has served as President and Professor of Christian Leadership at Clinton College located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He served as pastor of churches in Boston, Connecticut, Atlanta and as Senior Pastor of the Historic 1,500-member Pennsylvania Avenue AME Zion Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

A native of Worchester, Massachusetts, McCorn earned a Doctor of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary (Dayton, OH) in 2011; a Master of Arts from Chicago Theological Seminary (Chicago, ILL) in 2003; a Master of Divinity Studies from Yale University School of Divinity (New Haven, CT) in 1999; a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Charter Oak State College (Newington, CT) in 2001; and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Sociology from Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) in 1989.

"Dr. McCorn is a proven leader who has demonstrated a clear and concise vision for institutional change, while identifying and executing a comprehensive plan designed to achieve successful student outcomes."
— Michael Thurmond, Chairman of the Paine College Board of Trustees

During McCorn's seven-year tenure as president of Clinton College, the institution:
-Added five new bachelor's degrees: Nursing, Cybersecurity, Elementary Education, Interdisciplinary Studies and pending a Bachelor of Public Health (BPH)
Increased student enrollment by 27% in fall 2024
-Improved student retention by 20% and graduation rates by 25%
-Established a Department of Sponsored Programs and Grants and secured over $20 million in grants and awards
-Granted $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund a Cybersecurity program
-Constructed the first Digital Library and Learning Commons at an HBCU (2021) with a state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Lab and a new Academic Center for Excellence, with faculty offices, writing lab and a new Nursing Simulation Lab
-Earned ten years accrediting reaffirmation by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), with no recommendations, findings, or suggestions in 2023.

"I am honored to accept the presidency of Paine College. My acceptance originates from a place of deep respect and admiration for the legacy and significance of this historic institution. Connecting Paine College's historic past with a strategic vision for the future will catapult this institution into unparalleled prominence in American higher education. I relish the opportunity to collaborate with Paine College's trustees, administrators, alumni, students, faculty, stakeholders, and civic and business leaders to realize our vision for higher education excellence."
— Dr. Lester McCorn, President-select

McCorn is married to Mrs. Charlene M. McCorn, an elementary school teacher in Fort Mill, South Carolina. They are the proud parents of four adult children and five grandchildren. He is a proud Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Cheryl Evans Jones, outgoing president, recently retired after 31 years of distinguished service at Paine. Dr. Jones played a pivotal role in the development of the Transformation Plan that will carry forward under the leadership of President-select McCorn. She is committed to working with the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.

Although formal introductions commenced with students, faculty, staff, alumni, friends, and local business leaders on October 18th, the College will organize additional focus group meetings with the campus family, stakeholders, business and community leaders, to share in the excitement of this new chapter in the history of the Institution. President-select McCorn will host a series of listening sessions designed to gather feedback from constituents and community partners to chart a course for Paine College.

The College invites media outlets to direct inquiries to Helene Carter, VP of Institutional Advancement, at (706) 821.8323 or [email protected].

FYI: The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) provides temporary food assistance in the form of a one-time payment to low-to-moderate income households who lost income or sustained property damage following a disaster. Click here for information: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/snap-food-stamps/d-snap

Subject: Operation Voter Turnout - Grant Opportunity for Church-Led Voter Transportation

Dear Pastors and Church Leaders,

We are excited to present an important opportunity to support our congregations and local communities through Operation Voter Turnout. This initiative is designed to help our members and local residents reach polling places during this crucial election period. Click here for more details: https://www.6thdistrictcme.org/post/operation-voter-turnout-grant-opportunity-for-church-led-voter-transportation

Have you secured your spot at the Christian Training Institute? Online registration will close this Friday, October 25 at Noon. Register now at www.6thDistrictCME.org by selecting your District.

Dear Beloved Members of the Sixth Episcopal District of the CME Church:
I write to you today with a sense of urgency and purpose regarding our sacred duty as citizens and people of faith. As your bishop, I am calling on every one of you to participate wholeheartedly in our Operation Voter Turnout initiative for the upcoming election. Our church has long stood at the forefront of the struggle for civil rights and equal representation.

Now, more than ever, we must continue this legacy by ensuring our voices are heard at the ballot box. The power of our vote is a right and a responsibility we owe to our community and future generations. Read the entire charge on our website.

The Bishop Speaks: Operation Voter Turnout Initiative Dear Beloved Members of the Sixth Episcopal District of the CME Church:I write to you today with a sense of urgency and purpose regarding our sacred duty as citizens and people of faith. As your bishop, I am calling on each of you to participate wholeheartedly in our Operation Voter Turnout Initiati...

Bishop Brown, Dr. Louise Baker Brown, and the entire 6th Episcopal District CME Church community are delighted to welcome Paine College's new president. We were honored to meet this captivating couple last evening and offer our sincerest wishes for their accomplishments and Paine College's prosperity.

New Dates for The 29th Pastors' Conference & 81st Founders' Celebration, January 6-9, 2025. Additional information and online registration is here: https://thecmechurch.org/pastors-conference/

🗳️ Bishop Brown and Dr. Louise are calling on the 6th District to step up and VOTE EARLY! 🌟 Let’s make it happen—share this challenge, post your voting pics, and be sure to encourage everyone you know to cast their vote!

Find your early voting location here: https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/advanced-voting-location-information. Every vote counts!

This is the first day registered voters can vote early in person is Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Early voting (sometimes referred to as advanced voting) can help Georgia voters avoid crowds or find a time to vote that’s better for their schedules in the weeks prior to Election Day.
Unlike Election Day, you do not have to vote at an assigned polling location during early voting. You may vote at any early voting location within your county.

Find available early voting locations by visiting the Secretary of State’s website and selecting your county of residence from the list. You can also find available locations by logging into your My Voter Page and looking at your polling place information. If no information is available, it may be too early and you should check back closer to the early voting period.

If you have questions about your available early voting locations or if it is closer to the early voting period and no information is posted, you can contact your county registrar for more information.

Early voting takes place Monday through Friday, and the second and third Saturdays before Election Day. Some polling locations may be open on the second and third Sundays. During early voting, polls are typically open from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturdays. Exact hours may vary.

Also, be prepared to vote on the proposed amendments.
https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/advanced-voting-location-information

The Christian Training Institute of the 6th Episcopal District will be held simultaneously across all districts. You can go to www.6thDistrictCME.org , and locate your district to register.

CONFIRM YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS TODAY! If there is an error, this is the last day you will be able to correct it.

Go to https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/ and confirm and register to vote. Send this link to others to make sure we are ready to vote in November.

We extend our warmest wishes to our esteemed First Lady and Episcopal Advisor, Dr. Louise Baker Brown, on her special day today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🎁

Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

As of late September 2024, residential households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of #4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. (https://special.usps.com/testkits)

Here's what you need to know about your order:
-Each order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
-Orders will ship free, starting September 30, 2024