August is often associated with abundance, harvest, and fruition in both agricultural and spiritual contexts. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous instances where God’s provision and blessings are manifested during this time, signifying a season of abundance and great blessings. While the term “August” does not appear explicitly in the Bible, exploring the interconnected themes…
July 2025 (Harlem, NY) … On the Fourth of July, millions of Americans will enjoy grilled burgers, hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob, and apple pie at backyard cookouts. Later in the evening, celebratory fireworks will light up the skies across the nation. America is commemorating the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. The British boot had…
Michael E July 2025, Tarrytown, NY… The 204th Session of the New York Annual Conference was held on June 5th through June 8th, 2025, at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, New York. The host churches were St. Charles A.M.E. Zion, where Reverend Dr. Brandon D. McLauchlin is the Pastor, and Park Street A.M.E. Zion,…
June 2025, New York, NY… June holds deep biblical significance, symbolizing growth, love, and community connections. The month encourages exploration of personal faith and relationships, aligning with the themes found in the Bible. It also features several biblical events, chief among them being Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the…
Photo courtesy of Palo Alto News Online On April 17, 2025, Rev. Kaloma Smith, Pastor at University A.M.E. Zion Church in Palo Alto, California, received the Tall Tree Outstanding Professional Award. The Tall Tree Awards, sponsored by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce and the Palo Alto Weekly, recognize outstanding contributions by local civic and…
New York, NY – January 2025…, Watch Night Services are held in many Black churches nationwide on New Year’s Eve to commemorate the official end to slavery, reflect on faith, and celebrate community and strength. The first Watch Night Service (“Freedom’s Eve”) was held on December 31, 1862. Enslaved people, abolitionists, and others across the…
January 2025, New York, NY…, On November 24, 2024, Mother Zion Cares Behavioral Mental Health Center officially opened at Mother A.M.E. Zion Church in Harlem, New York where the Rev. Dr. Malcolm J. Byrd is Senior Pastor. Mother Zion Cares is a fully funded faith-based behavioral mental health center. It is one of several community…
December 2024, New York, NY…, The Christmas Season is one of the most joyous times of the year. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus, the light of the world! For many, Christmas traditions include trimming trees, stuffing stockings, giving gifts, and gathering with friends and family for dinner. For some, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas…
December 2024, New York, NY…, On Sunday, October 27, 2024, The Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, where Rev. Dr. Malcolm J. Byrd is Senior Pastor, celebrated its 228th Anniversary. The service opened with the processional presentation of Anniversary Memorial Flowers to the beat of African drums as the Songhai Deli Ensemble played the gathering…
December 2024, New York, NY… In June 2024, Ingrid Spears, reached out to The Star of Zion and asked if we would write an article about her son Caiden’s “remarkable journey.” We said, “Absolutely!”, and Part 1 of Caiden’s story appeared in the July 2024 edition. This is some of what Caiden said: “My name…
November 2024, New York, NY…, On September 28, 2024, the Women’s Home & Overseas Missionary Society (WH&OMS) and Stewardess Board held its 2nd Annual Candlelight Banquet honoring longevity members and four generational families of Mother A.M.E. Zion Church. I was pleasantly surprised when I learned my family, the Chappelle’s, whose church roots were planted at…
VOTER REGISTRATION TIPS: Check your registration status, especially if you have recently moved. Check the location of your voting site. Early voting sites may be different from voting sites on election day. Visit vote.gov or other websites to begin the voter registration process. Select your state or territory. Depending on its rules, you will find…
On July 27, 2024, Rev. Dr. Melanie Rogers Miller became the 110th Bishop in the line of succession and will serve as the Presiding Prelate of the Western Episcopal District which includes the Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon-Washington, and the Southwest Rocky Mountain conferences. I asked Bishop to talk about her historic appointment. Here is what…
October 2024, New York, NY… We all have a favorite month or season of the year. What’s yours? Mine is June. I like June because it is the beginning of summer and my birth month. I also like September because it still has remnants of summer-like warmth. I am not, however, a huge fan of…
July 2024, Tarrytown, NY…, The 203rd Annual Session of the New York Conference was held at the Westchester Marriot Hotel in Tarrytown, New York from June 20 through June 22, 2024. The host church was Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church (Mt. Vernon, NY), where Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue is Pastor. The 203rd Session was…
New York, NY… July is a month that symbolizes summer, ambition, and contentment. July’s birthstone is the ruby, which represents satisfaction and happiness. Its birth flowers are the larkspur or the water lily, which have different meanings depending on their colors. The zodiac signs for July are Cancer and Leo, which are associated with emotions, creativity, and leadership. …
CENTENARIAN [sen te narian] (noun) a person who is 100 years old or older.COTERIE [code da re] (noun) is an intimate and often exclusive group of persons with a unifying common interest or purpose. ZION’S CENTENARIAN COTERIE is a new and exciting STAR OF ZION Spotlight feature. Celebrating our centenarians is an idea whose time…
New York, NY…, On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, a/k/a “The Freedom Church,” lived up its name and opened its doors to the Black Grad 24K Golden Class of Columbia University* for their commencement service. Over the last several weeks, students at Columbia University (and across the nation) have been…
June 2024 – Reverend Reneè Bennett Bethea is a busy woman and wears many hats. She has been Pastor of Pleasant Hill A.M.E. Zion Church in Rockingham N.C., which is in the Piedmont Episcopal District for two years. She has also pastored churches in Concord, Lincolnton, Rockingham, and Greensboro Districts; served on the Finance Committee…
April 2024 – New York, NY… January, the first month of the year, is the month of resolutions and good intentions. Similarly, April, the fourth month of the year, is the month of new beginnings, redemption, and salvation. The biblical and spiritual interpretations of April remind us of God’s power and grace. They symbolize the…