The Rev. John E. Cager III, pastor of Ward AME Church in Los Angeles, has been promoted to presiding elder of the denomination’s Midwest North District comprised of 22 churches in Kansas and Nebraska.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla joined long-time allies and friends in South Los Angeles on May 29, as he visited churches returning to in-person services.
L.A.-area ministers are unanimous in their opinion that believers can have joy at Christmas. These spiritual leaders remind Christians that “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
FCC and LOGOS Faith Development aid churches in transforming properties for affordable housing and community gardens Even before COVID-19 hit, many churches were struggling to maintain their property and the pandemic made the prospect much harder. But, Faith Community Coalition aims to transform that outlook by helping South Los Angeles worship centers sustain and even expand their ministries. The coalition is comprised of an ecumenical group of pastors and faith leaders focused on identifying financial and human resources to aid ministries in addressing issues such as affordable housing and food deserts throughout South L.A., said the Rev. John Cager, FCC
Many congregants received pastoral letters outlining worship etiquette in light of the increase in coronavirus or COVID-19 cases across the nation. The messages reiterate the guidelines that medical professionals have recommended to protect public health. The recommendations include frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizers, remaining home if sick and consulting your doctor if experiencing flu-like symptoms. “We are prayerfully providing the guidelines for consideration as a church family. We believe these guidelines will allow us to collectively and individually prepare appropriately,” wrote Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr. in an email to the West Angeles Church of God in Christ membership.
Ward African Methodist Episcopal Church will observe the 30-year journey of ministry of Pastor John E. Cager III with services on Saturday, March 14, at 3 p.m., and Sunday, March 15, at 10 a.m. Both events will take place in Ward’s sanctuary, located at 1177 W. 25th St., in Los Angeles. The Rev. Darryl E. Walker, pastor of New Philadelphia AME Church in Long Beach, will be the guest preacher on Sunday. Cager has headed several churches since his ordination as an itinerant elder in 1994. He was the youth minister at First AME – L.A. before receiving pastoral assignments
Los Angeles resident LoRetta Marlene Malone passed on October 25, at the age of 78. Her strong will to live, her unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family and friends sustained her through her valiant fight with cancer. Even through some of her most difficult treatments, she strove to attend church, her sorority meetings, and community activities in her endeavor to live as normal and independent a life as she could. Through it all she believed God, ultimately saying, “It is well.” The Omega Omega service of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will be held on Friday,
More than 200 people attended “Smooth Jazz on 25th & Magnolia” fundraiser sponsored by theWard AME Church’s Artishia Wilkerson Jordan WMS on June 22. Guests enjoyed lunch as they listened to music by Kirk Wilson & Underwater Traffic, Fernando Pullum’s Performing Arts Center, the Chosen Recovery Group Singers and jazz legend Barbara Morrison. Comedian Lester Barrie served as the emcee. According to Pastor John Cager III, “Our missionaries understand that jazz, like the African-American church, is something God gave to us to enjoy and we really appreciate the hard work that they put into making this event a fabulous success.”
Inspirational comedian Lester Barrie promises to keep the audience laughing as he emcees the event, “Smooth Jazz on 25th & Magnolia.” The fundraiser takes place on Saturday, June 22, at 3 p.m., in the fellowship hall at Ward AME Church, 1177 W. 25th St., in Los Angeles. Sponsored by the Artishia Wilkerson Jordan Women’s Missionary Society, the event will offer music, refreshment and several vendors with a variety of items, said Pastor John E. Cager III and WMS president Roslyn Jones. “This event will help our Women’s Missionary Society ministry in continuing to provide much-needed assistance to the homeless, women’s and
Many local artists will perform at “Smooth Jazz on 25th & Magnolia” on Saturday, June 22, at 3 p.m., at Ward AME Church, 1177 W. 25th St., in Los Angeles. Sponsored by the Artishia Wilkerson Jordan Women’s Missionary Society, the event will offer music, refreshment and several vendors with a variety of items, said Pastor John E. Cager III and WMS president Roslyn Jones. Jazz legend Barbara Morrison will headline the performers, who also include Kirk Wilson and Underwater Traffic, Chosen Recovery Group Singers, and Fernando Pullum’s Performing Arts Center. Comedian Lester Barrie will serve as the emcee. “This event will
The Community Lenten Caravan (CLC), a series of services hosted by eight AME churches, concluded the April 17 worship at Bethel AME-L.A. by assisting others. Continuing their long tradition, the pastors of the sponsoring churches presented financial donations to the Long Beach/Lakewood Department of Children and Family Services and the Rev. Dr. Francine Brookins, pastor of Bethel AME in Fontana and a candidate for bishop in the AME Church. Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the AME Church Fifth Episcopal District, was also on hand to congratulate the recipients and lend support to Brookins’ candidacy. “Francine has a tremendous
Spiritual giant and champion for social justice are frequently used to describe the Right Rev. Cornal Garnett Henning, Sr. Known locally and internationally as a passionate religious leader and human rights advocate, Bishop Henning passed in Los Angeles on May 15. His celebration of life service will be held on Wednesday, May 23, at 11 a.m., at First AME Church, 2270 S. Harvard Blvd. in Los Angeles. Henning’s legacy in L.A. includes serving as pastor of Ward AME Church from 1972 to 1980 where he moved the ministry beyond the church walls to establish multiple community outreach and social service
Ward AME Church will host a free business expo on April 8, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., at 1177 W. 25th St., near the intersection of Adams and Hoover, in Los Angeles, announced Pastor John E. Cager III. Services and products offered by local businesses and nonprofit groups as well as a food court and prize drawings will be available. Also, businesses, service providers and outreach organizations can register to be included in the print and online directory, which will be published one week following the expo. To register for the directory or reserve a vendor space, call Expo
Rep. Alcee Hastings Rabbi Joel Simonds Rabbi Morley Feinstein Black and Jewish teens discuss social justice with Rep. Alcee Hastings Teens of varying faiths and races will discuss social change opportunities between the black and Jewish community with Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL) as part of an area-wide effort to connect youth on shared issues of justice. The dialogue is sponsored by the Jewish Center for Justice (JCJ) and their Teen Leadership Initiative and co-hosted by Ward AME Church and McCarty Memorial Church on Sunday, August 28 at 9:30 a.m., at Ward, 1177 W. 25th St., in Los Angeles. An
Ward African Methodist Episcopal Church will conclude its 115th anniversary on Sunday, August 20, at 10 a.m., in the edifice located at 1177 W 25th St., in Los Angeles. According to Pastor John E. Cager III, the worship service will highlight the anniversary theme, “Called Out – A Chosen Church To Be Holy” based on I Peter 2:9-10. “Everyone whose life has been or is being touched by Ward AME Church is urged to ‘show up’ for this 115th anniversary celebration,” said Cager. Pastor Charles Lee-Johnson of Corona Community AME Church will be the guest preacher. Since being appointed to