Robin Garrison, an off-duty 42-year-old firefighter, was walking in Berliner Park in Columbus, Ohio, in May when he saw a woman sunbathing topless under a tree.

He approached her and they started talking and getting comfortable, the woman smiling and resting her foot on his shoulder at one point.

Eventually, she asked to see Garrison’s penis; he unzipped his pants and complied.

Seconds later, undercover police officers pulled up in a van and arrested Garrison; he was later charged with public indecency, a misdemeanor, based on video footage taken by cops who were targeting men having sex or masturbating in the park. While topless sunbathing is legal in the city’s parks, exposing more than that is against the law.

The case is just one of the more extreme examples of police stings aimed at luring people into committing crimes, a tactic that has resulted in hundreds of arrests, many convictions and plenty of controversy.

Law enforcement officials say that such sting operations are an extremely effective means of lowering crime rates and stopping the criminally minded before they commit worse offenses. From early 2006 to the spring of 2007, there were 160 citations for public indecency in the city, according to an investigation by 10TV News. Among those who were caught in the stings: an Ohio State University doctor, government employees and a retired highway trooper.

But such operations veer dangerously close to entrapment, say lawyers, civil libertarians and defendants who’ve been caught in sting operations.

At Garrison’s trial, his attorney argued that it was a case of entrapment. “Columbus police utilized this topless woman to snare this man,” said Sam Shamansky. “He sees her day after day. He’s not some seedy pervert.”

The argument failed to sway a Franklin County Municipal Court jury that found Garrison guilty of public indecency last month. He was ordered to stay away from the park, placed on a year’s probation and fined $250. Currently, Garrison remains on paid desk duty while the fire department conducts an internal investigation into his behavior.

“We want to be held to a higher standard, we are in the community every day and we put our best foot forward, but sometimes we stumble and make a mistake,” said Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Doug Smith.

Garrison could not be reached for comment.

Shamansky plans to appeal the verdict on the grounds that the jury wasn’t instructed on the definition of entrapment.

 Other police departments across the country have dangled other temptations, from big-screen plasma TVs, Xbox 360 consoles and a shopping bag containing a cell phone and an iPod to catch people breaking the law.

In New York City, nearly 300 people, many of whom had no criminal record, have been snared this year through the NYPD’s Operation Lucky Bag, in which undercover officers leave a wallet, iPod or cell phone in a subway station and wait to see who picks it up.

Although deputy police Commissioner Paul Browne says the program has helped cut subway grand larcenies by half, critics say that the police have gone too far.

“It’s pretty straightforward that this is a police-created crime,” said Legal Aid Society lawyer Alex Lesman, who defended a man arrested for taking a bag containing an Xbox video game box, a Sprint cell phone and cash. “The police set this whole thing up. They shouldn’t be doing that and luring people in that situation, especially in this age of terrorism where the transit system is always telling you to be on the lookout for suspicious bags.”

The judge agreed with Lesman, acquitting his client, Antonio Arroyo. “The police should concentrate their noble efforts on behalf of the city on countering real crimes committed every day,” wrote Kings County criminal court judge Matthew A. Sciarrino Jr. “They do not need to manipulate a situation where temptation may overcome even people who would normally never think of committing a crime.”

Other lawyers have argued on behalf of their clients that the operation may also violate New York’s personal property law, which allows someone who finds property worth more than $25 10 days to turn it in to the owner or the police.

An NYPD spokesperson emphasized that Operation Lucky Bag does not use abandoned property; rather it is property actively left by an officer who is still in the vicinity. In addition, it is used at stations where similar crimes have been reported.

Another sting operation that made headlines involved police in El Paso, Texas, and U.S. Marshals sending out messages to wanted felons stating that they had “won” free Xbox 360 consoles and/or big-screen plasma TVs. The operation led to 115 arrests last month and the police picked up more than $25,000 in traffic fines.

This ploy, which has been used in other cities in recent years, is a new twist on an old trick, because sting operations involving drugs and prostitutes have been around for decades. And though defendants often claim entrapment, that argument rarely works in those kind of cases.

“The definition of entrapment is police activity that induces somebody to commit a crime that they otherwise wouldn’t do,” said Gabriel Chin, law professor at the University of Arizona. “It’s not entrapment to give somebody an opportunity to commit a crime.”

Chin explains that entrapment involves an officer cajoling and persuading someone who’s resistant to the idea of committing a crime. “Just preying on a predisposition is not necessarily entrapment.”

But he said that Operation Lucky Bag seemed to cross a line, especially when compared to longstanding police operations involving officers posing as drunks to lure muggers to take their wallets or jewelry.

“Very few people who see a drunk with gold chains or an old lady with money sticking out of her purse succumb to temptation and assault that person,” he said. “But lots and lots of people wouldn’t turn in a wallet when it’s full of money. You could ask whether it’s an appropriate use of police resources. If we really want to criminalize people who do what we don’t want them to do, a lot of people would be in jail.”

The temptation may just be too powerful. “I’ve found $5 on the street and put it in my pocket,” said Chin. “If I found $5,000 on the street, I hope I would do something different.”

 Foxy Brown was sentenced Friday to one year in jail for violating probation that stemmed from a fight with two manicurists in a New York City nail salon three years ago. “I’m not going to give you any more chances,” Criminal Court Judge Melissa Jackson told the 28-year-old rapper. “I hope you turn your life around and never again have to stand in a court of law.”

Probation Department officials asked for the hearing after Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, was arrested Aug. 14 in Brooklyn on charges of assaulting Arlene Raymond, 25.

Brown was accused of hitting the woman with a cell phone on July 30 when the pair fought over the music volume from Brown’s car stereo.

Just before the hearing began, Brown, her hands shackled to a scuffed brown belt that settled on the hips of her elegant gray pantsuit, asked the judge for yet another chance at freedom and promised to straighten out her life. Jackson had jailed her Aug. 22 to await the hearing.

“I’m willing to do whatever I need to do to change,” Brown told the judge. She said she had made a lot of mistakes. “I realize that’s not where I want to be. It’s humbled me in ways I never imagined.”

The judge replied, “Ms. Marchand, it’s too little, too late. I’m glad you’re learning something; that’s a positive.”

The judge found Brown had left the state without permission; had moved her residence from Brooklyn to Mahwah, N.J., without permission; had failed to notify the department of an arrest in Mahwah; had failed to report to probation officers, and had dropped court-ordered anger management sessions with a psychologist.

Probation officials said Brown, in Florida without permission on Feb. 15, was arrested for allegedly throwing hair glue at a beauty shop employee when he asked her to leave because the shop was closing.

Brown later struggled with an officer who was called to the shop, and she was charged with battery and resisting an officer with violence, police said. Brown was released after posting a $1,500 bond. That case is pending.

Brown was on probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor assault of two manicurists at a Manhattan nail salon in August 2004 in a fight over how much she owed.

The one-year sentence means Brown, with time off for good behavior for her detention that began last month, will be eligible for parole in eight months.

At the start of the hearing, Probation Department lawyer Matilda Leo told the judge that Brown had been indicted Friday in Brooklyn on charges of assault, attempted assault and criminal possession of a weapon — the cell phone_ in the alleged assault on Raymond.

Last month, in a court appearance before Jackson after the arrest related to Raymond, defense lawyers told the judge the rapper was three months pregnant. No mention was made Friday by anyone about Brown expecting a baby.

The announcement essentially makes Imus a free agent, and broadcast industry experts say he will be back on the air soon enough.”I’ve been comparing this to a divorce, now both parties are able to move on,” said Tom Taylor of radio-info.com, a sounding board for news andinformation about the radio industry. Where Imus might land next is still up in the air. A person familiar the situation told The Associated Press that Imus has had informal talks with several broadcasters, including WABC in New York, about a possible comeback. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the talks, and it is unclear how serious the discussions were _ given the fact that Imus’ CBS contract was still under dispute. “I’ve had no conversation with Mr. Imus and no one at Citadel or ABC has had any negotiation with him,” said Steve Borneman, general manager of WABC radio. WABC radio is owned by Citadel Broadcasting Corp., which owns more than 140 radio stations as well as ABC Radio Networks.

The person familiar with the situation said the deal with CBS also calls for a “non-disparaging” agreement that forbids the parties from speaking negatively about each other. One radio hire that did become clear Tuesday was the naming of Imus’ replacement on WFAN, the CBS-owned New York radio station that was Imus’ flagship. Former National Football League quarterback Boomer Esiason will take over the morning time slot along with New Jersey radio personality Craig Carton, who has been known to push the boundaries of taste during his broadcast career. Carton and his co-host at times offended minorities and women, once nearly coming to blows with former Gov. Richard Codey in 2005 over comments about the widely publicized battle with postpartum depression by the governor’s wife.

Esiason has built a long broadcasting resume since retiring from football a decade ago, including stints on “Monday Night Football” and CBS’ NFL pregame show.

The fact that Imus is taking steps toward a comeback might have seemed unthinkable at the height of the uproar caused by his comments about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. He referred to the team as “nappy-headed hos” on his nationally syndicated radio program, becoming the target of heated protests led by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

But industry experts say broadcast executives can have a very short memory if it means boosting ratings _ something Imus can still deliver.

“He’s more valuable now than before the controversy. He was such a focus of media attention for so long that his career has been reinvigorated, and he’s in a position to sort of reinvent himself _ to make himself more pertinent and even more interesting,” said Michael Harrison, founder of the trade publication Talkers magazine.

Sharpton issued a statement Tuesday saying the settlement is a “a legal matter between a former employer and employee.”

But he added that it is “also a testimony to the movement of people that raised their voices to fire Imus that CBS would rather pay him off than keep him on. … To the rumors that Imus may resurface, wherever he resurfaces we at National Action Network and other groups will be watching and monitoring him.”

Kim Gandy, head of the National Organization of Women, said it was disappointing to hear Imus may be making a return to radio.

“After the heartache he caused untold thousands of young women, I find it disheartening that he would have another platform so soon on the public airways,” Gandy said.

As for Carton _ one of Imus’ replacements _ New Jersey Assemblyman Wilfredo Caraballo said that the radio personality is “a guy who’s managed to insult almost every community around.”

“You would have thought that after the Rutgers incident that a lesson would have been learned. But I guess they figured that this guy would get some ratings for them,” he said.

Codey told the AP on Tuesday that he has put the episode involving his wife behind him and that he has since been a call-in guest to Carton’s show to discuss sports.

Whatever Imus decides to do next, everyone is in agreement that he better be careful.

“All eyes will be on Imus, so he’ll have to watch his back, Taylor said.

Karl Rove, President Bush’s longtime political adviser, is resigning as White House deputy chief of staff effective Aug. 31, and returning to Texas, marking a turning point for the Bush presidency.

Mr. Rove’s departure removes one of the White House’s most polarizing figures, and perhaps signals the effective end of the lame duck administration’s role in shaping major domestic policy decisions, where the former Texas political consultant was a driving force. Mr. Rove revealed his plans in an interview with Paul Gigot, editor of The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page.

President Bush made a formal announcement Monday morning. “Karl Rove is moving on down the road,” Mr. Bush said, appearing grim-faced on the White House’s South Lawn with Mr. Rove at his side. “We’ve been friends for a long time and we’re still going to be friends… I’ll be on the road behind you here in a bit,” he said.

“I’m grateful to have been a witness to history. It has been the joy and the honor of a lifetime,” said Mr. Rove, his voice quivering at times. “But now is the time… At month’s end,” Mr. Rove said, “I will join those whom you meet in your travels, the ordinary Americans who tell you they are praying for you.”

After a lengthy hug from Mr. Bush and then his wife, Laura, Mr. Rove joined them on the president’s helicopter. Mr. Rove, his wife and their son were flying with Mr. Bush on Air Force One to Texas, where the president is vacationing.

Mr. Rove, who has held senior posts in the White House since Mr. Bush took office in January 2001, told Mr. Gigot he first floated the idea of leaving a year ago. But he delayed his departure as, first, Democrats took Congress, and then as the White House tackled debates on immigration and Iraq, he said. He said he decided to leave after White House Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten told senior aides that if they stayed past Labor Day they would be obliged to remain through the end of the president’s term in January 2009.

“I just think it’s time,” Mr. Rove said in the interview. “There’s always something that can keep you here, and as much as I’d like to be here, I’ve got to do this for the sake of my family.” Mr. Rove and his wife have a home in Ingram, Texas, and a son who attends college in nearby San Antonio.

In the interview, Mr. Rove said he expects Democrats to give the 2008 presidential nomination to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom he described as “a tough, tenacious, fatally flawed candidate.” He also said Republicans have “a very good chance” to hold onto the White House in next year’s elections.

Mr. Rove also said he expects the president’s approval rating to rise again, and that conditions in Iraq will improve as the U.S. military surge continues. He said he expects Democrats to be divided this fall in the battle over warrantless wiretapping, while the budget battle — and a series of presidential vetoes — should help Republicans gain an edge on spending restraint and taxes.

Mr. Rove established himself as the political genius behind the rise of George W. Bush and the brief period of united Republican rule. But he did it largely through highly divisive policies and campaign tactics, such as the attacks on Democratic rival John Kerry the 2004 campaign. That strategy appears finally to have backfired, as seen in the Republican loss of Congress in 2006, and Mr. Bush’s low poll numbers.

Mr. Rove has advised Mr. Bush for more than a decade, working with him closely since Mr. Bush first announced he was running for governor of Texas in 1993 and serving as chief strategist in his presidential campaign in 2000. Before joining the White House, he was president of Karl Rove & Co., the Austin, Texas-based public affairs firm he founded. Mr. Rove first became involved in Republican politics in the 1970s.

“Obviously it’s a big loss to us,” White House deputy press secretary Dana Perino said. “He’s a great colleague, a good friend, and a brilliant mind. He will be greatly missed, but we know he wouldn’t be going if he wasn’t sure this was the right time to be giving more to his family, his wife Darby and their son. He will continue to be one of the president’s greatest friends.”

Mr. Rove, 56 years old, has been embroiled in many White House controversies in Mr. Bush’s second term, and faced investigation — but wasn’t indicted — in the White House leak case that ensnared I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. He also has become a target of intense scrutiny in Congress over the firings of a number of U.S. attorneys. Mr. Rove and his political operatives in the White House had some involvement with the decision, but the extent of their role isn’t clear, because the White House has asserted executive privilege in refusing to comply with congressional demands for documents and interviews, including with Mr. Rove. Mr. Rove’s departure is likely to lessen the intensity of that constitutional clash, if only slightly.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A woman who traveled in a limousine to a botched bank robbery attempt probably won’t get such swank transportation to her next destination: prison.

Evonne D. Maurice, 22, was sentenced Friday to more than three years in prison for trying to rob a Citizens Bank branch at a drive-up window while using a hired limousine as her getaway car.

Prosecutors say Maurice hired a limo in December 2005 to take her to T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, but then told the driver she had missed her flight and needed to visit a bank so she could withdraw money to pay for the ride.

Maurice, of Westbrook, Conn., exited the limousine, walked up to the drive-up window and handed the teller a note demanding money and saying there were bombs in the bank, prosecutors said. But the teller triggered an alarm, and Maurice got back in the limo and left without any money.

Prosecutors say the driver was unaware of the robbery plot.

Maurice was arrested in Tampa, Fla., last year and pleaded guilty in May. U.S. District Judge Mary Lisi sentenced her to three years and one month in prison.

MES, Iowa - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won an easy and expected victory in a high-profile Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll on Saturday, claiming nearly twice as many votes as his nearest rival.

Romney had been expected to win the test because he spent millions of dollars and months of effort on an event that was skipped by two of his major rivals.

Romney scored 4,516 votes, or 31.5 percent, to outpace former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee who had 2,587 votes, or 18.1 percent. Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback was third with 2,192 votes, 15.3 percent.

Announcement of the results was delayed for 90 minutes because a hand count was required on one of the 18 machines.

The biggest loser of the evening likely was former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who finished in 6th place with 1,039 votes. He had said repeatedly that if he didn’t finish in the top two his campaign was likely to end. He left the event before the results were announced, and there was no announcement from his campaign.

The missing big names got only a handful of votes.

Former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee got 203 votes. He was on the ballot, although not an officially declared candidate.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani received 183 votes and Sen. John McCain of Arizona got 101.

Romney was quick to claim the prize he had spent so much effort to win.

“The people of this great state have sent a message to the rest of the country,” said Romney. “Change starts in Iowa.”

Huckabee said his showing was impressive because he had little money to spend.

“You have taken a minimum amount of resources and made a maximum amount of gain,” Huckabee told backers.

Brownback and Huckabee had waged a fierce competition for the loyalty of influential social and religious conservatives, and Huckabee’s showing gave him new credibility.

Brownback put the best face on his showing.

“I think this is a ticket forward for us,” said Brownback. “It was pretty close. We were both right in there together.”
Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredohas made illegal immigration his signature issue, and scored a fourth place showing with 1,961 voltes, while Texas Rep. Ron Paul, who has developed an Internet-driven following, came in fifth with 1,305 votes.

Filling out the field, Rep. Duncan Hunter got 174 votes, while Chicago businessman John Cox got 41 votes.

“Activists turned out in great numbers to support their candidate despite a heat index exceeding 100 degrees,” said Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Ray Hoffmann.

In all, there were 14,302 ballots cast, nearly 10,000 fewer than when a similar straw poll was held in 1999. Then-Gov. George Bush won that straw poll with roughly 7,400 votes, and went on to win the caucuses and the White House.

State Republican officials had predicted as many as 40,000 activists would attend the event, but said 33,000 eventually showed up. Many of those were from out of the state and not eligible to vote in the straw poll.

Although some candidates paid for chartered buses to get hoped-for supporters to the event, and often covered their $35 ticket cost, they had no way of knowing how they would vote in the secret ballot process.

Supporters of Paul had sought to block voting, arguing that vote-counting machines had fundamental weaknesses, but a federal judge refused to grant an injunction on Friday. The matter was appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, which on Saturday upheld the ruling, said Matt McDermott, attorney for the Republican Party of Iowa.

The grounds around Iowa State University’s basketball arena took on a carnival atmosphere on the steamy day as candidates erected huge air-conditioned tents where they courted activists with food, prizes and plenty of rhetoric.

The National Rifle Association, anti-abortion groups and other organizations also were on hand to capture a slice of the spotlight.

Candidates consider the straw poll a vital chance to demonstrate support that could help them this winter when Iowans hold precinct caucuses, an event that also puts a premium on a campaign’s organizational skills and leads off the presidential nominating process.

For some candidates, a poor showing could prompt them to drop out of the race.

The scale of the spectacle was so immense — event organizers planned for the arrival of 375 buses — that even Iowa Democratic Chairman Scott Brennan decided to take a look. State Democrats don’t hold anything similar, arguing the event is more about raising money than selecting candidates.

McCain and Giuliani opted to skip the event, but their names were on the ballot.

McCain, campaigning in Milton, N.H., called the straw poll “a great way to raise money for the Iowa Republican Party” and said he doesn’t criticize it.

“But I think I can do my campaign and me personally better by being here in New Hampshire, talking to people, having the town hall meetings, and responding to their questions and concerns,” he said.

Voting security was tight. Before voting, activists had to show ID and tickets, both of which were scanned to ensure they hadn’t been used before. Stealing a page from the Iraqis, those casting ballots dipped their thumbs in purplish indelible ink to make sure they couldn’t vote again.

New York (AP) - ABC “Good Morning America” anchor Robin Roberts has been diagnosed with breast cancer and will be undergoing surgery Friday.

Roberts, 46, told viewers about her cancer on Tuesday morning’s show.

“I am so blessed that I found this in the early stages and the prognosis is so promising that my doctor expects me to be flying planes and hanging on to submarines in the middle of the Atlantic and scaling the Mayan pyramids in no time,” she said.

Roberts, who is co-anchor of “Good Morning America” with Diane Sawyer, said she examined herself and found a lump on her breast the same day she had done a report on former “GMA” movie critic Joel Siegel, who died of colon cancer last month. The network wouldn’t say which breast was affected.

Roberts, who is single, said there is no history in her family of breast cancer.

She’s been a contributor to ABC’s morning program since 1995 and was the newsreader before being named in May 2005 as one of the show’s anchors.

Former ABC news anchor Peter Jennings announced on “World News Tonight” in April 2005 that he had lung cancer. He never appeared on the air again and died four months later.

July 10, 2007. ST. LOUIS — (AP) Two people were injured when pyrotechnics went awry at Beyonce Knowles’ concert in St. Louis.

The accident happened Sunday night, just as the R&B star’s concert began. A spokeswoman for Scottrade Center didn’t return phone calls seeking comment, but broadcast reports said pyrotechnics meant for the stage accidentally spilled into the front row.

Two concertgoers were taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Spokeswoman Kathy Holleman wouldn’t release their names but said the injuries were minor. Both were expected to make a full recovery.

Soon after the concert, Knowles arrived at the hospital, said head nurse Darryl Williams.

“She was just very concerned about the people injured in the audience,” Williams said. “It was unannounced and we kept it very low-key so that she could spend time with them.”

Knowles, 25, met with the fans for about 45 minutes. “I just thought it was a great thing for someone of her stature to do,” Williams said.

A spokesman for Houston-based Music World Entertainment, which represents Knowles, declined comment.

Knowles’ world tour opened in April in Tokyo and runs through early September. Other stops include New Orleans, Dallas, New York City, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

She won a Grammy Award in February for contemporary R&B album for “B’Day,” her second solo album. Knowles won five Grammys for her solo debut, 2003’s “Dangerously in Love.” She previously fronted R&B girl group Destiny’s Child.

Knowles starred in the 2006 movie “Dreamgirls.”

March 23, 2007

To our Church Of God In Christ Family:

It is with deep sadness and sorrow that the General Board of the Church Of God In Christ informs you of the passing of our Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson. The entire Church and World mourns the loss of our leader. He was the leader of our International Church, a leader in the Memphis Community and a leader of the Christian Community. At this time we will continue to pray for the Patterson family and our great Church as we honor the life of our leader. We are declaring a period of mourning for our Church and we are requesting that all members observe this time as we pray during this time of grief.

All services for Church Of God In Christ Presiding Bishop G.E. Patterson have been finalized.

The body of Bishop Patterson will lie in state at Mason Temple, 930 Mason Street in Memphis , Tennessee on Wednesday, March 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ at 369 G.E. Patterson Ave. on Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. and Saturday, March 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

The memorial and funeral services will be held at:
Temple of Deliverance Church of God In Christ
369 G.E. Patterson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38126

THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007 • 7 PM
(Local) TEMPLE OF DELIVERANCE MEMORIAL SERVICE

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2007 • 7 PM
TENNESSEE 4th JURISDICTION MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 2007 • 10 AM
CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST INTERNATIONAL HOMEGOING SERVICE

Please pray that the Lord will anoint me as I present the Eulogy on that day. All Cards and Condolences for Mother Louise Patterson and Family may be sent to Temple of Deliverance at the above address.

On behalf of the General Board, the Board of Bishops, our National Supervisor of Women, Nationally Elected Officers and Credential Holders we pray for a spirit of unity for our Great Church recognizing that “We are better together”.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.
Interim Presiding Bishop

To our Church Of God in Christ Family:

It is with deep sadness and sorrow that the General Board of the Church Of God In Christ informs you of the passing of our Presiding Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson. The entire Church and World mourns the loss of our leader. He was the leader of our International Church, a leader in the Memphis Community and a leader of the Christian Community. At this time we will continue to pray for the Patterson family and our great Church as we honor the life of our leader.

The final arrangements for the Home Going Celebration for our leader are still pending. Once they are finalized, they will be announced to the Body. In the meantime, we are declaring a period of mourning for our Church and we are requesting that all members observe this time as we pray during this time of grief. We know that God is able to sustain us as we honor the memory of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.

On behalf of the General Board, the Board of Bishops, our National Supervisor of Women, Nationally Elected Officers and Credential Holders we pray for a spirit of unity for our Great Church recognizing that “We are better together”.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Charles E. Blake, Sr.
First Assistant Presiding Bishop