september 2012 lay notebook

A PUBLICATION OF THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION

Volume 18, Issue 3 September 2012

LAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOK

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA

WELCOME HOME!

OUR EPISCOPAL LEADERSHIP

Sixth District Lay Biennial

Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II

Doctor Wilma Delores Webb Williams

Episcopal Welcome Front Cover

President’s Message Page 3

Convention Schedule Page 4

Presenters’ Bios Pages 4 & 5

Noteworthy News Page 6, 7, 10 & 13

2013 Biennial PR Page 11

MBC Day of Prayer Pages 8 7 9

Anniversary Recognition Page 14

Convention Flyers Page 15

General Conference Back Cover

Photos: We wish to thank all persons who contributed to the photo display in this issue of

LAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOK. Their names appear within the articles. We especially thank Sister Jacqueline Jennings and Brother Joseph Lee for the photos of the General Conference and Ms Phyllis Gwenette Boyd for the Morris Brown Prayer Day pho-tos as well as for her assisting with editing.

LAY NOTEBOOK LAY NOTEBOOK LAY NOTEBOOK LAY NOTEBOOK is the Official publication of the Sixth District Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Article of interest to the Laity are welcome and should be submitted to the above e-mail or mailing address one month prior to our scheduled meeting dates. Color photos are also welcome with your articles.

Online Editions: http://issuu.com/laynotebook/docs

Inside This Issue

September 2012

SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

LAY ORGANIZATION OFFICERS

President Gloria T. Byrd

First Vice President Michael Brown

Second Vice President Henry Chavers

Third Vice President Dr. Verma Curtis

Recording Secretary Melanie Lucear Assistant

Recording Secretary Robbiestein Stone

Corresponding Secretary Sandra Barnes Treasurer

Maudie Anderson Financial Secretary Waynefield Leonard

Chaplain Ola Irvin

Historiographer Bettye Draper

Parliamentarian Geraldine Monroe

Director of Lay Activities Cheryl Robinson

Transportation Chairperson L. Jean Swafford Director of

Public Relations Robert T. Matthews III PRESIDENTS EMERITUS Dr. Robert Williams Morris Hannah

CONNECTIONAL PRESIDENT EMERITUS


CONFERENCE PRESIDENTS South - Joann Wilson Southwest - Anna Wynn Georgia - Joan Brown Augusta - Eunice Seigle Macon - Ashley Ballard

Atlanta-North Georgia - Annette Curry

PRESIDING BISHOP Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SUPERVISOR

Dr. Wilma Delores Webb Williams

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CONTACT US Mail: Robert T. Matthews 811 Sandy Creek Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30331 E mail: [email protected]

VOLUME 18, ISSUE 3

In welcoming our new Bishop, he heard several concerns about relationships and the lack of respect for the Lay Organization. However, I am always asking myself the fol-lowing questions: (1) Why such low atten-dance to lay gatherings but a rush to other ministry meetings? (2)Why is it so hard to find lay leadership in our local churches caus-ing Pastors to appoint someone, whom eventually just hold the position and never try to make it a success due to a lack of knowledge of the organization?: (3) Why should clergy respect an organization that does not respect itself? (4) When will we understand that sup-port in numbers makes you strong? (5) What do you truly

believe about this organization?

As I begin my exit and we approach the 2013 Bien-nial, I want to leave you with some ideas to think about as you “Lean forward”. The same few AME Lay mem-bers who are always there to lend a hand cannot sustain this organization. There have been many under my ad-ministration and I am truly appreciative of their willing-ness to work for the organization. But you cannot con-tinue to do it by yourselves. My prayers have always been that as I Lean forward in the organization, my base would be so strong that we would always be perceived as “The District” to become on the Connectional Level. And yes, we have accomplished a lot of “firsts” (newsletter online; going green; Convention every other year and not strug-gling to hold conventions yearly). Participation on the Episcopal District level has been good, but what about the other levels? Even if one representative from each local church attended a Presiding Elder District Lay or Conference gathering, the participation would be more than it is now. Yet those who do not participate, spending their time and funds to get to a gathering in the Episcopal District, at any level inclusive of clergy gatherings, expect to be delegates to General Conference while not giving as much of themselves. We seem to have more complaints about local church administration by those who do not participate in the Lay Organization. They seem to want the Organized Lay to get involved in the middle of local fights. That is not the role of the Lay. However, we can consult with you on how to best handle a problem based on church laws and the personalities involved. We can support you spiritually as well as provide resources. Ergo, one of the major goals of the Lay is …training… so you

will know how to handle conflict.

If you assume the leadership role in your local, PE or Conference level, take a serious look at the position description and ask if you are really ready to take on this role. Secondly, ask for help. Every level above you is there to assist with the growth of the organization. But it requires support and “body presence” along with a willingness to roll up your sleeves and work. Ask questions! I can prom-ise you, being the leader is not an easy task when you have to consider personalities in the church just as you look at them on your job. You are forced to intuitively examine

member’s skill set to make sure you are not putting someone in a committee chair position because it is con-venient, they comment all the time at gatherings, or you like them. That will only cause them to fail and you end up losing a member and supporter. You also have to build bridges to create harmonious relationships. That does not mean knowing the discipline and confronting clergy or Lay members in an open gathering, but the know how to meet one on one in an attempt to compromise and share. The church is only as strong as our support and

bond with each other….Lay and Clergy.

As I announce my intent to run for First Vice Presi-dent of the Connectional Lay Organization, I am praying for full participation in the 2013 Biennial and support from the Sixth District. I am assuming that I have repre-sented you well on the Connectional level thus far. I am hopeful that you see positive changes in the Episcopal District Lay Organization under my administration and feel I can continue to represent you well. We just need to stay the course, pray, love each other and support our organization. Respect will come with strength and strength comes with numbers…as we “LEAN FOR-

WARD”.

See you at the SED Convention…Macon Marriott

City Center, September 13-15, 2012

President’s Message


President Gloria T. Byrd

LEAN FORWARD: What do you truly believe about the Lay Organization?

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SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY BIENNIAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2012

Macon Marriott City Center

THURSDAY: (Convention Center)

Registration………………………………...1:00-5:00 pm Tour of Macon……………………………..2:00-4:00 pm 2013 CLO Biennial Committee Chair meeting…… 4:30- 5:30 pm

Worship Service: Marriott Convention Center………….7:30 pm Reception: following the services (Location TBA)

FRIDAY: (Convention Center)

Devotion ……………………….9:00-9:15 am

Bible study……………………..9:00-10:00 am Dr. Mark Tyler, Pastor of Mother Bethel

Break ………………………...10:00-10:15 am

Workshop…………………....10:15-12:00 pm Dr. Mark Tyler

Lunch ………………..…….......12:00-2:00 pm

Workshop ………………….......2:00-4:00 pm Attorney Patricia Mayberry,

Chair AME Judicial Council & Director of Activity for the 5th District Lay Organization

Banquet ………………………………………………….. 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)

SATURDAY: (Marriott Hotel Salon A-B)

Devotion …………………………………………….…..9:45 am

2013 CLO Biennial committee Report…………..10:00-10:30 am Voter Education ……………………………….....10:30-11:00 am Auction and Line Dancing demonstration………..11:00-12:45 pm Circle of prayer………...……………….……12:45 pm to 1:00pm

Mark Kelly Tyler is a native of Oakland, CA and he is the third child of Bill and Elroy Tyler. In 1987, he accepted God’s call to preach the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University (B.A., Religion), Payne Theological Seminary (Masters of Divinity), and the University of Dayton (Ph.D., Educational Leadership). Since 1994, Dr. Tyler has been in full time pastoral ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been blessed to serve the following congregations: Oakley Chapel (Tebbetts, Missouri) Quinn Chapel (Jefferson City, Missouri) Allen Chapel (San Francisco, California) Prince Chapel by the Sea (La Jolla, California) Bethel (Oxford, Ohio) Bethel (West Chester, Pennsylvania) Macedonia (Camden, New Jersey) Dr. Tyler has also been active in the world of Theological Education, having served as the Director of Church Relations and Alumni Affairs at Payne Theological Seminary (Ohio) and the Director of Church Vocations at New Brunswick Theological (New Jersey). He is currently an adjunct professor at both Payne Theological Seminary and Methodist Theological School in Ohio. He also serves on Advisory Boards for Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and the Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York. Dr. Tyler provided leadership in the creation of the first, comprehensive PBS-style docudrama on the life of AME Church founder Bishop Richard Allen. In that role, he

ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS

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served as the lead fundraiser, Executive Producer, writer, and other roles. Bishop Richard Allen: Apostle of Freedom (The Documentary) aired to a worldwide audience in 2010. Addi-tionally, Dr. Tyler has appeared in various documentaries, including: Philadelphia: The Great Experiment (in production); The Scroll: Evidence of the Life Unseen, Volume 2; and, Philly Firsts. Dr. Tyler currently holds the esteemed honor of serving as the 52nd pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mother Bethel, the first

congregation founded by Bishop Richard Allen, has been a spiritual, social, and community force since the late 1700s. Mother Bethel is known throughout the world and continues to be a beacon of hope and light for those who are lost and in need of direction. Dr. Tyler is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and in his spare time enjoys traveling to new places, riding his mountain bike, and roller skating. He and his wife, Leslie, live in the Philadelphia area. He has four wonderful children.

BIOGRAPHY OF PATRICIA M. MAYBERRY

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Patricia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the Univer-sity of Missouri-Columbia. She received a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Houston. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Thurgood Mar-shall School of Law, Texas Southern University.

After exciting tenure as an Air Force JAG, Patricia left active duty to serve as a trial attorney with Immigration and Naturalization Services, now Home-land Security. In 1993, she received an appointment as an Administrative Law Judge for the California Unem-ployment Insurance Appeals Board in San Jose. In 2004, Patricia retired from the United States Air Force Re-serves as a Lieutenant Colonel, after 24 years of dedi-cated service. Currently, Patricia continues employ-ment with the United States Air Force as a Labor and Employment Law attorney assigned to Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Patricia enthusiastically participates in the Afri-can Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church. On the Con-nectional level, she serves as President of the Judicial Council, the highest judicial body in the A.M.E. Church. On the District level, she serves as the Director of Lay

Activities for the Fifth District Lay Organization. A de-vout member of Price Chapel AME Church in Los An-geles, she serves as a Pro-tem of the Steward Board, instructor for the Membership Development Class, a member of the Budget and Finance Commission, parlia-mentarian of the local Lay Organization, a member of the Visionary Women of Price, and the Women’s Mis-sionary Society.

Socially and civically, Patricia’s holds member-ships with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International (PAD), NAACP, American Bar Association (ABA), and life membership in Blacks in Government (BIG). She enjoys traveling throughout the Connection providing training on leadership and preparing others for service to God. She trains numer-ous church boards and organizations throughout the Connectional Church.

Honored by Dollars and Sense Magazine as one of America’s 100 Best and Brightest African Americans, Patricia’s other recognitions include Who’s Who Among Black Americans; Who’s Who in Society; and Who’s Who Among Women.

Patricia acknowledges her acceptance of Christ as her greatest lifetime achievement. “God directs my path daily. His unconditional love challenges me to ex-emplify Christian principles and attributes. Christ made the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation and redemption. Because of Christ, I desire my service to be unselfish and sacrificial. It’s through the unadulterated word of God that I become empowered as I draw from its strength when faced with the adversities of life. His grace is indeed sufficient for my life.”

Patricia continues her preparation for ecclesias-tic service. Her goal remains to provide exemplary ser-vice to God, the AME Church and humanity.


Youth of “Saint Peter” Together Again

What a fellowship! What a joy divine! These words are descriptive of the weekend long reunion of “Saint Peter Youth Together Again” at Saint Peter A.M.E. Church on May 12 & 13, 2012. Stewardess Board #1 Ministry hosted this memorable event. Saturdays’ celebration began with Youth Memories & Fellowship Reception which included a night of greeting one another, winning wonderful door prizes and partak-ing of great food. Many of the returning youth traveled from near and far distances to be a part of this week-end. The event culminated on Sunday, Mothers’ Day. Rever-end Yolanda Ellison, New Liberation A.M.E. Church, Landover, MD presided over the worship service, which included the returning youth. Sister Mara Hill Blalock introduced her Aunt, Speaker of the occasion, Dr. Jeanette Jones. Dr. Jones is a Professor/Director at the Center for Biomedical, Behavior and Environmental Health at Alabama A & M University. Her Sermon Text was Proverbs 22:6. Her message included goals to suc-cessful living. She stated how one must choose the path to wisdom, citing Proverbs. Some of the goals she stated

were: improve bible knowledge, spiritual growth, and learn to realize the importance of Sunday school. The service concluded with Committee Chairperson Sister Mary Bentley stating in her remarks how elated she was at the success of the weekend long event and made a plea for this reunion not to end but to continue. She invited all to come back home to Saint Peter as of-ten as possible. The weekend was a joyful and spiritual fellowship.

MACON DISTRICT LAY FAMILY OUTING & SILENT AUCTION The Macon District Lay Organization will conduct its annual Family Outing & Silent Auction Saturday, September 22, 2012 beginning at 9:00 A.M. The location for this year's event will be the Vinson Valley Recreation Park at 4158 Industrial Highway, #49 North near the Middle Georgia Regional Airport. There will be plenty of activities for all age groups to include competition in horseshoe pitching, volleyball, basketball free throw and recreation games for children and the elderly. Trophies will be awarded to the winners in the com-petitive games. The menu will include hotdogs, hamburgers, chips, lemonade, water, homemade ice cream. The admission is $5.00. Tickets can be purchased from Lay Presidents of A.M.E. churches in the Macon District. For additional information, please call Brother Cedric Nelson, District Lay President at 478-808-1958.

Picture: Dr. Jeanette Jones & Reverend Bertram C. Smith

A LENGENDARY COACH Alphonso B. Varner, an active member of Saint Peter A.M.E. Church, Fort Valley, Georgia was honored as a "Legendary Coach" at the Fort Valley State University, Saturday, August 18, 2012. The theme at the banquet was "FVSU/NFL Wildcats Legends of Yesterday, Today and Tomor-row." Fifteen former National Football League (NFL) players who played football at FVSU were also honored as Legends, along with two other coaches. Varner who is affectionately called "Hubba, Hubba" served FVSU as a coach for 30 years, the longest tenured coach in the university's history. Varner retired as an Assistant Profes-sor of Physical Education and Football Coach in 1988. Varner finds himself actively serving the A.M.E. Church in several capacities as St. Peter's Trustee Ministry Emeritus, Public Relations Director, member of the Lay Organization, Church School, Sons of Allen; Public Relations Director for the Macon District Lay Organi-zation.

Brother Alphonso B, Varner

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AME CHURCH IS GETTING OUT THE VOTE

The Social Action Commission (SAC)1 of the A.M.E. Church is committed to carry on the LEGACY of advocacy begun 225 years ago to insure that every ELIGIBLE VOTER gets the opportunity to VOTE. Today we are less than two months away from Election Day 2012. You can Go to www.AME-SAC.com

to REGISTER to VOTE….ONLINE. It does not matter where you live…..We have made registration easy for you. If you or someone you know has a criminal record, they may still be able to vote. Go to www.AME-SAC.com to find if an ex-felon can vote in your state.

Go to www.AME-SAC.com to find the deadline for VOTER REGISTRATION. Remember to apply for ABSENTEE BALLOTS to INSURE that your vote is counted in 2012. Make Operation E.M.R. Guide your daily reading – share it with your church mem-bers, neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends. Your mission today and every day until November 6th is to Educate. Mobilize. Register voters.

E blast our Countdown Action Alerts. Create YOUR Election Countdown Network for this election season. Tweet too! It is your right to “sit this one out” and do nothing, but we urge you to do everything to make sure that every eligible voters Votes on Tuesday, November 6th. ACT NOW! MAKE A DIFFERENCE! LET US KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING…. AND HOW WE CAN HELP!!

SIStah “Jackie” Dupont-Walker, Director - [email protected]

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair

He also serves as the Public Relations Director for the Peach County Retired Educators Association and Fred Douglas Lodge #143, F&AM Prince Hall Affiliated. Varner is married to Mrs. Maggie L. Varner. He has two daughters, Denise Jackson and Desiree O'Bryant, five grandchildren and eight great grand children

IN UNITY AND HARMONY THE ATLANTA-NORTH GEORGIA

CONFERENCE featuring components of the African

Methodist Episcopal Church:

The Women's Missionary Society,

The Sons of Allen, The Young People's Department

The Lay Organization have united their voices for

A UNITY CHOIR CONCERT To be held on

Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.

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SCENES FROM MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE DAY OF PRAYER On August 25, 2012 several hundred alumni and well wishers gathered on the campus of Morris Brown College for reflection and prayer. During this even we learned that the college has filed a reorganization Petition in the United States Bankruptcy court. This action will indefinitely stop foreclosure sale and litigation against Morris Brown and the African Meth-odist Episcopal Church. The college will now be given the time it needs to restructure and reorganize. But, it will also continue to need our prayers and our physical and financial support.

Photos courtesy of Alumnae Phyllis Gwenette Boyd using the 6th Episcopal District Lay Organization Camera

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The Augusta Conference Lay Organization On the Move

Ms. Eunice Seigle, President of Augusta Conference Lay Organization is gearing up for a successful year with glory and praise to God for being our keeper. We welcome Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II to the Sixth Episcopal District. We thank God for you, and are looking forward to serving with each of you. We want to wish The Honorable Judge Emanuel Larkin continued blessings and thank him for

the many years of dedicated service as President of the Wrens-Vidalia District Lay Organiza-

tion. We welcome and offer our service and support to the newly elected president of the dis-

trict, Mr. Eugene Love.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

September 13-15, 2012: State Lay Convention Macon Centriplex-Marriott Hotel in Macon, GA.

November 6, 2012: We will honor Veterans from the Augusta Conference at Bethel AME Church in Augusta. Please make sure your Veterans are recognized.

December 1, 2012: Senior Citizen Luncheon will be held at St. Luke AME Church in Lyons, GA.

Ms. Eunice Seigle

South Atlanta District Lay Officers

2012/13 Conference Year

President - Bro. William (Billy) K. Reese - Saint Paul AME Church – Pryor Rd.

1st Vice President Bro. Samuel Humphrey - Knights Monumental AME Church

2nd Vice President - Sis. Kathy Dorsey - Flat Rock AME Church

Recording Secretary - Sis. Celestine Pratt - Saint Paul AME Church – Pryor Rd.

Assistant Recording Secretary - Sis. Mary Jackson - Trinity

Treasurer- Sis. Waynefield Leonard - Flipper Temple AME Church

Financial Secretary - Sis. Dorothy Warren - Trinity AME Church

Chaplain - Sis. Vernatta Lay - Greater Mount Zion AME Church

Parliamentarian - Sis. Fredia Booker - Greater Saint Peter AME Church

Director of Lay Activities - Sis. Annie Allen - Flipper Chapel AME Church

Historiographer - Bro. Henry Garner - Flipper Temple AME Church

Turner Chapel AME Church Annual Lay Day

by Sabrina M Woods Brinson

Turner Chapel AME Church Marietta, GA recently cele-brated Lay Day. The theme was “The Laity Exalting Christ to Impact the World.” The Lay Day Speaker was Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams. Dr. Coleman Williams challenged us to do more than pray for the homeless, sick, and needy. We need to be more about social action. We were also blessed by the Turner Chapel AME Church Choir. Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams

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The Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay Organization Received Special Recognition during the

49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference By Sis. Melanie L. Lucear

The Connectional Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church celebrates 100 Years of existence. A Kick-Off Luncheon was held during the 32nd Biennial Session of the Connectional Lay Organiza-tion in Detroit, MI. Co-chairpersons Dr. Paulette Coleman and Mr. William Ayers encouraged all laity from the connection to the local church to honor the organization by sponsoring activities to celebrate the ministries of the laity. The Atlanta-North Georgia Conference laity came back to Georgia excited about the challenge to acknowledge and honor this great organization by immediately implementing it into our annual events. Our celebrations started with prayer in November 2011 during the Annual Prayer Breakfast. Our theme was: “A Time of Renewal and Rejuvenation in Service as we Persevere Toward 100 Years.” Sis. Juanita Lee performed a one woman act highlighting the historical events that led to the Connectional Lay Organization movement. In January 2012 at the Annual Layperson of the Year Banquet, co-chairpersons Sis. Yglesias Hollins and I commemorated the Connectional Lay Organization’s Centennial Year with the theme: “100 Years of Answering the Call.” This auspicious occasion took place at the Crown Plaza Hotel with over 450 people in attendance, which included Presiding Elders, pastors, and laity. More than 50 churches were represented honoring Outstanding Laypersons from each church. Each attendee received a commemorative program booklet that included the language of the original legislation, a time-line of significant events, pictures from previous ban-

quets, and a lapel pen resembling the 100 year logo. The Outstanding Layperson of the Year received a plaque, trophy, certificate and a $100 bill to further commemorate our centennial celebration. It was truly an elegant affair to remember. In May 2012 during Annual Conference the Lay Organization spon-sored a worship service that truly further commemorated our centen-nial celebration. Our theme for the evening was: “Continuing to Answer the Call.” Conference President Annette Curry secured retired general officer, Dr. Paulette Coleman as our speaker for the evening. Dr. Coleman shared many his-torical facts and encouraged us to continue to answer the call. We had a choir of approximately 100 voices made up of members from various churches in the confer-ence. This worship service was

well attended by both clergy and laity. Because of our commitment to commemorate the centennial year, we were invited to share our events at the General Conference. On June 29th, after Connectional President Dr. Willie Glover presented an out-standing report; it was our privilege to present to the body of the General Conference how we have celebrated and will continue to be creative with the centennial celebrations for the Connectional Lay Organization.

(Continued on page 13)

Sister Juanita Lee

Pictured from left to right: Sis. Yglesias Hollins (banquet co-chairperson), Sis. An-nette Curry (Conference President), Bro. Carl Mason (Outstanding Layperson of the Year), Sis. Esteller Phillips (West Atlanta District President), and Sis. Melanie Lucear (banquet co-chairperson)

Dr. Paulette Coleman, Sis. Annette S. Curry,

Presiding Elder Charles Bennett


(Special Recognition Continued from page 12)

Mr. William Ayers, Dr. Paulette Coleman, Sis. Melanie Lucear reporting at the General Conference

Highlights from Our Year in the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference

By Conference Lay Historiographer, Joseph Lee Greeting to my fellow AMEs The 6th Episcopal District Atlanta-North Georgia Annual Conference has been really busy for 2012. We started

with the annual confer-ence, which was held at Turner Chapel in Mari-etta, GA, Dr. Kenneth Marcus Pastor. Lay night was more than any one of us as layperson will witness. The attendance was very good and the

choir did a magnificent job. This is the 100th year of the lay in the African Methodist Episcopal church, and what a time to reflect and look forward to the next 100 years. The 6th Episcopal District will miss the direction of Dr. Pam, and Bishop DeVeaux. We wish them well and pray

that all they want will be blessed. We wit-ness the ordination of five Deaconess at the Annual Conference. Rev. Stegall of Saint Paul African Method-ist Episcopal Church presented five beauti-ful women to the An-

nual Conference for Deaconess--the first I've seen for while. Moving on to the 49th Quadrennial Session of the Gen-

eral Conference in Nashville Tennessee, we were well represented with one of the most dedicated and efficient group of delegates, alternates, and observers from the entire 6th Episcopal District. But, with all our efforts we have to give honor to God for the direction Bishop Vashti McKenzie and the 13th Episcopal District who hosted the world of African Methodists in Exalting Christ To Impact The World. The first day of the conference it was impacted with the election of Rev. Dr. Jeffery B. Cooper, from our own Atlanta-North Georgia Conference, as the General Sec-retary on the Episcopal church. We were also blessed with the presence of first lady Michelle Obama on this historic day of the General Conference. She is, without doubt, one exciting and beautiful black woman with a lot of class and awareness. Back to the business at hand--the conference was able to elect our own, the Rev. Teresa L. Fry Brown from on 6th Episcopal District as the Historiographer/Director of Research & Scholarship of AME Review. Even though our own Rev. Stafford Wicker was unable to break the glass ceiling, we as AMEs are proud to have elected two outstanding persons to the office of the bishopric. However we say to Rev. Wicker that 2016 is not that far away Therefore, continue to take Jesus for thy path and a big rock for that glass. Finally the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference and the Sixth Episcopal District is please to welcome Bishop Pre-ston and Dr. Wilma Williams as our Episcopal Leaders for the 2012-2016 Quadrennial. May God continue to pour out his blessing on each and everyone of you. Historiographer, Joseph Lee

Sister Juanita Lee One Woman Historical Act

Five New Deaconesses

CONGRATLATIONS AND BEST WISHES

TO BISHOP AND MRS. VINTON R. ANDERSON

ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR SIXTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.



SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY

ORGANIZATION BIENNIAL

CONVENTION

SEPTEMBER 13-15, 2012

MACON MARRIOTT CITY CENTER

MACON , GEORGIAA

Enjoy a night at “The APOLLO Lounge”, Walk the red carpetand have your picture taken. September 14, 2012. Banquet tickets $40.00

SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY

ORGANIZATION BIENNIAL

CONVENTIONSEPTEMBER 13-15, 2012

THURSDAY EVENING WORSHIP SERVICES

BISHOP Preston Warren Williams, II

FRIDAY WORKSHOPS:

"The Story of the Brotherhood: Implications for a Global, 21st Century Church”

By Rev. Mark Tyler, PhD, Pastor of Mother Bethel AMEC, Philadelphia, PA

“Those Amazing Church Officers a/k/a Stewards and Trustees”

By Attorney Patricia Mayberry, Chair of the AME Judicial Council

and Director of Activity for the Fifth District Lay Organization.



Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization AMEC c/o Robert T. Matthews III 811 Sandy Creek Drive, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30331

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA - S IXTH DISTRICT

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