News and Announcements

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012 IS VETERANS’ DAY

Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux

I am the son of a World War II and Korean Conflict veteran. My father went away to serve his country and our family lived with my grandmother until he came home safely. In 1969, it was my turn to join the service men and women as a part of generation’s war. For me it was Vietnam. It was also  my brother John who also served a long and industrious career as an AME Army chaplain who also served in Viet Nam and retired as a colonel.

The reasons for each war may be different but the effects on families are the same. Separation, anxiety, loneliness and disruption are critical problems resulting from military service. As the season of Veterans Day approaches on November 11, 2012 we African Methodists surely mourn the loss of those brave fighters who have paid the ultimate sacrifice; and support families who are separated from loved ones.

Now, the country is again engaged in combat, this time in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are also obliged to seek out these contemporary warriors and invite them to our houses of worship where they can find fellowship, comfort and safe sanctuary. Many of today’s returning vets suffer with mental health illnesses, substance abuse, poverty and homelessness. Clearly these conditions are not easily or quickly addressed. Nevertheless, I pray that we find ways to provide those who have served abroad and those who protect us at home with an affirming place in which to rehabilitate their lives.

Finally, I would like to express proud gratitude to the men and women of the 2nd Episcopal District who have given the best of their service for us and future generations. Sir Winston Churchill’s tribute to the English soldiers of WWII: never have so many owed so much to so few, probably best pays homage to our military veterans. We should be grateful and join together in saying God Bless you and thank you again to these stalwart servants.

Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux is the Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District

DELEGATE’S REPORT

The Washington Annual Conference, under the leadership of Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., convened from Monday, April 23 to Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, Glenn Dale, Maryland. The theme for this 62nd session was, “This is our Story: Faith and Freedom, Generation to Generation, Exalting Christ, Expanding His Church, Empowering His People.” Hosted by the Capitol District, this was the final session of the Washington Conference that is presently led by Bishop Richardson. The Bishop is ending his eight years of service in the Second Episcopal. In July 2012, at the A.M.E. Church Quadrennial General Conference, the Bishop will be assigned to another Episcopal District.

On Monday, April 23rd, the Washington Conference Branch of the Women’s Missionary Society (WCB/WMS) held its annual convention at the Martin’s Crosswinds, Greenbelt, Maryland. The daylong convention included a worship service with Ms. Juanita Wills, District Director, Young People’s and Children’s Division as the messenger; memorial service for deceased missionaries and A.M.E. bishops; workshop focusing on Black women’s health issues; annual luncheon honoring Episcopal Supervisor Connie S. Richardson and acknowledging partnerships between local societies and community organizations that have worked together for at least 20 years. Metropolitan’s Sarah Allen Missionary Society was recognized for its work with Prison Ministries – Project Angel Tree. WCB/WMS officers were also elected. Sister Carolyn McClain, Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, was elected WCB/WMS historiographer. Bishop Richardson was the messenger for the evening WMS “Night in White” annual worship service, capping ceremony of new missionaries and pinning of new male missionary associates, held at Reid Temple. Approximately one hundred new missionaries participated in the ceremony. In addition, Mrs. Richardson led the swearing in of newly elected WCB/WMS officers. WCB/WMS President D. Faye Conley presented awards to several missionaries for their service. Among persons honored was Sister Leila Kendrick, who served as Chairperson of the Catherine C. Hemingway Area for eight years, who was recognized for her dedicated years of service to the Washington area.

The Women in Ministry held its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, April 24th. The opening service of the Washington Annual Conference was held the evening of April 24th, at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church. The Reverend Henry Y. White, pastor, Brown Memorial A.M.E. Church, Washington, DC, preached the sermon for the annual opening worship service. The Bishop’s Roll Call of all ordained deacons, elders, and delegates of the Washington Annual Conference, the final action of the day, lasted until 10:30 p.m.

The Wednesday morning business session began with the completion of the Roll Call, which had begun the night before. After which, the pastors of the Potomac and Capitol Districts reported their work and stewardship of the local churches for the conference year. Stewards Rollie Kimbrough, Thedford Collins, and Metropolitan’s Delegate, Steward James Robinson, joined Rev. Ronald E. Braxton during his report to the conference about the work of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church.

Bishop J. Delano Ellis, Pentecostal Church of Christ, Cleveland, Ohio, delivered an inspiring message during the Noon Ecumenical Service. During the afternoon session pastors continued giving their reports. Wednesday night was designated “Mighty Men of Valor” Men’s Night Celebration. The Rev. Harry L. Seawright, pastor Union Bethel, Brandywine, Maryland, preacher for this service, delivered a powerful word on the goodness of God. The conference celebrated the man and young man of the year nominees representing the local churches. Brothers Isiah Dupree and Drew Darden were Metropolitan’s man and young man of the year, respectively, very deserving designations.

Several Conference Committees presented reports at the Thursday session. Rev. H. Lorraine Harvey, retiring pastor of Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church, Elkridge, Maryland, preached an uplifting Midday refreshing sermon. The Annual Lay Witness Service on Thursday night highlighted the goodness of our God. Metropolitan’s Brother Darwin Curry was elected 2nd Vice President of the Washington Conference Lay Organization (WCLO); and Sister Thelma Dean Jacobs, a Metropolitan historiographer, was recognized by the WCLO for her work.

On Friday, the Service of Ordination and the Service of Holy Communion was conducted; Bishop John Hurst Adams, retired former Senior A.M.E. Bishop, delivered a rousing sermon. The annual “Youth Night Revival” was held on Friday evening and the Rev. Marcus Wheeler, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Washington, DC, son of the Rev. Constance Wheeler Evans, a former assistant minister at Metropolitan, in his sermon, appealed to the youth to seek God’s hand in all that they do.

At the Saturday Closing Service, Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson preached his final sermon at an annual conference session of the Washington Conference as the presiding prelate of this conference. The final session was the reading of Committee reports, minutes of the conference preceding, and pastoral appointments. Rev. Braxton was appointed to once again serve as pastor of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church. Several ‘sons and daughters of Metropolitan’, the Reverends Kimberly Brown Barnes, E. Gail Anderson Holness, Constance Wheeler Evans, and Thann Young, were reappointed to their current charges. The Reverends S. Isaiah Harvin and Richard McNair received new assignments.

I consider it a privilege and honor to serve as Metropolitan’s Delegate to the Washington Annual Conference; this was my 12th year. A highlight of the conference for me is always the music that is rendered by the Conference Choir under the direction of Sister Susan Todd Edwards. It is exceptional. Mrs. Edwards is truly gifted in her presentations, and the choir performance is amazing in its delivery. The music for the Opening, Ordination, and Closing services is very inspirational. Metropolitan is well represented by the number of persons singing in the choir and I am personally delighted to see so many of our members participating. One absolute highlight of this year’s music was the solo sung by Metropolitan’s Jarrod Lee. The audience was left absolutely breathless following Jarrod’s performance. Organist Everett P. Williams, the consummate musician, delights the conference with his abundant musical talents and gifts. The music at our conference worship service is a true blessing.

This report is just an overview of some of the many activities and events of the 62nd Session of the Washington Annual Conference.

James F. Robinson
Delegate

Althought the Martin Luther King, Jr.  Memorial Dedication service has been postponed we will still celebratre

“The Dream and The Dreamer”  this Sunday, August 28, 2011.

Sunday Worship 8:00A.M.—9:30 A.M.
Reverend Dr. Grainger Browning-Preacher
Bishop Adam J. Richardson– Episcopal Remarks

Free Parking:
NEA Garage
1201 16th Street, NW

PMI Garage
1615 M Street, NW

LAZ Garage
1125 15th Street, NW

We hope to see you in service!

2011 Washington Annual Conference, April 26-30, 2011, Ebenezer AME Church, Ft. Washington, MD
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Connie S. Richardson, Episcopal Supervisor

Contacts:

The Rev. Jonathan L. Weaver
2011 Washington Annual Conference (AME Church), Public Relations Chairperson
jonathanwea@gmail.com
301-249-7545

Sister Patricia Matthews
2011 Washington Annual Conference (AME Church), Public Relations Coordinator
padima@msn.com
301-568-9127 

The 61st Session of the Washington Annual Conference of the 2nd Episcopal District
Tuesday April 26 – Saturday, April 30, 2011

 The Washington Annual Conference, of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church hosts its 61st Session under the dynamic leadership of the Presiding Prelate for the Second Episcopal District, The Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson, Jr. and the Episcopal Supervisor for the WMS, YPD, and Clergy Families Organization of the Second Episcopal District, Dr. Connie Speights Richardson. The 61st Session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26 – Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744, where the Reverend Drs. Grainger and JoAnn Browning are the Pastors. This year’s theme: The Call to Vigilance: Continuing a Prophetic Ministry Focus: AIR (Attention, Intention, Retention) A Ministry of and for Young Adults.

The Reverend Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey (Potomac District) is the Host Presiding Elder and the Reverend Dr. Goodwin Douglas (Capital District) is the Associate Presiding Elder. The Conference Coordinator is the Reverend Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church, in Washington, DC.

Join us as we come together to worship, educate, fellowship and celebrate the 61st Session of the Washington Annual Conference. For more information, please log-on to:

http://washingtonannualconference.org/.

The 61st Session of the Washington Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church ‘Conference-At-A-Glance’

Monday, April 25, 2011
Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) Convention
Martin’s Crosswinds, Greenbelt, Maryland
 
8:30 a.m. WMS Opening Session
12:00 p.m. Annual Luncheon, Martin’s Crosswinds, Greenbelt, MD
2:00 p.m. Business and Institutes
7:00 p.m.  Missionary Witness and Night in White

Tuesday, April 26, 2011 Women in Ministry
8:30 a.m. Women in Ministry Prayer Breakfast
Women in Ministry Meeting and Elections

Pre‐conference Episcopal Meetings
1:00 p.m. Presiding Elders and Conference Finance Committees
2:30 p.m.  Board of Examiners meets with Bishop
3:30 p.m. Bishop in private consultation with pastors and preachers by appointment
5:00 p.m. DINNER

7:00 p.m. Opening Worship Service (Black Vestments) – The Rev. Samuel E. Hayward, III, Keynote Preacher, Hemingway Memorial AME Church
9:30 p.m. Organization of Annual Conference
Roll Call, Transfers
Lay Delegates Seated/Credentials

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
8:30 a.m. Devotion and Meditation
9:00 Conference Institute
10:00 Conference Business

Organization of Annual Conference Continued:
Election of Conference Functionaries
Conference Bounds
Committee Assignments Completed
Presiding Elders’ Summary Reports
Board of Examiners’ Report
Pastors’ Reports

12:00 p.m. Ecumenical Service – The Rev. Jasper Williams, New Salem Baptist Church, Keynote Preacher
1:30 p.m. LUNCH
2:45 p.m. Conference Business
Election of General Conference Delegates
5:30 p.m. DINNER
7:00 p.m. Men’s Night (The Emmaus Walk) and Sons of Allen Report – The Rev. Alan Gould, Sr., Keynote Preacher, Allen Chapel AME Church-Silver Spring

Thursday, April 28, 2011
6:00 a.m. Early Morning Prayer Call
8:30 a.m. Devotion and Meditation
9:00 a.m. Conference Institute
10:00 a.m. Conference Business
Reading of Minutes
Pastors’ Reports
Ministerial Efficiency
Request(s) for Superannuation
12:00 noon Midday Refreshing
1:30 p.m. LUNCH
3:00 p.m. Devotion

Conference Business
Administrative Committee Reports
Conference Adjustments
Conference Trustees
Properties and Deeds
Abandoned Property
Abandoned Property
Missions, Circuits and Stations
Church Growth and Development
Ministries to Youths
Annuity Investments and Insurance
Legislative Task Force
Christian Education
Church School
5:00 p.m. DINNER
7:00 p.m. Lay Witness Night and Lay President’s Report – Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Keynote Speaker

Friday, April 29, 2011
8:30 a.m. Devotions and Meditation
9:00 a.m. Conference Business
Reading of the Minutes
Literary Reports
State of the Country
State of the Church
Social, Civic and Political Action
Ecology, Temperance and Health
Economic Development
Evangelism
Ministry beyond the Walls
Christian Stewardship
The Church and Technology

10:30 a.m. Memorial Service and Memoirs and Necrology Report
11:00 a.m. Service of Ordination and Holy Communion (White Vestments) – Bishop McKinley Young, Keynote Preacher, Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal District
1:30 p.m. LUNCH
3:00 p.m. Conference Business

Devotion
Component Reports
Women’s Missionary Society
Debutantes and Masters Commission
Women in Ministry
RED, Inc. and Kittrell Development Initiative
Administrative Reports
Treasurer, Finance Committee, and all Financial Reports
Unfinished Business
Disciplinary Questions

5:00 p.m. DINNER
7:00 p.m. Youth Revival and YPD President’s Report – The Rev. Kenya Smith, Keynote Preacher, Ebenezer AME Church

Saturday, April 30, 2011
9:00 a.m. Church School
10:30 a.m. Closing Worship Service (Black Vestments) – Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr., Presiding Plate of the 2nd Episcopal District

Conference Business
Report of the Statistician
Resolutions
Commissioning Service
Presentation of Certificates
Reading of Appointments
Benediction

The 61st  Session of the Washington Annual Conference meets Tuesday April 25 – Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Ebenezer AME Church, Fort Washington, Maryland

PRESS RELEASE

The 61st  Session of the Washington Annual Conference
Tuesday, April 25 –  Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Washington Annual Conference hosts its 61st  Session under the dynamic leadership of the Presiding Prelate for the Second Episcopal District, the Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson, Jr. and the Episcopal Supervisor for the WMS, YPD, and Clergy Families Organization of the Second Episcopal District, Dr. Connie Speights Richardson.

The 61st  Session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 25 – Saturday, April 30, 2011, at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, 7707 Allentown Road, Fort Washington, Maryland 20744, where the Reverend Dr. Grainger Browning and the Rev. Dr. JoAnn Browning are the pastors.

This year’s theme: The Call to Vigilance: Continuing a Prophetic Ministry Focus: AIR (Attention, Intention, Retention) A Ministry of and for Young Adults

The Reverend Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey (Potomac District) is the host presiding elder and the Reverend Dr. Goodwin Douglas (Capital District) is the associate presiding elder. The Conference Coordinator is the Reverend Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, pastor of Metropolitan AME Church, in Washington, DC.

Join us as we come together to worship, educate, fellowship and celebrate the 61st  Session of the Washington Annual Conference.

View the agenda.

Conference at a Glance

Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr.
Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District

Mrs. Connie Speights Richardson
Episcopal Supervisor of the Second Episcopal District

Presiding Elder Goodwin Douglas
Capitol District of the Washington Annual Conference

Presiding Elder Louis-Charles Harvey
Potomac District of the Washington Annual Conference

and

Host Churches
All 80 Churches of the Washington Conference Sponsoring

Cordially invites you to the

60th Session of the Washington Annual Conference
Second Episcopal District of the AME Church

at Reid Temple AME Church
11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard
Glenn Dale, Maryland 20769

Theme: The Call to Vigilance: Continuing a Prophetic Ministry

The 60th Session of the Washington Annual Conference will convene from Tuesday, April 20 – Saturday, April 24, 2010. Download the Conference at a Glance guide.