We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 (NIV) Courage once was a common thread woven into the fabric of our character, called upon every now and then. Today, every now and then has become every day. There is an increasing need for spiritual, physical, moral, mental and creative courage. Daily, our faith is under fire and our sensibilities are assaulted. We must have the courage of our convictions or become silent witnesses to the normalization of negative biases. We must have the courage to rise up out of our trials with testimonies of triumph. Supervisor Stan and I praise God daily for the courageous outreach of the 10th Episcopal District! Presiding Elders, pastors, preachers, congregations, and the many other generous people who banded together to provide relief and resources during and after Hurricane Harvey that devastated the southern region of the state of Texas. Our churches were official refuge centers supplying water, diapers, blankets and other resources to those impacted by this unprecedented storm. Our local congregations in the disaster region had estimated damages totaling $1,028,000, $98,158 in initial loss in offerings, 116 families displaced, and 55 families evacuated. Twelve churches in the North Houston District, 19 churches in the South Houston District and two churches, Brooks AME Worship Center, Corpus Christ and Salters Chapel, Victoria were impacted by the storm. We received $286,582 in donations, $25,101 in gifts cards and thousands of bottles of water, blankets and other resources within and outside of the state. To date, $38,145 has been dispersed in money and $20,198 in gift cards with a balance of $248,437 in money and $4,902 in gift cards. We are eternally grateful to our Episcopal colleagues, Episcopal Districts and friends who sent help to the 10th District and directly to local churches. Special gratitude to Dr. Shirley Cason Reed, Connectional President of the Women s Missionary Society. She joined us on our tour of the devastated areas from Houston to Galveston, giving out $5,000 cash to churches and families. During the tour, the 10th District also gave gift cards and financial help to local congregations and families in preparation for restoration. The Texas Conference WMS blessed affected members with generous gift baskets during the 2017 Annual Conference cycle. Advent Services were held in three different locations in December, 2017 in Waco, Houston and Galveston giving out $12,200 in cash and $22,198 in gift cards to affected widows and families in need. St. Paul, Greenspoint, Rev. Roderick Dawson, Wesley Chapel, Houston, Rev. Leo Griffin and Shiloh, Galveston, Rev. Kevin Hodge, gave additional support and resources to church members and community residents during the Advent services as well. Thirty-three churches sustained damages during Hurricane Harvey. Two churches, Carroll Chapel, Willis and Bethlehem, Old Ocean Circuit were a total loss. Three churches were forced out of their sanctuaries after the storm including Green Chapel, Houston, Jones Chapel, Houston and Greater Ward, Houston. All three churches were back in their sanctuaries by Easter. The initial estimate to repair our churches was $743,764 but with the assistance of Mr. Arnold A. Williams, Aquvair Corporation, Bishop and Mother Preston W. Williams Foundation, that figure was negotiated down to $254,024.00. A combination of insurance, disaster relief funds and the generosity of the Williams family made the renovations possible for our churches. In addition to the remediation expenses, there are additional costs for replacement of damaged organs, pianos, pews and other damaged items. We ve only just begun! There are several churches still working towards remediation, mold removal, repair and renovation following this devastating experience. We look forward to completing the work this year. Thank you for your prayers and support. We give God the glory, praise and the credit. By the Grace of God, Vashti Murphy McKenzie Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie Presiding Prelate
CASH GIFT CARD CONTRIBUTIONS ($) CONTRIBUTIONS ($) Episcopal Districts 1st Episcopal District 20,000.00-2nd Episcopal District 25,000.00-3rd Episcopal District 2,500.00-3rd Episcopal District WMS 3,000.00-4th Episcopal District 13,000.00-4th Episcopal District WMS 3,000.00 1,580.00 5th Episcopal District 10,000.00-7th Episcopal District 40,000.00-8th Episcopal District 21,481.42-9th Episcopal District 5,000.00-10th Episcopal District 10,176.62 11,891.22 11th Episcopal District 7,600.00-12th Episcopal District 15,000.00-12th Episcopal District WMS 500.00-13th Episcopal District 33,141.00 125.00 14th Episcopal District 1,000.00-17th Episcopal District 1,000.00 - Office of Ecumenical Affairs 1,000.00 - Total Episcopal Districts 212,399.04 13,596.22 AME General Officers 6,300.00 - International AME WMS 5,000.00 - Churches and Public Support 62,883.72 12,105.29 TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS 286,582.76 25,701.51 DISBURSEMENTS Support - North Houston Area 13,500.00 850.00 Support - South Houston Area 6,500.00 - Support - Advent Service 12,200.00 20,198.98 Support - Other 5,500.00 - Bank Fees - New checks, PayPal 445.07 - TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 38,145.07 21,048.98 RESOURCES ON HAND 248,437.69 4,652.53 * Two churches are a total loss and the work of recovery has not begun. One church has been included in a class action suit against Phillips 66.
DISTRICT STATISTICS Number of Annual Conferences Number of Churches Total Miles Traveled in District Total Conversions Total Baptisms Total Accessions Total Membership Number of Buildings Erected Number of Mortgages Burned Total Registered Voters General Budget Fund Apportioned & sent to CFO Northwest Texas North Texas Southwest Texas Texas TOTAL apportioned & distributed Number of Schools (Paul Quinn College) NECROLOGY Rev. Mary Esther Boyd Rev. E. E. Coates Rev. Lewis Conway Rev. Willie D. Harris Rev. Dr. Salatheia Bryant Honors Rev. Lillian Manning Rev. Lorraine Ollie Rev. Paul Prim Rev. Ivory Scott Rev. Patricia Smith 4 206 5,304 528 458 1,844 18,438 0 2 8,720 $194,972 $206,408 $216,440 $237,032 $854,852 1
10TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4347 South Hampton Road, Suite 245 Dallas, Texas 75232 (214) 333-2632 WEB: www.10thdistrictame.org EMAIL: Tenthdistrictoffice@10thdistrictame.org BULLETIN BOARD: bulletinboard@10thdistrictame.org BISHOP: www.vashtimckenzie.com TWITTER: @10districtAME FACEBOOK: /10thdistrictAME INSTAGRAM: @10thdistrictAME