Northeast Conference Lay Ministry I greet you with the joy of Jesus! We give God all the honor and praise for blessing the Northeast Conference Lay Organization with people who have a mind to serve. He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do John 14:12 God continues to bless the Northeast Conference Lay Organization by allowing us to provide for His people through teaching, training and serving. We are the natural hands and feet of God. We ask for His continued blessing as we plan our work and work our plan for the upbuilding of His kingdom here on earth. Ricarldo C. Washington, President Northeast Conference Lay Organization As the President of the Northeast Conference Lay Organization, I thank God for the opportunity to serve. I was invited to be the Lay Annual Day Speaker at the following churches: Weston Chapel AMEC, Latta, SC; Mt. Zion AMEC, Florence, SC; Bethel AMEC, Darlington, SC; and Mill Branch AMEC, Pamplico, SC. The Holy Spirit was present in each of these services. Praise God! On November 4, 2017, the Northeast Conference Lay Organization honored and appreciated our Immediate Past President, Bro. Keith E. Britton, for his love, leadership, and loyalty to the NEC Lay Organization and to the church universal. To God be the glory for the service of Bro. Keith E. Britton. May God continue to bless you and use you, Keith, for His glory! The work is all divine.
On October 10, 2017, the NEC Lay held it s first Executive Board Meeting under the leadership of newly elected President Ricarldo Washington at the Western Sizzling Steakhouse in Florence, SC. All elected Executive Board members were present, along with numerous others. A grand time was had as the NEC Lay dined together and planned our work for the conference year. On December 7, 2017, the NEC Lay Executive Board convened at St. John AMEC, Marion, SC. President Washington reiterated four main points: Increasing Young Adult participation, Clergy and Laity working together, Educating and Empowering the Laity for Lay Ministry and Moving from Membership to Discipleship. The laity of the NEC were fired up and ready to go. Training from the NEC Director of Lay Activites, Bro. James Washington, III, consisted of a mirage of random questions from the discipline. This was extremely exciting! On March 8, 2018, the Executive Board convened at Mt. Zion AME Church in Florence, SC. We assessed our lay work to date and tweaked our plans. Our DOLA rendered a powerful training and information session on The General Confession. The training was clear, concise and captivating. The Northeast Conference Lay Annual Day was held at New Greater Singletary AME Church in Marion, SC, where the Rev. Henry J. Murray, Jr. serves as pastor and Sis. Susan Fling is the Local Lay President. The Holy Spirit met us there as the Combined Choir lifted up Jesus through song. Little Miss Ava Cree Taylor, of Bethel (Conway) AMEC was the winner of our Little Toddler Contest. The orations from our Oratorical Contestants were superb. Sis Jaquelyn Jackson, Florence-Dillon District Lay President, presided over our Memorial Service. Special thanks to Rev. Murray and the welcoming members of New Greater Singletary for their hospitality and kindness. This truly was a day where we remembered the past, celebrated the present and prepared for the future. A PICTORIAL VIEW - SUMTER DISTRICT
LAY ANNUAL DAY PROGRAM Presiding elder Rev. Dr. James S. Cooper, Mrs. Mirrian Cooper, Mrs. Diann Simon, Madame 7 th Winner, andsumter DISTRICT President M. L.TIMES SIS. MARY COOK ANNOUNCING THE YOUNG ADULT LAY PERSON OF THE YEAR- PATRICE DURNAT OF MT. PLEASANT A.M.E. CHURCH MADAME 7TH AND lpoty contestants LITURGICAL PRAISE WORSHIPERS DURING WORSHIP TIME
MINISTERIAL PROCESSION OF SUMTER DISTRICT PASTORS FOR WORSHP HOUR SUMTER DISTRICT ELDER, REV. DR. JAMES S. COOPER PRESIDING FOR WORSHIP HOUR AS THE MESSENGER Rev. Alvin Webb and others stand to the opening song SUMTER DISTRICT LAY PRESIDENT GIVING HER THANKS AND PRAISE TO ALMIGHTY GOD AND THE MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT FOR A GREAT YEAR THRU THE GRACE OF GOD AND THEIR COOPERATIVE SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!! Marion District Lay Organization Marion District Lay Organization 2017-2018 Highlights
The Marion District Lay Organization is excited about the direction in which God is leading us! This 2017-18 Conference Year has been blessed in numerous ways! We are pleased to share with you the success of our programs and events of the year Allen Little Stars and Little Tots: Sunday, November 26, 2017; at Bethel AME Church in Conway, SC; Rev. William C. Miller is the pastor, and Sis. Mary Singleton is the local Lay President. *The Allen Little Star winner was Miss. Surhei Brown, of Salem AMEC in the Bucksport community of Conway, SC., where Rev. Matthew Furness is the pastor. The Little Tot winner was Miss Ava Cree Taylor, from Bethel AME Church, Conway. Training Institute: February 17, 2018; at St. James AMEC (Ariel s Crossroads), Marion, SC; Rev. James O. Rodgers is the pastor, and Sis. Pamela Williams is the local Lay President. The theme was Marion District: Spiritually Gifted to Serve. Sis. Shirley Jones (Marion District Lay President) set the tone with a Spiritual Focus based on Matthew 6:33-34 Seek ye first the kingdom. Training presenters were Rev. Johnathan Greene, Sr. (Pastor, St. Paul AMEC, Little River), Rev. William Miller (Pastor, Bethel AMEC, Conway), and Rev. Ron Taylor (Pastor, Hemingway Chapel AMEC and Cane Branch AMEC) administered a Spiritual Gifts Survey for those in attendance. Bro. Ricarldo Washington (President, NEC Lay Organization) gave a detailed overview on Protocol in the AME Church. Oratorical Contest: March 17, 2018 at Greater St. James AMEC, Conway; Rev. James Gause is the pastor, and Sis. Elouise Williams is the local Lay President. *Both orators (Ms. Courtney Powell- Greater St. James AMEC; and Mr. Tavis Hemingway-Salem AMEC) presenting on this year s theme: African Methodist Episcopal Young Adults: Embracing our Rich Heritage while Transforming the Church to the Next Level. Mr. Tavis Hemingway was the Marion District Oratorical winner. Marion District Annual Day: Saturday, April 28, 2018; Conway High School Commons Area, Conway, SC. The theme was a Taste of the Marion District. Attendees enjoyed a delicious meal of a variety of dishes. We held the Adult and Young Adult Madame Seventh contests; and acknowledged the Marion District Adult and Young Adult Lay Persons of the Year (LPOY) and Golden Nuggets. The Marion District 2017-18 Adult Madame Seventh winner was Ms. Priscilla Spivey of Greater St. James AMEC. The Young Adult Madame Seventh winner was Ms. Mia Young of Salem AMEC. The Adult LPOY was Ms. Phyllis Reaves of St. Paul AMEC, Little River. The Young Adult LPOY was Ms. Nikita Gagum of Salem AMEC. Marion District Lay officers and members have supported other District components; as well as attended NEC and State meetings/events/ etc. We have also reported community involvement that includes visiting sick and shut in members, local schools and community events. We are appreciative to those churches, pastors, and loyal lay members that have shown continuous support to the Marion District Lay Organization! We thank God for being our dwelling place from generation to generation; and we thank Him for His daily grace and mercy. Blessings! Sis. Shirley B. Jones: President, Marion Dist. Lay Organization Florence-Dillon District Jacquelyn S. Jackson, President 2017-2018 Year End Report So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Psalm 90: 12
Greetings in the name of Jesus, the Christ and in His service through African Methodism: We began our year in October with an Executive Board Meeting, where each FD District Officer was given a mini definition of their office; also, time and places of SED & AMEC events. Suggestions were given for training sessions, seminars and events. We thank God for the following churches, which hosted: Little Allen Star Parade of Talent-Saint Mark [Reverend Janice McMillan, Pastor; Sister Josephine Gordon, Local President]; Grandfathers March / Prayer Breakfast- St. Paul-Claussen [Reverend Elroy Davis. Pastor; Sister Lue Berta Green, Local President] FD Annual Lay Day- Magnolia-State Line [Reverend Angie Taylor, Pastor; Sister Angela Singletary, Local President] St. Paul AMEC (Floydale- Reverend Drusilla Harvin, Pastor; Brother Leo Johnson, Local Lay President) who allowed me to attend their Annual Lay Day Celebration. The FD District Thanks God for Banner Carriers : Miss Taylor A. Belin - FD Allen Little Star; Trinity AMEC (Reverend Patsy Brown, Pastor; Sister Myrtis G. Cusack, Local President Grandfather of the Year- Brother Ernest Gibbs, Sr., St. Paul -Claussen Jarvis Leonard, Oratorical Contestant & NEC Lay Scholarship Recipient; St. Luke (Reverend Franklin Spears, Pastor; Sister Gloria Reese-Porchea, Local President) Since the last report, I thank God for His mercy, grace, and loving care, which allowed me to serve in His vineyard as a Lay Worker. I also, thank Him for allowing us to attend the 35 th Session of the Lay Biennial, Columbus, OH; SED Post and Mid- Year Convocations, SED Christian Leadership Congress; SED Lay Organization Meetings & Retreat; the 2017 Conferences Lay Witness Nights; the FD Presiding Elder s meetings; Component Ministries meetings. God has given rest to these persons who has served as Local Lay President: Sister Libby Barnes (Union AMEC, Lake View), Sister Evelyn Goodyear (Fork Chapel AMEC), Sister Mary A. Gregg [Mt. Zion AMEC, also, NEC SED & Connectional Lay Organization], Brother Dwight Bethea (Bethel Hill AMEC, he was the last elected Dillon District Lay President). Finally, God has allowed many unsung Lay Persons to touch my life and I thank Him for their transition from labor to rest. Goals: With the help of the Lord- to live Christ s liberating gospel * Retell the Resurrection Story by using modern technology* Teach others to use their God given talent for His service through the A. M. E. Church * Learn from the Young Adults how to communicate with the millennia s* Network with CSMC, CED, RAYAC, SOA, WMS, YAM, YPD *Teach & Train about the power of the vote Jacquelyn S. Jackson, an Empowered servant