President's Report January 2012 "So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) To: Bishop John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop Bishop James L. Davis, Chair of Global Witness and Ministry Bishop David R. Daniels, President of the Council of Bishops Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Chair of the General Board Dr. George F. Flowers, Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry All Bishops, Episcopal Supervisors, General and Connectional Officers Members of the Women's Missionary Society, Clergy and fellow Lay persons The quest for excellence is the noblest quest of them all, and once you take the first step you are on your way! As Connectional President of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, it is with profound humility, that I address the 2012 Executive Board to present this, my first report. There are so many people that I would like to thank for blessing me along this missionary journey. To all Bishops and Supervisors of the Church; my Presiding Prelate and Supervisor, Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. and Dr. Connie S. Richardson, who blessed me more than words could ever say; to my husband, my friend, the Reverend Dr. Roger Hall Reed, Sr., my children, grandchildren, family; AME church family and all WMS members thank you, thank you, thank you! Special thanks to former Missionary Presidents Drs. Delores L. Kennedy-Williams, Dorothy Adams Peck, Jamesina Evans, and Shirley Hopkins-Davis for whose shoulders I stand on today. To the former officers, staff and transition team, thank you for your dedication. To our newly elected officers, commission members and staff, great appreciation for your untiring support over these past six months. During the 17th Quadrennial Convention in Orlando, Florida, you placed your vote of confidence in me by electing me your President. I am honored to give account of my stewardship for the past six months. The work has indeed been all divine. 1
TRANSITION - It is my desire to assure the body that we are one. In compliance with article V section 6 of the Constitution and Bylaws of the WMS which states, Elected officers shall assume office immediately upon installation, your President reported to the WMS Headquarters in Washington, DC on August 3, 2011 to begin the work. September 6, 2011, a formal transition was held at the WMS Headquarters to receive records, books, papers and properties belonging to the WMS. Those in attendance: Commission Chair, Bishop James L. Davis; President, Dr. Shirley Cason-Reed; former Treasurer, Dr. Ginger Parker; Treasurer, Dr. Jeanette Harris; former Office Manager, Ms. Jettie Williams; and Office Manager, Ms. D. Faye Conley. We are grateful to Dr. Jamesina Evans and Dr. Shirley Hopkins-Davis for an outstanding 17 th Quadrennial Convention. Excited about the work ahead, the newly elected Connectional Officers gathered in Washington, DC in a retreat setting to seek God s guidance as we make plans to impact the lives of those we serve around the globe. Embracing our Quadrennial theme, Expanding, Elevating, Empowering: or 3 E Mission for Global Service, we stand ready to serve! INTERNAL PROGRAMS The Young People s and Children s Division (YPD) - under the capable leadership of Dr. Sherell Vicks Crawford and President, Mr. Jon Ingraham, the YPD continues to strive for excellence. Your President participated in the YPD Retreat held in the 6 th Episcopal District, Atlanta, GA on September 30 - October 1, 2011. We look forward to participating in the YPD Executive Board Meeting and Leadership Training Institute, March 30-April 1, 2012, also in Atlanta, GA. The WMS Foundation - continues to support the work of Episcopal Districts 14-20. Two meetings were held via Conference Call. Donations designated to the 14 th -20 th Districts were sent to them. A special donation for the 14 th Episcopal District was given by FedEx Corporation in the amount of $5000.00 and Robes of Faith gave support of $500.00. Also, a $3000.00 special donation for the 19 th Episcopal District s HOPE Village Project was given by Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Irvine, California. PME Dialogue Institute for Mission Study - held on December 8-9, 2011 in Baltimore, MD, hosted by the 2 nd Episcopal District. Mrs. Corinne Thomas, Connectional PME Director, presided. The Dialogue and Mission Study centered on the 2012 general theme - Global Concerns: Inequalities and Injustices Against Women and Children and the geographic theme - Rwanda. Handy-Simmons Scholarship - $10,450.00 was awarded on November 3, 2011, to 31 AME students pursuing higher education. The Missionary Magazine - The WMS bi-monthly publication is circulated annually to over 8,000 readers. Since September 2011, the editor has published three bi-monthly issues. Language diversity in the magazine is evident and special events and programs of the WMS are highlighted throughout the world. 2
Non-Governmental Organizations to the United Nations, (NGOs) The WMS-NGO continues to enable women and children priorities, gearing work toward enabling both to take their rightful place on the global stage. Your President attended the 23 rd Annual NGO Conference held on October 19-21, 2011 in New York City, hosted by representatives Carolyn Scavella and Lorraine Dickerson. The focus of the Conference was on "Empowerment." It was determined that Fistula Eradication would remain an ongoing focus of the WMS. Besides the President and main representatives, we are now allowed 3 alternate representatives and one youth. ECUMENICAL PARTNERSHIPS AND ECUMENICAL RELATIONS The Connectional Women s Missionary leadership continues to work in partnership with: AME-Service and Development Agency (AME-SADA) - SADA supports women, children, the disabled and the elderly whose lives have been devastated by war and natural disasters. Most cannot survive and their communities cannot recover without help from the international community. President Reed and AME members attended the Annual SADA Banquet, a donation of $1000.00 was given. Black Women s Agenda, Inc. (BWA) - BWA is devoted to advancing, securing, and protecting the rights of women. Constantly, the women of BWA strive to acquire greater understanding and cooperation about issues that affect all women and their families, while searching for new knowledge and new conceptualizations about said problems. Your President and Connectional Officers attended the BWA Annual Luncheon and Symposium held in Washington, DC on September 23, 2011, membership dues of $500.00 were paid and 5 tables were sponsored. Bread for the World - a collective Christian voice urging our nation s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad. By changing policies, programs and conditions that allow hunger and poverty to persist, they provide help and opportunity far beyond the communities where we live. Your President and NGO representatives are engaged in the work of the 1000 Day Campaign. Children s Defense Fund's (CDF) - Leave No Child Behind--the mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. Your President attended the Beat the Odds Benefit held in Washington, DC on November 15, 2011, at the Harman Center for the Arts to celebrate and provide scholarships to five high school seniors who have overcome adversity, demonstrated academic excellence, given back to their communities and also helped to hold their families together. A monetary donation was given in the amount of $600.00 to support the program. Your President also attended a leadership retreat on January 4-6, 2012 sponsored by the Children s Defense Fund held at the Alex Haley Farm, Clinton, Tennessee, as the guest of Mrs. Marion Wright Edelman. Church Women United (CWU) - is a national volunteer Christian ecumenical women s movement initiated and carried out by women in the United States and Puerto Rico. It is a movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world. CWU engages millions of women 3
representing twenty-six supporting denominations and participating Christian women. Your President and missionaries across the connection attended Common Counsel Meeting and 70 th Birthday Celebration of CWU held in Atlantic City, NJ, November 30 - December 3, 2011. Wycliffe Bible Translators Since its inception, Wycliffe has made great progress in Bible translation all around the world. To date, they have played a part in completing more than 700 Scripture translations. The WMS began its partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators, following the 17 th Quadrennial Convention. Foot Prints of the President August 1, 2011 August 12, 2011 August 14, 2011 August 27, 2011 September 3, 2011 September 11, 2011 September 13, 2011 September 18, 2011 September 21, 2011 September 24, 2011 October 16, 2011 Attended the Homegoing Service of Dawn DeVeaux, daughter of Bishop William and Supervisor Pam DeVeaux. 2nd Episcopal District Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration hosted by Ward Memorial AME Church, Washington DC. The Right Reverend Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District presented President Reed and Mrs. Connie S. Richardson, Episcopal Supervisor made remarks. Guest speaker, President Reed. Missionary Day Speaker, Payne Chapel AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee; the Reverend Sidney Bryant, Pastor. Attended a special tribute given by President D. Faye Conley and members of the Washington Conference Branch WMS for my work as 1 st Vice President. Reception for President hosted by St. John AMEC, Virginia Beach, Virginia; the Reverend E. H. Terrell, Pastor and co-hosted by the Virginia Conference Branch WMS. Missionary Day Speaker, Metropolitan AME Church, Washington, DC; the Reverend Dr. Ronald Braxton, Pastor. Traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to visit site hotel for Executive Board Meeting. Missionary Day Speaker, Bethel AME Church, Harlem, New York; the Reverend Henry A. Belin, III, Pastor. Participated in the first "AMEs on the Hill." Attended 1 st Episcopal District Luncheon honoring Mother Mary Norris. Missionary Day Speaker, Bethel AME Church, Wilmington, Delaware; the Rev. Dr. Sylvester Beaman, Pastor. 4
October 28-29, 2011 October 30, 2011 November 19, 2011 November 20, 2011 November 30- December 2, 2011 December 3, 2011 December 12-14, 2011 December 19, 2011 December 17, 2011 January 3-6, 2012 Attended the annual luncheon and conference of the 4th Episcopal District's Women's Missionary Society and Women in Ministry (WIM) of the Michigan Conference. Missionary/Women s Day Speaker, Bethel AME Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan; the Reverend Dr. Joseph Cousin, Pastor. Honored at Luncheon sponsored by Mt. Zion AME Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Virginia Conference; the Reverend Vanessa Copeland, Pastor. Missionary Day Speaker, Pilgrim AME Church, Washington, DC; the Reverend W. O. E. Christopher, Pastor. Attended both Church Women United, Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Connectional Ministers Spouses of AMEC, Baltimore, Maryland. Attended the Homegoing Service for Joseph Davis, the brother of Bishop James L. Davis. Attended AME Convo XV, Nashville, Tennessee. Missionary Day Speaker, Grant AME Church, New Jersey; the Reverend Delisha Boykin, Pastor. Attended the Homegoing Service for Bishop Richard Allen Hilderbrand, Jacksonville, Florida. Your President extended greetings at the 25th Annual Church Growth & Evangelism Conference Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport. OUTREACH In addition to a number of speaking engagements across the connection where souls were saved and the people rejoiced, outreach was extended locally to include: President joined the Delia C. Joebson WMS of Third Street Bethel AME Church in distributing over 5000 pairs of shoes to students on Labor Day. Families camped out overnight to secure shoes for their children. Your President and staff, accompanied by the Reverend Dr. E. Gail Holness and daughter, YWI Ali Gail Holness, distributed 100 Thanksgiving lunches to persons experiencing homelessness in McPherson Park, Washington, DC. Dinner Baskets and gift cards were provided to several needy families during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Your President attended Occupy the Dream at the Federal Reserve Building in Washington, DC with Reverend Dr. Jamal H. Bryant. 5
IT'S A NEW SEASON Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting, those things which are behind and reaching to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 NKJV In this season God is calling us to: "Break the SILENCE" Unite to eradicate violence against women and children. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Promote gender equality and empower women. Address the needs of families devastated by the increase of natural disasters from tornados to hurricanes, tsunamis to earthquakes, droughts to fires, storms to floods. 100% increase membership (10,000 YWI Recruits) by 2015. Combat HIV/AIDs, malaria and other diseases. Expand our work: NGO, SADA, Sojourner, WMS Foundation. Bible Translation Let us break the silence by becoming a link to the solution! Embrace the Mission! Join us on our Global Journey In His Service, Shirley Cason-Reed International WMS President 6