Minutes THE 151 ST SESSION OF THE FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2016 Tuesday- September 13, 2016 Day One The 151st Florida Annual Conference was called to order at 9:00 AM with Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., personally singing Praise Him. The Bishop then called for Roll Call by the Reverend Louisa L. Thomas, Conference Secretary. During roll-call, Bishop implemented the newly established rule governing presiding elders and placed their names in the category for Retired Presiding Elders. During roll call actions were taken as follows: The Reverend Thomas Franklin transferred from the South Conference. The Reverend Willie Hagan (deceased) was transferred to the Necrology and Memoirs Committee. The Reverend Robert E. Hudson (deceased) was transferred to the Necrology and Memoirs Committee. The Reverend Haywood Sheard (deceased) was transferred to the Necrology and Memoirs Committee. The Reverend Johnnie B. Stallworth (deceased) was transferred to the Necrology and Memoirs Committee. Sister Mary Silva was placed on the conference roll as Conference WMS President. Brother Shepherd Myrick was placed on role as Conference Lay Organization President. Sister Sarah Norton was referred to the Ministerial Efficiency Committee. Bishop then called for the Annual Conference Delegates for each district, respectively, and conference booklets were given out to everyone present. In regards to retirees, Bishop stated that we need to be aware of the status of the superannuates and clergy who are not present to answer roll. Bishop asked for the names of the ill and bereaved to be called in the atmosphere and he offered a prayer. 1
Bishop paused to say thank you to Sister Lucy Pride for her eight years of service as Conference WMS President. Sister Mary Silva is the new president and her name will be added to the conference roll. The Bishop also honored Brother Johnnie Hill for his service as Conference Lay president. Brother Shepherd Myrick is the new president and will be added to the Conference roll as the new Conference Lay President. Bishop presented Episcopal District Consultant, Supervisor Connie Speights Richardson, who received a roaring ovation from the conference. Bishop then called for the Presiding Elders to present the Organization of the Conference. The report was read by Presiding Elders Lee E. Plummer and Phillip Russ, IV. It was recommended that the conference booklet provided by the Bishop become the order of the day, and that the Conference Boundary would be the first 12 rows across, including the Corner Seats. It was further recommended that the Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Connie Speights Richardson, would serve as Special Assistant to the Bishop; the Reverend Marvin C. Zanders, II, Treasurer, Episcopal District; the Reverend Mark L. Griffin, Accountant, Episcopal District; the Reverend Louisa L. Thomas, Chief Secretary; Sister Maggie Brown, Assistant Secretary; the Reverend Dr. Herbert W. Corbin Jr., Statistician; the Reverend Helen Johnson-Robinson, Assistant Statistician; and Brother John Love, Clerical Assistant. The Marshalls were recommended as follows: Chief Marshall, the Reverend Isaiah Cole; Assistant Chief Marshall, the Reverend Tony O. Hannah; Other Marshalls: the Reverend Angus Jackson, the Reverend Gary B. Reed, the Reverend Yolanda Smith, the Reverend Carl L. Hill, the Reverend Freddie Glenn, the Reverend Sandra B. Jones, the Reverend Linda F. Edwards-Ellis, the Reverend Matthew Ewing, the Reverend Barbara Brinson, Sister Sandra Campbell, Brother Sylvester Mack and Brother Riley Brinson. The Director of Music was recommended to be Dr. Rose Hill. A motion to accept the recommendations for conference booklet being the order of the day, Officers and staff, Marshalls, and Director of Music was made by the 2
Reverend Julius McAllister and seconded by the Reverend Isaiah Cole and the Reverend Dr. James Gibbs. The motion carried. The Stewardship Committee was recommended as follows: The Reverend Dr. Julius H. McAllister, Jr., the Reverend Anton G. Elwood, the Reverend Charles A. Morris, the Reverend Jeffery Graham, the Reverend Helen Johnson-Robinson, the Reverend Julius Tisdale, the Reverend Charletta Robinson, the Reverend Matthew J. Bryant, the Reverend Ronald D. Mizer, the Reverend Debra Love; the Reverend Clifton Riley, the Reverend Freddie N. Tellis, the Reverend Cecil Williams, the Reverend Darnell B. West, Brother Johnnie Hill, Sister Carolyn Colston, Sister Ethel Grice, Brother Joseph Johnson, Brother Edward Wesley, Brother John W. Love, Brother Donald Russell, Sister Beverly Lettinhand, Sister Rose Brown, and Brother Roger Pittman. The Conference Reporters were recommended to be the Reverend Jimmie Dickey and the Secretarial Staff. The Timekeepers were recommended to be the Reverend Willie L. Merrick and the Reverend Thomas Franklin. The Judiciary Committee was recommended as follows: Presiding Elder Dr. Carlton L. Taylor, the Reverend Cecil B. Williams, the Reverend Dr. Marcia Allen Owens, the Reverend Earnestine Barkley, the Reverend Ralph Campbell; and Sister Mary Silva. Ministerial Efficiency Committee: The Reverend Clifton Riley, the Reverend Charletta C. Robinson, the Reverend Jimmie Dickey, the Reverend Freddie Glenn, the Reverend Blanche Godwin, Presiding Elders: Presiding Elder James H. Davis, Presiding Elder Dr. Carlton L. Taylor, Presiding elder Lee E. Plummer, Presiding Elder Phillip Russ, IV A motion to accept the recommendation of the Stewardship Committee, Conference Reporters, Time Keepers, and the Ministerial Efficiency Committee was made by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. seconded by the Reverend Tony O. Hannah. The motion carried. FLORIDA CONFERENCE TRUSTEES were recommended as follows: TALLAHASSEE DISTRICT: Presiding Elder Dr. Carlton Taylor, the Reverend 3
Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. the Reverend Anton Elwood, the Reverend Marque Woodard, Sister Beulah Gregory, Brother Donald Russell, Sister Mary Silva; PENSACOLA-PANAMA CITY DISTRICT: Presiding Elder Phillip Russ, IV, the Reverend Clifton Riley, the Reverend Cecil B. Williams, the Reverend Ann S. Riley, Sister Brenda Britt, Sister Judith E. Hollinhead, Brother James Hayden; QUINCY-MONTICELLO DISTRICT: Presiding Elder Lee Plummer, the Reverend Charles A. Morris, the Reverend Helen Johnson-Robinson, Brother Johnny Hill, Brother John Love; MARIANNA DISTRICT : Presiding Elder James H. Davis, the Reverend Tony O. Hannah, the Reverend Matthew Bryant, Sr., the Reverend Ronald D. Mizer, Sister Norma Merritt, Sister Barbara Patterson; The EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES: The Reverend Louisa Thomas, Conference Secretary; the Reverend Lee E. Plummer, Conference Treasurer; Sister Mary Silva, WMS President; Brother Shepherd Myrick Lay Organization President; The Reverend Dr. James Gibbs, Christian Education Director. Note: Bishop asked that for the next conference year the Florida Conference Board of Trustees be reduced to a smaller more manageable group, ten less than the current number. A motion to accept the recommendation for Florida Conference Trustees was made by the Reverend Ronald Mizer, seconded by the Reverend Willie Merrick. The motion carried. Bishop also stated that there should be recommendations made for the Board of Enterprise Center. Presiding Elder Summary Reports were made as follows: Presiding Elder Phillip Russ, IV, Pensacola-Panama City District, who was proud to make his first summary report as presiding elder; Presiding Elder James H. Davis, Marianna District; Presiding Elder Lee Plummer, Quincy-Monticello District, who was making his second report as a presiding elder and his first for this district; Elder Carlton Taylor, Tallahassee District. Bishop expressed appreciation to the presiding elders and members for the very fine reports that were made. THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS gave their report as follows: 4
The Board recommended that Nekeshia Harris, Felisha Denise McIntyre, Linda Joyce Sheffield, and Adrian Jerrod Staley be admitted to the Florida Annual Conference on Trial to purse itinerant orders in the African Methodist Episcopal church and advance to the first year class. The Board recommended that Esther Bowers be admitted to the Florida Annual Conference to pursue local orders for Greenwood Chapel AME Church and advanced to the first year class. Motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. and seconded by the Reverend Aundra McGlockton. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Louvenia Mae Hill, Addie Holt, Mary Aikins McBride, Kimberly Mobley and Kelvin Wilson be advanced to the 2nd year class, Itinerant track. The motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Freddie Tellis and seconded by the Reverend Aundra McGlockton. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Shanina Hines and Dorothy Sanders- Lewis remain in the first year class until they meet the education and other disciplinary requirements for advancement. The Board recommended that Shabrina Mack be returned to the Itinerant Track. The board further recommended that she remains in the first year class until she meets the educational requirement and disciplinary requirements for advancement. The motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Julius McAllister, Jr., and seconded by the Reverend Freddie Tellis. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Terrance Goldsmith be referred to the Ministerial Efficiency Committee due to an inquiry regarding his status in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Board of Examiners recommended that Matthew Janerius Bryant, II be elected and ordained to the Order of Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and advanced to the third year course of studies. A motion to accept the recommendation was made by his father, the Reverend Matthew Bryant, Sr. and seconded by the Reverend Ronald Mizer. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Barbara Thomas-Reddick be elected and ordained to the Order of Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal 5
Church and advanced to the third year course of studies. The motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Margaret Brown and seconded by the Reverend Dr. Carlton Taylor. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Gerald Wilson McSwain, Sr. be elected and ordained a local deacon for New Bethel AME Church, Quincy, FL. A motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Charles Morris and seconded by the Reverend Aundra McGlockton. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Marvin Bouquette, Victoria Brown, Gloria Cox, Richard G. Davis, II, Magelean Edwards, Eric Devon Evans, Yasmin Fishburn, Tracy Ingram, Abraham Johnson, Christopher Theotae Jordan, Yolanda F. Lewis, Robin Moreland, Gracie Norton- Dickey, Teris Robinson, Nikita Wiggins, Kimberly D. Williams remain in the second year class until they satisfy the educational and other disciplinary requirements for election and ordination. The motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. and seconded by the Reverend Dr. Marcia Owens. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Azryana Soto, Barbara Thomas, Salonia Sheffield, and Betty Jean Weaver be advanced to the fourth year course of studies. A motion to accept the recommendation was made by Presiding Elder Phillip Russ seconded by the Reverend Freddie Tellis. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Shakeer McNair be referred to the ministerial efficiency Committee to determine her status in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Instead of a motion the Bishop ruled that she would be referred to the Ministerial Efficiency Committee to determine her status in the AME Church. The Board of Examiners recommended that Pamela Andrews, Linda Battles, Earnestine Brown-Hodges, James Chambers, Clifford Hill, and Vivian Hall Royster remain in the third year class until they satisfy the education requirement and other disciplinary requirements for advancement. A motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr., and seconded by the Reverend Carl Hill. The motion carried. 6
The Board of Examiners recommended that Dana Janeen Boykin be elected and ordained Itinerant Elders and released from the jurisdiction of the Board of Examiners. A motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Carl Hill and seconded by the Reverend Freddie Tellis. The Board of Examiners recommended that Gwendolyn Carroll-Simmons be elected and ordained Itinerant Elder and released from the jurisdiction of the Board of Examiners. A motion to accept the recommendation was made by Presiding Elder Lee E. Plummer and seconded by the Reverend Charles Morris. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Nicole Dickson, Charles F. Flowers, Kimberly C. Gallian, Laverne Haynes, and Hollis McClendon, Jr. be granted a Certificate of Completion and released from further obligations of the Ministerial Institute. However, they remain under the jurisdiction of the Board of Examiners and they shall keep the Board of Examiners apprised of their progress by completing an Annual Board of Examiners Status Form until they meet educational and other disciplinary requirements for election and ordination to the Order of Itinerant Elder. The Board further recommended that Sherisse Kelly Bryant remain in the fourth year course of studies until she satisfies the education and other disciplinary requirements for advancement. It was moved by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. and seconded by the Reverend Isaiah Cole that the report be adopted. The motion carried. The Bishop wanted the record to reflect that the Reverend Dr. Lenny Marshall s name was inadvertently omitted from the Board of Examiner s report. The Board of Examiners will present a supplementary report later in the conference. The Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. expressed appreciation to the Reverend Dr. Nevell and Dr. Marcia Owens and the Board Chair, the Reverend Anton Elwood, for their leadership on the Board and to the Bishop for the opportunity to serve on the Board and the Annual Conference. Dr. Penny Ralston was presented by the Bishop to give her report on the work of the Health Director and Health Task Force which promotes healthy lifestyles. She highlighted some of the achievements: (1) Health Smart AME Program, a church level healthy lifestyle program implemented in 21churches and impacting 512 7
people (2) Hand Hygiene Initiative was an Episcopal level program impacting 645 persons. Bishop expressed appreciation to Dr. Ralston who has done phenomenal work in this endeavor of Health Ministry. Bishop introduced the guests: Presiding Elder and Mrs. Vincent Floyd Mitchell, South Conference Central District, Presiding Elder and Mrs. J. O. Williams, West Coast Conference, Tampa District; The Reverend Glenn Dames, Pastor, St. James AME, Titusville; Rev. Betty Watson, 11th Episcopal District Women s Ministry President; Rev. Mark Griffin, who serves as the 11th Episcopal District Accountant was also recognized by the Bishop. Conference was put on pause until 2 PM by the Bishop. AFTERNOON SESSION Devotion for the afternoon session was conducted by Sister Magelean Edwards and Brother Devon Greyheart. The Bishop arrived and announced that the reading of reports would be read by the host church, the Stewardship and Finance committee, and the Pensacola-Panama City District. The Bishop commended Rev. Williams on taking on the challenge of purchasing the Life Center. After the reports of the Pensacola District were completed, the Bishop asked that they stand and he gave them commendations for their work done. The Worship Guide for the Conference was given out to each pastor and delegate by the Conference Marshalls. Reverend Cecil Williams made announcements concerning the 5 PM choir rehearsal. All pastors in the processional need to be in place 30 minutes prior to time for service to begin. Bishop announced that Wednesday s session will begin at 8:15 AM for devotional and 8:30 AM for the Conference Institute. All pastors and delegates are to attend the institute. Following the Institute, the minutes will be read and the Quincy-Monticello District will begin reading their reports. The Bishop also asked that all clergy be present for the procession at 6:55 PM. The conference was put on recess until the Opening Worship Service with the procession beginning at 7 PM. 8
OPENING WORSHIP SERVICE 7 PM The Great Procession of the Bishop, Presiding Elders, and clergy to the tune of Every Praise is to our God began at approximately 7:05 PM, and was presided over by Presiding Elder Carlton L. Taylor. The Florida Conference Choir sang melodiously the opening songs and the Bethel AME Choir, Pensacola, FL sang He s Working it Out prior to their Pastor, Rev. Clifton Riley s sermon. The preacher for the Annual Sermon, the Reverend Clifton Riley, was presented by the Bishop as being the believable pastor who preached from the text of 1st Samuel 22:1-4, using the theme topic, Effective Ministry. He charged us to Remember the scars the next time we feel like giving up. The Reverend Dr. James Wade, Director of Church Growth and Development was introduced to say hello to the conference. Announcements were made by the host pastor. The Vice Chair of the Revisions Committee, Presiding Elder Vincent Mitchell, will be the Institute presenter tomorrow at 8:30 AM. The session will begin at 8:15 AM. The minutes will be on the screen and approved and available on the Florida Conference website. The session was adjourned at 9:50 PM (EST). These minutes may be viewed at www.flconfame.org 9