MINUTES The 151 st Session of the Florida Annual Conference Wednesday - September 14, 2016 - Day Two The devotion was accomplished by the team of the Reverend Vivian Mitchell Grant, the Reverend Shari Morris, Sister Kimberly Williams, and Sister Katina Davis. Psalm 150 was read by the Reverend Shari Morris. Bishop greeted the conference and presented Presiding Elder Vincent Mitchell, First Vice President of the Revision Committee, who was the presenter for the Conference Institute. Presiding Elder Mitchell gave a detailed overview of the bills that were presented at the 50 th Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in July 2016. All of the legislation can be viewed on the www.amechurch.com website. The Bishop presented Dr. James Proctor who provided us with information on the Acts 2 Project (African-American Alzheimer s Caregiver Training and Support) which offers faith-based, skillsbuilding and support services to African-American caregivers of loved ones with dementia across Northern Florida, including the Panhandle and counties north of Citrus, Sumter, Lake and Seminole. Presentations were also given by Retired Presiding Elder Ralph Larry Wilson and Dr. Robert Glueckauf. Others accompanying Dr. James Proctor were the Reverend Gregory D. Jones, Pastor of Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Starke, FL and Ms. Tomeka Norton Brown, project Coordinator. Persons who were interested in the program were encouraged to come by their booth in the foyer. The minutes of the previous day s session were viewed and corrected on the screen while being read by the conference secretary. 1
The Bishop then called for the Quincy- Monticello District to begin reading their pastoral reports. The motion to accept this section of the minutes was made by the Reverend Isaiah Cole and seconded by the Reverend Thomas Franklin. The motion carried. Ecumenical Service Oh, what a grand time it was at the Ecumenical Service, a day in which we reached out to our Ecumenical family! The Presiding Elder James H. Davis served as the capable worship leader. The Thank You Jesus Florida Conference Choir tremendously blessed the service in song and praise. The prayer was offered by the Reverend Ronald Mizer. The scripture, Psalm 133 was read by the Rev. Lawrence Gant. The Bishop was presented by Presiding Elder James H. Davis. The Bishop presented the preacher, the Reverend Delwynn Gerard Williams, pastor, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Panama City, FL, as one who is a friend of his and Supervisor Richardson. He also acknowledged Sister Susan Williams, spouse of the Reverend Williams and the members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Williams preceded his message with the song, He Kept Me. The word was powerfully preached by the Reverend Williams, from the scripture text, Zechariah 3:1-4; Subject: When the Preacher goes on Trial. He challenged us to know that the preacher belongs to God and that the pastor and the church go together. The Bishop acknowledged the Reverend Dr. James C. Wade and allowed him to greet the congregation. He also acknowledged Sister Cynthia Griffin, the Episcopal Ministers Spouses president. The announcements were made by the Reverend Cecil Williams and the conference was recessed until 3:15 PM for the Ministers Spouses Luncheon. 2
The motion to accept the reading of this section of the minutes was made by retired Presiding Elder Ralph L. Wilson and seconded by the Reverend Isaiah Cole and the Reverend Dr. James Gibbs. The motion carried. Afternoon Session: 3:15 PM The devotional was led by the team consisting of the Reverend Vivian Mitchell-Grant, the Reverend Shari Morris, the Reverend Melinda Smith and the Reverend Ernestine Hodges who offered the prayer. The Quincy-Monticello District resumed and completed the reading of their reports. The Reverend Anton Elwood came in to read his report with a heavy heart over the loss of his brother. He stated that he had been excused by the Bishop, but had a desire to come for a brief period. The Bishop prayed for the Elwood Family. The Board of Examiners Supplementary Report was read by the Reverend Dr. Marcia Owens as follows: The Board of Examiners has received documentation from Florida State University certifying that Chiquita Elena Marie Washington is on track for graduation in December 2016 with the Bachelor of Science Degree. Accordingly, the Board recommends that Chiquita Elena Marie Washington 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 pending documented completion of the requirements for this degree. The Board recommends that said ordination occur at the Central Conference Day of Sharing on December 10, 2016. The motion to accept the recommendation of the Board was made by Presiding Elder Carlton L. Taylor and seconded by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. The motion carried. 3
The Board of Examiners has received documentation from Keiser University certifying that Christopher Theotae Jordan is on track for graduation in December, 2016, with the Bachelor of Science Degree. Accordingly, the Board recommends that Christopher Theotae Jordan 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 pending documented completion of the requirements for this degree. The Board recommends that said ordination occur at the Central Conference Day of Sharing on December 10, 2016. The motion to accept the recommendation of the Board was made by the Reverend Sterling Barkley and seconded by the Reverend Dr. Marcia Owens. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners has received a request regarding McKinley Hightower from Hurst Chapel AME Church, the Reverend Thomas Franklin, pastor. McKinley Hightower was ordained a Local Deacon & Local Elder for Ward Chapel AME Church in Peoria, Illinois in 2006 and 2009, respectively. Hurst Chapel requests that the Local Orders be accepted for use at Hurst Chapel in Pensacola. Accordingly, the Board recommends McKinley Hightower be added to the Conference Roll as a Local Elder for Hurst Chapel AME Church, Pensacola. The motion to accept the recommendation was made by the Reverend Dr. Nevell Owens, and seconded by the Reverend Dr. Lenny Marshall. The motion carried. The Board of Examiners recommended that Sisters Mariah Alford, Celia Brown, Annie Ruby Morris, Thelma Armstead Wills, Curlee Russ and Daisy Bell Williams be consecrated as Deaconesses in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The motion to accept the recommendation of the Board was made by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr., and seconded by Presiding Elder Phillip Russ, IV. The motion carried. Note: The consecration ceremony will be held on December 3, 2016 at Bethel AME, Pensacola at 1 PM. 4
The Reverend Willie Merrick, pastor of Flipper Chapel AME Church, Tallahassee read his report. The Marianna District pastors completed the reading of their reports. On a special note the Reverend Dr. Ronald Glenn stated that this would be his last report. Dr. Glenn is requesting superannuation. The Bishop commended the work done by the Presiding Elder and the Marianna District. The Reverend Matthew Bryant, Sr. expressed thanks to the Bishop. The Ministerial Efficiency Committee Report was read by the Reverend Jimmie Dickey. The motion to grant superannuation to the Reverend Shirley Greenwood was made by the Presiding Elder Carlton L. Taylor and seconded by the Reverend Carl Hill, and her colleagues, the Reverend Willie Merrick, the Reverend Dr. Lenny Marshall, the Reverend Ralphael Campbell, and the Reverend Raynetta Pandley. The motion carried. The motion to grant superannuation to the Reverend Emma Henderson was made by Presiding Elder Carlton Taylor and seconded by the Reverend Willie Merrick. The Bishop stated that he will hold in abeyance the Reverend Henderson s request for superannuation until after he has talked with her. Bishop then advised the committee of the retirement request of the Reverend Dr. Ronald Glenn. The motion to accept the retirement request of Dr. Ronald Glenn was made by the Rev. Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. and seconded by the Reverend Isaiah Cole. The motion carried. The ceremony honoring the service of the superannuates of the church will take place on Thursday. The Ministerial Efficiency Committee will return later to complete their report. 5
The Bishop gave Dr. James Wade, the Director of Evangelism and Church Growth, the opportunity to address the conference. Dr. Wade presented gifts to Bishop and Mrs. Richardson and spoke about the master s degree program at the Claremont Lincoln University and about the Church Growth Seminar in Memphis, Tennessee, January 4-6, 2017. Information on the program is available on the Evangelism Table in the lobby. This program is for persons who have completed the two-year evangelism certification class. He also talked about the Operation Multiplication study materials. He stated that we need to be aggressive in finding and locating the lost. Bishop stated that we are going to do all that we can to support this ministry so that growth can be experienced in the Church. The conference was recessed until time to resume with the Sons of Allen Service tonight at 7 PM. The Bishop asked for a motion to approve this portion of the minutes. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Sister Mary Silva, and seconded by the Reverend Clifford Hill. The motion carried. Evening Worship Service The Sons of Allen Brave, Bold and Believable Men s Night Celebration: The mighty men of valor marched into the place of worship singing, joyfully What a Mighty God We Serve. The Reverend Freddie Tellis served jubilantly as the worship leader. The Hebrew Scripture, Deuteronomy 31:1-6, was read by a youth, Brother Roderic Starks, and the New Testament Scripture, Acts 4:1-13, was read by the Reverend Michael Johnson. Other program participants will be seen in the program attached to this set of minutes. Presiding Elder Phillip Russ, IV presented the preacher of the hour, the Reverend Darryl L. Hooks, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, Crestview. His sermon was taken from Luke 2:41-47 and his subject was Where is the Baby. He made it clear that we have to reclaim our children; we 6
have to rescue our people when they need rescuing and our children need to be brought to church. The Episcopal District Sons of Allen President, the Reverend Kenneth Irby, was presented by the Reverend Freddie N. Tellis. Reverend Irby acknowledged the presence of the Reverend James Watkins from the Central Conference and Brother Nate Smith of the Florida Conference. He also referenced the Reverend Marcus Payne as his future son-in-law. He presented the Reverend Freddie N. Tellis with a Distinction Award Plaque. Scholarship Awards were presented as follows: Quincy-Monticello District: Jabari Brown, Gerold Trueblood- the Reverend Gwendolyn Carroll Simmons pastor; Brother Jerome Conner, Flipper Chapel AME Church- the Reverend Willie Merrick, Pastor; Brother Eddie Lee Mosely, III, St. Joseph AME, Chipley- the Reverend Linda Edwards Ellis, Pastor; Brother Blair Waters, Gregg Chapel AME-the Reverend Cecil Williams, Pastor; Lucas Phillip Ramsey, Bethel AME-the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Pastor. The Bishop was presented by one of the youth, Brother Keonta Silva. The Bishop stated that these young brothers who are on the platform serving on the program stood before the crowd and read very well and they made us feel proud. The Bishop presented the Bishop s Awards to Brother Eddie LaWayne Ellis, a middle school principal and member of Greater St. Joseph AME Church, Chipley, FL- the Reverend Linda Edwards Ellis, Pastor, for Extraordinary Community Service and Brother Darryl Eugene Jones, of Bethel AME, Tallahassee- the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr., Pastor, for Business and Professional Service. The Reverend Freddie N. Tellis spoke on behalf of the work that Brother Eddie LaWayne Ellis does in the school and community and the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. spoke on behalf of the work that Brother Darryl Jones does in the church. 7
The announcements were done by another youth, Brother Ajani Berlin. At the close of the worship service, Bishop requested a motion for the retirement of the Reverend Emma Henderson. A motion to allow the Reverend Emma Henderson to superannuate was made by the Reverend Dr. Julius McAllister, Jr. and seconded by the Reverend Cecil Williams. The motion carried. Bishop announced that the Business Session will begin at 8:30 AM on Thursday. The worship service ended at 9 PM. The motion to accept the reading of this section of the minutes was made by Sister Ethel Wooten and seconded by the Reverend Charles F. Flowers. The motion carried. This ends the minutes for Wednesday, September 14, 2016. Submitted by: The Reverend Louisa L. Thomas, Conference Secretary Sister Maggie Brown, Assistant Conference Secretary All MINUTES OF THE 151 ST SESSION OF THE FLORIDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE POSTED TO: THE FLORIDA CONFERENCE WEBSITE: www.flconfame.org 8