To View PDF - Sixth Episcopal District

The Rt Reverend Preston W Williams II, Presiding Bishop
Dr. Wilma D. Webb Williams, Episcopal Supervisor
Fullling The Great Commission:
New Rules of Engagement
Bishop’s Report
2013 Bishops’ Council & General Board
Kingston, Jamaica
The Sixth Episcopal District welcomes the return of their
native son, The Rt. Reverend Dr. Preston Warren Williams II,
home. Bishop and Dr. Wilma D. Webb Williams return to
Georgia with a spirit to serve and to engage the Sixth Episcopal
District in “New Rules of Engagements”. Bishop Williams
returns to Georgia sharing the vision of ministry that calls
each person to fulll the great commission to, “Go ye therefore
and make disciples.” In so doing, Bishop Williams is meeting
Georgia’s communities where they are and journeying with
them to where God has called them to be. Bishop Williams
has begun the work of advancing the Sixth Episcopal District
through educating, evangelizing and empowering the people
of Georgia by introducing a variety of ministries and programs
which promote community partnerships, youth and young
adult ministries, and theological education.
DISTRICT-WIDE CHURCH VISITATIONS
Upon Bishop Williams’ arrival to Georgia as the newly appointed Presiding Prelate of
the 6th Episcopal District, he immediately embarked on a statewide visitation tour of all 534
A.M.E. Churches throughout the District. Thus far, he has physically visited the following 7
Presiding Elder districts: Albany-Valdosta, Augusta-Athens, Eastern, Macon, ThomasvilleBainbridge, Waycross, and West Savannah.
Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Macon Ga - Macon Georgia Annual Conference
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, omasville Ga - South Georgia Annual Conference
Butler Creek African Methodist Episcopal Church, Athens Ga - Augusta Georgia Annual Conference
2
LEADERSHIP & MINISTRY CONGRESS
July 24-27, 2012, the 6th Episcopal District convened in Augusta, Georgia for its Leadership
and Ministry Congress, which was the rst statewide meeting of the new 2012-2016 quadrennial
season. The Leadership Congress was held at the Augusta Marriott Hotel at the Convention Center
located at Two Tenth Street in Augusta, Georgia.
Christian Education Leadership Congress, Macon Ga.
This Leadership Congress represented the rst opportunity for Bishop Williams to assemble the
6th District’s statewide leadership under one roof and begin the process of bringing people together
on one accord by addressing outstanding issues and presenting his vision and expectations for the
next four years.
Bishop Williams requested each Presiding Elder District to invite ve pastors who had
demonstrated effective leadership skills to join him in a special session discussing the necessity
for effective leadership in ministry. Bishop reviewed the “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” by
John Maxwell as well as discussing the “Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni. Bishop
challenged the presiding elders and the pastors to join him in making a difference in the Sixth
Episcopal District and in the lives of the people the Lord has allowed this Episcopal District to lead.
MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE
Morris Brown College Files Bankruptcy at National Day of Prayer
On August 6, 2012, Morris Brown College received a Notice of
Foreclosure from one of its creditors, U.S. Bank National Association,
a corporation that holds 13.1 million dollars in bonds tied to the
equity of Morris Brown’s historic campus. As a result of the college’s
recent nancial struggles, Morris Brown had been unable to remain
current with its loan, and so the creditor called in the 13.1 million in
bonds demanding payment for the full amount. When Morris Brown
was unable to pay, it became in default of its loan. As a result, a
sheriff’s sale of the college’s 13.1 million in property was scheduled for Legendary statue depicting Bishop
Tuesday, September 4, 2012.
Morris Brown and his children
3
In response to this critical situation, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Preston W. Williams II, the newly appointed
Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District and newly elected Chairman of the Board of Morris
Brown College, called for a National Day of Prayer to ask for God’s grace and mercy in helping to save
the school. The word was sent out across the city of Atlanta, the state of Georgia, the United States
and the world, to pray for Morris Brown College and lend your support in this time of great need.
Consequently, on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 1 p.m., Morris Brown College conducted its
National Day of Prayer in their campus gymnasium where Bishop Williams outlined a plan of action to
avoid foreclosure of the school’s property and move the college beyond this dark and difcult moment
into a brighter and more prosperous future.
Bishop Williams announced that Morris Brown College had led for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
in the Atlanta federal courts. Chapter 11 is a part of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code which permits
reorganization and gives federal protection to businesses unable to pay their debts. Bishop Williams
stated, “The trustees of Morris Brown College are taking several deliberate actions to ensure that Morris
Brown will not only survive, but also thrive. We are not abandoning the legitimate legal obligations of
the college, but we are utilizing this important legal protection that is provided by the Constitution of
the United States and by federal law.”
By ling Chapter 11, Morris Brown blocked the foreclosure sale of its 13.1 million in property.
Attorney Renardo Hicks, chief legal counsel for Morris Brown College, explained that the emergency
ling automatically delays the foreclosure until a judge decides otherwise. Morris Brown is now
actively engaged in a critical fund raising campaign so that while the bankruptcy process is being
litigated, the college can keep its doors open by maintaining the ongoing functions of the school which
cost hundreds of thousands of dollars each month.
The second phase of Bishop Williams’ plan to reorganize and revitalize Morris Brown College
involves the establishment of three development committees composed of experts in law, nance,
education, business, and government affairs from across the country to help the college address
the problems which it currently faces by developing solutions, making important decisions and
implementing critical changes to the school and its operations.
4
First, the Debt Restructuring Committee will consist largely of attorneys, CPA’s and other
professionals working directly with vendors and creditors to renegotiate, restructure, reduce and
erase the existing debt of Morris Brown College. Second, the Resource Development Committee will
focus on looking at every possible source of funding that can be found for Morris Brown. The members
of this committee will consist of trustees, entrepreneurs, fundraisers, business professionals, alumni
and others who will be directly engaged in long and short-term resource development for Morris
Brown College. Third, the Institutional Advancement Committee will focus on evaluating existing
programs and developing new programs, strategies, structures and approaches to ensure the long
and short-term success of Morris Brown College. They will examine the business model of Morris
Brown College and its relationships with local business, government, other colleges and universities
and local, regional and national churches. The members of this committee will consist of educators,
business professionals, attorneys, clergy, government ofcials, alumni and other leaders. These three
(3) development committees will work in collaboration with the Morris Brown College administration
and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.
Within months of his arrival to the Sixth Episcopal District, Bishop Williams engaged an
experienced national attorney as General Counsel to Morris Brown College and secured national
Bankruptcy Counsel from the Philadelphia law rm of Dilworth Paxon LLP, resulting in the reinstatement
of Morris Brown College’s 501c3 tax exempt status. Chairman Williams also engaged BDO (the 5th
largest accounting rm in the world - with specialized experience in educational institutions) as
nancial advisors and auditors for MBC. He has also embraced the assistance of Deloitte as auditors,
nancial advisory and tax and consulting professionals in the creation of MBC’s reorganization plan.
Chairman Williams has also recruited and enlisted the professional support of several new members,
of national stature, to the Morris Brown College Board of Trustees.
MID-YEAR CONVOCATION & THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
October 17-19, 2012, the 6th Episcopal District hosted its Mid-Year Convocation at the
Centreplex Coliseum in Macon, Georgia. As part of the Christian Education initiative, a new component
was added to this year’s conference – the Theological Institute – which presented internationally
renowned preachers and teachers to the clergy and laity of the 6th Episcopal District. The theme of
this year’s convocation was “New Rules of Engagement.” St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Macon, Georgia
served as the host church where the Rev. W. Jerome McClain serves as Senior Pastor.
The Mid-Year Convocation began with business sessions.
Topics included: Sexual Harassment, lead by Atty. Renardo
Hicks; Risk Management, lead by Mr. Richard Harper; component
meetings of the Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts, Christian Education
Leadership, Curriculum, Debutantes & Masters Commission
(DMC), Health Ministries, Lay Organization, Richard Allen
Young Adult Council (RAYAC), Sons of Allen (SOA), Women in
Ministry (WIM), and the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS).
The rst day concluded with a scholarship banquet hosted by
the WMS, which annually awards more than 20 scholarships to
deserving high-school graduates pursuing college degrees.
Bishop Williams and Atty. Renarldo Hicks
Sexual Misconduct Symposium
During the second and third days, the conference was taken to another level as internationally
acclaimed preachers and teachers blessed the conference with their God-given gifts. Guest teachers
included: Dr. Lance Watson (Technology and Ministry), Dr. Walter Malone Jr. (Biblical Examples
of Leadership), and Bishop Claude Alexander (Leadership). Guest preachers included: Dr. Michael
Bell, Pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Southeast Washington, D.C., and Dr. Carolyn Showell,
ordained preacher of First Apostolic Faith Church in Baltimore, Maryland where her brother, Bishop
Franklin C. Showell, is the Pastor).
5
A special event occurred during the last day of the conference. Friday, October 19, at 1 p.m., Mayor
Robert Reichert welcomed the A.M.E. Church to the city of Macon. Mayor Reichert assembled various
civic, business and ecumenical leaders in the Edgar Wilson Convention Center for a luncheon to meet
and greet the leadership of the A.M.E. Church which included the newly appointed bishop of the state
of Georgia, Bishop Preston W. Williams II. Also in attendance were all 17 presiding elders and many
of their spouses.
During the luncheon, Mayor Reichert introduced
numerous of the distinguished guests, some of
whom included: Mr. Samuel Hart, Chairman
of the Bibb County Board of Commissioners;
Rev. Dr. Marcus V. Tripp, Pastor of Vineville
United Methodist Church; Mr. Patrick Madison,
Executive Director of the College Hill Alliance;
Bishop James R. King Jr., Presiding Bishop of the
South Georgia Annual Conference of the United
Methodist Church; Mr. Romain Dallemand, Bibb
County School Superintendent; Rabbi Larry
Schlesinger, Macon City Council President Pro
Tem; Rev. Ronald G. Toney, Vice Moderator, Union Baptist Missionary Educational Association, and
Pastor of Lizzy Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Macon; Ms. Karen Lambert, President of the
Peyton Anderson Foundation; and Mr. Mike Ford, President and CEO of New Town Macon.
Mayor Reichert led the distinguished guests in an exploration of potential partnerships with the
A.M.E. Church in numerous areas such as housing development near Mercer University, the support
and assistance of Macon’s at-risk youth, the educational development of Macon’s students, and the
restoration and revitalization of the downtown Macon area.
Bishop Williams thanked Mayor Reichert for hosting such an excellent reception and thanked all of
the guests who took time out of their busy schedules to attend. Presiding Elder Ridley stated, “This
was the rst time in the history of Macon that all of these political leaders received our bishop and
we are proud of what God is doing with the African Methodist Episcopal Church.” Bishop Williams
also stated, “The A.M.E. Church looks forward to working with the city of Macon and its many civic,
business and ecumenical leaders so that together we may help each other to develop Macon and the
state of Georgia into the best communities they can be.”
ANNUAL FOUNDER’S DAY CELEBRATION & PARADE
The Sixth Episcopal District celebrated the
life and legacy of Richard Allen annually in
Savannah, Georgia with a parade on Saturday
as the climax of a weekend of reection and
fellowship. This year, the Episcopal District
experienced greater exposure and an out
of the box approach to this celebratory
weekend. Parade organizers stated that this
years’ parade was larger than previous with
more than 250 units and the route allowed
the community to experience the love and
joy of our Zion. Neighbors lined the street
as oats, bands, walkers and vans paraded
through the route.
6
Ward Chapel AME Church, Augusta Ga and Flat Rock AME Church, Fayetteville Ga.
The celebration concluded with the Battle of Bands and the Legendary Harlem Globetrotters exhibition
game. High School and College bands demonstrated their musical and chorographical skills to an
excited cross-generational crowd. The Globetrotters entertained us with their phenomenal ball skills
while our awesome team Six demonstrate great team work under the leadership the greatest coach in
African Methodist history, our very own Bishop Preston W. Williams II. The Sixth District team was
comprised of the Presiding Elder Council and local pastors.
Sixth Episcopal District’s Presiding Elders and Pastors against the Legendary Harlem Globetrotters
GAME TIME
7
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SERIES 2013
Bishop Williams began the series of Annual Conferences with the Christian Education Youth
Summit. Over the series of six annual conferences, the Youth Summit served 1,615 youth ages 5-15.
More than 540 adult chaperones, Christian Educators s The children participated in workshops on
Biblical characters Nehemiah and King Solomon, they examined the History of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church and actively explore their future in “When I Grow Up…” The Summit provided
children and youth with three meals and great fellowship.
The Debutante and Masters Commission’s Ceremony is a hallmark of the annual conference
series and Bishop shared with the parents, DMC coordinators and volunteers, DMC participants and
supporters the importance of Spiritual Formation. Bishop established guidelines to strengthen the
DMC program to increase the representation of male role models, parental involvement and intentional
theological dialogues with our children and youth. He also committed to support scholarship for
future DMC participants.
Georgia Annual Conference
Southwest Georgia
Annual Conference
8
Macon Georgia Annual Conference
On Monday morning during the 2013 series of annual conferences, Bishop Williams met
with local ofcials such as mayors, sheriffs, police chiefs, councilpersons, and other community
ofcials. regional areas to discuss the issues impacting the community and to share with ofcials the
church’s commitment to make a difference in the community. Bishop Williams is building political
relationship networks and connecting the church to the power infrastructure which governs the local
communities, cities and state of Georgia.
Breakfast Meeting with Elected Official from across the State of Georgia
These gathering create great dialogue, partnerships and accountability. We envision several
partnerships in community projects to address the needs of children, youth and elderly adult.
centers, hospitals and nursing homes.”
The business sessions were enlightened by Bishop’s
intentionality to teach during the pastoral reports and
provide guidance to both clergy and laity as it relates to
church growth, spiritual and leadership development and
the importance of relationships in church ministry. Bishop
placed great emphasis on the church responsibility to
be active participant in the community they serve, “Our
churches cannot open their doors on Sunday and leave the
building vacant the rest of the week. The church must
be actively engaged in the work of the community, serving
in the local school as volunteers, visiting the community
Bishop shared with the local congregations the importance of
having adequate insurance through a state-wide assessment of
current coverage. Mr. Richard Harper provided each church with
a risk assessment comparing current coverage to recommended
coverage. Each Annual Conference had an opportunity to
understand the overall exposure of the Conference compared to
recommended coverage.
9
Bishop instituted Christian Education Day during the Annual Conference Series. He observed
a disconnect among both clergy and laity as it related to the church’s polity therefore the Annual
Conferences explored the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Polity and examined the three
forms of ecclesiastical governance. Many expressed appreciation for the thorough presentation and
information on the ecclesiastical governance.
POST-CONFERENCE & THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
As we reect on the previous conference year, we begin our plans for the new Annual Conference
year. Our Bishop sets the stage for productive and effective ministry by providing another institute
of theological and academic excellence. After the business sessions on day one, days two and three
of the conference experienced exposure of teachers and preachers equipped to take the clergy and
laity to level of greater service in Church Growth. Guest teachers included: Dr. Floyd Flake (Church
Growth Through Community Involvement and Outreach), Dr. John Jenkins (Church Growth Through
Christian Education), and Dr. Samuel Chand (Church Growth In Church Culture). Guest preachers
included: Dr. Matthew Watley of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glendale, MD and Dr. Carolyn Knight
of Can Do Ministries, Atlanta, Ga
e Reverend Dr. Matthew Watley
e Reverend Dr. Floyd Flake
10
The Report to the Council of Bishops
The Number of Annual Conferences
6
The Number of Members in Each Annual Conference
South Georgia
5,785
Southwest Georgia
9,385
Georgia
9,327
Augusta Georgia
7,079
Macon Georgia
7,806
Atlanta-North Georgia
47,405
Total Episcopal District Membership
88,786
The Amount of the General Budget Fund appropriated
The Episcopal District
$1,397,089
The Amount of the General Fund collected and sent to the Office of the Chief Financial
Officer of the AME Church, from each of the Annual Conferences.
South Georgia
$133,524
Southwest Georgia
$204,963
Georgia
$189,193
Augusta Georgia
$149,830
Macon Georgia
$211,411
Atlanta-North Georgia
$508,138
The Episcopal District sent
$1,397,089
*Total reflects funds from the 2012 Quadrennial Report
If this represents an increase, the same amount, or a decrease as compared with last year’s report,
list the following, and give details:
Ministers who have been expelled during the year: No minister has been expelled.
Ministers who have withdrawn from the Connection during this year: The Reverend Reginald
L. Wade, Macon Georgia Annual Conference;
Congregation that has split, or withdrawn from the Connection during this year: The Love
Fellowship AME Church, Macon Georgia Annual Conference.
Give details of new churches organized or established during this year: No new churches
organized or established
11
e spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; He has sent
me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim
liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s
favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for
those who mourn in Zion— to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. ey will be called
oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display His glory. Isaiah 61:1-3a
Sixth Episcopal District’s Office
2900 Chamblee Tucker Road - Bldg 3
Atlanta, Georgia 30341
Phone: 770-220-1770