By Matthew Seawright, RAYAC Editor
“And we ARE yet Alive and see each other’s face?” An opportunity that may have been taken for granted two years ago as the Connectional Young People’s Division and Women’s missionary society convened in Columbus, Ohio. No way anyone could have predicted what was to come; time has undoubtedly been filled with swift transition. God’s grace and mercy are experienced by so many supporting the declarative question, “Who else but God?”
While a once every hundred-year virus continues to devastate the world, God positioned the AME church to modify her approach, shift her direction, and even her expectations. What troubles have we seen, what conflicts have we passed culminate tough times in various capacities. Businesses were lost as others flourished. Lives have been celebrated in both death and birth. I must admit, while hopeful and enthusiastic about engaging the people as well as seeing familiar faces. I had my doubts about the gathering of the Saints. These doubts were not solely that of safety, if at all, as I have confidence in the precautions taken to keep myself and others safe.
If you’re reading this, you made it.
Far from the norm and hosted remotely across five continents, the church continues to make and trod the path of history. Countless staff and volunteers worked smart to support the hopes of the General Conference commission and the Host district to assure a safe and productive 51st Quadrennial session of the AME church.
The Fifty-first Quadrennial session of the African Methodist Episcopal church general conference commenced and was everything it was expected to be. The remnants of success from the 50th quadrennial session were fully displayed as others prepared to offer themselves for service. The apparent absence of voices from many prominent and impactful lay and clergy leaders was truly undeniable. Chants and songs of teams supporting those offering themselves for service, Interaction and purchases from vendors, and pause in the halls of the convention center as the Episcopal Committee walks by were genuinely different and missed. The theme, “From mission to legacy,” for the Fifty-first Quadrennial session was set. What all does our legacy mean and speak?
One of the most evolving and involved times in the life and history of the church.
In the year 2000, the church was preparing to host the 46th quadrennial session of the general conference. It was the season when the world was settling from the anxious tension of what may have been at the start of a new millennium. A response of sorts to the shift in times was electing and consecrating the first woman as Bishop in the AME Church, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie. Twenty-one years later, as the world is settling from the anxiousness of a global pandemic, the AME church retired the first woman Bishop from active service. Congruently, the AME church elected the fifth elected and consecrated woman, the Right Reverend Francine Brookins. From mission to legacy, history again being made in electing who is in line to become the first woman to don the honor of being the Senior Bishop (2040-2048)
This election is not just about the elevation of a more than qualified woman to the bench but more so an embrace of what leadership can and should look like—personality, engagement, connectivity. Being the leader of a younger generation is beyond clothing, music, and events; it’s about trust. As stated in an expression of encouragement from Rev. Jennifer Leath, “Liberating power is based on substance, not control.”
Young adults in the AME church connect to Bishop Francine because of substance; many trust her. Trust that voices are heard, trust that ideas, hopes, and thoughts are accepted with compassion and introspect. Trust for her genuine approach to life and emotional transparency as it pertains to matter outside the church’s walls.
As Many are reimagining the same church differently, the election of Bishop Brookins is about reimagining the way for a renewed church.
One of the general conference consistencies is the meeting of sub-committees, and this quadrennial was no different. The Richard Allen Young adult Council
Invited all delegation members 18-40 per the tradition of gathering for the sake of discussion and examination of events, legislation, and hopes for advancement. An enthusiastic discussion fueled a variety of responses.
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Our first Millennial general officer addresses us not to count ourselves short or take our presence for granted. Instead, we were encouraged to keep pushing through the doors as he was able to push through with our support.
We shouldn’t settle for a seat, and the table is set and desires that we embrace his position as “OURS.”
Having been disappointed about the Bill on inclusion, the RAYAC subcommittee met to discuss who we are and how we move forward as an organization. The action begs whether many of the lessons learned pre and post height of the pandemic fell upon deaf ears. Thoughts rooted in the desire not just to lead but to be impactful, be held accountable, and support the legacy of the AME church fueled the conversation
While progress has been made through adopting a Resolution to Establish an Ad Hoc AME sexual Ethics Discernment Committee (SED-C), the strategy must be consistent, and our intentions must be specific. With the review of and understanding the legislation submission process, RAYAC can make healthy strides in committing to the work involved to see a church reflective of our hopes and ideas.
The question remains, “Where do we go from here?” as asked by Ninth District RAYAC Corresponding Secretary Rev. Brandon Thornton. What do we walk away with? What portal would we utilize to be a community enabling young adults to speak and convey thoughts to each other? Until two quadrennials ago, access and use of social communication platforms were not as prominent as it is today. For this, there is hope and concern for a turning of the tide in how leadership is governed. Tomorrow starts today, and we were in a position for progress yesterday. Let’s be inspired to cultivate substance moving forward.
