By Angelena Spears, 1st Episcopal District
Many in First District Meet New Bishop During Virtual Christian Education Congress
By Angelena Spears, 1st Episcopal District
A highlight for Christian Education in the First Episcopal District is the Rev. Dr. Earl L. Jefferson Christian Education Congress, held in July. This year’s virtual meeting was extra special because it included an opportunity to meet the newly appointed bishop, the Rt. Rev. Julius H. McAllister, Sr. (129th), and his wife, Episcopal Supervisor Joan Marla McAllister.
According to the Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, over 1000 persons logged on to the two-day conference, which was accessible through Zoom and Facebook. The Rev. Cavaness, the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, helped organize the event and coordinated ordering kits that included T-shirts with the conference’s theme: Re-imagining Ministry.
Bishop McAllister said the appointment to the First District was a “coming home” for him and his wife. He explained that his ministry started in the New Jersey Annual Conference at Israel Memorial AME Church, Newark, New Jersey, and Mother McAllister was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where she was a member of Mt. Teman AME Church.
During a special “Meet the Bishop Town Hall” session, Bishop McAllister took questions from component leaders and shed light on what leadership under a “McAllister Episcopacy” would be like. Bishop McAllister promised, “You can expect transparency, accountability, and integrity.” He added, “You have received this before in the previous administration.”
Bishop McAllister also promised that theirs would be an inclusive ministry. “We are going to work really hard at building relationships,” he said.
He said his priorities would include reaching financial solvency in the district within the local congregations, preparing for the post-pandemic church, and looking at the need to merge some congregations.
He also shared that he has a good track record for promoting women in ministry. He has appointed women to lead major congregations in their districts and said his sensitivity to women in ministry is enhanced because two of his sisters are in the ministry. “I will bring women to the table and put them in places where they will have a strong voice,” he added.
A bittersweet part of the conference was knowing that the Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, the newly elected Connectional Executive Director of Church Growth and Development, would be stepping down from his role as the Chair of the First District’s Christian Education Department – a role he has served in for nine years. Dr. Norris, who is also the pastor of St Luke AME Church, Harlem, New York, has served as Chairperson alongside the Rev. Jay Broadnax, the pastor of Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Philadelphia, the Department’s Executive Director.
Under their leadership, pre-COVID Congresses have attracted several hundred young people each year who look forward to gathering on the campus of Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware. The young people look forward to spending the week living in the dormitories and forming friendships with other youth throughout the First District, which includes Bermuda, New England, New York, Western New York, Delaware, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. During the week, there are powerful worship services, engaging workshops, a “First District’s Best” youth talent competition, a youth-led “Saved With Amazing Grace” (SWAG) service, and a highly-anticipated Kingdom Games basketball competition involving both youth and clergy.
Workshop presenters for this year’s two-day virtual Congress included Dr. Theodore Hickman-Maynard, the Associate Dean For Ministerial Studies at Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Dr. Kahli Mootoo, the pastor of Emanuel AME Church in Harlem, New York. Preachers for the worship services were the newly elected bishop for the 15th Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Silvester S. Beaman, the Rev. Bria Belim, the pastor of Delaine-Waring AME Church, Buffalo, New York, and the Rev. Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, chairman.
A fun activity this year was an Old School vs. New School “Versuz” event. The Rev. Kyle Thomas of Thornbury AME Church in Pennsylvania played old school music from legendary artists like the Rev. Milton Brunson and the Rev. James Cleveland; and the Rev. Virgil Woods, pastor of First AME Church in Gary, Indiana, played music by newer artists, like Kierra Sheard and Maverick City Music.
This year’s Congress also included presentations from the Youth of the Year contest winners. The contest is an annual competition where youth showcase their talents in essay writing, music, and dance. This year’s winners listed by their annual conference were: Deanna Sinclair, Delaware; Tyler Corbett, New England; Mikayla Williams, New York; Christopher Outlaw, New Jersey; and Myles Gaston, Western New York.
“We were truly excited to be able to offer a powerful virtual experience with just the right balance of inspiration, information, fellowship, and fun!” said the Rev. Broadnax. “Participants were so blessed to receive their ‘Reimagine Kit’s’ in the mail prior to the start of the Congress, complete with T-shirt and other gifts so that everyone felt engaged in the event despite it being virtual,” the Rev. Broadnax said, adding, “It was also our honor to be the hosts for the very first district-wide meeting with our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Julius McAllister, Sr., and Episcopal Supervisor, Mother Joan McAllister. We are grateful that God blessed us to start this new season with a bang!”
