Bishop and Supervisor Young Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage
On September 23, 1967, a love story for the ages began as the Rev. McKinley Young and Dorothy Jackson were wed at Charles Street AME Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Together, they would parent a family of four daughters (Karyn, Deana, Andrea, and Stephanie) and serve the Connectional AME Church in the 1st, 4th, and 6th Episcopal Districts before being elevated to the Episcopal Ministry at the 1992 General Conference in Orlando, Florida. As an Episcopal couple, the Youngs would crisscross the world, serving the Connectional Church in the 15th, 10th, 11th, and 3rd Districts as well as the Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs.
Fifty years later to the date, the 3rd Episcopal District hosted a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration for Senior Bishop McKinley and Senior Supervisor Dr. Dorothy Young at the Boat House at Confluence Park in Columbus, Ohio. Spearheaded by the 3rd District WMS President JoAnn Harris and coordinated by Protocol Chief Adrienne A. Morris, all the constituent components and ministries of the 3rd District joined to celebrate this significant milestone in the life of their Episcopal Leadership. Joining from the broader Connectional family were Bishop Henry Allen Belin; general officers Dr. Jerome Harris with his wife and Sandra Harris and Mr. John Thomas, III; and Mr. Robert Nicolas of AME-SADA. Third District members Judge Derek H. Anderson of the Judicial Council; Dr. Michael Brown, president of Payne Theological Seminary; Connectional Director of Lay Activities Ametta L. Reaves and Connectional WMS Treasurer Dr. Jeannete Harris were also present.
The afternoon featured an array of musical performances and tributes from various 3rd District ministries celebrating the Episcopal couple’s journey. Presiding Elder Eric L. Brown and Ms. Reaves served as the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies ensuring that the tributes were timely and on time. Of note were the words from Mrs. Sandra Jenkins who encouraged the then Rev. Young to court her sister—and his future bride. It was revealed that a Lou Rawls concert would launch their relationship and eventual marriage. Mrs. Deana Young McAllister spoke on behalf of the family. She testified to the bond of her parents and the lessons on love and faithfulness that they exhibited in their daily lives.
At the close of the celebration, the Youngs shared their gratitude and reflected on the faith-filled bond that they share. As a testament to their support of higher education, the Youngs donated $20,000 from the gifts received from the celebration to Wilberforce University.
