Reverend Kenneth C. Christmon, 4th Episcopal District
Presiding Elder Lenore G. Williams Seminal Planning Meeting
Reverend Kenneth C. Christmon, 4th Episcopal District
A blustery day filled with excitement overcame Community African Methodist Episcopal Church, located in LaPorte, North Central Indiana, as Presiding Elder Lenore G. Williams held her seminal Planning Meeting a robust attendance of clergy and laity. The Rev. Christopher W. Riley, Senior Pastor, and a full complement of servant leaders hosted the conference representing the district’s first in-person gathering in nearly two years.
The meeting signaled the beginning of a new era for the Indiana Conference-North District. “I am overwhelmed for the opportunity to expand on kingdom-building, which we are all called to do – one person at a time,” said Elder Williams. With 25 years as a skilled pastor and immediate past Dean of the conference’s Board of Examiners, “Elder Lenore” is fully prepared to superintend over the same district her father, the late Presiding Elder Leonard N. Williams, led for nearly 18 years. After a stellar tenure as a pastor and Presiding Elder, the Rev. Leonard Williams passed away in January of 2014. Most immediately, however, Elder Lenore succeeded Presiding Elder Samuel L. Sumner, who retired at the 2021 Indiana Annual Conference. Elder Sumner succeeded Presiding Elder Leonard N. Williams and served the district for nearly ten years.
Leadership is a family staple!
Mother Delores L. Kennedy-Williams, diligently served as the Fifth Connectional President of the Women’s Missionary Society. “I am just so happy as a mother, and I know her father is looking over the balcony of heaven with a huge smile,” said Mother Williams. “I am just so proud, and I appreciate how everyone is coming together to support her!”
Bishop John F. White appointed Elder Williams at the 2021 Indiana Annual Conference. Along with Presiding Elder Dr. Elaine Gordon, the Indiana Annual Conference has two female presiding elders. Bishop White’s legacy continues to evidence his efforts to be an inclusive leader. His sense of compassion has manifested a growing legacy of supporting and promoting women in ministry and leadership.
The Rev. Tanya Smith started the conference with a succinct Word from the Lord entitled “Ebb and Flow: Moving with God.” (Ecclesiastes 9:3-10). According to the Rev. Smith, being asked to preach immediately following her graduation and ordination as an Itinerant Elder was more than an honor and a privilege. “I feel this is a new and awesome year for the Indiana Conference-North District, and I pray for success in this new season in the Lord through the leadership of Presiding Elder Williams,” said Rev. Smith.
Hit with the new environment caused by the pandemic, Presiding Elder Williams’ theme, “GRACE: Giving, Reaching, Acknowledging, Committing, and Evangelizing!” The theme reminded the conference of the need to extend grace to others, as we have all endured a tough time of physical separation, restrictions, and frustration. Presiding Elder Lenore shared that the only way we can survive is to get back on our feet and serve the Lord with gladness, emphasizing that, “Our theme puts God first, and it allows His light to shine in us and through us.”
Every leader needs good followers!
The planning took place with professionalism, grace, and innovative prowess, signaling a sense of empathy and genuine care for everyone present. Presiding Elder Lenore is leading an invigorated group of believers seeking to serve the Lord in this present age. Central to the district’s mission is the connection to the mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, “to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people” throughout the connection.
After introducing all committees required by the Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church, Presiding Elder Lenore unveiled the “Just Be Nice Committee.” The Rev. Allen McClendon, the Senior Pastor of Allen Chapel Marion, was tabbed to introduce this new committee. The Rev. McClendon engaged the conference with care and levity by buying ten lunch meals. The first nine were purchased for the conference attendees; the tenth lunch was saved for the Rev. McClendon as a kind act of self-care. “It is all about that grace,” he said. According to the Rev. McClendon, celebrating milestones in the life of others would be central to this effort. “Along with celebrating birthdays and anniversaries, we as clergy must lead by responding to one another with grace, for if God loved us this much, surely, we ought to be able to love one another,” he said.
With a vision for equity, Elder Lenore assigned every pastor to lead at least one committee to accomplish the district’s work effectively. In addition, to advance pastoral care, every pastor received the name of another pastor, and each week pastors are to engage one another in prayer, reflection, and friendship to support their work for the Lord and district. Presiding Elder Williams believes that genuine relationships will strengthen the district!
Elder Lenore will now enter a time of prayer and skill set analysis, and she will look to engage other ordained clergy and Lay members into the district’s work. “We have to get others engaged and involved in the work of our Zion!”
The Indiana Conference North District will be efficient by effectively using technology!
The Reverend Dr. Virgil Woods, Senior Pastor of First Church (Gary, Indiana) and Chief Executive Officer of Wood’s Digital Solutions, provided the conference with the critical technical insight needed to advance the conference business. Through technical and graphic expertise, Dr. Woods helped the conference membership to become technically savvy through the development of a website that maps out the information needed for Quarterly and Annual Conferences. (www.northdistrictindiana.com) “She is the right person in the right place at the right time,” said Woods. “Elder Williams’ embracing of technology and the conveniences it offers will surely become a model for other districts to follow.” Dr. Woods further noted that Elder Williams’ leadership comes with a promise. “I am excited at the new direction and spirit being ushered in by our Presiding Elder, Lenore G. Williams. Her sincere love for God and people accompanied by her solid organizational skills promises to be an equation for success.”
While words and slogans are essential, Elder Lenore challenged the district to lead by action and to provide evidence of progress and achievement for the work of the Lord: “Regardless of any church’s size, we are all kingdom-building stations.”
The Rev. Kenneth Christmon is the Indiana Conference-North District media lead. Rev. Christmon is a former staff writer for Gannett’s News Service’s Palladium-Item Newspaper. He is a bi-vocational pastor who serves as Associate Vice Chancellor, Office of University Ombudsperson at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
