By Doris Coffey, 13th Episcopal District
Reflections from the Kentucky Annual Conference
By Doris Coffey, 13th Episcopal District
COFFEY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON CHAT: God has blessed us with a wonderful, sunshine-filled day, celebrating the WMS of the Kentucky Annual Conference.
We are in Louisville, Kentucky, at Greater Quinn Chapel AME Church. Breakfast, meeting, lunch down. Worship Service to follow, afternoon break and the Opening Worship Service.
We are under new management, New Servants of God, and it seems like Happy Days are here again. It’s not that we weren’t happy before; it’s just that we are AMEs and about Change.
And just as I promised in my Tuesday Noonday Bible Class, I’m going to the Annual Conference to meet our new Bishop and Supervisor.
What a Joy! He appears kind, warm, and genuine, with a very pleasant personality. I liked him right off, and of course, I had to get a picture.
Having served under the Bishopric from Bishop Prime to Bishop Byfield (afraid to mention names – don’t want to leave anyone out)
Oh Well! Here goes. No disrespect is intended by using the last name. All were fine, Bishops…Primm, Ball, Thomas, Brookins, McKenzie, Leath, Henning- Byfield and now Seawright. (Did not serve under Bishops Byrd and Talbot)
I hope I didn’t forget anyone. I’m 81 years old. What do you expect? I have not had the awesome opportunity to personally meet the Supervisor, but I can tell you this: She is Straightforward, so you know I like her already.
God is good, and there is no one like him. There are so many blessings, so much Grace, Love abounding, and joy flowing like a river. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. CARRY ON
COFFEY KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE CHAT: Opening session of the 157th Kentucky Annual Conference, Quinn Chapel AME in Louisville, Kentucky. Age has me sitting on the sidelines, remembering days of being old and being an active participant.
So many memories…when I was active in the Lay Organization, WMS, YPD Director, Delegate, Secretary, and Workshop Presenter. Dean MSKBLA.
It’s a new day, under new management, godly, relaxed, joyful, getting the work done. Bishop Seawright is so jovial, yet he is all about the work and business of the Church. Our God is so gracious. How can you not love and serve a God like we serve?
So that you know, I have not one ounce of regret for all I have given to the AME Church, all to the Glory of God.
From 11 to the present, “May the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me!” I thank God that he has kept me and allowed me to still run for Jesus.
By the Grace of God, I am today a Licensed Exhorter, Bible Teacher, Director of Women’s Ministry and Christian Education, Editor of the Church Epistle, and Resolution Secretary.
Thanking God for the opportunity to be in yet another Annual Conference, to see the beautiful faces of fellow worshipers, and to bask in the love, hugs, and compliments of the people I love and adore.
Old Age is a beautiful thing; it’s a special blessing. Embrace the gift God has given you, enjoy it, flaunt it, give God Glory, and CARRY ON.
Meet my new friend and pew mate…Ms Martina Shirley.
COFFEY CONFERENCE REPORT CHAT: The Opening Worship Service…”I was glad when they said unto me – Let us go into the house of the Lord!” And then they sang that age-old Annual Conference hymn – And are we yet alive and see each other’s face? What troubles have we seen? What conflict have we passed (faced)?
Lord, we make our humble boast of your redeeming grace, which saves us to the uttermost. Spirit of the Living God – Fall fresh on us…Use us, Lord.
Do we not know, have we not heard, the Everlasting God, our Lord, the Creator, does not faint, nor does he grow weak? Also, he gives power to the weak, renews your strength, and lets you soar on the wings of eagles. You will be able to run, not be weary, and you can walk and not faint.
Pray, live honestly, and the God of Peace who rose from the dead, the Great Shepherd of we the sheep, will perfect us to do his will and a mighty work in every way, through Jesus to whom be glory and honor forever and ever.
Presentation of the Supervisor, AKA Reverend Sherita Moon Seawright, who tells it like it Tis….”We may not like each other, But we will respect each other!” Mercy! I love and adore her. “Tell it like it is!” Tell the rest of the story, make no bones about it, the real truth! I still haven’t had the chance to meet her personally.
Presentation of the Bishop of the Thriving Thirteen Episcopal District: The Rt. Rev. Bishop Harry L. Seawright said he is not big on “protocol.” He honors “all” people. If you feel you must be honored—you Are!
The Preacher of the Hour, Reverend Erika R. Taylor…Love In Action …Romans 12:9-13…She admonished us to think like Jesus, act like Jesus, and Love like Jesus.
She also reminded us that Kentucky is about more than Bluegrass and Whisky. “If you are too weak to box with the devil, put a pebble in his shoe.
Blessed beyond measure to attend this first Annual Conference of the Seawright Reign.
This post is for all the old warriors who have paid their dues in attendance to Annual Conferences and are no longer able to attend.
Lay Witness Worship begins at 6:30, and then sweet rest is given to ensure strength for another day. Remember to give thanks In All things and CARRY ON.
PS: Bishop Seawright called me out for posting on Facebook, so in retaliation, I sent him a friend request. Isn’t God Good?
All you have to do is Wait.
Thank you, God, for allowing this old servant to see another Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and to see the smiling faces of the congregants under New Management in the Thriving Thirteen
COFFEY EVENING CONFERENCE CHAT: Last evening, the laity celebrated their night. Reverend William Jenkins preached.
“Who are you listening to?” Proverbs 19:21
Workshop by Bishop Seawright entitled “Can God Trust Us?”. Thought-provoking, informative, and enlightening. Excellent presentation. I took note of Scripture references–gonna teach on this.
Business Session: Reports of Churches, Trustees, Organizations, and State of the Church.
Memorial Service remembering those who have been called home. Reverend Nachia Tellis was the Preacher of the hour. Praying, Praising, Pressing. Philippians 3:14.
Reverend Tellis preached the Word. Well, you ought to have been there. You missed the blessing of hearing the Word.
Lunch…Quinn Chapel has not spared the cooks, the food, or the deliciousness.
More business sessions, followed by a Welcome Reception for the Sons of Allen and their program. Reverend Phillip Johnson delivered the message: “With the Time we have, we must Pray” (John 2:1, 2, 9).
Long day, but we are blessed by the reports of what God is doing in our Zion, the powerful sermons, the words of wisdom by Bishop Seawright, the prayers of the Warriors, and the songs of Zion. Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
St. Paul, look who I got a hug from. She said Hello to you all.
CARRY ON
COFFEY CLOSING CONFERENCE CHAT: Day four of the KAC…started with Church School, Devotions, Opening Remarks, Minutes of the Conference, and the rest of the reports. Break and the Closing Worship Service opened with the old familiar hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.
Our new Bishop left no stones unturned in introducing us to Who he was …on the bench, in the pulpit, at the table. He has a jovial spirit, a sense of humor, and a kind spirit. And he can PREACH; he delivered the Word. And What a Word it was. “Jesus Cares” ( Mark 4:35-36). If you didn’t know Jesus Cares…You Do Now!
Excerpts from the sermon: “Don’t leave home without Jesus, put Jesus on your boat, put on the whole armor and Stand, you need Jesus to go to Walmart, and when the storms come – Jesus Cares. Stop trying to figure God out! God knows what to do. You just had to be there. Let me just say…We have a well-versed, praying, praising, pressing, preaching Bishop in the person of Bishop Harry Lee Seawright.
The Choir saaaaang accompanied by the organ, guitar, piano, and drums (Lord, you had to remember where you were, who you were, and why you were). I saw some up cutting a few steps–after all, David danced before the Lord, and so can we.
Following the message, thirteen (13) stewardesses were consecrated as Deaconesses. Communion, the Resolution (Hale-a-fied)—Bishop Seawright said he had never heard a resolution like that before —and Certificates and Appointments brought the 157th Kentucky Annual Conference to a close /sine die/.
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry was the guest prelate for the AC. Mrs. Melissa Holland of the Kentucky Council of Churches was also a guest and recognized the AME members of KCC.
Sermons we heard (remember Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God) 1) “Use what the Lord gave you” 2) Love in Action 3) Who are you listening to? 4) Praying, Praising, Pressing 5) “With the Time we have – we have to Pray” 6) Jesus Cares.
As the Director of Christian Education Department of the Liberating Lexington District and Historic St. Paul AME Church in Lexington, it is my hope that these COFFEY CHATS this week have given you a glimpse of what transpired at the 157th Kentucky Annual Conference @ Quinn Chapel AME Louisville.
Thanks Be to God, Quinn, for a job well done!
EVERYBODY CARRY ON IN JESUS’ NAME!
