Report from the Ministries in Christian Education
TCR Staff Report
Persons from across the Connection journeyed to the Millennium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee, April 20-22, 2017, where the Annual Ministries in Christian Education (MCE) Training/Planning Meeting was held. The theme for the meeting was the Christian Education Department (CED)’s motto, “Light, Freedom, Truth: Light to see the Truth, Freedom to Make it Known.” Bishop David R. Daniels, Chairperson of the General Board Commission on Christian Education and the Rev. Garland F. Pierce, Executive Director of the Christian Education Department offered leadership. Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District and host bishop and Dr. Roberta Hill, 13th Episcopal District Christian Education Director were also present. As the first MCE Conference since the General Conference, this experience was the launching point for the Department’s agenda for the 2016-2020 quadrennium.
After the opening and orientation, the first activity was a coffee and conversation held with the Fellowship of Church Educators (FCE), which focused on “Curriculum: A Tool for Discipleship Teaching.” The Rev. Roderick Belin, President/Publisher of the AMEC Publishing House and the Rev. Pierce fielded concerns and helped to craft strategies for updated AME Church resources. The rest of the day was devoted to learning labs and training. In the Opening Worship Service, Bishop Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Prelate of the 16th Episcopal District, preached, “When Jesus is the Light of the Church” from John 8:21. Music was provided by the choir of St. John AME Church, Huntsville, Alabama.
After a “Centering Moment,” the second day began with a Bible Study led by the Rev. Joy F. Gallmon, Chair of the Fellowship of Church Educators. After more Learning Labs and a lunchtime conversation on “Christian Education: What Is and What Can Be,” the various components met for individual business and strategy sessions. The preacher for the evening Service of Freedom Words and Songs was the Rev. William Miller, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Conway, South Carolina. He preached the sermon entitled, “Repositioned at Just the Right Time,” based on Acts 8:26-40.
The theme for the final day was “Truth.” Executive Director Pierce provided guidance on the agenda for the rest of the 2016-2020 quadrennial for the CED and the various auxiliaries under its guidance. After appropriate reflection and expressions of gratitude for the MCE, there was the launch of the redesigned ameced.com website and social media presence. The Closing/Commissioning Service was held. The Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler, 5th Episcopal District Director of Christian Education and pastor of Shorter Community AME Church, Denver, Colorado, was the preacher. His sermon, “Truth or Dare,” was taken from Esther 4. Music for the services was provided by the Inspirational Choir of Payne Chapel AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee.
MCE Learning Labs
Writing for Worship: The Rev. Roderick D. Belin
Freedom Songs: The Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Jr.
The Church Beyond: NOW NEW NEXT: Ms. Martinique Mix and the Rev. LeSean Tarkington, Sr.
Would You Come?: The Rev. Tashara S. Void
“It Takes a Village”: Mentoring African American Boys with “Head” and “Heart”: The Rev. Edward C. Walker, III
The Truth about Scouting and Why the Light is Blinking and Not Bright: Mr. Clarence Crayton and Mrs. Vivianne Frye-Perry
Reading the Signs of the Times: Discerning Your Prophetic Purpose: The Rev. Jennifer Bailey
Health Commission
Healthcare Advocacy: Ms. Malisha Brown
A House of Prayer for All People: How to Include Persons who are Differently Abled: The Rev. Dr. Marion M. Crayton
The Spiritual and Physical Effects of Prayer on the Body: Exhorter Gwendolyn Williams
Christian Education Certification Class
CEC-1 Think Like A Fish: Seeing Your Church Through the Eyes of the Unchurched: The Rev. Dr. Virgil Woods
Ministries in Christian Education Heads
Mr. Clarence Crayton and Mrs. Vivianne Frye-Perry, Directors
Association of AME Scouts (AAMES)
Mrs. Lyndajo Jones Watson, Administrator
Christian Debutante-Master Commission (CDMC)
The Rev. Joy Gallmon, Chair
Fellowship of Church Educators (FCE)
The Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Sr., Director
Music and Christian Arts Ministry (MCAM)
Ms. Martinique Mix, President
Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC)
Mr. George Brown, President
Sons of Allen
Ms. Carlene L. Douglas, Coordinator
Writers Guild
