Not Just Business as Usual
The 157th Session of the AME Church’s California Annual Conference:
Not Just Business as Usual
By Rev. Dominic L. Holland
The month of September drew to a close on Thursday, and it seemed to be business as usual throughout the city of San Francisco. The bright lights of the night gave way to the bustle of the big city. Meanwhile, for the 157th time in history, the African Methodist Episcopal Church in California (now comprised of churches and ministries based in Northern California to Central California as well as Reno & Sparks, Nevada) met to report at the call of their bishop. The Right Reverend Clement W. Fugh called the meeting, which for the first time was held both online and in-person from Bethel AME Church of San Francisco. The renowned Presiding Elders, the Rev. Dr. Harold R. Mayberry, and the Rev. Dr. Vernon S. Burroughs, middle managers of this portion of
Bishop Fugh’s charge shared the accounts of their respective districts via prerecorded videos at the meeting hosted by churches of the Sacramento Valley. The lead congregation from the valley is Murph Emmanuel, pastored by the Rev. Dr. Carieta Cain Grizzell, whose spouse, the Rev. Martin Grizzell, is also known for his past ministry in the bay. The venue church is served by the Rev. Robert R. Shaw and his partner, Assistant Pastor, the Rev. Ann Champion Shaw. Bishop Fugh acclaimed Murph Emmanuel and Bethel AME Church for their cooperation in this session of the California Annual Conference.
Bethel, San Francisco looked like a television production studio had grown into the sanctuary, complete with multiple lights and cameras. There was a technical team (in-person and online) primarily made up of young adult members of AME churches under the purview of the bishop. The meeting was a clear joint effort of both clergy and laypeople, more than in past years. Though the California Annual Conference has long made a point of including non-cleric church members, young and old, the COVID-19 pandemic circumstances have clearly advanced the Conference’s intentions toward inclusivity.
“The word of God is colorblind,” said Bishop Fugh during the retirement portion of the Annual Conference, which honored the retirement of the host pastor. The diversity within churches of the California Annual Conference was on display at this 157th session of this historic meeting, and it was clear that the leadership encourages the welcoming of all who would like to join with the church. There was an apparent focus on meeting safely, with limitations on those allowed to join in person. Attestations related to COVID-19 were required of registrants, and a screening process was administered at the venue. The bishop commended the venue leadership and church for the dignity that was maintained during the process. Registration for Zoom attendance was also a painless process and opened to whoever desired to attend the webinar. The conference was accessible on Facebook as well as YouTube. Bishop Fugh also encouraged churches to make attendance as safe as possible while keeping the process simple and focusing on a quality worship experience. Bishop Fugh set a goal for represented churches to reopen their sanctuaries by the first Sunday of November.
This session of the California Annual Conference carried the long-standing traditions of the first Christian denomination founded in response to social injustice over 200 years ago. Component ministries reported primarily using prerecorded videos this year as it all followed through decently and in order. Indeed, there was a genuine spirit of love during the conference.
