THE EPISCOPAL ADDRESS
BUSINESS SESSION 2
Bishop Daniels presides the business session this evening with a motion from the floor that we will join and continue the order of the day. Bishop Daniels asks to go directly into the Episcopal Message. A shout of “no’s” cried out from the delegation. There was a motion from the floor to go straight to the Episcopal Address. This motion was carried despite “no’s” being cried out from the delegation floor.
Bishop Reginald Jackson stated the Department of Retirement Services is scheduled to report tomorrow and it would be better to have the Episcopal Address tonight, with tomorrow morning, make the order of the day to have the annuity. A motion was offered that the first order of the day would be retirement services and this motion was passed.
Bishop James Davis stood and shared with the 52nd Quadrennial Session the 2024 Episcopal Address: The Pandemics, The Promise, The Plan. He adds Bishop Henry Belin, Jr. to the Necrology page.
Bishop Davis shared part of this Episcopal Address by stating that our nation, the world and the church will never be the same as we once knew it before the pandemic era where the Coronavirus disease spread over the world killing over 7 million people worldwide, including over one million deaths in the United States and caused the nation to experience negative impacts on society. Race related health inequities and gender disparities impacted black communities and other historically underserved and disadvantaged groups. Systemic racism and racial division uncovered itself to the world. Our quarantined world watched the murder of George Floyd as Minneapolis policeman, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee on his neck for over nine minutes. The systemic machinery of racism does not sleep, and neither should we in our efforts to counter it.
Considering what is taking place throughout the world, The Quadrennial Theme, “The Pandemics, the Promise, the Plan,” will be critiqued and explored in many dimensions through established leaders, emerging leaders, both laity and clergy, inclusive of youth and young adults across the nation. Our commitment should be to build confident, transformative ministries, clergy and laity, who are not afraid to the the work necessary for kingdom building, based on the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The next four years will be dedicated to doing the work essential to our well being. Let us move from talk to action by putting our differences and feelings aside and do what is right according to the Word of God.
The Episcopal Address 2024 is divided into three sections. Part 1 – Pandemics will identify and address the multitude of critical issues, challenges and problems impacting the world, church and people. Part 2 – The Promise will address the key that will open and close any door as we move into another Quadrennial. God is true to his promises and regardless of what challenges we face as a Zion, God did not bring us this far to leave us. Part 3 – The Plan will present recommendations for the growth of the AME Church.
Bishops Henning-Byfield, Reid, Jackson, Green, Brookins, Brailsford, Fugh and Bryant summarized critical issues, problems and challenges from the Episcopal Address that included: impact on the world; crime and criminal justice systems; voter suppression/2024 election; technology; integrity of leadership; church growth; LBGTQIA+ issues related to same sex marriage; and the promise God’s
Bishop Davis concluded that for 208 years, the African Methodist Episcopal Church has been in front of the fight. Tonight we are hopeful for each of us to be empowered to do our part in this fight.
