Women in Ministry Installation Service

By TCR Staff

On June 16, over 200 AME clergy and laity gathered to celebrate the installation of the Connectional AME Women in Ministry Officers. Elected at the 2024 General Conference, the installation of officers formally completed the election process per the bylaws of AME-WIM. The service theme was, “Embracing Our Divine Design for Kin-dom Impact.”

After a spirited processional, the service was opened by Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Presiding Prelate of the 5^th Episcopal District and a former connectional officer of AMEWIM. Led by 12^th District AMEWIM President Rev., the congregants recited together the Call to Worship—” My Hope for the Church.” This unique responsive reading was an adaptation of a poem written by the late Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield. In keeping with the installation ceremony’s theme of consecration and dedication, “I Am Thine O, Lord” was used as the opening hymn. Retired Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie delivered the invocation.

The following scriptures were read:

• Old Testament Isaiah 61:1-7 by The Rev. Tyronda Burgess, General Secretary/CIO
• Epistle Ephesians 2:3-10 NLT by The Rev. Teresa L. Fry Brown, PhD, Retired Executive Director of the Department Research and Scholarship
• Gospel Matthew 28:1-10 The Rev. Ammie L. Davis, Ph.D., President and CEO of Turner Theological Seminary

After the offering, the AMEWIM Commission Chair, Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Jr., was introduced by the Retired Episcopal Supervisor Rev. Dr. Jessica K. Ingram. After expressing his pride in working with AMEWIM, Bishop McAllister introduced the preacher of the hour and his classmate, Bishop Erika D. Crawford, Presiding Prelate of the 8^th Episcopal District. Bishop Crawford has the unique distinction of being the immediate past president of AMEWIM as well as the first Bishop elected in the class of 2024. After the choral selection by the Connectional Music and Christian Arts Ministry, Bishop Crawford preached a stirring sermon entitled “Brace for Impact” from 2 Kings 5:1-6.

Following her charge, Bishop McAllister returned to conduct the acts of installation for the Executive Board. After making their oaths of office, the newly installed officers donned their official stoles. The 2024-2028 Executive Board of AMEWIM is as follows:

President: Rev. Dr. Joy Gallmon, 4^th Episcopal District

First Vice President: Rev. Dr. Mila P. Cooper, 3rd Episcopal District

Second Vice President: Rev. Dr. Jacquita Wright-Henderson, 1^st Episcopal District

Third Vice President: Rev. Lerato R. Pitso, 19^th Episcopal District

General Secretary: Rev. Sandra Williams, 11^th Episcopal District

Corresponding Secretary: Rev. Dr. Marion M. Crayton, 2^nd Episcopal District

Financial Secretary: Reverend Sonya M. Lybrand, 7^th Episcopal District

Treasurer: Rev. Dr. Stephanie M. Raglin, 13^th Episcopal District

Statistician: Rev. Nordia Henry Dunbar, 16^th Episcopal District

Herstoriographer: Rev. Stephanie M. Atkins, 1^st Episcopal District

Director of Liturgy & Worship: Rev. Mmalorato Kgositlou, 19^th Episcopal District

Africa Regional Coordinator (ARC): Presiding Elder Betty Schroder, 15^th Episcopal District

Following the strolling, $10,000 in support of the Reverend Jarena Lee Women’s Leadership Academy was presented to Rev. Ammie L. Davis, Ph.D., President and CEO of Turner Theological Seminary. The Commission chair and worship participants also received gift bags. The benediction was pronounced. Thus ended an auspicious beginning for these new officers dedicated to AME/WIM’s mission “to define, enhance, support and expand the presence of clergy women in ministry in leadership in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.”