To keep you informed and knowledgeable of the Lay Organization and its connection to the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

A portion of the following questions is taken from A History of the Connectional Laymen’s Organization of the AME Church by Mr. Raymond R. Davis, CLO Historiographer (1977). We give special thanks to Dr. Paulette Coleman (13^th District) and Sister Phyllis Jackson (6^th District) for providing a copy of his writings to share historical facts with you and for a permanent place in our CLO historical archives.

QUESTIONS

 

1. She served as the Layman’s Organization’s first historiographer from the 12^th Episcopal District (Boley, Oklahoma). Name her.
2. Who was our second Historiographer, and what was the name of the historical document that he published to help record the beginning, development, achievements, and goals of the Lay Movement/Organization?  What district was he from?
3. Alma I. Mackey from the 11^th Episcopal District first served in this organization as a Director of Public Relations. She later was elected to what position under the leadership of CLO President Mr. J. D. Williams.
4.  On what page is the Lay Hymn found in the AME Hymnal?
5. Under whose presidency (administration) did the 1928 General Conference give the lay equal representation in a General Conference?
6. Name the college professor who served as President of the Lay College for four years – a single term? He was from Charleston, South Carolina – 7th Episcopal District.
7. In what year did the General Conference give the Lay the right to serve on the Episcopal Committee?  Who was the CLO President?
8. Who was the layperson who “executed” the “Outreach of Love” project after its initiation by Bishop Primm to liquidate the half-million dollar indebtedness of the General Church?
9. The 3^rd Episcopal District hosted the 14^th Lay Biennial. Where was it held, and who was serving as host Episcopal District President?
10. At the AME General Conference in 1972 and in 1976, two Lay persons were honored for their loyalty, devotion, outstanding contributions, and commitment to the Lay Organization and the AME Church. Name these two exceptional individuals who were honored at this level.
11. A Church-wide historic moment occurred at the 9^th Biennial held at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington D.C. A young lady who worked for the Negro Press made it possible for Lay President Mr. J. D. Williams and Bishop George W. Baber to meet with then U. S. President L.B. Johnson and witness the signing of the Voters’ Rights Bill. What is the name of this influential young lady, and what was her Lay title and Episcopal District?
12. In what year did the AME Church General Conference legalize the Connectional Laymen’s Organization?

13. Who served this great Lay Organization as its first President?

1. In what city and state was the first Lay Biennial Session convened?
2. In what year was Mr. Richard A. Lewis, a layman, elected a Treasurer of the AME Church?
3. The Connectional Lay Organization convened the Connectional Lay Empowerment Summit in what country?  What was the month?  Dates?
4. At what session of the General Conference did the AME Church endorse the Biennial meeting schedule proposed by and for the Lay Organization?
5. The 18^th District Lay Organization became a part of the Connectional Lay Organization in what year?
6. In 1971, the Connectional Lay Organization sponsored the first Connectional meeting outside the Continental U.S.A. Where was this meeting held?
7. The CLO Historiographer, William “Bill” Ayers, served as the lay day speaker at Union Bethel AME Church on October 15, 2023. What is the name of their Lay Organization?  What three ladies are honored by having the Organization named after them?

Please use www.AMECLAY.org to view other informative, factual information to share with your fellow laity. Look under the Historiographers page.

Mr. Matikane A. Makiti, CLO President

Mr. William (Bill) Ayers, CLO Historiographer

 

 

 

 

AME Church Information compiled by the

CLO Historiographers of Districts 1-20

 

ANSWERS

1. Sister Octavia Douglas.

2. Brother Raymond R. Davis. He wrote A History of the Connectional Laymen’s Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1977. He hails from the 3^rd Episcopal District (Columbus, Ohio).

3. First Vice-President. She was from Dallas, Texas.

4. AME Hymnal – page 582 – 2021 AME Church Discipline – page 756.

 

5. Mr. Jason David (JD) Williams.He served this Organization faithfully as an outstanding President from 1924 -1936.

6. Professor George Harris.

 

7. The year was 1932 when the General Conference met in Columbus, Ohio.Mr. Jason David (JD) Williams was CLO President.

8. Dr. Joseph Columbus McKinney in his role as Treasurer of the AME Church.

9. The Biennial Session was held in Cleveland, Ohio.Mr. Cortez A. Perrin was the host CLO President.

 

10. Mrs. Aretha Ayers of North Madison, Florida, for having been elected to 12 consecutive General Conferences, and Dr. Joseph Columbus McKinney of Washington, D.C., for his outstanding work as Treasurer of the AME Church. During that time, he managed the fiscal affairs in a manner that freed the church of its indebtedness. He was also an outstanding President of the Second Episcopal Lay Organization and advisor to several CLO Presidents. To honor his name, outstanding work ethic, and memory, the Lay Organization at his home church – Ward Memorial AME, in Washington, D.C., is now called the Dr. Joseph Columbus McKinney Lay Organization. The current pastor of Ward AME is The Rev. Dr. Dededrick O. Rivers, and Sister Margaret S. Perkins is the Interim President.

11. Mrs. Ethel Wallace Gothard, representative of the Washington, D.C. Negro Press and Public Relations Director of the Second Episcopal District Lay Organization.

12. The year of our Lord 1948.

 

13. Professor Charles H. Johnson, 3^rd District (Ashland, Ohio).

14. The year of our Lord 1949.The convention was held in Chicago, Illinois.

15. The year of our Lord 1996.

16. Johannesburg, South Africa on March 2-7, 2006.

17. The year of our Lord 1932 at the General Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio.

18. The 33^rd Session of the AME Church General Conference in 1948.

19. The meeting was held in Kingston, Jamaica – (16^th Episcopal District).

20. The Lay Organization at Union Bethel AME Church in Randallstown, Maryland, is called the Dorseys and Bosley Lay Organization and is named in Honor of Sister Edna Dorsey, Sister Arnetta Dorsey, and Sister Amanda Bosley. The Rev. Raymond F. Edmonds. Jr. is the current pastor of Union Bethel Randallstown, with Sister Wanda Richardson serving as President of the Lay Organization.