TCR Staff Report

Report from the 2021 Annual Session of the General Board and Council of Bishops 

TCR Staff Report

            From December 6-8, 2021, African Methodist Episcopal Church clergy and lay leaders gathered both virtually and physically in Nashville, Tennessee for the Annual Meeting of the General Board and the Council of Bishops. Under the leadership of Bishop Paul Kawimbe (President of the General Board) and Bishop Anne E. Henning Byfield (President of the Council of Bishops and Host), the various departments, agencies, and Episcopal Districts of the AME Church gathered for the first organizational session of the General Board for the 2021-2024 period.

            Bishop Paul Kawimbe called the opening plenary session was called to order shortly after 9:00 am on December 6. The devotion was led by Rev. Patrick Clayborn (2^nd District) with a brief homily from Rev. Dr. Michael Bell, Sr. entitled, “Joseph in the Pit,” from Genesis 37. Pastor Bell of Allen Chapel, Washington, DC reminded the assembled body that as the Connection moves toward 2024 we should be less concerned with positions and more concerned with mission.Following devotions, Rev. Dr. Jeffrey B. Cooper, General Secretary/CIO called the roll. Senior Bishop Adam Richardson offered greetings restating the message that “there is always a reason to praise God, [so, we] hallelujah anyhow”. Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, President of the Council of Bishops and Host Bishop reminded the assembly that God decreed our presence in this moment, as necessary voices in the legacy of our connectional church”. Bishop James L. Davis of the 2nd Episcopal District acknowledged the various dignitaries with special mention of the General Officers and Episcopal Supervisors by name.

            As the agenda was being considered, members of the General Board expressed their concerns about proper time being allocated to hear the report of the Department of Retirement Services. After vigorous debate, it was decided that the board would expedite the organizing sessions of the various commissions to return to discuss the report of the Department of Retirement Services. The report of the Nominating Committee was considered with various Board members expressing concerns regarding gender parity as well as equality between clergy and laity on various commissions. Nominating Committee Chair Dr. J. Edgar Boyd (5^th) presented the report and indicated that provisions were being made for later adjustments. The Board then recessed so that the Commissions could meet. At the end of the morning session, Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, Sr., retired Treasurer/CFO presented the transition audit of previous six months closing out his tenure as a consultant. The report was received with acclaim and Mr. Marcus T. Henderson, Sr., Treasurer/CFO presented a portrait in Dr. Lewis’s honor that will hang in the Joseph C. McKinney Office in Washington, DC.  

            In the afternoon, the General Board reconvened at 3PM with prayer led by retired Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry. The order of the day was the Department of the Retirement Services. Bishop Byfield introduced AME Church General Counsel Douglass Selby who led a discussion about the current situation of the Department and its assets. An update was given by external consultants hired by the AME Church and the General Board was notified that a federal agency was conducting its own investigation into the Department of Retirement Services. After the report of the consultants and a brief question and answer period, the General Board adjourned for the day.

            The Investiture Gala for Bishop Anne Henning Byfield was a showcase of arts and culture from around the 13^thEpiscopal District. The celebration began with the Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands Drumline ushering in Bishop Anne and Supervisor Ainsley Byfield. Among the highlights included a performance by acclaimed Grammy Award winning gospel artist CeCe Winans. Attendees were regaled with poetry and song from each of the annual conferences of the 13^th Episcopal District. The Connectional Music and Christian Arts Ministry organized to sing a medley of hymns composed by Bishop Byfield. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were highlighted and the keynote address for the evening was given by Dr. Glenda Glover, President of Tennessee State University, and the International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As the evening closed, Bishop Byfield thanked her family, the 13^th Episcopal District and the Connectional Church for their support. Additionally, Bishop Byfield announced that $17,000 was donated to the rebuilding of St. John AME Church in Nashville which was destroyed by the 2020 Nashville tornado. 

            The General Board reconvened at 9 AM with morning devotionals led by Bishop James Davis. Following praise and worship, we were led in prayer by Rev. Thomas O. Nixon before the exhortation of Rev. Tony Lee (2^nd Episcopal District). Speaking from Joshua 3, he reminded us that in the death-dealing world of pandemic, politics, and protests we have been encouraged by knowing that we serve a God who will move the waters of the river out of our way. The business session began shortly after 9:30 AM with a motion by Dr. Cooper to hold all reports for electronic submission to the body by the end of the week. It was properly seconded and passed.

Bro. Carl Davis (10^th Episcopal District), Secretary of the Nominations Committee, presented the amendments to the nominations. Concerns were again raised regarding the composition of the Commissions specifically for laity on the Commission on Statistics and Finance committee and gender equity on the broader General Board Commissions. It was moved and properly seconded that the body approve the report as it was read with recommendations that those considerations be made in the next general board meeting. In addition, a new standard of operation to include those demographics moving forward. A delegation led by Rev.Matthew Watley (2^nd Episcopal District) presented a resolution to address the situation of the Department of Retirement Services. After a period of lively debate, the body voted to amend the resolution with consideration for the discipline of the church, legal ramifications, and funds available. The General Board voted to reconvene on January 30 to complete the work outlined in the resolution.

After the debate, updates were received from disaster relief efforts in the 16th and 8th Episcopal Districts. Bishop Zanders reported that 3600 persons were assisted by relief efforts from the 16th Episcopal District and AME-SADA. Bishop Wicker reported that $52,000 had been received by the 8th Episcopal District for their recent hurricane relief. At the seat of the General Board, Bishop Julius McAllister of the 1st Episcopal District gave an additional $10,000. The General Board adjourned at 12:10PM with a benediction from Senior Bishop Richardson.

Commission Recommendations

Commission on Social Action, Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, Chair

1. Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker elected Director/Consultant and Mrs. Ora Easley elected Administrator of the Clergy Family Information Center.
2. The Commission will convene during the week of December 19, 2021.
3. We will identify key issues of those raised at the 51^st Session of the General Conference to immediately activate the network of Episcopal District Coordinators.

Commission on Christian Education, Bishop Frank Madison Reid III, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on Church Growth and Development, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on Chaplains, Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on Retirement Services, Bishop John F. White, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on Economic Development, Bishop Harry L. Seawright, Chair

1. Host an Economic Development Summit in 2023—Place to be announced.
2. That the Legacy Card be considered as a possible venture for the Connectional Church.

Commission on Global Development, Bishop Silvester Beaman, Chair

No recommendations

Commission on Global Witness and Ministry, Bishop Michael Mitchell, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on Health, Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on the Lay Organization

1. Embrace the 10 Point Plan of the Connectional President: 1) Execute the vision of the Lay Organization through teaching and training; 2) Advance issues of social justice and development plans; 3) Ensure the Lay Organization is biblically based and anchored in prayer; 4) Enhance global inclusion and participation of all Episcopal Districts; 5) Create open communication by embracing technology; 6) Enhance stakeholder engagement; 7) Grow membership and enhance agility and sustainability; 8) Maintain healthy financial management; 9) Streamline processes; 10) Nurture history, heritage and traditions

Commission on Ministry and Recruitment, Bishop Ronnie Brailsford, Chair

No recommendations.

Commission on Publications, Bishop David R. Daniels, Chair.

1. Election of Rev. Lisa C. Hammonds as Assistant Editor of The Christian Recorder.

Commission on Seminaries, Universities, Colleges and Schools

No recommendations.

Commission on Statistics and Finance, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Chair

1. That Districts 3, 7, 8, 11 and 12 be allowed to raise funds for special projects.

Commission on Women in Ministry, Bishop Frederick A. Wright, Chair

No recommendations.