149TH SESSION OF THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE … AC... · o Bishop Leath read a letter from...

1

149TH SESSION OF THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE MINUTES

Thursday, October 2O, 2016 Opening Service 149th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference

- Presiding Elder Sidney Bryant, Worship Leader

- Procession Clergy and Conference Choir “Come We That Love the Lord Preacher” – Dr. Kenneth Hill, Shorter Chapel AMEC, Franklin, TN...Text – John 1:37…”How Do you Know When You’ve Preached!”…

- Greeting from Dr. Susan J. Leath, Supervisor of Missions and Youth Services…Presentation made to Dr. Susan Leath from Mrs. Brenda Merritt and Mrs. Andriette Bryant.

- Bishop welcomed persons from the Paducah, KY, area who are now members of the Tennessee Annual Conference.

- Bishop Leath encouraged members of the Annual Conference to exercise their right to vote.

- Benediction Dr. Kenneth H. Hill. Friday, October 21, 2016 Morning Business Session Devotion – Students under the Board of Examiners Bishop Leath calls the 149th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference to order at 9:00 am. Roll Call

- Rev. Dennis D Lawson, Secretary from previous year. Annual Conference Secretary (see roll for actions)

- Roll Call Actions o The names of Reverends Dexter Norris, Columbus Jones and Dennis

Troutman were referred to the Ministerial Efficiency due to excessive absences.

o Rev. Gloria Hall referred to Committee on Memorials. Although evangelists are not members of the Annual Conference, Evangelist

2

Madeline Wade’s name was also referred to the Committee on Memorials.

o Bishop Leath welcomed the following Itinerant Elders from Paducah,

Kentucky into the Tennessee Annual Conference: Reverends James Bolen Sr., Raymond Corbin, Babydoll Kennedy, Donna Lorhorn and Rita Story.

o Transfers into the Tennessee Annual Conference included: Reverends William Howard Smith (Int. Elder ETN), Kendal Jackson (int. Deacon 10th Episcopal Dist.), Chris Grizzard (Int. Elder ETN), Angela D. Green (Itn. Deacon WTN), Leonard Curry (Int. Elder WTN), Edward L Thompson (Int. Elder WKY), and Sherrie Scott (Int. Elder WKY). Rev. Vetrel Smith (superannuated elder from Indiana Conf.).

o Bishop Leath read a letter from Bishop John Bryant (retired 4th Episcopal Dist.) requesting that Rev. Smith be received by the Tennessee Annual Conference (her home Conf.) and placed on the TN AC Roll as a superannuated minister. Motion to accept; second and passed.

o Rev. Janet Seay (Local Elder) has moved back to Nashville and is located at St. Peter Nashville (home church). Bishop Leath stated that her pastor from the WKY Conf Rev. Erica Taylor and the pastor of St. Peter, Rev. Nathan Frey along with Presiding Elder Wm Easley, WKY, and Presiding Troy Merritt, Nashville District agree that she relocate to the St. Peter Nashville.

o Discussion held with Rev. Michael Broadnax and Rev. Willis Orr as it

relates to retirement (supernumerary versus superannuate). Both, along with Rev. Earl Long were referred to the MEC.

Organization of Conference

- Organization of the Conference - Presiding Elders Troy Merritt, Jr., and Sydney F. Bryant. Motion offered by P.E. Troy Merritt to elect secretarial staff; Second P.E. Troy Merritt; Motion carried.

o President-Bishop Leath, Secretary-Dennis D Lawson, Engrossing Secretary- Lee

Russell Brown, Jr., Statistician-Lisa Hammonds…Motion to elect...Presiding Elder Troy Merritt; Second Presiding Elder Sidney F. Bryant; Motion carried.

o P.E. offered the following names as Marshalls: Reverends Anthony Thomas, Albert Strawther, Barry Cox, Omar’an D Lee, Brothers Reginald Sadler, Willie Nelson and Sis. Willa Rose…Motion to elect P.E. Sydney Bryant; Second P.E. Merritt. Motion carried.

3

o Timekeepers…Rev. Donald Williams, and Sis. Tiffany Gregory…Motion to elect P.E. Sidney F. Bryant; Second P.E. Troy Merritt; motion carried.

o PE Troy Merritt read the following names for election to ▪ Finance Committee…Reverends W. Antoni Sinkfield, Walter W. Reid, Jr.,

Roderick Belin, Ralph Johnson, Alexander Gatson, Babydoll Kennedy, Trent Ogilvie, Victor Goodman (ex offcio)…Lay Delegates: Sisters Gladys Brock (ex offcio), Faye Walker (ex offcio), Brother Darwin Eldridge (ex offcio). Motion to elect P.E. Sidney Bryant; Seconded P.E. Troy Merritt. Motion carried.

▪ Triers of Appeal…Reverends Reginald Brock, Sharon Ogilvie, Wanda Payne, LaVan Strickland, Eddie Sneed---Motion to elect P.E. Troy Merritt; Second P.E. Sidney Bryant; Motion carried.

o Bounds of the Annual Conference…entire lower auditorium. Motion to accept P.E. Troy Merritt; Second P.E Sidney Bryant; motion carried.

o The Annual Conference Booklet will serve as the Conference agenda. Motion to accept P.E. Troy Merritt; second by P.E. Sidney Bryant; Motion carried.

Visitors to the Conference

- Retired General Officer, Dr. Darryl Ingram; Presiding Elders C. Robert Finch, William W. Easley, James and Mrs. Smith, Eva Settles; Reverends Randy Brown and Mrs. Gina Brown, A.J. Holman, Pedro Basden, Kenneth and Mrs. Love, Walther Henry, Janet Seay, Byron Moore, Jerome Stembridge (New Jersey); Dr. Dorothy Elly, 13th District Lay President; Sis. Gwendolyn Dillihunt, 13th District Missionary President;

Bishop Leath asked all superannuate ministers to stand. Bishop then requested that all clergy stand and questioned whether or not anyone had any issues as it relates to the character of clergy. Being none Bishop Leath passed the character of clergy. Board of Examiners Report (see attached)

- Admissions: o Bro. John Cummings…The Board recognized his candidacy, acknowledge his

successful completion of studies, and be advanced to First Year Studies in local relations. Bishop Leath discussed the course of study for persons seeking local orders and stated Locals are not admitted to on trial.

o Bro. Corwin Davis…Recommended admission to the Tennessee Annual Conference on trial and advanced to First Year Studies in itinerant relations. Motion to accept by Rev. Roderick Belin; Second P.E. Sidney Bryant; Motion carried. Prayer offered by Dr. Dennis Dickerson.

4

- First Year Studies o Bro. Melvin Hart…the Board recommends that he be retained in First Year

Studies in itinerant relations. Motion to accept Rev. Antoni Sinkfield; Second Rev. Roderick Belin; Motion carried.

- Second Year Studies

o Sis. Candace Charlene Perkins…The Board recommends that she be elected and ordained an Itinerant Deacon and advanced to the class of Third Year Studies in Itinerant relations. Motion to elect and ordain by Rev. Walter Reid Jr.; Second P.E. Sidney Bryant; motion carried. Word of prayer offered by Rev. Michael Broadnax.

- Third Year Studies

o Rev. Cedric Bailey…The Board recommends that he be advanced to the class of Fourth Year Studies in local relations. Motion to accept offered by Rev. Lisa Hammonds; Second Rev. Tonna Gibert; motion carried.

- Fourth Year Studies

o Rev. Jamie Chatman Baham…Having received the Master’s of Divinity Degree the BOE recommends that she be elected and ordained and Itinerant Elder.

o Rev. Deshnell Cobbin…Having previously completed all the coursework and attendance requirements of the BOE it is recommended that she be elected and ordained and Itinerant Elder.

o Rev. Veronica Daily…The BOE recommended that she be placed in the “on hold”

status until she completes the educational requirements to be elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder.

- Motion to accept the recommendations of the BOE as it relates to Fourth Year Studies

by Rev. Antoni Sinkfield; Second P.E. Sidney Bryant; motion carried.

- Deaconess o Sister Ada Gordon…Recommendation that she be consecrated a deaconess in

the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Motion offered by Rev. Linda Saffore Brown; Second P.E. Sidney Bryant; motion carried.

- Motion offered by Rev. Antoni Sinkfield to accept report of the BOE in its entirety.

Seconds Rev. Sidney Bryant; motion carried. Prayer offered by Dr. Darryl Ingram.

- Following the motion Bishop Leath discussed the requirements of being consecrated a deaconess in the church and stated in the future to be consecrated a deaconess that there be written evidence of her ministry submitted to the BOE.

5

Bishop mentioned that a letter requesting retirement for Rev. Earl Long due to health. Farther discussions were again held as it relates to Reverends Willis Orr and Michael Broadnax. Visitors to the Conference - Dr. John Dandridge, Dr. Janie Dowdy Dandridge, Rev. Henry Belin. Memorial Service – Rev. Anthony Lyle, Worship Leader….

- In Memorial…Rev. Gloria Hall, Evangelist Madeline Wade. Hour of Power

- Rev. Harold M. Love Jr. gave A Word on Voter Participation Encouragement. “Shall We March On!”

Conference adjourned for Lunch. Afternoon Business Session Devotion…Students under the Board of Examiners. Bishop Leath called Conference back to order.

- Detailed copies of the 13th Episcopal District Audit report was given to all pastors. A summary report was give to each delegate.

Presiding Elder Summary Reports (see attached) - P.E. Sidney F. Bryant and Mrs. Andriette Bryant gave the summary reports report for the

North and South Presiding Elder Districts (see reports). P.E. Bryant thanked Bishop Leath for granting him the opportunity to serve in the position of P.E. He thanked God for his partner in life and ministry for 42 years Mrs. Bryant who has accompanied him throughout the journey.

- P.E. Troy Merritt Jr. and Mrs. Brenda Merritt gave the Summary Report for the Nashville District. P.E. Merritt praised God for allowing him to give his 37th AC report and the 10th as a P.E. He thanked all the members of the Nashville District for its cooperation and support and acknowledged Mrs. Merritt who has been by his side for the past 48 years.

- 2016 Pastors' Report Annual Conference Summary

Pastoral Reports - South Nashville District – Rev. Sidney F. Bryant, Presiding Elder

o Mt. Zion Centerville – Rev. Earl Long, ill o New Bethel – Rev. Kenneth Odom (supply) and wife reporting. o Roberts Chapel – Dr. James McKissack (supply), Delegate Bro. Luther Jones.

Reporting. o Hopewell, Columbia – Rev. Veronica Mathers Jones, delegate Sis. Inez Beasley

reporting.

6

o St. Matthew Cornersville – Rev. Ashley Cox, delegate Bro. Will Marsh. o Claiborn Chapel – Rev. Linda Hopkins , delegate Bro. Jeff delegate reporting. o Allen Bethel – Rev. James Scuggs reporting, Bro. Phillip Hightower reporting. o Canaan – Rev. Andre Washington, Sis. Ruth Mayes reporting reporting. o Jones Chapel – Rev. Sharon Ogilvie, delegate Sandra Richardson. o Mullins Chapel – Rev. Christopher Grizzard, delegate Sis. Allie DaShield reporting. o Shorter Chapel – Dr. Kenneth Hill, delegate Sis Lisa Taylor reporting. o Webb Grove – Rev. LaVan Strickland, delegate Bro. Clarence Binford reporting. o Bethel Chapel – Rev. Trent Ogilvie, delegate Sis. Devora Barner reporting. o Woodfork Chapel – Rev. Randy Webster, delegate Bro Porter Castleman

reporting. o Wayman Chapel – Rev. Victor Goodman, delegate Bro. Willie Nelson reporting. o Allen Chapel – Rev. Jimmie Plummer, delegate Rev. Billy McKinley reporting. o St. Paul Columbia – Rev. Dennis Lawson, I, delegate Sis Barbara Frierson

reporting. o Greater Bethel – Rev. Walter Reid Jr., delegate Bro. Theodore Washington

reporting.

- Nashville District – Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr., Presiding Elder o Mt. Olive – Rev. Barry Cox, delegate Sis Cynthia Herron reporting. o Winter’s Chapel – Rev. Tonna Gibert, delegate Sis Geraldine Jenkins (absent),

reporting. Rev. Gibert announced that she is looking to relocate to Memphis, TN due to possible job opportunity. Rev. Gibert stated that she had prepared a hand-off (in the hands of the delegate) for the new pastor.

o St. James Nashville – Rev. Omar’an Lee, delegate Sis. Lida Holmes reporting. o St. Peter Nashville – Rev. Nathan Frey, delegate Bro. William Posey reporting. o Ebenezer Nashville – Rev. Wanda Payne, delegate Sis. Arnita Shelton reporting. o St. Phillip – Rev. Derron Gray, delegate Sis. Carolyn Snorton reporting. o New Salem – Rev. Anica Howard, delegate Sis. Joann Million reporting. o St. Paul Nashville – Rev. Harold Love, Jr., delegate Sis. Shirley Wylie reporting. o St. Luke Nashville – Rev. Eddie Sneed, delegate Sis. Maxine McCree reporting. o St. Matthew Nashville, Rev. Reginald Brock, delegate Sis. Linda Bailey reporting. o Scotts Chapel – Rev. Frederick Jenkins, Sr., delegate Bro. Reginald Sadler (absent)

reporting. o Kairos Community – Rev. Garrett Copeland, delegate Sis Tiffany Gregory

reporting. o St. John Nashville – Rev. Ralph Johnson, delegate Sis Naomi Washington

reporting. o Payne Chapel – Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield, Sr., delegate Bro. Adolphus Ross

reporting. - North Nashville District – Rev. Sidney F. Bryant, Presiding Elder

o Howard Chapel – Rev. Albert Strawther Jr. (supply), delegate Sis. Ceyonda Lee. o Turner Chapel – Rev. Albert Strawther Jr. (supply) reporting, Sis. Janet Strawther

7

reporting. o Green Chapel – Rev. Rev. Marlon Crawford, delegate, delegate Sis Grace

Moreland reporting. o St. Luke Erin – Rev. Cedric Bailey, Sr. (supply) o St. Paul Ashland City – Rev. Joe Southall o St. Matthew Rossview - Rev. Deshnell Cobbin o McGavock Chapel – Rev. Benessa Sweat o Mt. Zion Charlotte – Rev. Frankie Witt Sr. (supply) o Sulpher Springs – Rev. Anthony Lyle Sr., delegate Sis. Eugenia Williams reporting. o First Pegram – Rev. Linda Brown Saffore, delegate Sis Ada Gordon reporting. o St. James Dickson – Rev. Vivian Canty, delegate Sis Donna Holt-Pollard reporting. o St. John Springfield – Rev. Donald Williams, delegate Sis. Tennille Chapman

reporting. o Smith Chapel – Rev. Fred Beasley, delegate Bro. William Fuqua reporting. o Salter’s Chapel – Rev. Lee Russell Brown, Bro. Victor Gardner reporting. o Martin Chapel – Rev. Sherri Cowley Scott, delegate Sis. Lanette Keesee reporting. o St. Paul Oakwood – Rev. Jeffery Norfleet, Sr., delegate Bro. Dennis Williams

reporting. o St. Luke Gallatin – Rev. Anthony Thomas Sr., delegate Sis Linda Fuqua reporting. o Greater Ebenezer Clarksville – Rev. Alexander Gatson, delegate Sis Ruth Royal

reporting. o St. Peter Clarksville – Rev. Lisa Hammonds, delegate Sis. Capri Griffey Elliot

reporting. o Lee Chapel – Rev. Roderick D. Belin, delegate Sis. Willa Rhodes reporting.

Rev. Willis Orr requested to superannuate. Bishop Leath referred him to the MEC. Bishop Leath also referred Rev. Michael Broadnax to the MEC.

Following the Pastoral Reports Bishop Leath readdressed the 13th District budget issues. The Conference was made aware of $18,000 that must be addressed to be paid over a four year period. There will be no increase this year due to bringing churches from Paducah, KY into the Tennessee Annual Conference. Bishop Leath called for a motion to receive the Audit Report. Motion by Sis. Barbara Ivery; Second Re. Roderick Belin. Motion carried.

Further discussion was held concerning moving the Gallatin area churches from the North District into the Nashville District and the Paducah, KY area churches into the North District. Issues related to the moves were referred to the Committee on Missions, Circuits and Stations, and to the Committee on Presiding Elders Support.

Benediction – Rev. Kendal Jackson

Evening Session

8

Retirement Service - Rev. Earl Long was honored

Spiritual Renewal

- Rev. Wanda Payne preached on “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done”

Day 2 Church School – Rev. Linda Brown Saffore Reports Tennessee Conference CDMC Commission (see report) – Sis. Tiffany Ligon Brown…Motion to receive report Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr., Second Rev. Victor Goodman, motion carried. Lay Organization (see attached) – Sis. Barbara Ivery reporting. Final report from Sis. Ivery. Motion to accept report with accommodations P.E. Troy Merritt; Second Rev. Chris Grizzard; Motion carried. Social Justice (see attached) - Rev. Harold M. Love, Jr…Motion to accept Rev. Fred Beasley; second Rev. James Scruggs; Motion carried. Bishop Leath recognized pastors and laity who voted on yesterday. Christian Education (see attached) – Rev. Linda Saffore (serving in departure of Dr. Charlotte Sydnor) reporting…Motion to receive report Rev. Albert Strawther; Motion Rev. Lee Russell Brown; Motion carried. Bishop appoints Rev. Saffore Director Christian Education Tennessee Annual Conference. The Service of Word, Ordination and Holy Communion – Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr., Worship Leader Preacher, Dr. Jeffery Cooper, General Secretary/Chief Information Officer…Text – Daniel 2: 17-23, 27-28…”The Stuff Preachers Are Made Of!”

• Consecration of Deaconess – Sis Ada Gordon • Ordination of Deacons – Sis. Candace Charlene Perkins (itinerant Orders) • Ordination of Elders – Rev. Jamie Chatman Baham (Itinerant Orders), Rev. Deshnell Cobbin

(Itinerant Orders). Visitors to the Conference: Bishop Henry Allen & Mrs. Lucida Belin, Dr. Jeffery & Mrs. Cooper and family members. Adjourned for Lunch Devotion –Students under Board Examiners Bishop Leath called the Annual Conference back to order.

Stewardship and Tithing - Beverly McCadden and Rev. Anthony Thomas, Rev. Anica Howard reporting (see attached). Motion to accept report Rev. Chris Grizzard; Second Rev. Victor Goodman; Motion carried.

9

Sons of Allen (see attached) – Rev. Jeffery Norfleet, Sr…Motion to accept report… Health Commission (see attached) – Dr. Connie Graves; Motion to accept Conference Trustee Report – P.E. Sidney Bryant, Rev. Lisa Hammonds, secretary reporting (see attached)

1. The McEwen property has a church building on the site but has not had an active congregation for more than 10 years. The family that originally gifted the property to the Tennessee Annual Conference is interested in buying it to preserve its legacy. Motion P.E. Troy Merritt to accept the recommendations of Conference Trustees; Second Rev. Anthony Thomas; Motion carried.

2. Negotiations for St. Matthew-Rossview to explore leasing opportunities in order to maximize proceeds and include provisions for the cemetery. . Motion to accept the recommendations of Conference Trustees P.E. Sidney Bryant; Second Bro. James Darden; Motion carried.

3. The proceeds from the sale of the Mt. Juliet property be invested in a two-tier approach for legacy and growth as follows: $200k to the Community Foundation and $450k to a managed growth fund product. Mt. Juliet-What to do with the $600,000? Commendations to Dr. Richard Allen Lewi's office which was insured and covered legal fees. Commendations to Rev. Jenkins and his church for $20k of upkeep which was reimbursed.

• Community foundation, and • conference will get a dividend "until Jesus comes" from a percentage of the money (5%), • Managed Growth investment with certified financial handlers. • Marcus Henderson's firm put together a package to outline what could be done with the firm.

Trustees place $200,000 in community endowment firm Give them permission to place $450,000 in a managed fund investment opportunity Money has been sitting in an account for 6 months earning no interest. Rev. Veronica Jones expressed concern about churches needing to get some of the money for upkeep. Bishop Leath expressed the need to not squander the seed. Richard Allen Lewis expressed his approval of the Trustee's recommendation and support. Motion to accept P.E. Troy Merritt; Second-Barbara Ivory; 2 oppose – Rev. Veronica Jones and ? and 1 abstaining Rev. Sonia Deloach), motion carried.

3. A church has expressed interest in the Walton Lane property that seems conducive to all parties. . Motion to accept the recommendations of Conference Trustees Darden;Second Rev. Antoni Sinkfield; Motion carried. Motion to receive report of Trustees as a whole -Sidney Bryant, Goodman Second

Finance Committee – Rev. Victor Goodman report (see attached)…Motion to accept report Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second Rev. Chris Grizzard; Motion carried.

Classification of Pastors and Charges - Rev. Lisa Hammonds reporting (see attached). Motion to accept report Rev. Sharon Oligive; Second Rev. Jeffery Norfleet; Motion carried.

10

Finance Committee – Rev. Victor Goodman reporting (see attached)…Motion to adopt Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second Rev. Chris Grizzard; motion carried. Classification of Pastor’s and Charges – Rev. Lisa Hammonds reporting (see attached)…Motion to accept Rev. Sharon Oligive; Second Rev. Jeffery Norfleet; motion carried.

Missions, Circuits and Stations – Rev. LaVan Strickland reporting (see attached);

(1) The eighteen stations on the South Nashville District remain the same.

(2) The following stations presently on the North Nashville District, be moved to the Nashville District:

a. St Luke, Gallatin

b. Green Chapel, Hartsville c. Howard Chapel Hartsville d. Turner Chapel Carthage e. Smith Chapel Bethpage

Rationale: To balance number of churches proximity of churches to Nashville and distance from Clarksville.

Motion to accept recommendation Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second; Motion carried.

(2) The following Paducah Churches be assigned to the North Nashville District:

a. Burkes Chapel, Paducah b. St. John Paducah c. St. James, Mayfield

d. Moore’s Chapel, Clinton

e. St. James, Pryorsburg Rationale: complete the transition of Kentucky churches to the Tennessee Conference.

Motion to accept recommendation Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second Rev. LaVan Strickland; Motion carried.

(3) Closing St. Matthew Rossview – Bishop Leath offers another suggestion. He recommends that St. Matthew be changed from a Station to a Mission preferably hold worship with another AME Church, at a different time, that they may have an option to merge with that AME congregation. For one year. If they worship in another denomination’s facility, they must be able to pay for rental of facility out of their own

11

tithes and offerings. It was also stipulated that they should be ready to move if their present facility is sold.

Rationale: Church’s low membership (7) and inability to sustain church and pastor.

Motion to adopt recommendations Rev. Linda Brown Saffore; Second Rev. James Scruggs; Motion carried. Motion to receive report as a whole Rev. Anica Howard; Second Rev. Albert Strawther; Motion carried. Ministerial Efficiency Committee (see attached) – Rev. Lisa Hammonds reporting (see attached)

- Item 1 – Rev. Columbus Jones drop from roll due to excessive absences- Motion to accept Rev. Anthony Thomas; second Rev. LaVan Strickland;

- Item 2 – Rev. Dennis Troutman drop from roll due to excessive absences – Motion to accept recommendations Bryant; Second Rev. Albert Strawther; Motion carried.

- Item 3 – Rev. Earl Long request to superannuate – Motion to grant request P.E. Sidney Bryant; Second Rev. Lisa Hammonds; Motion carried.

- Item 4 - Rev. Willis Orr – recommendation to continue in supernumerary status…motion to accept recommendation Rev. Victor Goodman; Second Rev. Trent Oligive; motion carried.

- Item 5 – Rev. Michael Broadnax – letter requesting retirement (irrevocable) was submitted to Bishop’s Office. There has been a change of mine by Rev. Broadnax after Bishop made commitment to the Department of Retirement/Annuity. It is recommended that action is taken at this time.

Motion to accept report Rev. Dennis D Lawson; Second Rev. Lisa Hammonds; Motion carried. Bishop Leath states if a person is read out of the Conference for non-attendance you can come back. Persons who leave as an itinerant and do not have a seminary degree must return as a local. Those without an undergraduate degree who leave and return must also return as a local. Evangelism – Rev. Garrett Copeland reporting (see attached)…Motion to accept report Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second Rev. Lisa Hammonds; Motion carried. RAYAC/WMS/YPD Bishop Leath entertains a motion to accept the reports of the RAYAC, Women Missionary Society, and YPD as posted on 13th District website. Motion offered by Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second; Motion carried. Women In Ministry – Rev. Anica Howard – presents new WIM president Rev. Sherrie Scott. Motion to accept report Rev. Lisa Hammonds; Second Rev. Lee Russell Brown; motion carried. Budget Report – Rev. Antoni Sinkfield reporting (see attached)…Motion by Rev. Albert Strawther to accept report; Second Rev. Lee Russell Brown; Motion carried. Presiding Elder Report – Rev. Walter W. Reid chairperson, Rev. Alexander Gatson reporting…Motion to accept report Rev. Dennis D Lawson; Second; Motion carried. Camp Primm Simmons – Bishop Leath states that there are no changes. Considering electing representatives that can serve for 2-3 years. Will revisit this component at a later date.

12

Believe Inc. – Verbal report given by Bishop Leath. Believe Inc., has ca $10,000 in grant monies. Finance Committee – Rev. Babydoll Kennedy reporting… First report. Met for the purpose of organization. Motion to approve elections offered by Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second Rev, Ralph Johnson; Motion carried. Finance Committee – Second report. Sis. Faye Walker reporting. Motion to adopt Rev. Chris Grizzard; Second Rev. Antoni Sinkfield; Motion carried. Election of Treasurer – Motion offered by P.E. Sidney Bryant to elect Rev. Victor Goodman treasurer of the Tennessee Annual Conference; Second P.E. Troy Merritt; Motion carried. Judicial Committee – Bishop Leath appoints the following persons to the Judicial Committee: P.E. Sidney Bryant, Reverends Reginald Brock, Linda Brown Saffore, Walter W. Reid, Jr., Wanda Payne, Antoni Sinkfield Sr., Motion P.E. Troy Merritt; Second Rev. Barry Cox; Motion carried. State of the Church – Rev. Lee Russell Brown reporting (see attached); Motion offered by Rev. Antoni Sinkfield to accept report. Second Rev. Fred Beasley; Motion carried. State of the Country – Rev. Randall Webster reporting (see report); Motion to accept report Rev. LaVan Strickland; Second Rev. Chris Grizzard; Motion carried. Statistician Report – Rev. Lisa Hammonds reporting; Motion to receive report Rev. Anthony Thomas; Second Rev. Antoni Sinkfield; Unready Rev. Walter Reid, Jr.; Motion carried. Certificates –

• Admissions – Bro. Corwin Davis (Itinerant) • Deacon Orders – Rev. Candace C. Perkins (Itinerant) • Elder’s Orders – Rev. Deshnell Cobbins

Pastoral Appointments – Bishop Leath gave out pastoral appointments but requested that pastors not reveal their assignments for the upcoming Conference Year until the close of Conference on tomorrow. Benediction – Rev. Donna Lorhorn

• 2016 Pastors' Report Annual Conference Summary • Tennessee Annual Conference • Nashville District - Submitted by Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr.

Payne Chapel AME Church - Nashville W. Antoni Sinkfield 14 25 600 $ 457,121 $

129,000 $ 66,539 $ 31,696 $ 80,570 $ 207 $ 24,403

St. John AME Church - Nashville Ralph E. Johnson 3 163 $ 212,863 $ 9,070 $ 17,640 $ 53,640 $ 61 $ 11,216

Kairos Community AME Church - Nashville Garrett J. Copeland 2 79 $ 130,635 $

260,542 $ 4,010 $ 11,581 $ 31,609 $ 96 $ 6,884

Scott's Chapel AME Church - Hermitage Frederick L. Jenkins, Sr. 2 2 183 $ 116,189 $ 8,990 $ 19,200 $ 36,960 $ 61 $ 5,755

St. Matthew AME Church - Nashville Reginald Brock 7 117 $ 75,796 $ 2,500 $ 2,352 $ 27,300 $ 32,400 $ 171 $ 4,664 St. Luke AME Church - Nashville Eddie Sneed 5 46 $ 56,389 $ 52,750 $ 4,911 $ 15,600 $ 16,400 $ 171 $ 2,987

13

St. Paul AME Church - Nashville Harold M. Love, Jr. 49 $ 79,185 $ 5,881 $ 10,400 $ 24,352 $ 171 $ 2,969 New Salem AME Church -Nashville Anica L. Howard 26 $ 53,978 $ 5,410 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 61 $ 2,324 St. Phillip AME Church - Nashville Derron Gray 1 1 30 $ 31,033 $ 32,976 $ 1,387 $ 7,875 $ 7,875 $ 61 $ 1,801 Ebenezer AME Church - Nashville Wanda Payne 5 49 $ 45,737 $ 77,756 $ 7,800 $ 9,959 $ 96 $ 3,101 St. Peter AME Church - Nasshville Nathan Frey 1 3 27 $ 71,092 $ 30,377 $ 11,600 $ 14,200 $ 97 $ 3,165 St. James AME Church - Nashville Omar`an D. Lee 22 $ 36,547 $ 5,171 $ 10,400 $ 61 $ 2,416 Winters Chapel AME Church - Lebanon Tonna Gibert 12 $ 26,608 $ 86,174 $ 4,575 $ 3,100 $ 3,100 $ 171 $ 1,745 Mt. Olive AME Church - Lebanon Rev Barry Cox 1 5 $ 6,245 $ 733 $ 2,800 $ 2,800 $ 10 $ 767

TOTAL 31 41 1408 $ 1,399,418

$ 563,942

$ 227,163

$ 167,592

$ 325,265

$ 1,495

$ 74,197

• South Nashville District - Submitted by Rev. Sidney Bryant

Greater Bethel AME Church - Nashville Walter W. Reid, Jr. 11 30 475 $ 564,696 $ 9,896 $ 69,898 $ 50,000 $

101,000 $ 171 $ 17,757

St. Paul AME Church - Columbia Dennis D. Lawson 8 1 183 $ 159,950 $ 171,400 $ 28,312 $ 23,400 $ 37,804 $ 342 $ 8,607

Allen Chapel AME Church - Murfreesboro Jimmie L. Plummer 3 1 103 $ 157,469 $

242,841 $ 8,932 $ 28,933 $ 55,315 $ 171 $ 7,892

Wayman Chapel AME Church - Columbia Victor Goodman 3 7 194 $ 159,013 $ 36,407 $ 50,054 $ 20,800 $ 35,070 $ 207 $ 7,681

Woodfork Chapel AME Church - Shelbyville Randall L. Webster 1 55 $ 56,778

$ 180,995 $ 19,500 $ 19,500 $ 171 $ 3,518

Bethel Chapel AME Church - Columbia Trent Ogilvie 2 6 78 $ 86,245 $ 15,235 $ 12,000 $ 18,200 $ 232 $ 3,543 Webb Grove AME Church - Murfreesboro Lavan Strickland 2 2 80 $ 77,193 $ 5,265 $ 950 $ 20,800 $ 27,408 $ 36 $ 3,925

Shorter Chapel AME Church - Franklin Kenneth Hill, PhD 2 50 $ 106,600 $ 53,339 $ 31,838 $ 26,000 $ 30,800 $ 342 $ 4,976 Mullin Chapel AME Church - Shelbyville Chris Grizzard 40 $ 33,658 $ 7,839 $ 7,800 $ 7,800 $ 61 $ 1,453

Jones Chapel AME Church - Mt. Pleasant Sharon Ogilvie 2 1 52 $ 30,330 $ 1,611 $ 5,800 $ 5,815 $ 171 $ 2,486

Canaan AME Church - Columbia Andre Washington 1 31 $ 30,685 $ 9,546 $ 10,400 $ 10,400 $ 171 $ 2,433 Allen Bethel AME Church - Lewisburg James Scruggs 20 $ 25,191 $ 8,661 $ 10,400 $ 10,655 $ 171 $ 1,496 Claiborn Chapel AME Church - Williamsport Linda Hopkins 17 $ 20,617 $ 529 $ 8,914 $ 3,300 $ 3,300 $ 1,315

St. Matthew AME Church - Cornersville Ashley Cox 24 $ 22,524 $ 18,399 $ 8,840 $ 9,040 $ 25 $ 1,495

Hopewell AME Church - Columbia Veronica D. Mathers-Jones 18 $ 34,090 $ 5,367 $ 8,700 $ 9,230 $ 36 $ 1,814

Roberts Chapel AME Church - Linden James McKissack 1 21 $ 19,208 $ 12,694 $ 9,397 $ 9,397 $ 86 $ 1,228 New Bethel AME Church - Murfreesboro Kenneth Odom 1 16 $ 11,296 $ 1,132 $ 2,139 $ 2,139 $ 36 $ 886

Mt. Zion AME Church - Centerville Earl Long 11 $ 628

TOTAL 32 53 1468 $ 1,595,543

$ 519,676

$ 460,377

$ 268,209

$ 392,873

$ 2,429

$ 73,133

• Church • Church • Pastor Name • Pastor Name • Conversions • Conversions • Accessions • Accessions • Membership - Total

14

• Membership - Total • Funds Raised • Funds Raised • Total Indebtedness • Total Indebtedness • Church Treasury Balance - Total • Church Treasury Balance - Total • Pastor Salary • Pastor Salary • Total Pastor's Compensation • Total Pastor's Compensation • Total Subscriptions • Total Subscriptions • Total Brought to Conference • Total Brought to Conference • 2016 Pastors' Report Annual Conference Summary • Tennessee Annual Conference • North Nashville District - Rev. Sidney Bryant

Lee Chapel AME Church - Nashville Roderick D. Belin 2 333 $ 716,522 $

2,380,776 $ 448,629 $ 32,435 $

112,939 $ 342 $ 21,057

St. Peter AME Church - Clarksville Lisa Hammonds 4 134 $ 110,549 $ 19,410 $ 14,040 $ 35,100 $ 171 $ 9,021 Greater Ebenezer AME Church - Clarksville Alexander Gatson 1 2 $ 133,774 $ 37,968 $ 15,600 $ 30,000 $ 171 $ 6,578

St Luke AME Church - Gallatin Anthony Thomas 1 5 95 $ 115,076 $ 218 $ 303,475 $ 20,800 $ 35,200 $ 171 $ 5,412

St. Paul AME Church - Oakwood Jeffery Norfleet, Sr 1 72 $ 120,268 $ 25,377 $ 15,750 $ 19,400 $ 36 $ 3,731 Martin Chapel AME Church - Clarksville Sherri Cowley Scott 65 $ 66,902 $ 17,440 $ 26,000 $ 31,200 $ 342 $ 5,335

Salter's Chapel AME Church - Waverly Lee Russell Brown, Jr. 7 6 82 $ 104,227 $ 5,655 $ 4,187 $ 24,800 $ 38,192 $ 171 $ 3,138

Smith Chapel AME Church - Bethpage Fred Beasley 66 $ 56,500 $ 40,000 $ 18,000 $ 18,000 $ 1,623 St. John AME Church - Springfield Donald Williams 39 $ 49,215 $ 60,672 $ 1,228 $ 18,200 $ 21,937 $ 36 $ 3,678 St. James AME Church - Dickson Vivian R. Canty 1 1 48 $ 30,195 $ 7,375 $ 5,200 $ 59,800 $ 61 $ 2,604 First AME Church - Pegram Linda Brown-Saffore 24 $ 20,308 $ 1,687 $ 4,900 $ 6,280 $ 207 $ 2,646 St. Luke AME Church - Erin Cedric Bailey Sr. 21 $ 20,246 $ 5,042 $ 5,800 $ 61 $ 1,201 McGavock Chapel AME Church - Charlotte Benessa Sweat 1 1 52 $ 22,543 $ 1,948 $ 8,840 $ 8,840 $ 36 $ 1,952

Sulphur Spring AME Church - Cunningham Anthony J. Lyle, Sr. 1 37 $ 65,192 $ 25,059 $ 14,300 $ 14,300 $ 1,429

Mt. Zion AME Church - Charlotte Frankie Witt 19 $ 18,393 $ 7,462 $ 10,000 $ 11,284 $ 36 $ 1,443 Green Chapel AME Church - Hartsville Marlan Crawford 9 $ 18,904 $ 10,799 $ 8,600 $ 8,600 $ 1,073 St. Matthew AME Church - Clarksville Deshnell Cobbin 23 $ 11,129 $ 47 $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 36 $ 1,485 St. Paul AME Church - Ashland City Joe T. Southall 12 $ 12,313 $ 1,600 $ 5,200 $ 5,200 $ 36 $ 1,413 Howard Chapel AME Church - Hartsville Albert Strawther, Jr 11 $ 11,128 $ 2,786 $ 3,000 $ 3,000 $ 36 $ 639 Turner Chapel AME Church - Carthage Albert Strawther, Jr 5 $ 5,254 $ 1,731 $ 1,500 $ 1,500 $ 36 $ 621 Burks Chapel AME Church - Paducah Babydoll Kennedy 1 69 $ 67,630 $ 1,262 $ 12,000 $ 26,400 $ 2,805 St. John AME Church - Paducah James W. Bolen, Sr. 29 $ 31,003 $ 40,883 $ 2,124 $ 12,000 $ 26,400 $ 111 $ 3,066 St. James AME Church - Mayfield Rita Story 24 $ 11,600 $ 11,600 $ 320 Moore's Chapel Church - Clinton Raymond Corbin 9 $ 8,000 $ 5,760 $ 5,760 $ 357 St. James AME Church - Pryorsburg Donna Lorhorn $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 905

TOTAL 13 22 1278 $ 1,815,271

$ 2,488,205

$ 966,636

$ 293,125

$ 541,833

$ 2,096

$ 83,532

• Church

15

- African Methodist Episcopal Church Thirteenth Episcopal District

16

- 149

Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference

17

- Lee Chapel AME Church, Host Church Nashville, Tennessee - Report of the Tennessee Conference Board of

Examiners Friday, October 21, 2016 - Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath,

Episcopal Supervisor - Board Members - Reverend Lisa Hammonds, Chairperson Reverend Roderick D. Belin Reverend W.

Antoni Sinkfield - Committee on Instruction Members - Reverend Tonna Gibert Reverend Frederick Jenkins

18

- Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Supervisor Susan J. Leath, General Officers, Presiding Elders,

19

Pastors, Delegates, Friends and Visitors of the 149

Session of the Tennessee Annual

20

Conference of the 13

Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We,

21

the members of the Tennessee Conference Board of Examiners, wish to make the following report:

- Admissions - John Cummings, age 51 (3/14/64), married with no dependent children. He is a member

of Payne Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield is pastor. He is currently a junior at Welch College. He completed all coursework and attendance requirements both on the district and conference levels. He is in possession of the required books. He has exhibited a functional knowledge and proficiency for the class of Admissions. He has completed the Ministry Safe program and successfully taken the exam, registered for the background check, and completed a psychological exam. We, therefore, recognize his candidacy, acknowledge his successful completion of studies, and be advanced to First Year Studies in local relations.

- Corwin Davis, age 22 (8/25/94), single with no dependent children. He is a member of Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Rev. Roderick Belin is pastor. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree with honors from Belmont University and is currently enrolled at Vanderbilt Divinity pursuing a Master of Divinity degree. He completed all coursework and attendance requirements both on the district and conference levels. He is in possession of the required books. He has exhibited a functional knowledge and proficiency for the class of Admissions. He has completed the Ministry Safe program and successfully taken the exam, registered for the background check, and completed a psychological exam. We, therefore, recommend he be admitted to the Tennessee Annual Conference on trial and advanced to First Year Studies in itinerant relations.

- First Year Studies - Melvin Hart, age 42 (12/13/73), married with two dependent children. He is a member of

Payne Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield is pastor. He holds an undergraduate degree from Central State University and relocated to

22

the 13

from the 3

District last year. He is in possession of the required books, has

23

completed the Ministry Safe program and successfully taken the exam, registered for the background check, and completed a psychological exam; however, he has not completed all coursework and attendance requirements on the district and conference levels. We, therefore, recommend he be retained in First Year Studies in itinerant relations.

- Second Year Studies - Candace Charlene Perkins, age 29 (12/03/86), is single with no dependent children. She

is a member of Greater Bethel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr. is pastor. She has an undergraduate degree from University of Memphis and is currently enrolled in Payne Theological Seminary with an anticipated graduation date of May 2017. She completed all coursework and attendance requirements both on the district and conference levels. She is in possession of the required books. She has exhibited a functional knowledge and proficiency for the class of Second Year Studies. She has registered for the background check. We, therefore, recommend that she be elected and ordained an Itinerant Deacon and advanced to the class of Third Year Studies in itinerant relations.

- Third Year Studies - Rev. Cedric Jackson Bailey, Sr., age 55 (8/18/61), married with adult children. He is a

member of Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Rev. Roderick D. Belin is pastor

- and is serving as the supply pastor for St. Luke AME Church in Erin, Tennessee. He is continuing his pursuit of an undergraduate degree at Tennessee State University with an anticipated graduation date of May 2017. He completed all coursework and attendance requirements both on the district and conference levels. He is in possession of the required books. He has exhibited the required knowledge and proficiency for the class of Third Year Studies. He has registered for the background check. We, therefore, recommend that he be advanced to the class of Fourth Year Studies in local relations.

- Fourth Year Studies - Rev. Jamie Chatman Baham, age 35 (6/29/81), married with one dependent child. She is

a member of Greater Bethel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, where Rev. Walter W. Reid, Jr. is pastor although she has relocated to Mandeville, Louisiana, where she has not yet established a relationship with an African Methodist Episcopal Church. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt Divinity in December 2015, and we, therefore, recommend she be elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder.

- Rev. Deshnell Cobbin, age 48 (12/19/68), single with adult children. She is a member of Martin Chapel AME Church in Clarksville, Tennessee, where Rev. Sherri Scott is pastor and is serving as the pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Clarksville, Tennessee. She holds the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Austin Peay State University and received her Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary in May 2016. She has previously completed all the coursework and attendance requirements of the Board of Examiners. She has registered for the background check. We, therefore, recommend she be elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder.

- Rev. Veronica Dailey, age 50 (10/13/65), widowed with no dependent children. She is a member of Payne Chapel AME Church, where Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield is pastor. She holds the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Tennessee State University and is currently enrolled in the Master of Divinity degree program at Lipscomb University. She completed all coursework and attendance requirements both

24

on the district and conference levels. She is in possession of the required books. She has exhibited the required knowledge and proficiency for the class of Fourth Year Studies. She has registered for the background check. We, therefore, commend her commitment to the Board of Examiners and the ministerial process and recommend she be placed in the “on hold” status until she completes the educational requirements to be elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder.

- Deaconess - Sister Ada Gordon is a member of First Pegram AME Church, where Rev. Linda Saffore

is pastor. We, therefore, recommend she be consecrated a deaconess in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

- The Tennessee Annual Conference Board of Examiners - Reverend Lisa Hammonds, Chairperson Reverend Roderick D. Belin

Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield - The Tennessee Annual Conference Committee on Instruction - Reverend Frederick Jenkins Reverend Tonna Gibert - Presiding Elders’ Committees on Ministerial Orders - Reverend Fred Beasley Reverend Alexander Gatson Reverend Ralph Johnson Reverend

Benessa Perkins-Sweat Reverend Randall Webster Reverend Donald Williams - Tennessee Annual Conference - Nashville District - Submitted by Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr.

Payne Chapel AME Church - Nashville W. Antoni Sinkfield 14 25 600 $ 457,121 $

129,000 $ 66,539 $ 31,696 $ 80,570 $ 207 $ 24,403

St. John AME Church - Nashville Ralph E. Johnson 3 163 $ 212,863 $ 9,070 $ 17,640 $ 53,640 $ 61 $ 11,216

Kairos Community AME Church - Nashville Garrett J. Copeland 2 79 $ 130,635 $

260,542 $ 4,010 $ 11,581 $ 31,609 $ 96 $ 6,884

Scott's Chapel AME Church - Hermitage Frederick L. Jenkins, Sr. 2 2 183 $ 116,189 $ 8,990 $ 19,200 $ 36,960 $ 61 $ 5,755

St. Matthew AME Church - Nashville Reginald Brock 7 117 $ 75,796 $ 2,500 $ 2,352 $ 27,300 $ 32,400 $ 171 $ 4,664 St. Luke AME Church - Nashville Eddie Sneed 5 46 $ 56,389 $ 52,750 $ 4,911 $ 15,600 $ 16,400 $ 171 $ 2,987 St. Paul AME Church - Nashville Harold M. Love, Jr. 49 $ 79,185 $ 5,881 $ 10,400 $ 24,352 $ 171 $ 2,969 New Salem AME Church -Nashville Anica L. Howard 26 $ 53,978 $ 5,410 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 61 $ 2,324 St. Phillip AME Church - Nashville Derron Gray 1 1 30 $ 31,033 $ 32,976 $ 1,387 $ 7,875 $ 7,875 $ 61 $ 1,801 Ebenezer AME Church - Nashville Wanda Payne 5 49 $ 45,737 $ 77,756 $ 7,800 $ 9,959 $ 96 $ 3,101 St. Peter AME Church - Nasshville Nathan Frey 1 3 27 $ 71,092 $ 30,377 $ 11,600 $ 14,200 $ 97 $ 3,165 St. James AME Church - Nashville Omar`an D. Lee 22 $ 36,547 $ 5,171 $ 10,400 $ 61 $ 2,416 Winters Chapel AME Church - Lebanon Tonna Gibert 12 $ 26,608 $ 86,174 $ 4,575 $ 3,100 $ 3,100 $ 171 $ 1,745 Mt. Olive AME Church - Lebanon Rev Barry Cox 1 5 $ 6,245 $ 733 $ 2,800 $ 2,800 $ 10 $ 767

TOTAL 31 41 1408 $ 1,399,418

$ 563,942

$ 227,163

$ 167,592

$ 325,265

$ 1,495

$ 74,197

- South Nashville District - Submitted by Rev. Sidney Bryant

Greater Bethel AME Church - Nashville Walter W. Reid, Jr. 11 30 475 $ 564,696 $ 9,896 $ 69,898 $ 50,000 $

101,000 $ 171 $ 17,757

St. Paul AME Church - Columbia Dennis D. Lawson 8 1 183 $ 159,950 $ 171,400 $ 28,312 $ 23,400 $ 37,804 $ 342 $ 8,607

Allen Chapel AME Church - Murfreesboro Jimmie L. Plummer 3 1 103 $ 157,469 $

242,841 $ 8,932 $ 28,933 $ 55,315 $ 171 $ 7,892

Wayman Chapel AME Church - Columbia Victor Goodman 3 7 194 $ 159,013 $ 36,407 $ 50,054 $ 20,800 $ 35,070 $ 207 $ 7,681

25

Woodfork Chapel AME Church - Shelbyville Randall L. Webster 1 55 $ 56,778

$ 180,995 $ 19,500 $ 19,500 $ 171 $ 3,518

Bethel Chapel AME Church - Columbia Trent Ogilvie 2 6 78 $ 86,245 $ 15,235 $ 12,000 $ 18,200 $ 232 $ 3,543 Webb Grove AME Church - Murfreesboro Lavan Strickland 2 2 80 $ 77,193 $ 5,265 $ 950 $ 20,800 $ 27,408 $ 36 $ 3,925

Shorter Chapel AME Church - Franklin Kenneth Hill, PhD 2 50 $ 106,600 $ 53,339 $ 31,838 $ 26,000 $ 30,800 $ 342 $ 4,976 Mullin Chapel AME Church - Shelbyville Chris Grizzard 40 $ 33,658 $ 7,839 $ 7,800 $ 7,800 $ 61 $ 1,453

Jones Chapel AME Church - Mt. Pleasant Sharon Ogilvie 2 1 52 $ 30,330 $ 1,611 $ 5,800 $ 5,815 $ 171 $ 2,486

Canaan AME Church - Columbia Andre Washington 1 31 $ 30,685 $ 9,546 $ 10,400 $ 10,400 $ 171 $ 2,433 Allen Bethel AME Church - Lewisburg James Scruggs 20 $ 25,191 $ 8,661 $ 10,400 $ 10,655 $ 171 $ 1,496 Claiborn Chapel AME Church - Williamsport Linda Hopkins 17 $ 20,617 $ 529 $ 8,914 $ 3,300 $ 3,300 $ 1,315

St. Matthew AME Church - Cornersville Ashley Cox 24 $ 22,524 $ 18,399 $ 8,840 $ 9,040 $ 25 $ 1,495

Hopewell AME Church - Columbia Veronica D. Mathers-Jones 18 $ 34,090 $ 5,367 $ 8,700 $ 9,230 $ 36 $ 1,814

Roberts Chapel AME Church - Linden James McKissack 1 21 $ 19,208 $ 12,694 $ 9,397 $ 9,397 $ 86 $ 1,228 New Bethel AME Church - Murfreesboro Kenneth Odom 1 16 $ 11,296 $ 1,132 $ 2,139 $ 2,139 $ 36 $ 886

Mt. Zion AME Church - Centerville Earl Long 11 $ 628

TOTAL 32 53 1468 $ 1,595,543

$ 519,676

$ 460,377

$ 268,209

$ 392,873

$ 2,429

$ 73,133

- Church - Church - Pastor Name - Pastor Name - Conversions - Conversions - Accessions - Accessions - Membership - Total - Membership - Total - Funds Raised - Funds Raised - Total Indebtedness - Total Indebtedness - Church Treasury Balance - Total - Church Treasury Balance - Total - Pastor Salary - Pastor Salary - Total Pastor's Compensation - Total Pastor's Compensation - Total Subscriptions - Total Subscriptions - Total Brought to Conference - Total Brought to Conference - 2016 Pastors' Report Annual Conference Summary - Tennessee Annual Conference - North Nashville District - Rev. Sidney Bryant

Lee Chapel AME Church - Nashville Roderick D. Belin 2 333 $ 716,522 $

2,380,776 $ 448,629 $ 32,435 $

112,939 $ 342 $ 21,057

St. Peter AME Church - Clarksville Lisa Hammonds 4 134 $ 110,549 $ 19,410 $ 14,040 $ 35,100 $ 171 $ 9,021

26

Greater Ebenezer AME Church - Clarksville Alexander Gatson 1 2 $ 133,774 $ 37,968 $ 15,600 $ 30,000 $ 171 $ 6,578

St Luke AME Church - Gallatin Anthony Thomas 1 5 95 $ 115,076 $ 218 $ 303,475 $ 20,800 $ 35,200 $ 171 $ 5,412

St. Paul AME Church - Oakwood Jeffery Norfleet, Sr 1 72 $ 120,268 $ 25,377 $ 15,750 $ 19,400 $ 36 $ 3,731 Martin Chapel AME Church - Clarksville Sherri Cowley Scott 65 $ 66,902 $ 17,440 $ 26,000 $ 31,200 $ 342 $ 5,335

Salter's Chapel AME Church - Waverly Lee Russell Brown, Jr. 7 6 82 $ 104,227 $ 5,655 $ 4,187 $ 24,800 $ 38,192 $ 171 $ 3,138

Smith Chapel AME Church - Bethpage Fred Beasley 66 $ 56,500 $ 40,000 $ 18,000 $ 18,000 $ 1,623 St. John AME Church - Springfield Donald Williams 39 $ 49,215 $ 60,672 $ 1,228 $ 18,200 $ 21,937 $ 36 $ 3,678 St. James AME Church - Dickson Vivian R. Canty 1 1 48 $ 30,195 $ 7,375 $ 5,200 $ 59,800 $ 61 $ 2,604 First AME Church - Pegram Linda Brown-Saffore 24 $ 20,308 $ 1,687 $ 4,900 $ 6,280 $ 207 $ 2,646 St. Luke AME Church - Erin Cedric Bailey Sr. 21 $ 20,246 $ 5,042 $ 5,800 $ 61 $ 1,201 McGavock Chapel AME Church - Charlotte Benessa Sweat 1 1 52 $ 22,543 $ 1,948 $ 8,840 $ 8,840 $ 36 $ 1,952

Sulphur Spring AME Church - Cunningham Anthony J. Lyle, Sr. 1 37 $ 65,192 $ 25,059 $ 14,300 $ 14,300 $ 1,429

Mt. Zion AME Church - Charlotte Frankie Witt 19 $ 18,393 $ 7,462 $ 10,000 $ 11,284 $ 36 $ 1,443 Green Chapel AME Church - Hartsville Marlan Crawford 9 $ 18,904 $ 10,799 $ 8,600 $ 8,600 $ 1,073 St. Matthew AME Church - Clarksville Deshnell Cobbin 23 $ 11,129 $ 47 $ 1,000 $ 1,500 $ 36 $ 1,485 St. Paul AME Church - Ashland City Joe T. Southall 12 $ 12,313 $ 1,600 $ 5,200 $ 5,200 $ 36 $ 1,413 Howard Chapel AME Church - Hartsville Albert Strawther, Jr 11 $ 11,128 $ 2,786 $ 3,000 $ 3,000 $ 36 $ 639 Turner Chapel AME Church - Carthage Albert Strawther, Jr 5 $ 5,254 $ 1,731 $ 1,500 $ 1,500 $ 36 $ 621 Burks Chapel AME Church - Paducah Babydoll Kennedy 1 69 $ 67,630 $ 1,262 $ 12,000 $ 26,400 $ 2,805 St. John AME Church - Paducah James W. Bolen, Sr. 29 $ 31,003 $ 40,883 $ 2,124 $ 12,000 $ 26,400 $ 111 $ 3,066 St. James AME Church - Mayfield Rita Story 24 $ 11,600 $ 11,600 $ 320 Moore's Chapel Church - Clinton Raymond Corbin 9 $ 8,000 $ 5,760 $ 5,760 $ 357 St. James AME Church - Pryorsburg Donna Lorhorn $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 905

TOTAL 13 22 1278 $ 1,815,271

$ 2,488,205

$ 966,636

$ 293,125

$ 541,833

$ 2,096

$ 83,532

- Church

27

th

28

The Tennessee Annual Conference

Date of Annual Conference: October 20-23, 2016

Component Report Name of Component ................................................................................. Lay Organization

Number of Members in the Annual Conference ........................................................... 535 Number of Conference Meetings held ............................................................................. 4 AverageAttendanceatConferenceMeetings .................................................................50 NumberofExecutiveBoardMeetings ..............................................................................1 Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings .......................................................... 20 List Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings

Date: Quarterly meetings

December 19, 2015 March 12, 2016 June 18, 2016 September 17, 2016

Date: Special Events

January 16, 2016 Lay Officers’ Training

April 30, 2016 Inaugural Dr. R.A. Lewis, Sr. Golf Scramble

May 6-7, 2016 Spiritual Retreat

May 21, 2016 Scholarship fundraiser

29

August 20, 2016

30

th

31

Location

St. Paul, Woodlawn, TN Bethel Chapel, Columbia, TN Martin Chapel, Clarksville, TN Lee Chapel, Nashville, TN

Location & Event title

St. Luke Nashville, TN

Forrest Crossing Golf Course Franklin, TN

Hillmont Christian Camp & Retreat White House, TN

Columbia Area Churches “Soup to Nuts”

Cal Turner Family Life Center – Meharry Campus Nashville, TN

What were the goals for the last conference year?

1. Inaugural golf tournament – “Leg Up for Kids” – scholarship fund raiser – April 30, 2016 2. Continue the work to support and strengthen local lay organizations 3. Continue efforts to establish a viable and realistic succession plan for conference lay leadership

What was accomplished on the annual conference level?

1. Training at quarterly meetings a. Not One Gift, but Two– Ms. Paula Y. Holmes b. AME Membership Card & Registration – Mrs. Faye E. Walker c. Fruit of the Spirit – Mrs. Faye E. Walker d. Responsibility & Commitment – Bro. Oliver Goodman e. Lay Officers’ Training – Mrs. Barbara A. Ivery & Mrs. Wanda Grandberry.

2. Held Inaugural Dr. Richard A. Lewis, Sr. Scholarship Golf Scramble 3. Spiritual Retreat – The Christian Life as a Journey – Rev. W. Antoni & Mrs. Kristy Sinkfield 4. Two Scholarship fund raisers

a. Golf Scramble

b. Soup to Nuts

5. Academic, book, entrepreneurial, and music scholarships were awarded to youth and young adults

32

totaling $3000.00.

33

6. Thirty-three persons (clergy & laity) were honored at the 26 7. Partnered with the WMS Personal Care Project – delivered 359 bags of personal care items for

men and women to six homes/shelters in geographic areas of the Tennessee Conference. a. Nashville Area – 7 churches participated, 169 personal care bags delivered to the

Community Care Fellowship Day Center.

2. Clarksville Area – 12 churches participated, 125 personal care bags delivered to two

Room in the Inn churches and the Love Center

3. Columbia area – 9 churches participated, 65 personal care bags delivered to three

organizations: the Discipleship House, the Family Center and Center of Hope.

8. Attended Lay Day observances and participated in the order of worship on several occasions.

Do you have your goals for this coming year? If so, please list.

Goals will be established by Mr. Darwin K. Eldridge, President elect and the 2016-2018 Executive Board of the Tennessee Conference Lay Organization.

COMPONENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Balance in Treasury as of July 1, 2016 Operating Account - $534.33 Biennial Savings - $4,033.56

Scholarship Fund - $3,951.80 Scholarship Investment - $18,000.00 Golf Scramble Account - $7,545.05

Total income .................................................... July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 $44,960.20 Total expenses................................................... July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 $37,720.62

Financial statement of summary details of income and expense. (see attached) Copy of your Budget for the last annual conference year. (see attached)

Annual OLP Luncheon.

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE LAY ORGANIZATION Assessment/Request per Lay Organization only for churches active at the conference level

1. Quarterly (Dec., March, June, Sept.) dues 2. Soup to Nuts tickets (allocated based on size of church) 3. OLP luncheon tickets (allocated based on size of church) 4. Lay Witness night offering

$25.00 $10.00 each $50.00 each $25.00

34

President 1

st

Vice President

35

2

nd

Vice President Recording Secretary Asst. Recording Secretary Treasurer

Financial Secretary Chaplain Director of Lay Activities Historiographer

Darwin K. Eldridge Jeffery W. Norfleet, II Tiffany Ligon-Brown Donna Holt-Pollard Walretta Chandler Juanita Patton

Charles Turner Harry Bailey Wanda Grandberry Palistine Johnson

TENNESSEE CONFERENCE LAY ORGANIZATION 2016 – 2018 OFFICERS

I thank the officers and members who have worked hard during this past Conference year to help us meet the goals and objectives of the Tennessee Conference Lay Organization. It has been my pleasure and a privilege granted by God to serve as president for the past eight years.

Respectfully submitted, Barbara A. Ivery

African Methodist Episcopal Church Thirteenth Episcopal District

Report of the Social Action Friday, October 21, 2016

36

th

37

Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church, Host Church Nashville, Tennessee

Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath, Episcopal Supervisor

Committee Members Reverend Harold Moses Love, Jr. Reverend Linda Brown-Saffore Reverend Omaran Lee Reverend Troy Merritt, Jr. Reverend Trent Ogilvie Reverend Eddie Sneed Reverend Charles Townsend, Sr. Sister Stephanie Baxter Sister Juanita Patton Sister Tiffany Gregory Sister Ruth Royal Brother James King Brother Keith Pitts Brother Willie Nelson

There is something very unique about the manner in which members of the African- American community view the church as it relates to political activism. There is an assumption that when it comes to matters that are non-spiritual in nature that the church is a resource just as much as it is when there are spiritual matters to be dealt with. African-Americans view the church as something they have invested in, “the significance of the church maybe attributed largely to its position as one of the few institutions within the black community that is primarily built, financed and controlled by blacks.” (Taylor, Thornton and Chatters, 1987). Along with the investment that many African-Americans made into the church came many views about how the church should engage the socio-economic problems in the community. Segregation seemed to give live to the role of the church as it could be both a critic of how African-Americans were being treated and advocate for better standards of living for African-Americans. To those in this school of thinking, if the church did its job to well it may have no role other than spiritual center, “as blacks achieved higher socioeconomic status and assimilated into American society, the traditional role of the black church as a spiritual and social refuge would cease to exist.” (Taylor, Thornton and Chatters, 1987).

Another school of thought toward the role of the church based its views on the fact that the church is a volunteer based organization. The members are in attendance and participate because they have a desire to be there and they engage in church work without financial compensation. Out of this volunteer nature there is a natural developing workforce that can engage the larger society to bring about change like no other organization can. In the African-

American church members benefit from something they can only get in the church, “it is through the church as a functioning and viable community organization that blacks have the opportunity to learn organizational skills and participate in a variety of role typically denied them in the larger society.” (Taylor, Thornton and Chatters, 1987). There is yet another school of thought that places emphasis on the specific role the church plays for individuals in the community. It is evident that the church can lay a tremendous role in the collective lives of the community, but there are also those who believe that the church can have great benefit to individuals. For those who ascribe to this role for the church it is important to understand how the church impacts the lives of individuals within the community, “similar to the compensatory model, the ethnic community model emphasizes the role of the church for enhancing individual self worth and

38

building a functional community that is based on a sense of group identity and collective interest.” (Taylor, Thornton and Chatters, 1987).

It is clear that religious institutions hold the potential to reconnect people to politics in ways that parties or unions did in the past. They provide political information and participatory opportunities to the religious citizenry. They make demands upon the state in the course of social service provision and through their ties with political organizations, like grassroots organizations. Moreover, religious institutions engage in community building through the generation of shared space and drawing community members into congregational activities. As such, churches represent an important site-politically, socially, and economically-for reinvigorating political and community life.

Religion and Political Activism

Being a member of a church seems to have transformative affects upon a person that might under other circumstances choose not to engage in political activism. There is something about religion aside from the sermons that are preached that causes one to see civic engagement as part of their religious engagement, “regular church attendance promotes civic-oriented participation, giving citizens a sense of civic obligation that leads them to participate regularly in elections.” (Harris, 1994). For many in the African-American community religion is not just utilized to focus attention on the world beyond but rather it can be used to focus attention on the world underneath their feet. Religion gives the framework by which people can work collectively outside of the church for some of the same people they encounter inside the church. Religion binds people together so that the concerns of one become the concerns of the many, “Religion, it is argued, lends coherence to social life by providing people with common symbols, a shared collective identity, and systems of meaning and morality that manifest as a shared world view”(Mattis, 2001). Religion in political activity allows African-Americans to conceptualize the reality of transformation occurring with, through and by their actions because it has been done before by other religious persons. The notion that men and women have been oppressed by a government that is not of their own creation and yet have been able to overcome the oppression is inspirational to religious adherents. Out of that crucible of oppression springs forth renewed determination, “The Bible also provides for Christians a set of heroic figures who symbolize hope, courage, and the possibility of genuine, sustainable social transformation. (Mattis, 2001)

It is therefore recommended by this Social Action Committee that the Churches of the Tennessee Annual Conference in this year would be encouraged to

1. Conduct Voter Transportation Drives in collaboration with other Civic Organizations

2. Seek to have at the least one member of the Church to volunteer with the local Election Commission for this election

References

39

Taylor, Robert Joseph ; Thornton, Michael C. ; Chatters, Linda M. (1987) Black Americans' Perceptions of the Sociohistorical Role of the Church Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 18, No. 2, 123-13

40

149

Session of

41


October 20-23, 2016 Lee Chapel AME Church

42

th

43


Date of Annual Conference: October 20-23, 2016

Component Report Name of Component Christian Education

Number of Members in the Annual Conference See Presiding Elders’ Reports Number of Conference Meetings held See Presiding Elders’ Reports Average Attendance at Conference Meetings See Presiding Elders’ Number of Executive Board Meetings N/A

Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings N/A

List Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings See North/South and Nashville Presiding Elders Reports

Date Location

(List any additional as needed)


Work closely with Episcopal District Christian Education Director to plan Learning Academy


Unified North and South Nashville Districts teaching the same things at the Church School Convention even if meetings are at different places Age Appropriate Curriculum for all ages for Church School Convention Teach Young people Church Manners and the AME Order of worship (North & South Nashville)

Taught topics such as drugs, gangs, and how to adopt a School (Nashville District) Sunday School Conventions well attended Do you have your goals for this coming year? If so, please list. Work with P. E.s to Organize Conference

Promote Greater attendance for Sunday school conventions Promote Greater attendance at Episcopal District and Connectional Christian Education Meetings Co-Host at least one Christian Education Meeting

Component Financial Information

Balance in Treasury as of July 1, 2016 N/A Total income (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 N/A Total expenses (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016) N/A

Please attach the following:

44

1. Financial statement of summary details of income and expense. 2. Copy of your Budget for the last annual conference year. 3. Copy of the financial assessments/requests on each congregation. 4. List of officers

Rev. Linda Brown-Saffore Acting Tennessee Conference chair C-E Chair

Committee on Stewardship and Tithing

Rev. Anthony Thomas Rev. Vivian Canty Rev. Fred Jenkins Rev. Anica Howard Rev. Anthony Lyle Sisters Beverly McCadden Sister Juanita Patton Sister JoAnn Millon Sister Carolyn Snorton Sister Linda Bailey `Brothers Phillip Hightower Brother Reginald Sadler Brother James Kelley

Tennessee Conference Sons of Allen / Nehemiah Nation Report

45

The 149

Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference Hosted by

46

Lee Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Nashville, TN

The Right Reverend Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Bishop

To: Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Dr. Susan J. Leath, M.D., Supervisor of Missions; General and Connectional Officers, host, Presiding Elder Sidney F. Bryant, Presiding Elder Troy Merritt, Jr. Associate Presiding Elder, host pastor, the Reverend Roderick Belin,

47

Pastors, Ministers, Lay Delegates, Members, and Visitors of the 149

Session of the

48

Tennessee Annual Conference. We the members of the Sons of Allen / Nehemiah Nation humbly submit the following report.

We offer praises to God, from whom all blessings flow for the opportunity to serve this great Zion in this capacity. Over the past twelve months we have surveyed the condition of our country and communities and we have found there is a vast amount of work to be done in this season of the church due to the economic and social challenges we face on an ongoing bases. As we experience these enormous changes in our society this prompts us to come together as brothers in Christ to become physically, mentally and spiritually stronger for the journey ahead.

The Sons of Allen / Nehemiah Nation unfortunately was unable to hold an official gathering due to conflicting schedules and other circumstances, but there was discussions held among laity and clergy to see what direction this organization should proceed in the future. Understanding the changing culture that we are living in has given us a need to come together as brothers in Christ to provide spiritual nourishment for all men in our churches and communities regardless of age or color of skin in the upcoming conference year. The earnest desire and goal of the Sons of Allen / Nehemiah Nation is to focus on building kingdom men that will be an example of the goodness of the Lord for years to come. By building kingdom men we hope to encourage men of all ages to assume leadership roles in their homes, churches, schools and throughout their communities. Through workshops and lectures from skilled individuals we would like to bring to the attention of men of all ages the importance of physical fitness and regular visits to health care providers to help combat the health issues that many African American males face such as hypertension, diabetes, and prostate cancer just to name a few. Finally, we would hope to empower our brothers to continue to grow in the immeasurable grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. In this season of our journey we must truly become our brother’s keepers, helping one another, praying for one another, and loving one another.

In closing we would like to encourage every church in the Tennessee Conference to establish an effective men’s ministry to be a guiding light to a brighter future. It is imperative that we recruit young men to come and participate in this ministry of our church. It is our prayer that this men’s ministry will strengthen and encourage a strong fellowship with the men of our church and outside of our church and lead young men into a lasting relationship with our Lord and Savior. As we continue to strive for excellence in the Lord, the Sons of Allen / Nehemiah Nation has proven to be a valuable tool to bring the men in this Zion together to stand shoulder to shoulder for the cause of Christ. We are once again calling all Pastors and Laity of our great church young and seasoned to ban together hand and hand to make a difference in a time such as this.

Respectfully submitted, Reverend Jeffery Norfleet, Sr., Chairperson

49

Report of the Heath Commission

50

149

Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference October 20-23, 2016

51

Lee Chapel AME Church

52

To the Right Reverend Bishop Jeffery N. Leath, Supervisor Dr. Susan Leath, Host Presiding Elder Rev.

53

Sidney F. Bryant, Associate Presiding Elder Rev. Troy Merritt and members of the 149

Session of the

54

Tennessee Annual Conference

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship (Rom 12:1)

The Health and Wellness Committee of the Tennessee Annual Conference submits the following statement:

Despite advances in health care, persons of color continues to carry the highest rates of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and disability. One of the most disturbing statistics in the United States is the rise in maternal mortality. In some portions of the country, reports have noted that a women of color die at alarming rates during childbirth. In Detroit, reports noted that at least one maternal death occurred every day in the city with the leading cause of death in the population related to underlying heart disease. In addition, the preterm birth rate among African Americans, unhealthy mothers giving birth to unhealthy babies who become unhealthy adults. Thereby, causing many persons to start with risk for adverse health outcomes later in life from the day they were born. As African Americans we must embrace taking responsibility for our health. Many of the disease that affect our community can be modified or alleviate through lifestyle changes. Failure to take responsibility for ourselves will result in problems that will plague our communities for generations to come.

Some of the activities of the commission are as follows:

-Participating in health fares -Starting health and wellness programs at in our congregations that encourage lifestyle changes, including modifications of diet and making time for physical activities -Participation of community forums looking at ways to reach and promote health in communities of color

One of the most important accomplishments is passage of House Bill 1757. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Rev. Harold Love. The bill requires the formation of a Maternal Mortality Committee by the State of Tennessee and that all maternal deaths be reviewed. With the passage of this bill, the State of Tennessee became a leader in maternal health joining one of only 15 states with this type of legislation

The African Methodist Episcopal Church must become a model for our congregation and our community. If we are going to changes the gaps and the disparities but we must learn to walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to our health.

Respectfully submitted.

Dr. Cornelia R. Graves, MD

Cornelia R. Graves, MD

Medical Director, Tennesee Maternal Fetal Medicine Director of Perinatal Services, St Thomas Health Clinical Professor, Vanderbilt University Adjunct Professor, Meharry Medical College Professor, University of Tennessee

55

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

56

TH

57

Lee Chapel AME Church, Host Church Nashville, Tennessee

Report of the Tennessee Conference Trustees Friday, October 21, 2016

Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath, Episcopal Supervisor

Board Members

The Rt. Reverend Jeffrey N. Leath, Chair Presiding Elder Sidney Bryant, Vice Chairman The Reverend Lisa Hammonds, Secretary The Reverend Victor Goodman, Treasurer Sister Faye Walker, Asst Treasurer Sister Barbara Ivery, Chaplain

The Reverend Roderick Belin The Reverend Reginald Brock The Reverend Alexander Gatson The Reverend Harold M. Love, Jr. The Reverend Jimmie Plummer The Reverend Walter W. Reid, Jr. The Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield The Reverend Anthony Thomas Brother James Darden Brother Bennie Griffey, Jr. Sister Gladys Brock Brother Chester Marshall Brother Ron Mitchell

Presiding Elder Troy Merritt, Jr., Advisor

58

Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Supervisor Susan J. Leath, General Officers, Presiding Elders, Pastors,

59

th

60

Thirteenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We, the Members of the Tennessee Conference Trustees, wish to make the following report:

The Conference Trustees met on February 25, April 21, and October 20, 2016. The following were the items discussed:

1. After some negotiations, Faith is the Victory, Mt. Juliet, and their pastor, Bryan Cowan, presented a signed contract for the purchase of the Mt. Juliet AME Church property for a final sales price of $650,000. The sale closed on April 25, 2016, with Bishop Jeffrey Leath, Presiding Elder Sidney Bryant, and Rev. Lisa Hammonds signing on behalf of the Tennessee Annual Conference Trustees. The Tennessee Annual Conference Treasurer, Rev. Victor Goodman, was present and received the proceeds of the sale.

2. The McEwen property has a church building on the site but has not had an active congregation for more than 10 years. The family that originally gifted the property to the Tennessee Annual Conference is interested in buying it to preserve its legacy.

3. The proceeds from the sale of the Mt. Juliet property be invested in a two-tier approach for legacy and growth as follows: $200k to the Community Foundation and $450k to a managed growth fund product.

4. Negotiations for St. Matthew, Rossview to explore leasing opportunities in order to maximize proceeds and include provisions for the cemetery.

5. A church has expressed interest in the Walton Lane property that seems conducive to all parties.

Recommendations for the Annual Conference:

1. The Tennessee Annual Conference receive the report and recommendation to invest the proceeds from the Mt. Juliet AMEC sale as presented.

2. The Tennessee Annual Conference receive the report and approve the sale of the McEwen property to the Duncan Family Cemetery Preservation Nonprofit Society in the amount of $1.

3. The Tennessee Annual Conference receive the report and authorize the trustees to invest according to their recommendation, select a manager for the funds, and approve the terms of the relationship with the Community Foundation.

61

4. The Tennessee Annual Conference receive the report and extend the authority of the trustees granted by the 148

th

Session of the Annual Conference to include the pursuit of a

lease to include provisions for the cemetery. 5. The Tennessee Annual Conference receive the report and authorize the trustees to

properly transfer the Walton Lane property to Rev. Harry Fleming, given the receiving entity pay all legal and transfer fees associated therein.

6. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

62

th

63

8. Lee Chapel AME Church, Host Church Nashville, Tennessee 9. Saturday, October 22, 2016 10. Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath, Episcopal

Supervisor 11. Finance Committee Report 12. The Finance Committee met for the purpose of organization and these are the

officers: 13. Committee Chair: Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield

Vice Chairs: Reverend Ralph Johnson and Brother Darwin Eldridge Secretary: Reverend Babydoll Kennedy

14. Ex-Official Financial Secretary: Sister Faye Walker Treasurer: Reverend Victor Goodman

15. Finance Committee Members: Reverends W. Antoni Sinkfield, Walter W. Reid, Jr., Roderick Belin, Ralph Johnson, Alexander Gatson, Babydoll Kennedy, Trent Ogilvie, and Victor Goodman.

16. Lay Members: Sister Gladys Brock, Sister Faye Walker, Brother Darwin Eldridge, Sister Barbara Frierson, and Sister Carolyn Snorton.

17. African Methodist Episcopal Church Thirteenth Episcopal District 18. Report of the Classification of Pastors and Charges Friday,

October 21, 2016

64

th

65

20. Lee Chapel AME Church, Host Church Nashville, Tennessee 21. Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath, Episcopal

Supervisor 22. Board Members 23. Reverend Lisa Hammonds, Vice Chairman Reverend Nathan Frey Reverend

Jeffrey Norfleet, Sr. Reverend Veronica Jones Reverend Sharon Ogilvie Reverend Eddie Sneed Sister Devora Barner Sister Tiffany Gregory Sister Beverly McCadden Sister Gracie Moreland Sister Joyce Martin Brother Keith Pitts Brother Clarence Binford

66

24. Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Supervisor Susan J. Leath, General Officers, Presiding Elders,

67

Pastors, Delegates, Friends and Visitors of the 149

Session of the Tennessee Annual

68

Conference of the Thirteenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We, the Members of the Tennessee Conference Classification of Pastors and Charges, wish to make the following report:

25. From The Book of Discipline of the African Methodism Episcopal Church, 2012 edition, p. 102- 103, Section VIII. MINISTERIAL SUPPORT.

26. B. Classification of Pastors 27. All itinerant elders of the AME Church shall be classified according to tenure of service

as full- time pastor or presiding elder and training for the ministry. The following qualifications shall constitute classes:

28. CLASS A: Full-time pastors having traveled eight consecutive years; and any ordained elder holding a degree from a college or seminary and shall have traveled at least one year as full-time pastor. Full-time pastors are itinerant elders who wholly and solely give of their time and talents to pastoral duties without any other work, professional or common, that interferes with or prevents the performance of the regular ministerial duties of a pastor as negotiated between the pastor and the Board of Stewards.

29. CLASS B: Itinerant elders having traveled four consecutive years as full-time pastors. CLASS C: Full-time pastors who are itinerant elders in the AME Church. CLASS D: Full-time pastors who have not been ordained itinerant elders. CLASS E: Part-time ministers.

30. Note: It shall be understood that the term “pastoral charge” shall be interpreted to mean an individual church or group of churches (circuit) which a pastor serves on a presiding elder’s district. In the case of circuits and presiding elder’s districts, the travel expenses of the minister, unless otherwise provided for, shall be computed on the basis of thirty-five (35) cents per mile one way, and these expenses shall be an allowable deduction from the ministers’ income from the pastoral charge.

31. C. Classification of Churches 32. CLASS A: Charges requiring full-time pastoral services and providing salaries of

$20,000 or more. CLASS B: Charges requiring full-time pastoral services. Salary shall be negotiated. CLASS C: Charges requiring full-time pastoral services and providing salaries from $1,000 to $2,400.

33. CLASS D: Charges requiring full-time pastoral services providing less than $1,200. CLASS E: Charges not requiring full-time pastoral services.

34. Charges requiring full-time pastoral services shall be urged to provide a parsonage (or living quarters) for the pastor where the church is located. The bishop and Annual Conference shall require the observance of this provision wherever and whenever possible.

35. North Nashville District 36. Rev. Sidney F. Bryant, Presiding Elder

Pastor Classification Church Classification Roderick Belin A Lee Chapel A Lisa Hammonds A St. Peter, Clarksville A Alexander Gatson A Greater Ebenezer, Clarksville A Anthony Thomas A St. Luke, Gallatin A Jeffrey Norfleet, Sr. A St. Paul, Oakwood B

69

Sherri C. Scott A Martin Chapel A Lee Russell Brown A Salter’s Chapel A Fred Beasley A Smith Chapel B Donald Williams A St. John, Springfield A Vivian Canty D St. James, Dickson B Linda Saffore C First AME, Pegram E Cedric Bailey, Sr. Supply St. Luke, Erin E Benessa Sweat A McGavock Chapel E Anthony Lyle, Sr. A Sulphur Springs B Frankie Witt, Sr. Supply Mt. Zion, Charlotte B Marlon Crawford A Green Chapel E Deshnell Cobbin A St. Matthew, Rossview E Joe Southall A St. Paul, Ashland City E Albert Strawther Supply Howard Chapel E Albert Strawther, Jr. Supply Turner Chapel E Babydoll Kennedy A Burks Chapel, Paducah A James Bolen, Sr A St. John, Paducah A Rita Story A St. James, Mayfield B Raymond Corbin A Moore’s Chapel, Clinton B Donna Lorhorn A St. James, Pryorsburg B

37. Nashville District 38. Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr., Presiding Elder

Pastor Classification Church Classification W. Antoni Sinkfield A Payne Chapel A Ralph Johnson A St. John, Nashville A Garrett Copeland A Kairos Community A Frederick Jenkins, Sr. A Scotts Chapel A Reginald Brock A St. Matthew, Nashville A Eddie Sneed A St. Luke, Nashville B Harold M. Love, Jr. A St. Paul, Nashville A Anica Howard A New Salem B Derron Gray A St. Phillips B Wanda Payne A Ebenezer, Nashville B Nathan Frey A St. Peter, Nashville B Omar’an Lee D St. James, Nashville B Tonna Gibert A Winters Chapel, Lebanon E Barry Cox A Mt. Olive, Lebanon E

39. South Nashville District

70

40. Rev. Sidney F. Bryant, Presiding Elder

Pastor Classification Church Classification Walter W. Reid, Jr. A Greater Bethel A Dennis Lawson, I A St. Paul, Columbia A Jimmie Plummer A Allen Chapel A Victor Goodman A Wayman Chapel A Randall Webster A Woodfolk Chapel B Trent Ogilvie A Bethel Chapel, Columbia B LaVan Strickland A Webb Grove A Kenneth Hill, PhD A Shorter Chapel A Chris Grizzard A Mullin Chapel B Sharon Ogilvie A Jones Chapel B Andre Washington A Canaan E James Scruggs Supply Allen-Bethel, Lewisburg B Linda Hopkins D Claiborn Chapel E Ashley Cox A St. Matthew, Cornersville B Veronica Mathers-Jones A Hopewell B James McKissack Supply Robert’s Chapel E LaVan Strickland A New Bethel, Murfreesboro E Earl Long E Mt. Zion, Centerville E

The 149th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference Of The African Methodist Episcopal Church

Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church Nashville, Tennessee The Right Reverend Jeffery N. Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan Leath, Episcopal Supervisor

The Reverend Sidney F. Bryant, Host Presiding Elder The Reverend Troy Merritt, Jr., Associate Presiding Elder The Reverend Roderick D. Belin, Host Pastor October 20-23, 2016 Report on Missions, Circuits and Stations

To Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Supervisor Susan Leath, General and Connectional officers present, Rev. Sidney F. Bryant, Host Presiding Elder, Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr., Associate Presiding Elder, Rev. Roderick D. Belin, Host Pastor, Pastors, Ministers, Lay Delegates, and all who make up the 149th session of the Tennessee Annual Conference. We, Your Committee on Missions Stations and Circuits, beg leave to make the following recommendations:

(1) The eighteen stations on the South Nashville District remain the same.

(2)

The following stations presently on the North Nashville District, be moved to the Nashville District:

71

(3)

a. b. c. d. e.

a. b. c. d. e.

St Luke, Gallatin

Green Chapel, Hartsville HowardChapel,Hartsville TurnerChapel,Carthage SmithChapel,Bethpage Rationale: To balance number of churches proximity of churches to Nashville and distance from Clarksville.

The following Paducah Churches be assigned to the North Nashville District: Burkes Chapel, Paducah St. John Paducah St. James, Mayfield

Moore’s Chapel, Clinton

St. James, Pryorsburg Rationale: complete the transition of Kentucky churches to the Tennessee Conference.

(4) location for worship in the Clarksville area, preferably to hold worship with another AME Church, at a different time, that they may have an option to merge with that AME congregation. If they worship in another denomination’s facility, they must be able to pay for rental of facility out of their own tithes and offerings. It was also stipulated that they should be ready to move if their present facility is sold.

Rationale: Church’s low membership (7) and inability to sustain church and pastor.

72

th

73

St. Matthew, Rossview be changed from a station to a mission, find a new

Humbly submitted,

The Reverends LaVan Strickland, Fred Beasley, Lee R. Brown, Linda Brown-Saffore, James Scruggs, Anthony Thomas, Barry Cox, Omar’an Lee and Wanda Payne. Sisters Inez Beasley, Joyce Martin, Josephine Jackson, Carolyn Snorton, Effie Haynes, and Frankye, Ward, and Brother Billy McKinley.

The 149th Session The _________Tennessee___Annual Conference

Date of Annual Conference: October 20-23

Component Report

Name of Component ................................................................ Evangelism Number of Members in the Annual Conference ................................................................. 1 Number of Conference Meetings held.................................................................................. Average Attendance at Conference Meetings .................................................................... 1 Number of Executive Board Meetings ................................................................................. Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings ..............................................................

List Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings

Date Location


What were the goals for the last conference year? Goal #1 organize an evangelism committee

Goal #2 encourage the church to have local lay witness services or testimony services where individual of the local church will have the opportunity to share the goodness of the Lord in their lives.

Goal #3 suggest that local churches implement programs that encourage members to have a personal touch with others who may not have a relationship with Christ. Programs such as Each one Reach One, where individuals are encouraged to intentionally reach at least one person for Christ in a given period of time, through the word of God, personal testimony, passing out tracks and talking point cards from their individual churches.

Goal #4 encourage churches to have new member classes for those who are new in Christ. Through the local Christian Education Department, new members should be encouraged and taught the word of God and become familiar with the church.


Persons were identified to be part of the Evangelism committee, no official meetings or work has been done together, but we have made a commitment to work together to bring something to the conference that will help churches and individuals do evangelism in a simple practical way.

74


1. Reevaluate the previous goals and find an easier way for people to approach evangelism 2. Prepare electronically an evangelism brochure or information handouts to send to churches in the

conference that would encourage bible studies and or small group discussions about evangelism 3. Set to launch evangelism information to churches no later than the beginning of the year


Balance in Treasury as of July 1, 2016 ................................................................................. Total income (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016)........................................................................ Total expenses (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016) ....................................................................


1. Financial statement of summary details of income and expense. 2. Copy of your Budget for the last annual conference year. 3. Copy of the financial assessments/requests on each congregation. 4. List of officers

2015-2016 WMS Assessment Schedule

75

Area

1

st

Half Assessment Due by

February 20, 2016

2

nd

Half Assessment Due by

June 20, 2016

Scholarship

Due by

June 20, 2016

Total

1 $1900.00 $1900.00 $150.00 $ 3950.00 2 $1900.00 $1900.00 $150.00 $ 3950.00 3 $ 750.00 $ 750.00 $150.00 $ 1650.00 4 $1325.00 $1325.00 $150.00 $ 2750.00 5 $1525.00 $1525.00 $150.00 $ 3050.00 6 $1525.00 $1525.00 $150.00 $ 3050.00 Total $8925.00 $8925.00 $900.00 $17400.00

Notes:

• The due dates listed are when the money is due to the TN Conference WMS Treasurer. • Local churches should make the check payable to the area and the area will submit one check to

the conference WMS.

76

Mail checks to: Donna E. Holt-Pollard TN Conference WMS Treasurer

567 N. Davidson Rd. Bon Aqua, TN 37025

TN Conference WMS Proposed Budget 2015-2016 (Revised)

Income 2015-2016 Projected Income

Reported Income

Pennies for Love $ 900.00 Mid-Year Assessments $ 8,925.00 Event (150 tickets @ $40.00=$6000.00)-Quadrennial Fundraiser $ 6,000.00 Officer Conference Dues ($15.00 per year/per officers) $ 480.00 July Assessments $ 8,925.00 Savor the Flavor (150 tickets @ $20.00 per ticket) $- 2016 Annual Conference Income $ 11,000.00 Annual Conference Registration/Meal Ticket(200 X $30.00 per person=$6000.00)

Annual Conference Day Offering (200 X $25.00=$5000.00) 1st Conference Meeting Offering-December 2016 $ 100.00 2nd Conference Meeting Offering- $ 100.00 3rd Conference Meeting Offering- $ 100.00 Scholarship $ 900.00 WMS Yearbooks (100 X $13.00) $ 1,300.00 WMS Magazines (20 X 25.00) $ 500.00 Total Income $ 39,230.00 Expenditures 2015-2016 Projected Expenses Reported Expenses President's Travel to Executive Board Meeting $ 1,275.00 Registration-$225.00 $ 215.00 Hotel (4-nights= $450.00) $ 419.43 Transportation=$500.00 $ 242.60 Meals/Incidentals $100.00 $ 200.00 Blue and White Gala Expenses $ 3,570.00 Ticket printing=$70.00 Caterers=$2500.00 Location Rental/Donation=$250.00 Programs=$150.00 Flowers for Honorees=$100.00 Entertainment=$300.00

77


Episcopal District Mid -Year Assessments

Savor the Flavor Expenses

Annual Conference

Postage

Contingencies

Mission Outreach Projects/Benevolence

Second half Assessments

President's travel to Mid-Year Conference

President's travel to 13th District WMS Retreat

WMS Study Guides (100 X $13.00)

WMS Magazines (20 X 25.00)

Quadrennial -2019 Saving

Pennies of Love

Scholarship

Office Supplies (stationary, envelopes)

President's annual conference travel expenses-$75.00

Insurance Rider=$200.00

Table Decorations

Kits and items for kits=$500.00

Supervisor's Honorarium-$2000.00

Paper goods

Ticket printing=$70.00

Paper goods=$100.00

78

Location Rental/Donation=$100.00

Drinks=$50.00

Trophies=$175.00

Speaker-$100.00

Meal Ticket Sales $2000.00

Printing and PowerPoint-$400.00

13th District WMS President Honorarium-$200.00

TN Conf WMS President Honorarium-$300.00

Lodging (1 night) 13th District WMS President-$150.00

Annual Conference Booklet Ad-$50.00

Tokens for Area Directors and Officers-$500.00

Southern Trophy House-$250.00

Gift bags for special guest-$200.00

Musican-$50.00

Registration-$50.00

Hotel (2-nights= $240.00)

Transportation=$50.00

Meals $100.00

$-

$-

$ 8,000.00

$-

$-

$-

79

$ 6,775.00

$ 150.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 8,000.00

$ 35.00

$-

$ 440.00

$ 1,300.00

$ 500.00

$ 2,000.00

$ 900.00

$ 1,000.00

$ 200.00

$ 50.00


Amenties Cards and stamps

Host Church for Executive Board Meetings- ($100.00 )

MOM- Executive Board

$ 100.00

$ 400.00

$ 36,645.00

$ 200.00

80

Re-Cap of 2014-2015 Budget Projected Income Projected Expenses

Projected Ending Balance

Area Assessments Area I Area II Area III

Area IV Area V Area VI

Total

Area Scholarship Assessment Area I Area II Area III

Area IV Area V Area VI

Total

$ 39,230.00 $ 36,645.00

$ 2,585.00

Annual Total

• $ 3,800.00 • $ 3,800.00 • $ 1,500.00 • $ 2,600.00 • $ 3,050.00 • $ 3,050.00 • $ 17,800.00

Annual Total

o $ 150.00 o $ 150.00 o $ 150.00 o $ 150.00 o $ 150.00 o $ 150.00 o $ 900.00

One Hundred Twenty Ninth Annual Convention Tennessee Conference Women’s Missionary Society African Methodist Episcopal Church Thirteenth Episcopal District

81

October 22, 2015

Host Church: Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1300 South Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37212

Transforming Lives, Building Communities, Impacting the World *Convention Minutes*

9:00 a.m.

82

th

83

Session of the Tennessee Annual Convention with protocol being established. Opening prayer was by Sister Laura Hollerman, Area III, WMS Chairperson. Scripture reading was taken from Romans 12:1-2 and eloquently read by Sister Norma McClellan. A warm and heartfelt greeting of welcome was extended to all of our visiting guests, church family and friends.

Adoption of the agenda:

The agenda was displayed on the screen. It was moved by Sister Betsy Webster, and seconded by Sister Gladys Brock that the agenda be adopted as printed. The motion carried.

Roll Call:

The Roll Call was given by Recording Secretary, Sister Veretta Woods.

Minutes of the Last Annual Convention:

The Minutes of the Last Annual Convention were adopted as received. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report:

The Treasurer’s report for the WMS and YPD was displayed on the screen and adopted as received. Motion carried.

Reports on Commissions (All reports displayed on monitor)

Commission on Administration:

President Bentley presented her final report on administration. President Bentley pause to give God all the glory. The report highlighted several events and presentations given throughout the conference year. President Bentley provided expressions of gratitude on the success of her Empowerment Training and community outreach. President Bentley concluded with words of

84

th

85

To God, We Give The Glory! Job Well Done! A motion was made by Sister Margaret McClellan to receive the report with High Accommodations, and second by Sister Genia Brown. Motion Carried

Commission on Christian Social Action:

86

st

87

Commission on Christian Social Action, extending thanks to the Executive Board and the entire WMS conference and President Bentley for their support and service to local agencies and causes. Motion made and second by Sister Mary Falls Scott. Motion Carried.

Commission on Mission Education and Interpretation:

88

nd

89

Commission. Motion to accept by Wilma Miller, Mary White, second. Motion Carried

Commission on Membership and Recruitment:

90

rd

91

recruitment and lead younger women to continue the legacy of the WMS. Motion made by Margaret McKinley, second by Sister Mary White. Motion Carried.

92

rd

93

conference year of which those members will be remembered during the Tanner-Turner Memorial Service.

Young People’s Division Report:

Sister Marita Shelton presented her full report on activities of the YPD. Expressing many thanks to all of the YPD Directors for their support. Motion carried to receive YPD report.

Tanner Turner Memorial Service:

94

rd

95

offered as we memorialized missionaries from across the conference.

A Poem of Life tribute was given in honor of the deceased. The scripture reading was provided and the resolution read by Sister Tiffany Gregory. The memorial service ended in song: All Hail the Power of Jesus Name!

A pause to present our Pennies of Love... Area WMS Chairpersons Reports:

A motion was made to receive all reports collectively. Each area was well represented and provided full reports to the conference. Motion made by Sister Marsha Miller and second by Ann Dieshell. Motion Carried.

**The meeting adjourned for a break to prepare for the Noon Day Service.

Noon Day Service:

The Tennessee Conference WMS choir prepared us for worship. Dr. Amelia Bryant served as Worship Leader. Dr. Barbara Crawford delivered the message.

**The meeting adjourned at for Lunch. Plenary Workshop: Inspirational Glance “The Journey of Service”

96

An Informative and Insightful presentation on Answering the Call – A Lamp of Learning and Being

97

th

98

Historiographer/Statistician

Afternoon Business Session: Our Afternoon business session reconvened @ 2:30 p.m.

Afternoon Business Session was called to order. The Credentials Committee report was read and provided by Sister Mary Falls Scott.

Motion made by Marsha Miller, second by Sister Mildred Johnson. Motion Carried.

The report of the Nominating Committee was given by Laura Hollerman Motion made by Mary Falls Scott, second by Sister Doris Bell. Motion Carried.

The following nominations for officers of the Tennessee Conference Women’s Missionary Society for the 2015-2016 Conference Year. The Nomination of Officers included:

President

99

st

100

nd

101

rd

102

Recording Secretary Assistant Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Treasurer

YPD Director PME Director Parliamentarian Historiographer-Statistician Worship Leader

Sister Gladys Brock Dr. Amelia F. Bryant Sister Mildred Johnson Sister Maxine Johnson Sister Tara Hurdle Sister Tiffany Gregory

Sister Glenda Delk Sister Donna Holt-Pollard Sister Veretta Woods Sister Brenda Baskerville Sister Tamika Watkins

Sister Jessie Hewitt

Sister Linda Bentley offered a motion to accept the Nominating Committee report and it was seconded by Sister Norma McClellan. Motion carried.

The Election of Officers for the 2015-2016 Conference year was carried out by District President Mrs. Gwendolyn Dillihunt. Election Secretary, Doris Bell, Tellers, Ann Deischell and Sister Garrett, Clerks; Frankye Ward, and Sister Charlotte. Ballot process for election of president concluded.

The installation of officers was performed by Episcopal Supervisor Dr. Susan J. Leath, M.D.

President Dilihunt asked all the newly elected officers to introduce themselves and provide three words to express themselves.

Sister Veretta Woods, Tennessee Conference Women’s Missionary Society Recording Secretary

103

149


104

To: Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate 13th Episcopal District Dr. Susan J. Leath, 13th Episcopal WMS Supervisor Ms. Gwendolyn Dillihunt, 13th Episcopal WMS President Ms. LaTanya Germany, 13th District YPD Director

Ms. Angelica Jones, 13th District YPD President Mrs. Gladys Brock, TN Conference WMS President Mrs. Veretta Woods, Tennessee Conference YPD Director Mr. Darren Cummings, Tennessee Conference YPD President Mrs. Mattie Dixon, Area I WMS Chairperson Ms. Londa Walker, Host Area I YPD Director Ms. Norma McClellan, Local Host WMS President Ms. Ramona Young, Host Local YPD Director Rev. Roderick Belin, Host Local Pastor Rev. Ralph Johnson, YPD Host Pastor, St. John A.M.E. C Rev. Troy Merritt, Host Presiding Elder, Nashville District Rev. Sydney Bryant, Associate Presiding Elder, South Nashville District

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are called according to His purpose – Romans 8:28

Thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve and for trusting me with your most precious gifts from God, our young people! It is with great joy that I am able to stand and be called to strengthen the lives of young people in their journey of faith and it is also my great joy to give God honor and present my report as the Tennessee Conference YPD Director.

This conference year was indeed a new experience. It was very eye-opening, exciting, and overall rewarding. The goal was to get to know each of our youth. The mission was to see each of them Grow and develop as Christs Disciples and build upon God’s Glory. Another goal for our youth was to have them Glow with the wisdom of God, so they are prepared to Go out into this world and serve. We were given the green-light and are ready to go, right now!

This became the busiest time for me in a long time. The Love and respect that we have for our youth, the churches we visited, the meetings we shared fun times in, and most importantly the smiles on their faces. We attempted great things through Super-Bowl of caring, YPD Retreats, and Self Denial. The sea of so many young faces and the remembrance of many new names is what has made this journey the most rewarding. Yes, or journey was filled with a number of challenges, disappointments and sluggish activity, but we are all called to be a light to the world, and a light that shines farthest, shines brightest. Then said He unto His Disciples, The Harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest will send forth laborers, into His Harvest.

Matthew 9 37-38 (KJV) To all, thank you for this assignment of service. Your faith, support and assistance throughout this conference year will always hold a special place in my heart. Continue to give Love, Peace

and Joy as you Grow, Glow and Go for Christ.

Humbly Submitted, Veretta Woods

105

The __149th___Session Tennessee Annual Conference Date of Annual Conference: _____October 20 - 22, 2016_________________

Component Report

Name of Component......................................Tennessee Conference Young People’s Division Number of Members in the Annual Conference ................................................................... 114 Number of Conference Meetings held .................................................................................. 2 Average Attendance at Conference Meetings ...................................................................... 33 Number of Executive Board Meetings ................................................................................. 2 Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings .............................................................. 2

List Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings:

Date:

January 31, 2016 (Executive Board)

February 6, 2016

June 6, 2016 (Executive Board)

September 10, 2016


Location: Shorter Chapel AME Church, Franklin St. Peter AME Church, Clarksville Nashville Public Library Payne Chapel AME Church, Nashville


To Solicit more youth and churches to join the YPD To have more mission projects To unify as a team


Getting to know each other more across the conference Getting to Grow with one another across the conference Getting to Go and support our troops (21) through Superbowl of Caring


Increase knowledge of the AME Church Improve knowledge and understanding of the Bible Shape personal development and leadership skills Strengthen foundation in implementing mission and service projects Provide additional opportunities for healthy relationships and communication Provide

106

opportunities for fellowship and improved Spiritual Health Increase active participation in church ministries


Balance in Treasury as of July 1, 2016 .........................SEE WMS FINANCIAL REPORT

Total income (June 30, 2015 – July 1, 2016)................SEE WMS FINANCIAL REPORT

Total expenses (June 30, 2015 – July 1, 2016) ............SEE WMS FINANCIAL REPORT


1. Financial statement of summary details of income and expense. 2. Copy of your Budget for the last annual conference year. 3. Copy of the financial assessments/requests on each congregation. 4. List of officers (See Below)

2015-2016 Tennessee Conference Young People Division Officers

Brother Darren Cummings ..............................................................................President

Brother Hakim McCray................................................................................First Vice President Brother Austin Sharkley...........................................................................Second Vice President Ms. Nailah Mucker ....................................................................................Recording Secretary Ms. Kiersten Lovett ............................................................... Assistant Recording Secretary Brother Tyrone Sanders................................................................................. Financial Secretary Brother Josh Mayes ............................................................................................Worship Director Sister Londa Walker ...............................................................................................Area I Director Sister Ronda Blackman ......................................................................................Area II Director <Vacant>....................................................................................................Area III Director Sister Sharhonda Pope .........................................................................................Area IV Director Sister Veronica Ballenger .....................................................................................Area V Director Sister Lanise Collins................................................................................... Area VI Director

Tennessee Annual Conference

Young People’s Division

107

129

Annual YPD Convention

108

Saturday, October 22, 2016 9:00am – 5:00pm St. John AME Church, Nashville, Host Brother Darren Cummings, YPD President. Presiding

Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath Dr. Susan J. Leath Ms. Gwendolyn Dillihunt Ms. LaTanya Germany Ms. Angelica Jones

Mrs. Gladys Brock Mrs. Veretta Woods Mr. Darren Cummings Mrs. Mattie Dixon Ms. Londa Walker Ms. Norma McClellan Ms. Ramona Young Rev. Roderick Belin Rev. Ralph Johnson Rev. Troy Merritt, Rev. Sydney Bryant

Presiding Prelate 13th Episcopal District 13th Episcopal WMS Supervisor 13th Episcopal WMS President 13th District YPD Director

13th District YPD President TN Conference WMS President Tennessee Conference YPD Director Tennessee Conference YPD President Area I WMS Chairperson Host Area I YPD Director Local Host WMS President Host Local YPD Director Host Local Pastor YPD Host Pastor, St. John A.M.E. C Host Presiding Elder, Nashville District Associate Presiding Elder, South District

AGENDA

109

th

110

October 22, 2016

7:00 a.m.—7:45 a.m.

7:45 a.m.

8:00 a.m.

Help For Haiti 5k Walk – Registration $5 Location: St. John AME Church

Help for Haiti - Prayer Circle

Location: TSU Ed Temple Track

Help for Haiti 5k Walk

Location: TSU Ed Temple Track

PRIZES: Oldest Participant – Youngest Participant – Church with most registered Participants

*** Business Session*** Saturday, October 22, 2016

8:00 a.m. — 10:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. — 9:45 a.m. 9:45 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. — 11:45 a.m. 12:00 p.m. — 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.— 2:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. — 3:45 p.m.

3:45 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m.

YPD Annual Convention Onsite Registration Continental Breakfast Morning Praise & Devotion

Business Session / Elections Lunch

Who What Where Why iServe Presenter, TBA

YPD/RAYAC Presentation Rehearsal

Ice Breaker

111

YPD / RAYAC Presentation

112

Angel Wilson, 13

Episcopal District RAYAC

113

President, Presiding “Talent Showcase” An afternoon of dance, music, oratory, and song

Remarks /Adjournment/Missionary Benediction

Missionary Benediction

‘In the name of the Triune God, may the spirit of Christian mission enter every heart, this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

YPD ON THE MOVE 5K WALK RUN

BENEFITING THE FAMILIES OF THE LOUSIANA FLOOD

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2016 REGISTRATION AT 7:00 AM EVENT AT 8:00 AM TSU ED TEMPLE TRACK REGISTRATION FEE: $5:00

PRIZES

OLDEST PARTICIPANT YOUNGEST PARTICIPANT CHURCH WITH MOST MEMBERS PARTICPATING

114

The 149

Session

115


Date of Annual Conference: October 21, 2016

Component Report

Name of Component ................................................................................... WIM Number of Members in the Annual Conference................................................................... 20 Number of Conference Meetings held .................................................................................. 1 Average Attendance at Conference Meetings ...................................................................... 8 Number of Executive Board Meetings ................................................................................. 1 Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings .............................................................. 4

List Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings

Date Location October 2015 Tennessee Annual Conference


The main goal for the last conference year was to increase our fellowship and increase the number of active financial members even though our annual dues significantly increased,


We participated in the homegoing of our member, Rev. Gloria Hall. Active and financial membership increased to 20 in Tennessee Annual Conference.


There will be new leadership of Tennessee Conference WIM. With the new leadership, new vision and goals will need to be established.


Balance in Treasury as of July 1, 2016 ................................................................................. $443.00

Total income (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016)........................................................................ Total expenses (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016) ....................................................................

$1,315.00 $1,001.00

Officers 2015-2016 Coordinator Assistant Coordinator Treasurer Herstorigrapher Worship Leader

Rev. Anica Howard Open Rev. Sonja Deloatch Rev. Tonna Gibert Rev. Veronica Dailey

Tennessee Annual Conference Presiding Elder Support 2015 - 2016

116

DISTRICT Church MEMBERS YEARLY MONTHLY Nashville District Payne Chapel AME Church 400 $10,728 $894 Nashville District St. John AME Church - Nashville 140 $7,896 $658 Nashville District Scotts Chapel AME Church - Hermitage 106 $5,004 $417 Nashville District St. Luke AME Church - Gallatin 119 $3,996 $333 Nashville District Kairos Community AME Church 115 $3,204 $267 Nashville District St. Matthew AME Church - Nashville 100 $2,700 $225 Nashville District Ebenezer AME Church - Nashville 44 $1,200 $100 Nashville District Smith Chapel AME Church - Bethpage 33 $1,188 $99 Nashville District St. Peter AME Church - Nashville 22 $996 $83 Nashville District St. James AME Church - Nashville 49 $996 $83 Nashville District St. Phillip AME Church - Nashville 30 $996 $83 Nashville District St. Paul AME Church - Nashville 32 $996 $83 Nashville District New Salem AME Church - Nashville 30 $996 $83 Nashville District St. Luke AME Church - Nashville 38 $996 $83 Nashville District Green Chapel AME Church - Hartsville 14 $504 $42 Nashville District Howard Chapel AME Church - Hartsville 12 $432 $36 Nashville District Winters Chapel AME Church - Lebanon 7 $264 $22 Nashville District Mt. Olive AME Church - Lebanon 6 $228 $19 Nashville District Turner Chapel AME Church - Carthage 5 $180 $15

1302 $43,500 $3,625

PRESIDING ELDER'S SUPPORT Committee on Presiding Elder's Support

117

Saturday, October 22, 2016

118

th

119

Annual Conference:

In light of the current economic downturn, we the Committee on Presiding Elders’ Support, unanimously recommend that the current support for the Presiding Elders of the North, South, and Nashville Districts be reflected as follows for 2016 – 2017 conference year. The Presiding Elders’ Support consists of Salary, Meeting Expenses, Annuity, and Life Insurance.

Other Funds collected at Presiding Elder’s Planning Meeting, District Conference, and Church School Convention include Meeting Expense, Registration, and Sustentation. Registration and Meeting Expenses are used for the expense of the Presiding Elders various meetings. The Presiding Elder District Budget for all meetings is not to exceed $4,800.00. Registration for the Church School Convention is not to exceed $5.00 per person. The Registration Fee is not included in the $4,800.00 meeting expenses maximum. The Sustentation goes to the Host Church. Each Presiding Elder’s District is to form a Budget Committee and present the Budget at the Presiding Elder’s Planning Meeting. Each Presiding Elder is asked to itemize all receipts and disbursements of meetings and report at the close of each meeting. An itemized Financial Report should be prepared for the Annual Conference.

PRESIDING ELDER'S DISTRICT BUDGET (2016 - 2017)

NASHVILLE NORTH SOUTH

Compensation $ 38,280.00 Compensation $ 37,510.00 Compensation $

38,280.00 Annuity 4,946.00 Annuity 4,841.00 Annuity 4,946.00 Life Insurance 274.00 Life Insurance 274.00 Life Insurance 274.00 TOTAL 43,500.00 TOTAL 42,625.00 TOTAL 43,500.00 BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN BREAKDOWN Monthly (12) Including items below $ 3,625.00

Monthly (12) Including items below $ 3,552.00

Monthly (12) Including items below $ 3,625.00

Annuity (2) 2,473.00 Annuity (2) 2,420.50 Annuity (2) 2,473.00 Life Insurance (2) 137.00 Life Insurance (2) 137.00 Life Insurance (2) 137.00

TOTAL $ 43,500.00 TOTAL $ 42,625.00 TOTAL $

43,500.00 MEETING EXPENSE (assessed by the PE)

MEETING EXPENSE (assessed by the PE)

MEETING EXPENSE (assessed by the PE)

Planning Meeting $ 1,400.00 Planning Meeting $ 1,400.00 Planning Meeting $ 1,400.00 District Conference $ 1,400.00 District Conference $ 1,400.00 District Conference $ 1,400.00 Church School Conv. $ 2,000,00 Church School Conv. $ 2,000,00 Church School Conv. $ 2,000,00 TOTAL $ 4,800.00 TOTAL $ 4,800.00 TOTAL $ 4,800.00

The Presiding Elder's Compensation for all of our Presiding Elder Districts is collected monthly. The Presiding Elder pays the Annuity and Life Insurance out of the collected monthly payments at the Annual Conference and Mid-Year.

Your Committee, Reverends Walter W. Reid, Jr. (Chair), Alexander Gatson, Dennis D. Lawson, W. Antoni Sinkfield, Dennis Lawson, Randall

120

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

149

th

SESSION OF THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Lee Chapel AME Church, Host Church Nashville, Tennessee

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Bishop Dr. Susan J. Leath, Episcopal Supervisor

Finance Committee Report

The Finance Committee met for the purpose of organization and these are the officers:

121

Committee Chair: Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield Vice Chairs: Reverend Ralph Johnson and Brother Darwin Eldridge Secretary: Reverend Babydoll Kennedy

Ex-Official Financial Secretary: Sister Faye Walker Treasurer: Reverend Victor Goodman

Finance Committee Members: Reverends W. Antoni Sinkfield, Walter W. Reid, Jr., Roderick Belin, Ralph Johnson, Alexander Gatson, Babydoll Kennedy, Trent Ogilvie, and Victor Goodman.

Lay Members: Sister Gladys Brock, Sister Faye Walker, Brother Darwin Eldridge, Sister Barbara Frierson, and Sister Carolyn Snorton.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE Date October 20-23,2016

To Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate of the Thirteenth Episcopal District; The Tennessee Annual Conference we present the following report:

Balance on Hand as of October 25,2015

Deposits: SaleofMt.Julietproperty

Total Balance and Deposits

Disbursements: Paid off Loan of St. Matthew Clarksville tn.

Metropolitan Trustee Taxes on Briersville Wayman Chapel@ 341 Walton Ln.

Total Disbursements Balance on Hand as of October 20, 2016

Respectfully Submitted, Rev. Victor Goodman Conference Treasurer

$ 30,581.21 $ 650,000.00

$ 680,581.21

$ 13,677.11 $ 42.00

$ 13,719.11 $ 666,862.10

122

State of the Church Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference 2016

Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate October 21, 2016

The 50th quadrennial session of the General Conference marked a significant, historical marker in the life of African Methodism. From July 6-13, thousands of African Methodists returned to the birthplace of our zion, Philadelphia, PA, to celebrate its bicentennial. Delegates, both clergy and lay, Episcopal Leadership, and observers from 20 Episcopal Districts, in 39 countries, and on 5 continents, convened in a spirit of celebration and commemoration. Vivacious worship, the unveiling of the Richard Allen statue in the shadows of historic Mother Bethel Church, and even a march on Philadelphia protesting social injustice, were among the highlights of this indelible milestone. From the Tennessee Annual Conference, we even celebrated the election of two native sons, The Reverend Roderick D. Belin and Mr. John Thomas to Connectional Offices; and the renewed election of Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, Connectional Treasurer. We concurrently celebrated the return of our Episcopal Leadership in the persons of Presiding Prelate, Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath and Supervisor, Dr. Susan Leath.

Sankofa is derived from the West African concept of “going back to retrieve that which has been forgotten”, and certainly this is a concept that we as African Methodists have embodied without

123

flaw. In many respects, the 50

th

quadrennial session of the 2016 A.M.E. General Conference was

inherently a Sankofa occasion, recalling the rich history of our zion. Our church, nevertheless, is actively being thrust into a new history riveted by an ever changing cultural and societal ethos. It's a thrust that invites us to a seemingly uncomfortable and unfamiliar platform with new language that actually bears old meaning and relevance. The language uses words that may be new to us, but the people behind them are not. Millennials, LGBTQ, Generation X's and Y's, Marginalized, those re-entering society from incarceration, Immigrants, are all human beings, whether the anthropological canonization attempts to help us tolerate them are effective or not. We are at a crossroads in our history whereby we must, not only embrace our Sankofa tendencies in recalling our rich stories and history, but also recall our rich Theology and loyalty to the Great Commission.

Thom Ranier, CEO of Lifeway Publications, insists that churches who adopt “outward focused” vs. “inward focused” approaches toward ministry, run the tragic risk of decline and then ultimately, ominous death. Perhaps, the church should take an introspective look at ourselves in order to have outward relevance, neglect our pompous and insecure “hiding behind the cross”; and launch into the worldly abyss to which we have been summoned. According to Ranier, in his book “Autopsy of a Deceased Church, the signs of a church in decline are as follows:

124

• There are very few attempts to minister to those in the community. • Church business meetings become arguments over preferences and desires. • Numbers of members in the congregation are openly critical of the pastor, other church

staff, and lay leaders in the church. • Any change necessary to become a Great Commission church is met with anger and

resistance.

• The past becomes the hero. • Culture is seen as the enemy instead of an opportunity for believers to become salt and

light. • Pastors and other leaders in the church become discouraged and withdraw from effective

leadership. • If the churches are a part of a denomination or similar affiliation, meetings of those

denominations mirror the churches in lost focus and divisiveness.

http://thomrainer.com/2014/05/common-factor-declining-churches/

According to Rainer, there is hope, nevertheless, and he offers the following counter suggestions that aid in the reversal of decline and contribute to outwardly focused ministry.

• The church takes time during each worship service to pray for the community. Prayer is powerful; and the church members become more focused about their communities.

• A volunteer or staff person is accountable for the outreach ministry of the church. If no one has leadership responsibility, it does not get done.

• A regular report is provided to church members about outreach and ministry efforts in the community. What gets reported gets done. Have you noticed most churches provide financial reports to the church members? That says the money is important. We need at least equal emphasis on the importance of outreach ministries.

• Churches have regular “mystery” guests come to the worship services. One church leader told me that his church asks someone in the community to be a mystery guest every quarter. Those guests are always first-time guests, and they share their experiences with leaders later that day or week. The church members thus get to see the worship services through the eyes of a community member.

• The church gives obsessive attention to their websites. A church website is the new front door for churches. It’s almost always the first place prospective guests go. These websites should be designed in a very guest friendly way.

• The churches are intentional about scheduling ministries, events, and activities for reaching the community. One pastor told me that his church always focuses on one key community outreach ministry per month. The church’s attendance is less than 80, but it was under 40 two years ago.

• Churches are intentional about connecting with their communities through social media. It is mindboggling that we have the most pervasive form of communication in history, but very few churches use it strategically. I know a pastor in a rural community who worked with a Millennial and asked her to lead the social media outreach. It has been a great success because someone is responsible for it. The church takes time during each

125

worship service to pray for the community. Prayer is powerful; and the church members become more focused about their communities.

http://thomrainer.com/2014/05/seven-habits-outwardly-focused-churches/

Theologian and author of Jesus and the Disinherited, the Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman, once stated quite profoundly, “There are two questions that we have to ask ourselves. The first is, “Where are we going?” And the second is, “Who will go with us?” If you ever get these questions in the wrong order, you are in trouble.” We the committee on the State of the Church posit these same questions to our zion as we make concerted attempts to utilize old and new means to maintain our efficacy in the world. Where are we going and who will go with us?

Respectfully Submitted, The Tennessee Annual Conference Committee on State of the Church The Reverends Lee Russell Brown, Jr. Barry Cox, Randall Webster, Chris Grizzard, Garrett Copeland, and Deshnell Cobbin. Sisters Geraldine Jeenkins, Shirley Wylie, Josephine Jackson, and Tamika Watkins.

126

149


127

Lee Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Nashville, Tennessee October 20, 2016 The Right Reverend Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate The Reverend Sidney F. Bryant, Host Presiding Elder The Reverend Troy Merritt Jr., Presiding Elder, Nashville District The Reverend Roderick Belin, Host Pastor

THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY

The state of our country continues to be in dire need of prayer and fasting. Across the country, evidence of racism, sexism, classism, hatred, fear and discrimination continues to be in the spotlight. We face a daily challenge in this country.

Here are some fast facts about 2016’s “State of Black America.”

Since 1976, Black unemployment has consistently remained about twice that of the White rate across time, regardless of education:

In 2016, the unemployment rate for Blacks is 9.6 percent, while the rate for Whites is 4.9 percent..

Black Americans are only slightly less likely today to live in poverty than they were in 1976:

A recent analysis of Census Bureau data by Pew Research found that Black poverty, especially child poverty, has remained consistent overtime, while the general United States population’s poverty rate has declined.

The highest median household income for Blacks ($66,151) and Whites ($109,460) was in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area:

Year over year, the Black-White Economy index was relatively stable. The Washington, D.C. area has the fourth highest index (60 percent), despite the relatively high household income. The metropolitan area in which Black household income is closest to their White counterparts is Riverside, California, where Black households are making 76.5 cents to the dollar.

Toledo, OH had the lowest median Black household income ($22,386). The White household income was low too, but still more than double the Black income:

The State of Black America shows that the Black-White Household Income index is 44 percent in Toledo, OH. When compared with 2015, the household income for White families increased, while the household income for Black families decreased. This trend held for at least 6 of the selected metro areas.

The foreclosure crisis has left Black homeownership rates the same as in 1976, while White homeownership went up 5 percentage points:

128

During the Great Recession, housing prices declined, and the foreclosure rates increased significantly. The high frequency “highlights the negative consequences of reckless and inadequate monitored lending,” according to the Center for Responsible Lending.

For Latinos, the median household income was closest to White household income in urban Honolulu, HI at 80 cents for every dollar:

Last year, Honolulu, HI was seventh on the Hispanic-White Metropolitan Equality Index, and this year, the income status of Hispanics improved. In a rare instance, the household income increased more than White counterparts. The same phenomenon occurred for Black families living in the greater New York City area, but the region’s index still ranks 40 out of 70.

And on justice: “While blacks are over-represented as crime victims, they are underrepresented in the criminal justice system. The city of Chicago is an example with a population that is 32.7 percent black, it has a police force that is only 16 percent black. A survey by the Race Relations Information Center revealed that in 42 states out of a total of 41,984 state police personnel, only 616 or 1.5 percent are black.”

These facts about Black American constitute a substantial challenge to the country’s political leadership, not simply to redeem a central aspect of American idealism, but to reverse a dangerous disintegration in the social fabric of the entire nation.”

What’s the solution? PRAYER! God is calling for us to seek His face and He may heal the land. Humbly submitted, The Committee on State of the Country The Reverends

Randall L. Webster, Chair Victor Goodman Derron Gray Albert Strawther

LaVan Strickland Nathan Frey Veronica Jones-Mathers Linda Brown-Saffore

Sisters

Linda Brown Deborah Woodard Geraldine Jenkins

Brothers

Ted Washington Clarence Binford

129

th

130

Date post:	21-Jul-2020
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	1 times
Download:	0 times

149TH SESSION OF THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE … AC... · o Bishop Leath read a letter from...

Documents