Greetings from Presiding Elder Johnny R. Calhoun & First Lady, Reverend Patricia Calhoun

We greet you with Jesus’ joy and hallelujah praise! Welcome to the 2021 Capital District Christian Education Conference (CEC). It has been designed and organized to be impactful and engaging. Our primary aim is to glorify the LORD beyond measure. We pray that it will have a positive and enriching impact upon all the teaching ministries of your church.

“Study to show thyself approved. A worker needs not be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Christian Education is a vital component of our faith. Teaching the fundamentals of the Bible and its practical application, is the purpose of Christian Education. Inspiring believers with the stories, promises and truths in the Bible, while empowering the Body of Christ with the wisdom, understanding and knowledge found in the Word of GOD. Promoting a life-long commitment to reading scripture, while establishing the importance of studying the Bible as a spiritual discipline and doctrine for Christian discipleship. We need to first thank GOD for our Episcopal leadership - Bishop James Levert Davis & Mother Arelis Davis. Their example and standard of excellence have continually inspired us to exceed expectations. Let me express my appreciation to all of the teachers and participants, without which, today would not have been such a great success. Also, we are so thankful for an amazing team who put in the work to make this year’s CEC a successful gathering. Rev. Karen Myers, our Christian Education Director, led the team. Along with Rev. Lauren Harris, Sis. Francine Wilson, Rev. Aaron Myers, and Revs. Andre & Roxanne Parson. A special shout out to my Executive Assistant - Rev. Alicia Hudnall, for her technical and administrative support. Well done! To GOD be the glory, for the great things He has done! Yours in Christ,

Rev. Johnny R. Calhoun, Presiding Elder Rev. Patricia R. Calhoun, First Lady

Greetings from Capital District Christian Education Director

Greetings in the Name of Our Risen Savior and Master Teacher, Jesus Christ! Thank you for joining us for the first virtual Capital District Christian Education (CE) Conference, in which we declare, “There’s Work to Do—Let’s Not be Ashamed!” Our theme draws from the Capital District’s theme of “A Glorious Crusade for a New Decade,” reminding us all that we have a work to do in the kingdom, especially during and even in the aftermath of the pandemic. Therefore, establishing a virtual summit was a mandate. Let’s endeavor to ensure that we are working in the kingdom of God and rightly dividing the word of truth—let’s not be ashamed! Let’s get to work!

The sessions we have packed into today’s conference are the building essentials we need to do the work needed for ministry in the 21st century. Take advantage of the interactive and intergenerational sessions that will enrich our congregations, encourage our educators, empower our youth and young adult leaders, and engage our pastors. I especially want to thank Presiding Elder Johnny R. Calhoun, and first lady Rev. Patricia Calhoun for their leadership. Presiding Elder, I thank you for your confidence in asking me to serve in this capacity and tasking me with the first virtual CE conference. I commend the CE Conference Development Team: Rev. Lauren Harris, Rev. Roxanne Parson, Rev. Andre’ Parson, Rev. Aaron Myers, and Rev. Alicia Hudnall for their enduring patience and invaluable assistance in helping me to plan this conference. Thank you also to our Superintendent of Church Schools, Sis. Francine Wilson. I thank each of the instructors for accepting this opportunity and embracing it with enthusiasm. Your insight, involvement, creativity, and commitment to Christian Education are priceless. Each participant, we did it all for you. We know you could easily be “zoomed out” by now, so I am grateful you considered this a priority and are here today. I thank each of you. Finally, I am grateful for the support of the Second Episcopal District (SED) CE Co-directors, Dr. B. Joyce Bonner, and Sis. Robin Porter Smith; our connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church CE Director, Rev. Garland Pearce; and our SED Episcopal Leadership team, Bishop James L. Davis, and Episcopal Supervisor Aurelis Davis. Now, let’s get to work! Rev. Karen A. Myers, Capital District CE Director