TRANSITIONS

Sidnye Lynn Fells-Suttle transitioned in April 2020 at thirty-nine years old. She was a former member of Allen Chapel (now Bradford Memorial) African Methodist Episcopal Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was very active in the youth ministry. One of the many highlights in her life was giving the opening address at the June 1993 Milwaukee/St Paul District Sunday School Convention. Sidnye was the first youth to do such a task. She was 12 years old.

After graduating from Marquette University, she relocated to Georgia and joined Turner Cathedral AME Church in Marietta. She also was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

A memorial service was held on April 23, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. at Bethel AME Church, 4103 No 35 Street, Milwaukee.

Mrs. Lula Cleckley

Lula Shaw Cleckley, a native of Holly Hill, South Carolina, is the daughter of the late Bennie and Earther Lee Shaw. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Claflin University and a Master of Education from South Carolina State University. Mrs. Cleckley continued her studies at Columbia College, the College of Charleston, and the University of South Carolina.

Mrs. Cleckley was an educator in several school districts across the state of South Carolina. She retired from Richland School District Two, Columbia, South Carolina.

Mrs. Cleckley served as vice president of Student Affairs at Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina. She is a realtor with Fathom Realty and an active member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbia, South Carolina.

She is a productive member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She has served for over 50 years in the Women’s Missionary Society in various capacities on local, conference, and episcopal levels. Her passionate dedication to promoting Jesus’ love as an important

RAYAC In Action

Lydia Owens, St. John AME Church, 9 th Episcopal District

The Richard Allen Youth Council (RAYC) was founded in Memphis, Tennessee, during the 150th celebration of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The primary goal of the RAYC is to coordinate and unify the total program the local church offers its youth.

THE RAYAC TODAY

The Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC) was born at the 45th Quadrennial Session of the AME Church and is an outgrowth of the Richard Allen Youth Council (RAYC). The RAYAC no longer serves as an overseeing body of other youth organizations; it is now a group for young adults between the ages of 21-39. The goal of the RAYAC is to retain young adults in the Lord and the church and to lead young adults to use their gifts and talents to serve the Lord.

The St. John RAYAC Ministry attended its first event of 2023 on January 27. The event occurred on the campus of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University. Sister Shay Williams, the RAYAC coordinator, and several other members set up an information station for the Religion Fair. The Religion Fair was established to allow students to experience the varied congregations and religious offerings in the Huntsville-Madison County area. All denominations were invited to participate.

Sister Shay reported having engaged with many students while at the fair. Several students shared an interest in visiting St. John during worship services on Sunday mornings. She assured those wanting to attend that empowerment component is inspiring. She continually teaches and works with missionaries all over the AME Church. She exudes Proverbs 31:26, which states, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Because of her dedicated service, in 2013, she was pinned a Life Member of the Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. transportation could be provided if needed.

Mrs. Cleckley is also an active member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church Ministers’ Spouses, Widows, and Widowers Organization, Plus P.K’s. She served as conference treasurer, conference president, and Seventh Episcopal District president of this organization. On the connectional level, she served as chairperson of the Evaluation Committee and the historian. In December 2013, she was elected as the Connectional international president of this organization. Mrs. Cleckley travels often and spends considerable time speaking locally, nationally, and globally to clergy families, missionaries, and communities.

Mrs. Lula Shaw Cleckley is married to the Rev. Robert L. Cleckley, a retired pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbia Conference, Seventh Episcopal District. Her husband has full confidence in her. They are the parents of two children, one daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren.

Sister Williams has announced that the second RAYAC event will occur on February 18, 2023. The ministry is planning an outing to Stars and Strikes, a local entertainment venue, for some good food, fun, and fellowship. Thought has gone into planning activities to get to know one another better since this will be the first time since the pandemic for face-to-face engagement.

Another goal is to re-establish the partnership between Alabama A&M University and St. John AME Church. Sister Williams would love to return to the time when the church hosted the AAMU Day of Worship on campus. This will enable the college students to be once again involved in worship in their environment.