Cleveland District’s Presiding Elder Hosts Memorable Planning Meeting

Rev. Rose Russell

It is possible that not many presiding elders may select an itinerant deacon to bring the planning meeting message, especially when there is a plethora of available itinerant elders. And it is also possible that not many of those meetings feature a violinist whose skillful rendition of a hymn inspires worship.

However, doing things differently has been needful since early 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic called for a new way to do business at every institution, which includes the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and the rest of Christendom.

No doubt, Presiding Elder LaCreta Rutledge Clark’s choice of the minister to preach was a cue taken from Bishop Errenous E. McCloud, Jr., presiding prelate of the Third Episcopal District. For the second year in a row, at the virtual North Ohio Annual Conference in early October, Bishop McCloud appointed the Rev. Dr. Clark as presiding elder of the Cleveland

District; she is the first woman to be appointed presiding elder of that district. Among Bishop McCloud’s other assignments at the 141st session of that conference was the appointment of the Rev. Anthony Carter to Jones Chapel AME Church in Elyria, Ohio. He infused his message with enthusiasm.

Indeed, pastors and clergy, component leaders, and other lay members of the Cleveland District were blessed at the meeting hosted by Lee Memorial AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where the Rev. Rodric K. Reid is pastor. In the Rev. Carter’s message, “No Ordinary Love,” from Matthew 14:22-29, he relayed that the storm rocked the boat the disciples were in and that Jesus walked on the sea to go to them. The preacher added that out of all the disciples in the boat, only Peter dared to get out to walk on water to go to the Lord.

“God chooses ordinary people,” said Reverend Carter, “You can start ordinary, but when God gets ahold

of you, you will be extraordinary.”

The Rev. Carter explained that Peter refused to hover in the boat with the others but took the challenge before him. After all, if Christ would set out on the sea in contrary winds to see about the disciples, why was it that only Peter wanted to meet him?

Reverend Carter urged his hearers not to remain ordinary but to aim to be extraordinary in God’s hands. After all, his love for us, the preacher said, is “absolutely extraordinary.”

Violinist Susanne Inge’s version of “When the World Seems Cold” preceded Pastor Carter’s message. This Jones Chapel member’s anointed music sparked worship that rippled through Lee Memorial’s sanctuary.

Also, during the session, clergy encouraged Presiding Elder Clark as they described her as one whose God-given instincts as a mother have played a significant role in her leadership. Dr. Clark blessed her pastors, some of whom said that morning how delighted they were to receive personally-selected birthday presents from her. Moreover, Dr. Clark has prayed for and walked with pastors who have waded through life difficulties. It was not always easygoing; however, as she challenged and called out weaknesses, as expected, she also allowed for the exercise of independence.

While the Third Episcopal District theme is “We Are Better Together” from the Acts of the Apostles 2:1, the Cleveland District theme for this new conference year is “Faith, Fellowship, and Fruitfulness” from Hebrews 10:19-25. Presiding Elder Clark opted for the same theme again this time, as she said the work in those areas needs to continue in the Cleveland District.

The Rev. Rose Russell is the pastor of Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Holland, Ohio, in the Cleveland District of the North Ohio Annual Conference, Third Episcopal District.