19th District Mid-Year Conference - Bishop Brailsford at Work

The arrival of Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford, Sr. to the 19th Episcopal District on 11 April 2022 was not to be a time of holiday. He wasted no time arriving for work at the District Head Office at 20 Phillips Street in Johannesburg. He met in person various auxiliary and component leaders, and he visited various properties of the church, including our educational institutions, the R.R. Wright Theological Seminary (R.R. Wright), and Wilberforce Community College (W.C.C.). On Saturday, 23 April 2022, members of the District travelled back home after closing a successful MidYear Conference prepared for 600 attendees.

This Mid-Year Conference was the first in-person meeting of the District since the 2019 series of annual conferences and planning meeting in December 2019. It took close to two and a half years for members of the 19th to be in fellowship once again to do God’s business under the leadership of Bishop Brailsford, Sr. Thursday, 21 April, from around 2 p.m., many people were begging to arrive at the Quest Conference Estate in Vanderbijlpark, being met by officials checking temperature, sanitising hands, ensuring masks are on, and completing the registration. The registration desk was ready with personalised registration tags. The reception hall was alive with people standing in small groups, chatting, greeting each other with excitement, yet reminiscing about many who were not there because they had since passed on. Clearly, the three days were not enough to cover how people missed each other’s fellowship and worship.

...From 19th p34 As dusk set in, a reminiscent sound of the bishop, presiding elders, and retirees’ processional rang out. The opening marked the beginning of the three days planned to end on Saturday, 23 April. The opening and retirement service led by presiding elders ended with the handing over of plaques to eight retirees, namely, the Revs. G.M. Ramatong, P.J. Mengoai, S.S. Maboe, A.M. Sebelebele, E.B. Chweneemang, B. Chinula, M. Kgosana, and M.P. Seloane. To God be the glory. Bishop Brailsford, Sr., made it clear that no day should commence without meditation, so the elders elect were set aside to lead all morning devotions. Each day started promptly at 9 a.m. and went immediately into the business sessions. Respective leaders shared reports and presentations from various components. The Ordination Worship Experience commenced in the early evening with the various Boards of Examiners’ deans leading the procession of 35 candidates (deacons and elders elect) and two deaconesses. This total comes from the 2020 and 2021 annual conferences, which were only able to elect these candidates and pass them on to the following year’s classes without ordination due to the restricted travels because of COVID, thus preventing the bishop from being in the country. The 19th District was blessed with the preaching by Bishop Harry Lee Seawright, who preached

young men—not just black men, but all young men,” says Pastor Woodson. “I think it’s very important to have a place that can possibly turn that around in their lives. [This ministry is] not only important to the young men themselves, but it’s also important to the community to know that this could possibly make our communities safer.” Continuing with this same sentiment, Pastor Shaw said, “As men [are] present, they’re role models for other young men in the community. More men present, doing positive for the society can veer others away who might try to do ill will in society. And some people are just doing what they know to survive, so we’d like to show another way to be successful.” The day ended with lunch at Oakland Restaurant Tribune, located in the iconic Tribune Building. Thoughts of the day lingered with gratitude to God and what Anvil House means to the community. “What a remarkable contribution to be able to invest in our black men,” says the Rev. Ann Shaw, “[knowing] that second chances can really happen.

...From Dedication p33 [It is remarkable] “for us to be able to provide that second chance, for God to give us those resources to give a second chance to another brother, [letting] them know that we’re here to help him get back on the right footing and that he can still be all he wants to be in God.” Pastor Woodson is looking forward to the first residents of Anvil House. “We’re hoping for no failures; we’re looking for success for all who enter Anvil House,” says Pastor Woodson. ❏ ❏ ❏

virtually reading from the Gospel of Matthew 16:13-20, 24–26 on the subject, “The cost of being chosen.” This ordination was evocative of the last Thursday in March 1949 ordination of more than 120 candidates by Bishop Isaiah Hamilton Bonner at Bethel AME Church, Cape Town. This massive ordination was a result of the World War that prevented the travel of bishops to South Africa for over ten years. The late Rev. Scott had told the story that as Bishop I.H. Bonner docked off, men and women from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Nyasaland (now Malawi), Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), all came to Cape Town to meet the bishop and Supervisor N.J. Bonner singing the Sotho hymn, “Se teng Seliba sa mali aletareng ya tefelo” ending on the Sunday with more than 120 men ordained. Bishop Brailsford enters the annals of the 19th Episcopal District as the first to ordain such a huge cohort in one sitting and the second highest since Bishop Bonner 73 years ago. The bishop took his time, ensuring that each candidate received their ordination in the most dignified way without compromising COVID protocols. This ordination worship experience included the consecration of two deaconesses and two persons for local orders (one deacon and one elder). The majestic picture of a u-shaped makeshift altar rail spanning over 30 metres to accommodate the kneeling of at least 20 candidates at a time was a picture etched indelibly in many people’s minds; this was indeed the most distinctive memorable ordinations we have experienced. One of the highlights of the Mid-year Conference was the spirit of generosity of the people of the 19th in support of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Disaster Relief. Members stood one after another at the call for monetary pledges and other necessities to pledge financial support. Officials will transport most of the clothes and blankets to KZN before the end of April 2022. Leaders gave updates on the educational institutions, R.R. Wright and W.C.C. There is indeed conspicuous progress each time the various boards report. These reports were followed by a moment of teaching and empowerment by the Rev. L.S. Moobi, PE, the Rev. N.N.A. Matyumza, PE, and the Rev. T.G. Klaas.

The three-day event was closed on Saturday evening with Bishop Ronnie Elijah Brailsford, Sr. preaching on the subject, “Where do we go from here?” based on Acts 1:4-8 and handing out ordination, consecration, pastoral transfers, and appointment certificates. The logistics teamwork was on top of things, albeit marred by the intermittent loss of power. To God be the glory. ❏ ❏ ❏

18th Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church Mid-Year Conference 2022

Rev. Solomon Nxumalo (Retired Presiding Elder) – 18th District Reporter

The 18th Episcopal District Mid-year Conference held on 30 April 2022 was a groundbreaking new model for efficiency in ministry. Using the technology developed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the District was able to gather for a one-day meeting held across borders in virtual hubs in Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, and S. Mozambique. The conference was well organized, with all reports submitted in advance and printed in the 18th District Midyear Guide. Within six hours (which included a 1-hour lunch break), we received clear teaching, exciting auxiliary reports, and powerful preaching by Bishop Frederick Wright, Sr., the presiding prelate of the 20th Episcopal District. All messaging throughout the Conference lifted our theme: God our Healer: Healthy Church-Healthy Community [Jeremiah 33:6, St. Luke 8:42-48]. Bishop Brookins and Supervisor Burnett introduced a small grant opportunity during the planning meeting for Farm and Garden ministries. During the Midyear Meeting, the Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, the Farm & Garden coordinator for the International Health Commission, outlined the vision, goals, and steps for developing sustainable food security networks. Thereafter, First Lady Tsakasile Ndlangamandla, the first grant recipient, gave a tutorial on how she developed their proposal for the new mushroom shed at Paul Quinn Chapel at the Eswatini Annual Conference. We celebrated the progress they had made. This session ended with Bishop Brookins leading us in a prayer and consecration litany for all the new District farm and garden projects. During our second healing and empowerment session, the Rev. Dr. Ammie Davis, president/dean of Turner Theological Seminary, introduced the new Certificate of Theology program at Turner and the scholarship for 18 students from the 18th District to participate. Bishop Brookins emphasized that while ordination is important, additional education and training to go with the ordination will be a blessing for those who participate. The third session was a town hall conversation where Bishop Wright provided updates on District projects, problems, and possibilities. Having received all reports in writing, the District discussed the decision-making process on recommendations from each report. Bishop Brookins introduced two new ministries: the Sons of Allen (SOA) and the Criminal Justice Initiative of the Council of Bishops. We celebrated that in such a short time, Bro. Edwin Lehasa, the new District SOA president, had been able to mobilize the District, and each Annual Conference now has a representative to begin the work. Each component uniformly presented reports in five minutes or less, and we ended the meeting with the Word powerfully preached from John 5:1-10 entitled “The Paralysis of the Church.” Bishop Wright exhorted each of us to take up our mats and allow God to do a new thing with each and all of us. Under Bishop Brookins’s leadership and Supervisor Burnett’s leadership, the 18th Episcopal District is truly doing a new thing! ❏ ❏ ❏

CONGRATULATORY Announcements

*Purple font connotes Episcopal Family; Red font, General Officers; and Blue font, Connectional Officers.

JUNE 2022

Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram and the Rev. Dr. Jessica K. Ingram Celebrated Their 45th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, June 11, 2022 (Memories shared by the Rev. Dr. Jessica K. Ingram) June 11, we will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, we have already come. In these 45 years, we have experienced joys and sorrows, health and sickness, life and death, successes and failures, loyalty and betrayal, good moments and not-so-good ones, conversations where we connected and those where we disagreed, consideration given to leaving each other and then deciding to stay together, loving ministry but also being miserable in ministry, looking forward to retirement now trying to make so many adjustments, figuring out how to parent our only daughter and now trying to make up time to her for the years we spent away from her while we were engaged in the work of the church, loving being grandparents, and so much more.

Yes, these 45 years have been some kind of journey. Little did we know on June 11, 1977, when we joined in marriage, what was in our future. When I repeated the words saying I would be with my husband in sickness and in health, I didn’t know it meant I would have to be with him through a life-threatening accident and numerous surgeries that almost took his life. When I pledged to be with him, I did not know that it would mean serving four local churches in four different cities. I certainly didn’t know he would be elected a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and that we would serve in South Africa, Texas, and the East Coast. In all, we have moved 19 times!

I did not know about the disappointments, the hurts, and the betrayals that came with ministry and marriage. But I can tell you this; I would not take anything for our 45 years of marriage together. I am sure he feels the same way! William (Billy) Davis, Howard University Law Graduate, Has Been Named One of the First Entertainment Law and Policy Fellows with the Motion Picture Association The Third Street Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, first family, the Rev. Reuben J. Boyd, Jr., and first lady, Sis. Sonja D. Boyd, president of the Virginia Conference Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization Plus PKs (M-SWAWO Plus PKs), is proud to announce that their Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC) member and former area and local Young People’s Division member, YPDer William (Billy) Davis, has been named one of the first entertainment law and policy fellows with the Motion Picture Association. This program is in partnership with our historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). William A. Davis, 2021 Howard law graduate, has been announced as part of the inaugural class of the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program (EICOP) Entertainment Law & Policy Fellowship program. This unique and prestigious one-year fellowship targets high-performing recent college, university, and law student graduates from historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The fellowship expands the pipeline and grows opportunities for graduates from diverse backgrounds to enter the entertainment industry. “Howard University School of Law played a pivotal role in developing my interest in entertainment law. The various organizations that I was exposed to at HUSL helped me to understand the possibilities that were available in this field. Before coming to Howard, I knew that I wanted to work in entertainment law, but Howard helped me hone in on intellectual property, and for that, I am extremely grateful,” said Davis. “I am elated to be the inaugural EICOP-MPA Entertainment Law fellow. Being graced with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet key players in the entertainment industry has been extremely fulfilling. I look forward to what the program has to offer for the duration of my time in this role.” The MPA-EICOP Entertainment Law & Policy Fellowship is a ground-breaking one-year program. Fellows will rotate from the MPA’s office in Los Angeles to its global headquarters in Washington, District of Columbia, and conclude the program at one of the association’s member studios: Disney, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony Pictures, or Warner Bros. The fellowship eliminates barriers to entry into the entertainment industry by providing financial support, paid housing and travel, and a living expenses stipend. “We are the leading global advocate of the film, television, and streaming industry, representing some of the largest content creators in the world. This fellowship program reflects our commitment to expanding and diversifying the pipeline for talent not only in front of and behind the camera but also within our association,” said Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association. “William and Rhyan were selected based on their strong interest in pursuing policy and law in the entertainment industry, remarkable academic achievements and recommendations, as well as extensive community service and dynamic leadership. The MPA and our member studios are thrilled to have them both join us as our inaugural MPA-EICOP Entertainment Law & Policy fellows.” “No matter what you study in school or what your background is, there are opportunities and a place for you in the entertainment industry,” said Stacy Milner, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program. “These incredible fellows prove that, and we can’t wait to see the impact they make on the industry as a part of this unique program.” During the program, fellows will gain experience alongside some of the industry’s leading senior-level legal and government affairs executives. In addition to the program’s in-depth, hands-on exposure to various entertainment law and policy sectors, fellows will go on-site to studio lots and visit top entertainment law firms. They will also interact with other industry professionals and peers at networking and industryrelated functions to round out their experience. Fellows were vetted through a comprehensive, highly competitive process. The selection committee responsible for assessing and reviewing applicants represents executives and leaders from the following organizations: Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), Japanese American Citizens League, National Hispanic Media Coalition, National Urban League, Native American Media Alliance, United States House of Representatives Office on Diversity and Inclusion, White House Initiative on Advancing Education Equity for Hispanics, and White House Initiative on HBCUs. FULL ARTICLE: https://thedig.howard.edu/allstories/howard-law-grad-named-inaugural-motionpicture-association-entertainment-law-and-policy-fellow Congratulations to 2nd Lt Sir Wellington Hartford Brookins on Being Accepted Into the Master’s Program in Space Studies at the American Military University Sir Wellington Hartford Brookins, 2nd Lt. in U.S. Space Force and son of the late Bishop H. Hartford Brookins, the ninety-first elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Rev. Dr. Rosalynn Kyle Brookins, has been accepted into the American Military University Master’s Program in Space Studies for summer classes beginning July 8, 2022. “To God be the glory!” Email congratulatory expressions to: revrosalynnbrookins@gmail.com.

On behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop David Rwhynica Daniels, Jr., president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, and editor of The Christian Recorder Mr. John Thomas III, we celebrate and applaud your achievements.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV) To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center. Mrs. Ora L. Easley, administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 • 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office) • amecfic. org • facebook.com/AMECFIC ❏ ❏ ❏

NECROLOGY Listings

*Purple font connotes Episcopal Family; Red font, General Officers; and Blue font, Connectional Officers. Brother Parrish Transou, Sr., the husband of the late Reverend Sabrina Faye DeBerry Transou, pastor of New Greater Bethel AME Church, Jackson, Tennessee, to whom he was married for 48 years; a powerful and dynamic singer, Brother Transou, Sr. was a true partner in ministry and marriage Mr. Willie Lee McMillan, the beloved father of the Reverend Octavius L. Smith (Lady Keysha), senior pastor of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Sanford, Florida, Daytona Beach District-Central Annual Conference, Eleventh Episcopal District

Mr. Green Smith, the brother (brother-in-law) of the Reverend Roy and Sister Velma Smith, pastor and first lady of Ne Seminary and Beech Hill AME Church, Stephens, Arkansas, of the Arkansas Annual Conference, Twelfth Episcopal District

Mrs. Betty Gene Martin, the mother of Mrs. Tonya Orr (the Reverend Johnny) of Greater St. Mark AME Church, Thornton, Arkansas, and St. James AME Church, Rison, Arkansas, of the Twelfth Episcopal District

Mrs. Betty Creath, the eldest sister of Presiding Elder Tyrone A. Broomfield (the Reverend Ina K.) of the North Little Rock/Ft. Smith District, Twelfth Episcopal District, and sister of Barbara Lawson, Sandra Kelley, Corene Broomfield, and John Broomfield

Reverend Dr. Melvin I. Graham Sr., a superannuated itinerant elder of the Second Episcopal District, having pastored in the North Carolina Annual Conference and the Western North Carolina Annual Conference

Presiding Elder Emeritus Ellis H. Casson, the patriarch of the Casson family, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather, uncle, greatuncle, son, brother, and friend; but above all, a man of God, a pastor and presiding elder serving in the AME Church for over 65 years known for his mentorship, civil rights activism, advocacy, and humor

The Reverend Robert Lee Bailey, retired pastor of Bethel AME Church, Robbins, Illinois, after many years of pastoral service to the Fourth Episcopal District Reverend Willie Lee “Tim” Timmons, 71, served as pastor for several years of the Evening Chapel AME Church, Grand Prairie, Texas, Greater Dallas District of the Tenth Episcopal District, until 2020, when he moved to Lithonia, Georgia Mrs. Doris Jean Cannon, 80, of Columbus, Georgia, the mother of the Reverend Pricilla Wilson, pastor of Pleasant Grove AME Church in the Phenix City District of the Northeast Alabama Conference, the Ninth Episcopal District Mr. Samuel A. Herring, the widower of the late Reverend Shelda Herring, who served as the pastor of Spring Chapel AME Church, Grand Junction, Tennessee, West Tennessee Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District, where he served as a steward and trustee

Reverend Millicent Jeanette Collins, an acclaimed choral director and vocalist, who utilized her noted talents, especially in Southern California, Fifth Episcopal District, and at the World Expo in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1986, and at the Sydney Opera House during the McDonald’s Music Festival in 1992

Mrs. Anna Mary Mouchette, the wife of Chaplain (COL) Edward D. Mouchette (retired); she was a lifelong educator, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and resident of Sun Lakes, Arizona, Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs

Brother Robert Love, Jr., the beloved brother of the Reverend Debra Love, pastor of Palace AME Church, Havana, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District Deacon Willie Joe Edwards, the brother of the Reverend Mary Reed, pastor of South Wesley AME Church, Houston, Texas, in the Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District

JUNE 2022

Reverend Roshelle McCrae, the pastor of Greater Mt. Zion AME Church in Waycross, Georgia, Sixth Episcopal District

Mr. Adrian Vincent Cross, the older brother of Mrs. Sabrena M. Newsom, president of the Twelfth District M-SWAWO+PKs, and brotherin-law of the Reverend Kurbe L. Newsom, pastor of St. James AME Church, Warren, Arkansas; he is the son of Albert (deceased) and Claudia E. Cross of Memphis, Tennessee

Brother Jessie Marshall, the father of Sister Gwendolyn Latham and father-In-law of the Reverend Ernest Latham, pastor of Campbell Chapel AME Church, Pulaski, Tennessee, and Round Hill AME Church, Lynnville, Tennessee, of the Thirteenth Episcopal District

Mr. Gregory Thomas Miles, the brother of the Reverend Donnell Miles, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church, Stockton, California, and of Lady Florence Boyd, wife of the Reverend J. Edgar Boyd, pastor of First AME Church Los Angeles, California, Fifth Episcopal District Mrs. Ethel Mae TrentGardenhire, the mother of Mrs. Jamesina Evans, the seventh president of the Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Condolences to the bereaved are expressed on behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, and editor of The Christian Recorder, Mr. John Thomas III. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NRSV) To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center. Mrs. Ora L. Easley, administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 • 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office) • amecfic. org •facebook.com/AMECFIC ❏ ❏ ❏