2023 Legislative Development and Summit Program [Download]

Dear Sons and Daughters of Varick:

The Legislative Development and Summit, sponsored by the International Ministers and Lay Association and the Connectional Lay Council of the AME Zion Church, will convene April 13-14, 2023, in preparation for the 52nd General Conference.  We will be hosted by The Reverend Dr. Monte Witherspoon-Brown and the members of Steele Creek AME Zion Church located at 1500 Shopton Road, Charlotte, NC.   Our theme is “A changing church, but a never changing God.” Registration will begin Thursday morning of the 13th at 8:15 AM  (Registration is $100.00); worship to follow at 9:00 AM. Lunch will be served on Thursday.  All are encouraged to attend.  Please bring the 2016 and/or 2020 Book of Disciplines as we plan to have a tremendously informed hands-on Summit with participation from across our denomination with many of Zion’s greatest minds, talent, and knowledgeable members.  All are encouraged to attend.  

 

Rev. Dr. Anthony M. Witherspoon

President, International Ministers and Lay Association

Hotel Registration Deadline for Legislative Development Summit Meeting is March 30!

52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church

Legislative Development and Summit Meeting

Steele Creek A.M.E. Zion Church

1500 Shopton Road, Charlotte NC

Come and be part of the important work of examining and developing legislation for the 2024 General Conference.

Register online immediately to reserve your space.

Thursday, April 13th at 9 am Registration - Friday, Apr8il 14th Evening Closing

Headquarters Hotel: Drury Inn & Suites Charlotte Arrowood

8925 Red Oak Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28277

(844)201-6228

The reservation deadline is March 30!

$100 event registration includes lunch (4/13), snacks, administrative support, and local transportation if needed

Register Now!

Legislation and Development Summit Meeting
$100.00

Transition of The Reverend Dr. Margaret Blackmon

THE REVEREND DR. MARGARET BLACKMON transitioned to her new home in Zion on May 11, 2022. Upon her transition, she was serving as the pastor of St. Stephen AME Zion Church, Farmville NC (Washington District, North Carolina Conference). She also graciously served as the immediate past Secretary of the North Carolina Conference, retiring in November 2021.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Don Brown Funeral Home, Ayden NC.

"Servant of God, well done..."

Zoom Link and Program for the IMLA Legislative Summit/Annual Meeting and Worship Service

You’re invited to the 2022 IMLA Legislative Summit/Annual Meeting and Worship Service

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86308665992?pwd=aWFPUXJVK2Rrc2x2NXgxakEwTDhuQT09

Meeting ID: 863 0866 5992

Passcode: 988402

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Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 863 0866 5992

Passcode: 988402

Blessings,

Rev. Dorothy A. Patterson
IMLA Executive Director

We Care Notice for Ms. Portia Jacobs

Our hearts and sincere prayers go out to Ms. Portia Jacobs, Regional Vice President for the Central Southern Africa Episcopal District of International Ministers and Lay Association.  

Please find below the funeral arrangements for Mrs. Connie Blanks Jacobs, the mother of Portia Jacobs, ENCED Episcopal Director of Christian Education. Mrs. Jacobs was a longtime member of Graham Chapel AME Zion Church (Cape Fear Conference) and the district secretary for Dr. Florence S. Brown and the Lumberton District. Mrs. Jacobs also served previously as a district officer YAMS Coordinator and district and conference usher president. Please keep the family and community in prayer.

Viewing: Thursday, February 10th at 5-7 pm at Majestic Funeral Home, Riegelwood Chapter

Funeral: Friday, February 11th at 1 pm at the Mount Pleasant Church Cemetery (Use 736 Cemetery Rd, Riegelwood, NC 28456 to find the location.)

Condolences for the funeral may be sent to majesticfh21@gmail.com. Condolences for Ms. Jacobs can be sent to 401 Archdale Dr, Apt 604, Durham, NC 27707.

*Covid protocols will be observed. The obituary can be found at majesticfh.com*

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE BOARD OF BISHOPS OF THE A.M.E. ZION CHURCH REGARDING THE 2021 GENERAL CONFERENCE

The Board of Bishops announces that the 51st Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will be held July 28th through August 1st, 2021. In light of the continuing health challenges stemming from the COVID-19 Pandemic and with the safety of our constituents being our highest priority, after surveying the delegation, consulting with health professionals along with the hotel staff, and after prayerful consideration, it has been determined that this will be a hybrid event. All activities will be in conformity with CDC protocols, including practicing social distancing and the mandated wearing of masks.

The General Conference will be open for participation by all delegates, alternates, and observers with the following guidelines:

1) Members of the Board of Bishops, the General Officers, those Connectional Officers, who must report to the General Conference, and all the duly elected delegates to the General Conference, who can show proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations will have the option of meeting in person at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Those Bishops, General Officers, Connectional Officers, and duly elected delegates who choose not to be vaccinated, or who are uncomfortable, whatever the reason, with meeting in person, or who are unable to travel to the site of the General Conference due to international visa challenges or other considerations, will be able to participate, vote, and communicate virtually. Duly elected alternate delegates, who may need to fill the spot of a delegate but who have not been officially seated prior to the opening of the General Conference will be able to participate, vote, and communicate virtually. We are strongly discouraging from attending in person anyone not included in these groups named.

2) All other constituents of The A.M.E. Zion Church, including Alternate Delegates, Connectional Officers who are not delegates or designated to report to the General Conference, and all observers will be able to view the proceedings of the General Conference virtually.

The A.M.E. Zion Church, known as “The Freedom Church” is keenly aware of the repressive actions of legislative leaders in Georgia to adopt draconian laws in an effort to suppress the vote. We condemn such laws and fiercely advocate the expansion of voting rights for all citizens. We also applaud those who have decided to highlight the immorality of such laws through economic boycotts and civil disobedience.

After much debate, many consultations, and agonizing deliberations, we ultimately heeded the counsel of key civil rights leaders in Georgia, including Senator Raphael Warnock, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and Stacey Abrams, to come to Atlanta. It is our conviction that rather than further hurt the very people a boycott would have been intended to help, that The Freedom Church will make our unwavering commitment to justice and voting rights clear by our presence, our voice, and tangible actions during our time in the State of Georgia.

Your Chief Servants:
The Board of Bishops of The A.M.E. Zion Church

Bishop George E. Battle, Jr., Senior Bishop and President of the Board of Bishops

Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Secretary

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr., General Conference Program Chair

President’s Address by Dr. Anthony Witherspoon

President’s Address

Delivered February 20, 2021 at the 83rd Session of the International Ministers and Lay

 Association of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Virtual Meeting hosted by the Piedmont Episcopal District

Dr. Anthony Witherspoon 

Moving Forward Together: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Our Continued Commitment to Accountability

Quadrennial Election of IMLA Officers

International Ministers and Lay Association

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

The Rev. Dr. Anthony N. Witherspoon, President

The Quadrennial Election of Officers 

Persons interested in in being considered for the following offices are to submit a letter and resume appertaining to that office, and emailed to The Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather, Nominating Committee Chairman at emerriw@aol.com.  All submission must be in by February 5, 2021.

 

Office and Duties:

President - manage the fiscal matters in the life of the Association; submit recommendations and programs to the Executive Board for review and implementation; make reports on the work of the Association and projections for the future; preside at all meetings of the Association unless he or she delegates the authority; be an ex-officio member of all committees and boards of the Association

Executive Director – disseminate the edited account of the Annual and related meetings to all bona fide members of the Association; publish and distribute to bona fide members an annual newsletter; plan and implement the general program of the Annual meeting and to consult with the Denominational Convention Manager in logistics; serve as a Chairman of the Executive Board, appoint standing committees (with consultation of the President) consisting of at least seven members each: Nominating, Research, Legislative, Finance, Ecumenical Involvement, Membership, Program Archive - to gather, preserve, hold title to and disseminate materials of the history of Association.

First Vice President – The President and the Executive Board shall determine the duties of the 1st Vice President beyond the usual functions of vice presidents.

Second Vice President – Receive annual individual membership dues, individual and/or Church contributions for the operational budget of the Association; to distribute membership cards, award certificates, and receipts for dues and contributions.

Treasurer – Shall be the official custodian of the funds of the Association and shall make regular reports of its financial status operations; provide a security bond for the faithful performance of his/her duties, the cost of which shall be borne by tire Association. He/she shall be responsible for the details of receiving, accounting and disbursing of funds at the direction of the President or Executive Director.

Financial Secretary – To oversee policy concerning the flow of financial resources within the association. To receive funds on behalf of the association and keep accurate account of the same. All fuds turned into the Financial Secretary must be recorded and turned over to the Treasurer for deposit. The Financial Secretary will work closely with the Treasurer in ensuring monetary accountability and provide reports to the Executive and Membership when requested.

Recording Secretary - shall record the minutes and proceedings of meetings of the Association and shall be subject to the direction of the Executive Director in performing clerical duties of the Association.

Assistant Secretary - Shall assist the Recording Secretary in the performance of the above duties

Chaplain  - Shall help to ensure the spiritual well-being of the Association through prayer, counsel, biblical instruction and example. The Chaplain is responsible for assisting with religious programmatic gatherings, as well as providing input to the overall well-being of the Association.

We Care Notice...

Dear Association:

Our hearts and prayers go out to Mrs. Lula Howard on the loss of her husband and to the family of Presiding Elder Stanley Dennison on his transition.  Please include their families in your thoughts and prayers.  The Executive Team will provide information of any arrangements forthcoming. 

God Bless.

Reverend Dr. Anthony Witherspoon