African Methodists from across Middle Tennessee will convene in the 157th session of the Tennessee Annual Conference under the leadership of the 13th Episcopal District Bishop Harry L. Seawright and Presiding Prelate and Supervisor Sherita Moon Seawright, Oct. 15-19 at Lee Chapel AME Church, located at 1200 Dr. D. B. Todd, Jr. Boulevard in Nashville. The theme is ‘The Thriving Thirteenth: Praying, Praising, and Pressing.”
The purpose of the annual conference is for pastors and laity in churches, comprising the Tennessee Annual Conference, to come together publicly and praise God for another year of blessings and to give an individual accounting of the results of their work in evangelism, stewardship, youth ministries, women ministries, lay ministries, community outreach and public policy advocacy.
Highlights of the Tennessee Annual Conference include the administrative work of pastoral and committee reports; business sessions; examining candidates for ordination; a memorial service; daily noon-time “Hour of Power” worship services; and evening worship that glorifies God through dynamic preaching and spirit-filled praise. Special emphasis services include:
· Tuesday, Oct. 15 – Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) Emphasis & Opening Prayer, WMS Convention, 9 a.m.; Annual Conference Opening Worship Service, 7 p.m.
· Wednesday, Oct. 16 – Hour of Power Worship, 11:30 a.m.; Memorial/Retirement Service, 7 p.m.
· Thursday, Oct. 17 – Lay Witness Emphasis, Hour of Power Worship (Sons of Allen), noon; Lay Witness & Worship, 7 p.m.
· Friday, Oct. 18 – Women In Ministry (WIM) and YPD Emphasis, Hour of Power Worship (WIM), noon; Welcome Reception, 6:30 p.m.; YPD Worship, 7:30 p.m.
· Saturday, Oct. 19 – Closing Service and Holy Communion, Worship with Bishop Harry L. Seawright preaching in the closing service, 10:30 a.m.
In the spirit of the motto of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, everyone is invited to participate in all the services and events during the annual conference.
Host pastor is the Reverend Dr. Harold Moses Love, Jr. All clergy, laity and youth of the Tennessee Annual Conference are encouraged to learn more about the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
For more information, contact Mrs. A. Jerrilyn Arnell, chair at (334)294-9510 or Mrs. Barbara Ivery, co-chair at (931) 624-0155.
