A.M.E. Church Celebrates Historic Conference
The 126th Session of the East/West District of the Bermuda Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church ended with a resounding success last weekend at the Fairmont Southampton.
The Conference, hosted by the Presiding Elder the Rev. Betty Furbert – Woolridge and the Bermuda A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance, was officially convened on March 8th with the Annual Sermon being preached by Rev. Jahkimo Smith entitled , ‘Beautiful Feet’.
At the request of the Presiding Bishop , the Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris Prelate, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Bishop of the 8th Episcopal District assumed the responsibility of uniquely chairing this years’ Conference proceedings .
History was in the making, as the Bishop, the Presiding Elder, the delegates , the candidates for Ordination as well as the A.M.E. youth of the year were all female. Those ordained as Elders were the Rev. Stephanie Castro and the Rev. Georgette Prime – Godwin. The 2012 A.M.E. ‘Youth of the Year’ is Miss Akeela Richardson.
Deputy Premier Derek Burgess, Minister Kim Wilson, and MPs Darius Tucker and Neletha Butterfield were in attendance.
The highly Spirit filled and uplifting Conference soared to unprecedented heights with dynamic and exciting preaching, teaching , music, singing , workshops, worship, and dance. The 126th Session which ran from March 8th – 11th closed with a packed house with the Commissioning Sermon preached by Bishop Tyler Guidry entitled. ‘Go find the woman at the well”. All 11 pastors were returned to their respective Churches.
The Special Resolutions emerging from the Conference is as follows:
The 126th session of the Bermuda Annual Conference wishes to address several community issues that are of concern to the church.
WHEREAS Bermuda’s economic recovery is still way off in the future;
AND WHEREAS the public purse is being supported through more borrowing;
AND WHEREAS a welcomed decrease in crime does not equal a decrease in violence;
AND WHEREAS consideration of an Equality Act appeared in the Throne Speech;
AND WHEREAS gaming remains an option in the minds of many as a practicable revenue stream;
AND WHEREAS a parliamentary election is in the wings;
AND WHEREAS the public education system is the primer for Bermuda’s future;
AND WHEREAS the church rethinks its ways of serving this present age;
AND WHEREAS the church has experienced a light and lifting Annual Conference over the past four days at the Fairmont Southampton Resort under the leadership of the Right Reverend Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, presiding at the request of Bishop Richard F. Norris, prelate of the First Episcopal District;
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church continues to assist our neighbors who are seeking jobs and trying to make ends meet;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church commits to join with our leaders in seeking solutions related to servicing Bermuda’s national debt;
THAT the Church finds a way to positively impact those who feel displaced while giving our seniors the comfort and security of safe neighbourhoods;
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church affirms the God-given worth of every person while remaining adamantly opposed to any form of legislation, entertainment and activity (including alcohol, drug abuse and gaming) that will further erode the traditional family structure and eventually Bermuda society as a whole;
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church insists that its eligible members be informed, educated and encouraged to exercise their responsibility to vote;
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church supports the efforts of the Ministry of Education in engaging parents and guardians to be a part of their students’ academic development;
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church commits to constructive self-reflection of its mission and purpose;
THAT the Bermuda Annual Conference notes a historical first by having a female bishop preside over one of its sessions;
THAT the African Methodist Episcopal Church is grateful for the diligence of the Presiding Elder, the Rev. Betty L. Furbert-Woolridge;
AND THAT the Bermuda Annual Conference salutes two quadrenniums of exemplary service by the Right Reverend Richard F. Norris and Mother Maryann Norris.
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