Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District; Dr. Phyllis N. Green, Episcopal Supervisor; Presiding Elder Judy M. Richardson of the Greenville District; Presiding Elder Dr. Derrick Scott of the Abbeville-Greenwood District; Conference, Area and Local Leadership on all levels; Pastors, Clergy and Lay people of the 113th Session of the Piedmont South Carolina Annual Conference.
MINUTES OF THE 113TH SESSION OF THE PIEDMONT SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023 BUSINESS SESSION NO. 3 Bishop Samuel L. Green called for the approval of the minutes that captured the events on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Annual Conference Secretary, Sister Renae Frazier informed Bishop Green that the secretarial staff sent an email to all conference leadership, Pastors, and Delegates, along with the members of the Board of Examiners on last evening around 8:47pm. Bishop congratulated the secretarial staff for the excellent job we did on the first day of the conference. Bishop said that he has never gotten the minutes before dinner. Motion to approve was made by Sister Renae Frazier and seconded by Elder Judy M. Richardson. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Annuity and Investments report read by Reverend James Louden, III. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Reverend Roland Sigman and seconded by Reverend Dr. Julius Johnson. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Classification of Pastors report read by Reverend Gregory E. Singleton. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Elder Dr. Derrick Scottand seconded by Reverend Carroll Wells, Jr. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Deeds, Abstracts,and Abandoned Property report read by Reverend Paul Wharton. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Elder Dr. Derrick Scott and seconded by Brother James Tisdale, St. James AME Church. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Class Leaders report read by Sister Victoria Anderson. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Elder Judy M. Richardson and seconded by Sister Caroline Patterson, Allen Chapel AME Church. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Young Adult Ministry report read by Reverend Michael Young. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Reverend Carroll Wells, Jr.and seconded by Reverend Dr. Julius Johnson. Motion carried. Bishop stated the difference between a young adult and an adult is young and adult. If young people have the talent, do not stifle them because you don’t want to give it up. Either way you will have to give it up. It is good to have someone in place who is functioning. You learn by the mistakes you make. Let’s give the young people a chance. Engage the young adults
within this Conference. Elder Scott stated, we need the young because they are strong and we need the old to show them the way. Bishop followed up by stating that’s true but the old can’t be in the way of the growth and development. Bishop Green called for the State of the Church report read by Reverend Lebbie Ligon. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman and seconded by Sister Vallery Smith, St. Paul AME Church, Cokesbury. Motion carried. Elder Judy M. Richardson called for the Church Growth and Development report read by Reverend Paul Wharton. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Elder Dr. Derrick Scott and seconded by Sister Barbara Tolbert, Mt. Zion AME Church, Hodges. Motion carried. Elder Judy M. Richardson called for the Christian Education report read by Reverend James E. Speed, Sr. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Reverend Dr. Julius Johnson and seconded by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Family Life report read by Reverend John W. Paul, Sr. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Reverend Beatrice O. Colemanand seconded by Reverend Adam China. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Missions, Circuits and Station report read by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Reverend Adam China and seconded by Reverend Roland E.D. Sigman. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Temperance report read by Reverend Franklin Pruitt, Jr. With the recommendations, the Motion to approve was made by Sister Lilla Ray, St. James AME Church and seconded by Reverend Barry Leverette. Motion carried. Bishop Green, Sr. invited Reverend Dr. Jimmy Williiams, Pastor St. James AME Church, Miami, Florida. He is from the 11th District. He is a Candidate for Judicial Council. He was elected several times to serve as City Council in his community.
MINUTES OF THE 113TH SESSION OF THE PIEDMONT SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE FRIDAY, November 3, 2023 Allen University Rally At 11:45 AM, the Allen University/Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary Annual Rally began and alumni, Presiding Elder Reverend Dr. Derrick Scott, served as the worship leader. Through songs by Dr. Angela Blalock and Dr. Alan Rudell, both Assistant Professors of Music, scripture, and prayer, the conference praised God for the works of Allen University and its service to its students.
The President of Allen University, Dr. Ernest McNealey, greeted the conference and stated that there is no better Board of Directors Chair of Allen University than Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr. Dr. Ernest McNealey shared the progress and innovation that Allen is experiencing. Dr. McNealey shared highlights on Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary. They have 677 students enrolled, an increase from last year. The overall enrollment in Seminary is about 30 in Master level and 10 at the doctoral level. It is a new program. Still underway to complete the ATS by this summer. The board met the second week in October for a board meeting. They approved a Master degree in Business Administration and in Environmental Science. We sponsored a women’s wrestling team in the fall. They enrolled one state champion in the program. They have volleyball players from Arizona and New Mexico. They have a Soccer team with students from Germany and South America and have won about 5 games. Homecoming was held last weekend. They are operating at a high level. They just unveiled a statue of US Representative James Clyburn. There is also a memorial statue in the works to remember the Emmanuel Nine. Students in the undergraduate and graduate programs are served well. The Green years brought about the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary. With the rise in the Green Years it also brought about a football team that gained a record season of 7-2. Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. called for the Presiding Elders of this conference to convene their districts to support the Rally. The donations received are as follows:
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Abbeville-Greenwood
$35,100.00
$35,200.00
$35,201.00
$35,201.00
34,202.00
34,203.00
34,204.00
Greenville
$32,100.00
$32,102.00
$32,103.00
$32,010.00
32,105.00
32,110.00
32,112.00
$2,050.00
$1,750.00
1,550.00
1,550.00
2,400.00
$69,352.00
$69,054.00
Bishop’s Table Total
$67,200.00
The following attachment was distributed.
$67,211.00
67,850.00 67,863.00
68,716.00
MINUTES OF THE 113TH SESSION OF THE PIEDMONT SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023 BUSINESS SESSION NO. 4 Bishop called for the continuation of the Literary Reports. Bishop Green called for the State of the Country report read by Reverend Roland E.D. Sigman. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman and seconded by Elder Judy M. Richardson. Motion carried. Sister Diane Anderson, New Bethel AME Church suggested for the report to also address gun violence and support a ban on AR15 assault rifles to not be readily available for citizens of certain capacities. Bishop Green called for the Prison Ministry report read by Reverend Jennifer Brown. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman and seconded by Reverend Lebbie Ligon. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Hospital Ministry report read by Reverend Clifford Jackson. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Reverend Adam China and seconded by Reverend Roland E.D. Sigman. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Christian Debutante and Masters Commission report read by Sister Whitney Nicholson. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Reverend Gregory Singleton and seconded by Elder Judy M. Richardson. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Ministers Spouses + PKs report read by Reverend Carnetta Morton. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman and seconded by Sister Debra Speed. Motion carried. Bishop Green called for the Church Planting report read by Reverend Roland E.D. Sigman. The approval of the report with the recommendations was accepted with a Motion to approve made by Elder Judy M. Richardson and seconded by Reverend Beatrice O. Coleman. Motion carried.
Bishop provided the instruction for the Electoral College. The Lay Electoral College election will be held in 102 C. You must have your certificate signed by your Pastor and your Elder. You can only have one adult and young adult from each church. Young Adult must be between 18-35 (At time of election). Anyone age 18 and older is eligible to run as delegate to the General Conference. Sister Jacqueline Goggins is the Host Lay Electoral College who will preside over the temporary Chair and Secretary until the official Chair and Secretary is elected. You must elect at least one young adult
delegate. Every ballot that is casted must have at least one young adult on the ballot. To distinguish the difference between the two types of candidates, you will see (YA) by their name to represent which candidates are young adults. The General Conference will be held August 21-28, 2024. Bishop stated that these dates might interfere with those working within the school system because you may not be able to attend. There will be 7 delegates and 7 alternate delegates elected. Those persons that have intent to run must state your name and spell for accuracy in the order of the following (First, MI, Last). The secretary will record the names and email the list to Sister Neal to prepare the ballot. Election for Electoral College Delegate and Alternate Delegate Mister Chairman and members of the 113th Session of the Piedmont South Carolina Annual Conference, I would like to offer the following motion, consistent with the African Methodist Episcopal Church Book of Discipline 2021, which says that, “In cases where ballots are required and the election is uncontested, a voice vote may be held,” therefore I move that the Secretary of the Piedmont South Carolina Annual Conference be empowered to cast a unanimous ballot that the following persons be elected Delegates and Alternate Delegates to the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the African Methodist Episcopal Church General Conference:
Delegates 1 Judy Richardson 2 Derrick Scott 3 James Speed 4 Adam China 5 Beatrice Coleman 6 Roland Sigman 7 Gregory Singleton
Alternate Delegates 1 James Louden 2 Carroll Wells, Jr. 3 Reginald C. Morton 4 Lebbie L. Ligon 5 Clifford Jackson 6 Paul N. Wharton 7 Patrick B. Mellerson
Bishop Green shared after the election two things he is requesting. First, to elect Reverend Jarrett Washington as the Chief Information Officer. Second, to help him to land in an Episcopal District that is comparable to his gift and his skills. Help him to go where he wants to go and to also bring a Bishop back to the 7th District with a giving heart to take us to a higher level, to also include allowing Allen university to go forward along with the Dickerson-Green Seminary Reverend Dr. Jimmy Williams shared his thanks and appreciation for his hospitality. Bishop asked for the delegates to remember him through the song “Remember Me”. Bishop called the Board of Examiners to provide a supplemental report as follows: We, the Board of Examiners, beg leave to make the following supplementary report. After prayerful and careful consideration and keeping the best interests of The African Methodist Episcopal Church in mind we make the following recommendations: Reverend Ricardo D. D. Herriott: After thorough discussions, we recommend that the Piedmont South Carolina Annual Conference rescind his election to be ordained an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Further, we recommend revoking his status as an Itinerant Deacon of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. All related documentation is to be returned to the Episcopal office. Reverend Emmanuel Sellers: We recommend that the Palmetto South Carolina Conference Board of Examiners rescind his ordination as an Itinerant Deacon and place him in the Class on Second-Year Studies. Bishop asked if they knew why the recommendation was being made. They owed the Board and the Conference an apology. What was said is a reflection of disrespect. Bishop allowed both Elders to speak on their behalf and asked for mercy upon them. Bishop will spend some more time with God in prayer with the next step. Closing prayer by Reverend John Black
MINUTES OF THE 113TH SESSION OF THE PIEDMONT SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE FRIDAY, November 3, 2023 Ordination Service The Ordination Service began at 6:55 PM with the procession of the chair of the Board of Examiners, Reverend Roland E.D. Sigman, the candidates for ordination, the board of examiners, and the presiding Elders, Reverend Judy M. Richardson, and Dr. Derrick Scott, The worship service was an exciting moment in African Methodism as the choir sang numerous moving and inspiring selections, such as, “Order My Steps.” Bishop Samuel L.
Green, Sr. presented the preacher, Reverend Dr. Willie R. Norful, Sr. , highlighting the fruitfulness of his ministry and the impact his message will have on the ordinands. Reverend Norful preached an energizing and inspiring sermon. “Handle With Care ” Luke 10:17-20 Reverend Dr. Willie R. Norful, Sr. preached to the ordinands. A true leader under God’s instructions has a divine command. It's a call to know where our strength comes from. Handle with care when you're stepping into the ministry. There are a lot of disagreements, conflicts, and uncertainty in the world these days. There are difficulties and disputes everywhere you look. There is a war rising in what we call the Holy Land. The assignment comes directly from God. The Call to Ministry is not from outside influences, it’s about doing what’s right in the sight of God. Shake the “dust” off. Don’t let your title make you think you’re better than someone else. When I call on the name of the Lord, I can honestly say, souls are saved, Jesus is Lord. During the Ordination Service the following were ordained Local Deacon: 1. Brother Douglas K. Robinson (Local)— Mt. Olive AME Church- Donalds, Greenville District During the Ordination Service the following were ordained Local Elder: 2. Reverend Wesley E. Pinkett (Local)— St. Paul AME Church-Cokesbury, AbbevilleGreenwood District. During the Ordination Service the following was ordained Itinerant Deacon: 1. Sister Iguana W. Goodwin (Itinerant) During the Ordination Service the following was ordained Itinerant Elder: 2. Reverend Betty J. Martin (Itinerant) Services concluded at 9:06 pm and Bishop Green stated the conference will reconvene the next morning at 9:00 am for its last business session