2022 Quadrennial Celebration Program

Carolina Region

Seventh Episcopal District 2018-2022

Quadrennial Celebration

Remembering, Reflecting, Rejoicing… We are one in the Spirit

Friday, April 8, 2022 7:00 PM

Bishop James B. Walker & Lady Delois W. Walker Episcopal Servants

Bishop James B. Walker is a native of Boley, Oklahoma. He is married to Delois WoodyWalker and they have two daughters and one grandson. Bishop Walker is the Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. Bishop Walker was elected the 56th bishop of the C.M.E. Church at its thirtyseventh General Conference, held in Mobile, Alabama. He was the first of five new bishops elected including the denomination’s first female bishop as well as its first indigenous bishop for Africa.

As former pastor of Phillips Metropolitan CME Church in Hartford, Connecticut for 27 years, he brings extensive pastoral experience. He led the congregation through many years of numerical and spiritual growth. During Bishop Walker's administration, the congregation acquired and renovated the Phillips Metro office complex and constructed its new worship center on 2500 Main Street in Hartford, Connecticut.

Bishop Walker has also served as interim Presiding Elder of the New York-New England District, as well, and the pastor of Trinity CME Church, Toccoa, Georgia and Sykes Memorial CME Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Bishop Walker is a former President of the Greater Hartford Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance as well as the former Interim Dean and Adjunct Faculty at Hartford Seminary. He is the founder and first Executive Director of the North Star Center for Human Development, Inc. and through his leadership, North Star was awarded a HUD 202 grant to construct the Phillips Metropolitan Apartments (a 40 unit Senior Housing Community). Additionally, Bishop Walker collaborated with the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families to form a faith-based adoption and foster care ministry, the Queen Esther Ministry.

Bishop Walker served as Co-Chair of the Interfaith Fellowship for Universal Health Care, a faith-based organization responsible for passing Connecticut's landmark Health Care for all legislation (Sustinet) in 2009. He was a member of the Community Advisory Board for St. Francis Hospital and he was appointed as a Commissioner on the City of Hartford Planning and Zoning Board. Bishop Walker is also a former member of the Hartford Democratic Town Committee (7th District).

Bishop Walker is a graduate of Langston University, Langston, Oklahoma and he received the Master’s of Divinity degree at Phillips School of Theology of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Program PRE-SHOW & GREETINGS FROM CANDIDATES Ms. Carolyn Stafford, Missionary President

OPENING REFLECTIONS Rev. Courtney L. Adams, General Chairperson

INVOCATION Presiding Elder Clifton E. Harris, Jr., Durham District

STATEMENT OF OCCASION Presiding Elder Faye R. Houston, Winston Salem-Greenville District

MUSICAL TRIBUTE Ms. Faith Ballenger, Bunton CME, Spartanburg, SC

CONFERENCE TRIBUTE VIDEOS Mrs. Andrea Couch, President, Ministers' Spouses, Widows & Widowers

A TRIBUTE FOR THE FIRST LADY Ms. Cynthia Seals, Sister of Lady Delois W. Walker

MINISTRY REMARKS Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, 5th District of Connecticut

Program GREETINGS & INTRODUCTION OF GUEST SPEAKER Rev. Woodrow Walker, II, Cross Culture Church, Lithonia, GA

MUSICAL TRIBUTE Rev. Lisa Clayton, Conference Musician

INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE Rev. Anthony L. Walker, St. John CME, Spencer, OK

PRESENTATION OF PRESIDING BISHOP & FIRST LADY Presiding Elder Jetson R. Maness, Charleston-Columbia District Sis. Severne Budd, Lay Leader

A WORD FROM THE HONOREES Bishop James B. Walker & Lady Delois W. Walker

BENEDICTION Rev. Robert Williams, Williams Memorial CME, High Point, NC

On behalf of our Visionary Leader, Bishop James B. Walker, and our Superlative First Lady Delois W. Walker & Family, we thank you for your virtual presence, your love and support on this prestigious occasion.

The Quadrennial Planning Committee

Committees

Rev. Courtney L. Adams, General Chairperson

Correspondence / Communication Mrs. Faye Crowder-Phillips

CLA Enterprises, LLC - Program Design

District Representatives for Journal Dr. Debra Lowe, Durham District

Ms. Jamea Grace, Durham District Rev. Dr. Valerie T. Everett, WSG District Ms. Amber C. Lewis, WSG District Ms. Latosia S. Gibson, Charleson-Columbia District Ms. Debra Haynes, Charleston-Columbia District

Program & Logistics Mrs. Andrea Couch Rev. Sandra Winfield Ms. Carolyn Stafford

Finance Presiding Elder Jetson R. Maness Presiding Elder Clifton E. Harris, Jr. Presiding Elder Faye R. Houston Rev. Jacob Teasdell Rev. Robert J. Williams

WWW.SEVENTHDISTRICTCME.ORG