NORTH EASTERN EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
2024 LEADERSHIP TRAINING SUMMIT
NOVEMBER 7-9, 2024
NORTH EASTERN EPISCOPAL DISTRICT QUADRENNIAL THEME:
LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM, WORSHIP, SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP, AND DISCIPLESHIP
THEME SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 62:10
HOSTED BY
CROSS STREET AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH
440 WEST STREET, MIDDLETOWN, CT 06457
THE REV. ROBYN ANDERSON, HOST PASTOR
THE REV. DR. MOSES HARVILL, HOST PRESIDING ELDER
THE REV. DR. JONATHON COUNTS, DEAN OF CHAPEL
THE REV. DR. WALLACE NOBLE, ACADEMIC DEAN
THE REV. QUAVON Z. NEWTON, ADMINISTRATIVE DEAN
MRS. LAURENNA H. CRENSHAW, MISSIONARY SUPERVISOR
BISHOP GEORGE D. CRENSHAW, PRESIDING BISHOP
NORTH EASTERN EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
PRESIDING ELDERS
NEW YORK CONFERENCE
REV. DR. A. ALFRED CARSON, NEW CITY DISTRICT
REV. KEITH I. HARRIS, LONG ISLAND DISTRICT
REV. DR. STEPHEN W. POGUE, WESTCHESTER DISTRICT
NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE
REV. DR. ODIGNA MADDOX, JR., JERSEY CITY DISTRICT
REV. MAURICE DANIELS, CAMDEN DISTRICT
NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE
REV. JAQUELINE KING, BOSTON DISTRICT
REV. DR. MOSES HARVILL, HARTFORD DISTRICT
WESTERN NEW YORK CONFERENCE
REV. ALPHONSO H. MEADOWS, JR., ALBANY DISTRICT
REV. KEVIN D. COAKLEY, BUFFALO DISTRICT
REV. DR. DAIRL SCOTT, JR., ROCHESTER- SYRACUSE DISTRICT
BAHAMAS CONFERENCE
REV. KENNETH I. LEWIS, NASSAU DISTRICT
LONDON-MIDLAND CONFERENCE
REV. DR. A. ALFRED CARSON, LONDON DISTRICT
REV. DAREN C. JAMIE, MIDLAND DISTRICT
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
THEME: LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Thursday, November 7, 2024
10:00 AM
Worship Leader: Reverend Xavier Hunter
9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. Morning Prayer led by NEED Prayer Team
9:45 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Praise & Worship
Sis. Berlyn Trusty
10:00 A.M. – 10: 15 A.M.
THE CALL TO WORSHIP
Reverend Xavier Hunter
OPENING HYMN “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”
SCRIPTURE
PRAYER
10:15 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
INTRODUCTION OF THE BISHOP
VISION CASTING TEACHING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
LUNCH – 1:15 P.M. – 2:45 P.M.
TRANSPORT TO CLASSES
3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
FIRST WORKSHOP
(FREE TIME – 4:00 P.M. TO 6:45 P.M.) DINNER ON YOUR OWN
6:45 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.
THURSDAY EVENING SERVICE
Thursday, November 7, 2024
7:00 P.M. Service
Worship Leader: Reverend Dr. Kelcy Steele
Praise and Worship
NEED Praise Team
CALL TO WORSHIP
CREATIVE EXPRESSION
SCRIPTURE
PRAYER
Reverend Paris Price
Reverend Janet Jones
MUSICAL SELECTION
INTRODUCTION OF THE BISHOP
Reverend Dr. Moses Harvill
Presiding Elder, Hartford District
Bishop George D. Crenshaw
Presiding Bishop, North Eastern Episcopal District
Breakout Session One
INTRODUCTION OF THE PREACHER
MUSICAL SELECTION
SERMON
Reverend Dr. Kelcy Steele
Reverend Terrance A. King
Reverend Catherine Solomon
NEED Mass Choir
Reverend Keith I. Harris
Presiding Elder, Long Island District
Bishop George D. Crenshaw
NEED Mass Choir
Rev. Quavon Newton
Pastor, St. Stephen AME Zion Church
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
OFFERING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
Rev. Natalie Wimberly
Reverend Dr. Stephen Pogue
Presiding Elder, Westchester District
LEADERSHIP TRAINING
THEME: LIFTING A STANDARD: EVANGELISM
Friday, November 8, 2024
10:00 AM
Worship Leader: Reverend Dorothy Patterson
9:00 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. Morning Prayer led by NEED Prayer Team
9:45 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Praise & Worship Sis. Berlyn Trusty
10:00 A.M. – 10: 15 A.M.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Reverend Dorothy Patterson
OPENING HYMN “How Great Thou Art”
SCRIPTURE
PRAYER
10:15 A.M.- 10:30 A.M.
INTRODUCTION OF THE BISHOP
EPISCOPAL GREETINGS
10:30 A.M. to 11:45 A.M.
PLENARY SESSION
LUNCH – 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M.
1:45 P.M. to 2:45 P.M.
SECOND WORKSHOP
FIFTEEN MINUTE BREAK
3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
THIRD WORKSHOP
FRIDAY EVENING SERVICE
Friday, November 8, 2024
7:00 P.M. Service
Worship Leader: Reverend Dr. Nicolle Jean-Simon
6:45 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Praise and Worship
NEED Praise Team
Reverend George Woodruff
Reverend Kathleen Edwards
Rev. Dr. Odinga Maddox, Jr.
Presiding Elder, Jersey City District
Bishop George D. Crenshaw
Presiding Bishop, North Eastern Episcopal District
CALL TO WORSHIP
LITURGICAL DANCE
SCRIPTURE
PRAYER
MUSICAL SELECTION
INTRODUCTION OF THE BISHOP
INTRODUCTION OF THE PREACHER
MUSICAL SELECTION
SERMON
Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather
INVITATION TO CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP
OFFERING
Breakout Session Two
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
Breakout Session Three
(FREE TIME – 4:00 P.M. TO 6:45 P.M.) – DINNER ON YOUR OWN
Reverend Dr. Nicolle Jean-Simon
Reverend Rashaun Booker
Reverend Denise Davenport
NEED Mass Choir
Rev. Alphonso H. Meadows, Jr.
Presiding Elder, Albany District
Bishop George D. Crenshaw
NEED Mass Choir
Rev. Dr. Da’ Henri Thurmond St. Paul CME Church, Savannah, GA
Reverend Kevin D. Coakley
Presiding Elder, Buffalo District
Reverend Quavon Z. Newton has endured many hardships and overcome numerous obstacles from a young age, including being expelled from high school and facing criminal charges. Despite these early setbacks, he persevered, earning his G.E.D. and later becoming Assistant Vice President Financial Center Manager at Bank of America.
Rev. Newton holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Albertus Magnus College and a Master of Divinity from Yale University Divinity School, where he was awarded the prestigious Oliver Ellsworth Daggett Award for his ability, diligence, Christian character, and promise as a preacher. He is currently a Doctoral candidate at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. His ministerial journey began with his ordination as a Minister by his father, Bishop Ezekiel Newton, while serving as Youth Pastor at Winning Word Church of Christ. He then served as Youth and Young Adult Minister at Varick Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in New Haven, CT, for three years, and was ordained as an Elder by The Right Reverend Bishop Dennis V. Proctor.
In June 2016, Rev. Newton was appointed Pastor of Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Zion Church in Danbury, CT, where he also served as 2nd Vice President of the Greater Danbury Branch NAACP, and significantly increased the weekly attendance and the church's budget. In June 2019, he became Pastor of Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Jamaica, NY, where he led the congregation to double its attendance, expanding its staff and budget, and investing over $100k in renovations during the pandemic.
Since June 2022, he has served as Pastor of St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park, NJ, where the church significantly increased its budget, expanded its staff, and grew by over 200 new members in his first two years, becoming one of the fastestgrowing churches in the denomination. He is currently as Adjunct Professor of Religious Studies at Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC. He is married to the lovely Ashley Newton and father to Qamari, Eden, and Quinn. He is also a proud member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Reverend Dr. Da'Henri R. Thurmond, Sr. is a native of Augusta, Georgia. He is the third of four children born to the late Mr. Earl H. Thurmond, Sr. and the late Maxine W. Thurmond. He received his early education in the Richmond County, Georgia public school system and is a graduate of Westside Comprehensive High School. Dr. Thurmond attended and graduated from Georgia Southern University where he was inducted into the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society.
He is a magna cum laude graduate of the Medical College of Georgia where he was inducted into the IMHOTEP society as well as Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities with a Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy. In 2015, he graduated from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Phillips School of Theology, with a Masters in Divinity, magna cum laude. Pastor Thurmond received the Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt Scholarship and the Isaac B. Clark Preaching Award while at ITC. In 2020, he earned the Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio where his area of concentration was Developing Leadership for Effective Programming in the Post-Modern Generation. He studied under Bishop Sir Walter Mack and Dr. Herbert Miller, Jr.
Reverend Thurmond has been employed as a Respiratory Therapy Supervisor and a Senior Clinical Oncology Specialist within Pharmaceutical/Biologic Sales. In spite of an exciting and rewarding career, he acknowledged a higher calling and purpose for his existence and began his journey as a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. For four years he served under Rev. Dr. Donald R. Jordan, pastor of the Trinity C. M. E. Church in Augusta, Georgia. Pastor Thurmond was inspired, challenged and blessed by Dr. Jordan who continues to serve as his mentor.
In 2005, he was appointed pastor of the Rock of Ages C. M. E. Church and a successful, three year pastorate ensued. While at Rock of Ages, disciples were added, new ministries were formed and the fellowship was reinvigorated. Rev. Thurmond is an ordained elder in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church where the presiding prelate is Bishop Thomas Louis Brown, Sr.
In July 2008, Dr. Thurmond was appointed Pastor in Charge at St. Paul C. M. E. Church in Savannah, Georgia where the prophetic, visionary and legendary Rev. Dr. Henry R. Delaney was the Senior Pastor. In July 2009, Pastor Thurmond was appointed Senior Pastor at St. Paul. God continues to show himself strong in the life and witness of the St. Paul faith community with the blessings of a growing congregation, new ministries and partnerships. Rev. Thurmond currently serves as the Chair of the Joint Board of Finance for the Central Georgia Region, member of the General Connectional Board of the CME Church, was a delegate to the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 General Conferences, the World Methodist Conference in Durban, South Africa, a founding member of the Savannah Alliance of Pastors and former Co-President of Savannah Area Interfaith Justice Ministry now known as J.U.S.T. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Carver State Bank, Step Up Savannah and ELEVATE Savannah. Dr. Thurmond also is privileged to be on the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph/Candler Hospital System where he serves as the Chair of the Professional Relations Committee. He has been awarded The Pastor of the Year by the Sixth Episcopal District of the CME Church. He was a 2021 fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. In 2022, he was awarded the Peace Builder Award by The Mediation Center of Savannah. He is a member of the NAACP and has fraternal memberships with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity where he is a life member and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
Pastor Thurmond is happily married to Antoinette Johnson Thurmond. They are the blessed parents of a son, D. Ramsey, Jr. and a daughter, Barbara Maxine
Reverend Dr. Eleazar Merriweather was born in Demopolis, Alabama. He is a graduate of John Essex High School, Demopolis, AL; Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering (1981); a graduate of Johnson Bible College, Knoxville, TN where he received a Master of Arts in New Testament Studies and Preaching Exposition (1997), and a Doctor of Divinity, Livingstone College, May 2011.
Reverend Dr. Merriweather is very active on all levels of the A.M.E Zion Church Connection. He has served as the Administrative Assistant to the Presiding Bishops, Dean of the Rochester-Brown School of Ministry for Malawi, and Mozambique Conferences; chairperson the Mid-West Episcopal District Leadership Institute, Conference Secretary of the Michigan Annual Conference for 18 years, and Chair of Conference Studies for seven (7) years.
Reverend Dr. Merriweather served as Pastor of the Lomax Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Knoxville, TN (1990-2000), where he led the congregation in building a new Church, St. Luke A.M.E. Zion Church, Grand Rapids, MI (2000-2009), and the St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, Detroit, MI (2009-2021), where he led the congregation in paying-off major debt. God has tremendously blessed the ministry, and thus all three Churches under his leadership has experienced rebirth, renewal, and restoration. Reverend Dr. Merriweather is a dynamic teacher, preacher, and leader.
In addition to his pastoral ministry of 31 years, he served a combined total of 10 years as Presiding Elder of the Western Michigan District (2008-2009), and as the Presiding Elder of the Trinidad District, Trinidad & Tobago Conference (2012-2021).
Before receiving his call to pastor, Reverend Dr. Merriweather was employed at Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. (1981-2001), Oak Ridge, TN. During his tenure there, he held positions of Systems Manager for the Emergency Power System, Site Energy Conservation Manager, Acting Division Training Manager, Group Leader, and Field Maintenance Engineer.
Dr. Merriweather was elected a General Officer as the Executive Director of the Department of Church Growth & Development on July 31, 2021. Since his election, he has developed and implemented Course Curriculums on Evangelism Training, Church Revitalization, and Church & Community Development. Also, he has developed a Church Planting Guide, and acquired MissionInsite (GIS Mapping System) for all A.M.E. Zion Churches.
Reverend Dr. Merriweather is married to the former Wanda Waiters, they have two daughters: Laquitta and Alesia, and three grandchildren.
North Eastern Episcopal District Leadership Training Institute Theme: Lifting A Standard Focus: Evangelism Scripture: Isaiah 62:10 (KJV)
Breakout Session and Presenters:
Developing a Culture of Relational Evangelism – Rev. Quavon Newton
Ministry and Marketing: This is Our Story – Rev. B. Lauren Williams
Evangelism in Context: Inner City, Rural, Suburban, Urban – Rev. Kenneth Lewis
Evangelism 101: Jump Starting Evangelism – Rev. Kevin Coakley
Faith Sharing: A Matter of Life and Death – Rev. Dr. Brandon McLauchlin
Youth and Children Evangelism – Ms. Angela Marks
Sick and Shut-in Ministry – Rev. Donna Marie Brown
Speaking Truth To Power: Evangelism Rooted in Social Justice – Rev. Dr. Malcolm Byrd
SATURDAY WELCOME PROGRAM
Saturday, November 9, 2024
11:00 A.M. Service
Mistress of Ceremony: Reverend Jaqueline King
Theme: “We Are One!” John 17:22-23 (NRSV)
MC – Presiding Elder Jacqueline King
Invocation – Rev. Dr. Brandon McLauchlin, Episcopal Prayer Coordinator
Scripture – Ms. Sarlyn Tate, Episcopal CED Director
The Occasion – Mrs. Dottie Stephens, New Jersey Lay Council President
Selection – And They’ll Know We are Christians By Our Love
Grace – Rev. Robyn Anderson – Host Pastor
Lunch is Served
Selection
Presentation to Missionary Supervisor
Missionary District Presidents led by Mrs. Tawanda Harris and Mrs. Vanessa Clayton
Remarks from the Supervisor – Mrs. Laurenna Crenshaw
Presentation to Bishop
“The Best Place To Be!” by the N.E.E.D. Presiding Elders
Prayer for Bishop and Supervisor led by Presiding Elder A. Alfred Carson
Remarks and Benediction – The Right Reverend George D. Crenshaw