The Worldwide A.M.E. Zion Church to bring thousands to River Region
The Freedom Church to convene in the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement
Montgomery, Alabama. The Right Reverend Dennis V. Proctor, Presiding Prelate of the Alabama-Florida Episcopal District, headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, will host the worldwide African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ) at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel, Spa and Convention Center, July 23 through August 1, for the 10th Quadrennial Connectional Lay Council Convention as well as the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Young Adult Missionary Society.
The Lay Convention theme is “Fortifying Our Faith While Focusing On Our Future Through: Worship, Leadership, Discipleship and Stewardship.” Thousands of A.M.E Zionites, including Bishops, General Officers, Missionaries, Clergy, and Laity from Africa, Europe, Caribbean Islands, Asia, South America, Virgin Islands, and the United States will assemble in Montgomery, the birthplace of the civil rights movement, to develop strategies and programs to empower citizens of the world in addressing quality of life issues.
“We are gathering in historic Montgomery to explore ways to enhance the church’s focus on Christ-centered ministry, social and economic justice, and eliminating global diseases and poverty throughout the world. It is our hope to empower our church and others to help alleviate conditions that diminishes quality of life throughout our communities,” said Bishop Proctor. The Reverend Dr. Claude Shuford, Senior Pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church will serve as Host Pastor.
The Right Reverend George E. Battle, Jr., Senior Bishop of the A.M.E. Zion Church, will deliver the keynote address and officially open the convention on Sunday evening. During the ten days, members will attend workshops, seminars, and plenary sessions covering a range of issues relating to Christian discipleship, economic and social concerns, youth empowerment, stewardship, and church growth. The plenary sessions are open to the public and the news media.
Beginning on Tuesday, July 23, the A.M.E. Zion Connectional Council, comprising active Bishops, General Officers, and Administrative Boards will meet on Tuesday to discuss issues impacting the church and receive reports from the various boards.
The Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society (WH&OMS) Leadership Seminar & Young Adults Missionary Society (YAMS) 30th Anniversary Celebration will provide three days of leadership development workshops beginning Friday, July 26.
Significant events for the week include an evangelistic block party on Friday afternoon, July 26, 4:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion church located at 455 West Jeff Davis Avenue and the Freedom Church March on Saturday, July 27. The march will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Old Union Station Train Depot located on Water Street in downtown Montgomery and will culminate in front of the State Capitol on Dexter Avenue.
The public is also invited to a Cultural and Gospel Extravaganza featuring the Mississippi Mass Choir ($15 General Admission) on Saturday evening, Mama’s Girls stage play featuring Regina Belle ($20 General Admission) on Wednesday afternoon and a youth/young adult presentation by Motivational Speaker Keith L. Brown (free to the public) on Wednesday morning.
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, known as The Freedom Church, was established in 1796 in New York City under the leadership of its first bishop, James Varick. It is a global organization with churches on four continents and an emerging membership in excess of 1.7 million adherents. It is known as “The Freedom Church” because of the missionary, evangelistic, and abolitionist work of its members, including Fredrick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Bishop Alexander Walters, who was one of the founding members of the NAACP.
For more information about convention activities and programs, contact the Alabama-Florida Episcopal District headquarters at (334) 269-6365.
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