49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference
July, 2012 – Nashville, Tennessee

Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, Chairperson of the General Conference Commission

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Host Bishop

Bishop John Bryant, Senior Bishop

Elections
Keynote from First Lady Michelle Obama
Approved Legislation
Department Reports

BISHOPS RETIRED:

Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning, Sr. (112)
Formerly Presiding Bishop of the Third Episcopal District

Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry (122)
Formerly Presiding Bishop of the Eight Episcopal District

BISHOPS ELECTED:

Bishop Clement W. Fugh (131)
Formerly General Secretary of the AME Church

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson (132)
Formerly Pastor of St. Matthew AME Church, Orange, NJ

BISHOP ASSIGNMENTS:

GENERAL OFFICERS:

Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Richard Allen Lewis Sr.

President/Publisher AME Church Sunday School Union
Dr. Johnny Barbour

Executive Director, Department of Global Witness and Ministry
Dr. George F. Flowers

Executive Director, Department of Annuity Investments and Insurance
Dr. Jerome V. Harris

Executive Director, Department of Church Growth and Development
Dr. James C. Wade

Executive Director, Department of Christian Education
Dr. Daryl B. Ingram

Editor, The Christian Recorder
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

General Secretary/Chief Information Officer
Dr. Jeffery Cooper

Historiographer/Executive Director, Department of Research and Scholarship
Rev. Teresa L. Fry Brown, Ph.D.

JUDICIAL COUNCIL:

Clergy Members:
Rev. Dr. Glenda F. Hodges, Esq.
Rev. Vernon R. Byrd, Esq.

Clergy Alternate:
Rev. Frederick D. Sherrod III

Lay Alternate:
Ms. TaShun Y. Bowden-Lewis, Esq.

EPISCOPAL COMMITTEE:

Episcopal Committee Chair
Dr. Harold R. Mayberry

WOMEN IN MINISTRY:

Officers for 2012 – 2016
The Rev. Kimberly L. Detherage, Esq., President
The Rev. Carolyn Habersham, First Vice-President
The Rev. Francine Brookins, Second Vice President
The Rev. Erika D. Crawford, Third Vice President
The Rev. Dr. Betty Deas Clark, General Secretary
The Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer, Corresponding Secretary
The Rev. Tyronda Howse Burgess, Financial Secretary
The Rev. Cynthia L. Harvin, Treasurer
The Rev. Pamela R. Rivera, Worship Director
The Rev. Lola S. Gresham Russell, Herstoriographer
**Submitted by the Rev. Erika D. Crawford

KEYNOTE BY FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA

The Christian Recorder – Senior Bishop John Bryant introduced First Lady Michelle Obama as the First Lady of the United States and the First Lady of the world.

Bishop Samuel Green, President of the Council of Bishop welcomed and presented First Lady Michelle Obama.

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram gave introductory remarks about the AME Church’s appreciation of First Lady Obama and extended a warm welcome to First Lady Michelle.

Bishop Vashti McKenzie presented Nashville Mayor Karl Dean who gave welcome remarks and acknowledged the bishops of the AME Church with special commendation to Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie.

Bishop McKenzie presented First Lady Michelle Obama.

Mrs. Obama commended the AME Church and challenged the GC attendees to understand that the fight for civil rights has not been won. She went on to explain that all of us have to be responsible citizens, which means that we have do out civic duties that includes being positive role models for our children. She encouraged the delegates and visitors to “continue the work, and bring others along with you,” and understand that Church is more than attending Sunday worship. She went on to say, “Church is a 7-day activity.” Mrs. Obama encouraged church members to attend school board and other meetings and to integrate church programs with the programs of the local community. She also addressed relevant issues germane to the African American community, such as obesity, crime, political apathy, and education.

She gave a rousing speech and received numerous standing ovations. At the end of her speech, she received a 5-minute standing ovation.

She took time to meet and greet delegates and it was obvious that she had “connected” with the members of the conference.

LEGISLATION

REPORT OF THE GENERAL SECRETARY ON PASSED LEGISLATION
Report of The General Secretary on passed legislation at the 49th Session of the AME General Conference

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Large filesize indicated for non-broadband considerations.
AME India Report

– 14MB
The Anvil – 40MB (contains PowerPoint presentation and 4 videos)
Bishop Henning’s Episcopal Address – 565KB
Chaplain’s Video Storyboard – 3.5MB
The Christian Recorder – 1.1MB
Church Growth and Development – 130KB
CIO – 1.7MB
Connectional Lay Organization, part I – 2.7MB
Connectional Lay Organization, part II – 2.1MB
Convocations Synopsis – 408KB
Department of Annuity and Investments – 744KB
Department of Christian Education – 1.9MB
Department of Research and Scholarship – 711KB
Education Institutions and Theological Scholarships Committee – 205KB
Finance Department – 1.5MB
Financial Update – 1MB
Judicial Council – 340KB
Music and Christian Arts Ministry – 1.4MB
Service and Development Agency Annual Report – 1.5MB
Service and Development Agency Financials Report – 15KB
Social Action Committee – 2MB
Strategic Planning – 672KB
Sunday School Union – 440KB
Women In Ministry part I – 926KB
Women In Ministry part II

– 72MB