12th Episcopal District Lay Organization
Founded in 1957
Arkansas and Oklahoma
The 12th District Lay Organization had its humble beginning in an AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 with Mr. Rucker Clayton serving as one of its earliest President. Under his leadership, the laity grew and flourished. He was instrumental in establishing the Economic Development Funds for the 12th District and creating the (7) Seven Annual Conferences.
Bishop Michael L. Mitchell and Supervisor Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell
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Dr. Dorothy Clay Henderson – 2012 to present – First Female Episcopal District Lay President
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12th Episcopal District Lay Officers 2016-2020
President |
Dr. Dorothy C. Henderson, Ph.D. |
First Vice President |
Corey Williams |
Second Vice President |
Lille Gulley |
Third Vice President |
Lovie Aaron |
Recording Secretary |
Pat Thomas |
Assistant Recording Secretary |
Johnnie M. Branch |
Corresponding Secretary |
Betty Jackson |
Treasurer |
Phyllis Johnson |
Financial Secretary |
Cheryl Bollar Neal |
Chaplain |
Jeffery Rogers |
Historiographer |
Gary Hunter |
Parliamentarian |
Patricia Roberts |
Director Lay Activities |
LaTorria Q Boykins |
Director of Public Relations |
Brenda Binns |
Young Adult Representative |
Natalie Horton |
Advisors to the President: |
Conference Lay Presidents: |
Dr. Anna Burnett Graham Dr. Flossie Green Sister Martha Fisher Simpson Nakita Bennett |
Cheryl Bollar Neal- Oklahoma State Corey Williams- Arkansas Conference Dr. Carolyn Jones- West Arkansas Conference Ms. Miranda Johnson-East Arkansas Conference |
Former Episcopal District Lay Presidents
Presidents from left to right: Edward Swift* (1996-2000), Lamar Jones (1988-1992), Rucker Clayton* (1962 -1988), Albert Yarbrough (1992-1996) and Ben O. Hall (2000-2004) The Honorable David Fielding 2004-2012. *Deceased
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A Brief History
The Twelfth Episcopal District Lay Organization celebrated its 61st year of accomplishing the Connectional Theme of “Laity walking humbly with God to do justice and love kindness” Micah 6:8” during the Lay Convention, June 79, 2018 at the Embassy Suites, Little Rock, Arkansas. We have a rich and proud heritage beginning with being instrumental in 1946 by assisting with the establishment of the Connectional Lay Organization which now meets every 2 years instead of every 4 years at the seat of the General Conference, thus eliminating the Lay College and establishing Episcopal Districts which created Conference and Local levels of the Lay Organization.
Mr. Rucker Clayton, 1st to serve as Episcopal District Lay President
The 12th District Lay Organization had its humble beginning in an AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957 with Mr. Rucker Clayton serving as one of its earliest President. Under his leadership, the laity grew and flourished. He was instrumental in establishing the Economic Development Funds for the 12th District and creating the (7) Seven Annual Conferences. The Presidents to serve before the redistricting were
Oklahoma Conference (Sister Patricia Davenport – last President before the merger of Conferences); President;
Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference (Sister Mollie Miller – last President before the merger of Conferences); President;
East Northeast Arkansas Conference (Brother Matthew Rollins – last President before the merger of Conferences); President;
Central Arkansas Conference (Sister Dorothy C. Henderson – last President before the merger of Conferences);
South Arkansas Conference ( Sister Martha F. Simpson – last President before the merger of Conferences);
Oklahoma Conference (Sister Patricia Davenport – last President before the merger of Conferences); President;
Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference (Sister Mollie Miller – last President before the merger of Conferences); President;
East Northeast Arkansas Conference (Brother Matthew Rollins – last President before the merger of Conferences); President;
Central Arkansas Conference (Sister Dorothy C. Henderson – last President before the merger of Conferences);
South Arkansas Conference ( Sister Martha F. Simpson – last President before the merger of Conferences);
Other elected Episcopal District Lay Presidents were:
Mr. Lamar Joneselected in 1988 and
served for 4 years |
Mr. Albert Yarbroughelected in 1992 and
served 4 years |
Mr. Edward Swiftelected in 1996 and
served for 4 years |
Mr. Ben O. Hallelected in 2000 and
served for 4 years |
Mr. David Fielding elected in 2004 and served for 8 years.
Mr. David Fielding elected in 2004 and served for 8 years. Under his leadership, the Laity moved from Annual Meetings being held at local churches and lodging at another site to the meetings being held at one location eliminating undo traveling. Under his administration Living Legend and Lay Persons of the Year were recognized for their outstanding service, dedication and faithfulness to God’s work. These honors are still being recognized.
Dr. Dorothy C. Henderson was elected in 2012.
She is the first elected female to this position. Under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Henderson, a young Adult Event has been established during the Lay Convention, Young Adult Round-up, An 80+ Legacy Celebration for Laity over the age of 80, the distribution of School Supplies for Low Income students, organized voter registration campaigns, provides Student Scholarships, Theological Scholarships, book scholarships, Spearheaded the Affordable Health Care private Option for low income individuals, established a Get out to vote campaign, established a Scholarship for a Church in financial needs, each Conference Lay Organization established a food Service project, established a first timers orientation, established an Annual Lay Training Leadership Summit, established a skills bank Information Resource Center, Established a CLO Website, established a mentoring program and a Lay Certification program. In Dr. Dorothy C. Henderson’s honor, a Scholarship was named The ”Dr. Dorothy C. Henderson Scholarship at the 61st Annual Lay Convention.
The 12th Episcopal District Lay Organization has had the honor and privileged of having the following to serve as Connectional Lay Officers: Mrs. Fran Brunson, Connectional Lay Recording Secretary, Mrs. Fannie Clayton, Connectional, Treasurer-CLEDC, Dr. Erma Austin, Connectional Lay Historiographer, Sister Joyce Bracy Vaughn, Connectional Lay Chaplain and Dr. Dorothy C. Henderson is currently serving as the Connectional Lay Historiographer.
Clergy and Laity at the 12th Episcopal District Lay Organization Leadership Training Summit 2015
In recognition for their noteworthy leadership and dedication to the Lay Organization, the 12th District Lay Organization honored two of its’ past presidents by naming the scholarship fund the Rucker Clayton Scholarship Fund, the prayer breakfast the Edward Swift Prayer Breakfast and just recently, the Oklahoma Conference Lay Organization honored Mr. Albert Yarbrough by an unanimous vote naming its’ Annual Prayer Breakfast the Albert Yarbrough Annual Prayer Breakfast and its’ Annual Banquet the Fannie Clayton Annual Banquet.
Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., in 2011 realigned the 12th Episcopal District downsizing from 7 Annual Conferences to 4 (Arkansas Conference – Harold Martin-President, West Arkansas Conference – Patricia Roberts- President, East Arkansas Conference – Martha F. Simpson-President and Oklahoma State Conference – Patricia Davenport-President). The Current Lay Presidents are: Arkansas Conference-Corey Williams, East Arkansas Conference – Martha F. Simpson- West Arkansas Conference – Patricia Roberts- President Oklahoma State Conference – Cheryl Bollar Neal-President).
With God’s mercy, grace and leadership, the 12th will continue to pursue our goal of “Building on Our Global Legacy of Christ-Centered Leadership and Training”.
From Left, Bishop Michael Mitchel, Queen Brenda Binns, Dr. Dorothy Henderson
Left- Queen Effie Smith, Dr. Dorothy Henderson, Right
Conference Lay President 2017-2019
12th Episcopal district Headquarters Ground Breaking
For we are...
The Tall, The Talented, The Tough, The Terrific and
The Tantalizing 12th Episcopal District
Mr. Gary Hunter, Episcopal District Historiographer
Dr. Dorothy Henderson, Episcopal District Lay President
Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell, Presiding Prelate 12th Episcopal District
Submitted: July 15, 2018
Dr. Dorothy Henderson, Episcopal District Lay President
Bishop Michael Leon Mitchell, Presiding Prelate 12th Episcopal District
Submitted: July 15, 2018
