The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization was organized in 1959 under the leadership of Bishop Carey Gibbs. Bishop Gibbs served in the Ninth Episcopal District from 1956 – 1960.
Prior to the actual organization of the Lay Organization in Alabama, Mr. William B. Shortridge from Birmingham, Alabama attempted to keep laypersons informed by attending Connectional meetings to obtain pertinent information for the district. He was never elected to the office of the presidency.
Prior to the actual organization of the Lay Organization in Alabama, Mr. William B. Shortridge from Birmingham, Alabama attempted to keep laypersons informed by attending Connectional meetings to obtain pertinent information for the district. He was never elected to the office of the presidency.
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In July 1959, one month before the Ninth Episcopal District’s Christian Education Congress convened, a committee met to discuss plans for the organization of the Lay Organization in the Ninth Episcopal District. Laypersons in attendance at this meeting were Carl and Alexenia Baldwin, who served as hosts, Waymon C. Matherson, King Smith, Leola Early, Theopolis Fields Peters, Edwena Edwards, W. J. Miller, Lewis Spratt, and others who were interested in the organization of the laity.
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization was the last group in existence since 1946 (as ordered by the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church). During the annual meeting of the Episcopal District’s Christian Education Congress, held at Daniel Payne College in Birmingham, Alabama, the first election of officers was held. This marked the beginning of an organized group of Laypersons who were ready to begin a program to enhance church growth. With a focus on regular study of the Doctrine and Discipline, the Ninth District Lay Organization’s goal was that each member of the church is educated on the general structure, policies, and procedures of the “Church of Allen.” |
The following persons served with the first elected president, Waymon C. Matherson: Theopolis D. Fields Peters, Leola Early, Savannah Matthews, E. E. Evans, Ossie Mitchell, Lillie C. Dudley, James F. Kidd, Liona B. Bowens, Helen Todd, Mary S. Nation, Andrew Hayden, L. O. McLeod, Eugene Murphy, Eula B. Dixon, David Jackson, King Smith, Hattie Greene, E. P. Wallace, and Lewis Spratt.
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization presented an agenda for growth geared toward evangelism and a renewed appreciation for the proud heritage felt by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church throughout the connection. This plan, described as the “Ten Point Plan,” including the following: (1) Work toward 100% membership and active participation in each Local Lay League (The name changed from league to organization). (2) To promote the spread of personal evangelism. (3) To encourage a better church attendance and better support of all department or auxiliaries of the church. (4) Screen the present membership rolls and launch a reclamation program for inactive members. (5) To increase the circulation of church papers until there is a church paper in every AME home. (6) To encourage every AME home to purchase a copy of the AME Discipline. (7) Classes or clinics for new, as well as old members to learn more about the history, organization and operation of the AME Church. (8) Voting clinics in each church (or area) and encourage more active participation in efforts to secure Civil Rights. (9) Encourage a more liberal attitude toward the financial support of the church. (10) Advocate increase in salaries to the point that each minister will receive adequate pay in terms of present day standards of living and the ability of his respective church to pay.
Following the organization of the Ninth District Laity, a committee consisting of the officers and other concerned laypersons, proceeded to travel throughout the district organizing the Laity in all six Conferences in Alabama. The North Conference was the first organized group on that level. The end of 1960, the committee had organized all conferences. They immediately began working in support of the Ninth District Lay Organization’s Program.
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization has hosted the Connectional Lay Biennial twice, 1971 and 1989. In November, 2017, the Connectional Lay Organization held its Executive Board in Birmingham, Alabama.
Thomas Greene led the Ninth District Lay Organization from 1991-1999. Those who served with President Greene were: James Littleton, James Bonner Jr., Donnell Anderson, Jewel Harris, Betty Hatter, Gracie Roberts, Amanda McCants, Ossie Mitchell, Gussie Boyd, Bernella Knight, Henry Godwin, Sereetta Reed, Nettie Williams, Barbara Mitchell, Booker Pierce, and Veronica Wiley, Mary R. Walker, Donald and Ann Clemons, Margaret Johnson. Mr. Greene was Second Vice President and due to the death of President Arthur Brown, he was elevated to First Vice President of the Connectional Lay Organization. In 2009, he was elected First Vice President.
The gavel was passed to Donnell Anderson in 1999. She served as Ninth District President from 1999-2007. Others who served with her were: James Bonner, Jr., James Littleton, Donald Clemons, Robert Turner, Veronica Wiley, Bernella Knight, Henry Godwin, James Roberts, Gracie Roberts, Jewell Harris, Hattie Nathan, Gloria Woods, Edward Scott, Gussie Boyd, Carolyn Cummings, Wayman Shiver, Dorothy Davis, Mary R. Walker, Barbara Mitchell, Geneva Ware, Thomas Greene, Perry Jones, II, Willa Oates, William Marks, Dianne Stevens Battle.
From 2007-2015, Mr. James C. Bonner, Jr., served as the President of the Ninth Episcopal District. Those who served with him were: Wayman Shiver, Jr., Joyce O’Neal, Donald Clemons, Jewell Harris, Margaret L. Johnson, Hatttie Nathan, Alice Cornett, Richard Bowden, Sarah Butler, Gussie Boyd, Dorothy J. Davis, Robert Turner, Carolyn Cummings, Veronica Wiley, Dianne Battle, Justin Lawrence, Bernella Knight Rose, Cleveland Stokes, Jeremy Jospeh, Kenecia Cade, Willa Oates.
In 2015, Bernella Knight Rose was elected President of the Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization. Those serving with her are: James C. Bonner, Jr., Robert Turner, Tamara Bonner Royster, Kenecia Cade, Margaret Johnson, Hattie Nathan, Sharyn Menzies, Sarah Butler, Mary Banks, Geneva Lawrence, Betty Seals West, Veronica Wiley, Dianne Battle, Jeremy Joseph, Kenneth Strong, Faye McLeod, Gary Hart, Richard Bowden, Alice Cornett, Gussie Boyd, Donald Clemons, Edward Scott, Urla Boggan, James Roberts, Barbara Mitchell, Ann Clemons, Willa Oates, Cassandra Hughley, Valerie Wright, and Phyllis Alston.
Currently, the Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization has two Connectional Lay Officers, Richard Bowden, Treasurer and Dianne Battle, Director of Public Relations. They were elected in 2017.
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization has been blessed with competent, creative, and strong leadership. Some of the accomplishments are: Regular Study of the Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lay Ministerial Scholarship, Evangelism, Church Growth, Lay Retreat, Youth and Young Adult Banquet, Lay Luncheon, Service Projects, CLEDC Contributions, Voter Education, Voter Registration, Connectional Lay Persons and Young Adult of the Year, increased membership and attendance at Biennials.
The Ninth Episcopal District had six annual conferences until 2009 when realignment occurred. Presently, there are five conferences.
The Alabama Conference Lay Organization began in 1960. In 2009, the name was changed to the Alabama River Region Conference. Presidents who have served were:
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization presented an agenda for growth geared toward evangelism and a renewed appreciation for the proud heritage felt by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church throughout the connection. This plan, described as the “Ten Point Plan,” including the following: (1) Work toward 100% membership and active participation in each Local Lay League (The name changed from league to organization). (2) To promote the spread of personal evangelism. (3) To encourage a better church attendance and better support of all department or auxiliaries of the church. (4) Screen the present membership rolls and launch a reclamation program for inactive members. (5) To increase the circulation of church papers until there is a church paper in every AME home. (6) To encourage every AME home to purchase a copy of the AME Discipline. (7) Classes or clinics for new, as well as old members to learn more about the history, organization and operation of the AME Church. (8) Voting clinics in each church (or area) and encourage more active participation in efforts to secure Civil Rights. (9) Encourage a more liberal attitude toward the financial support of the church. (10) Advocate increase in salaries to the point that each minister will receive adequate pay in terms of present day standards of living and the ability of his respective church to pay.
Following the organization of the Ninth District Laity, a committee consisting of the officers and other concerned laypersons, proceeded to travel throughout the district organizing the Laity in all six Conferences in Alabama. The North Conference was the first organized group on that level. The end of 1960, the committee had organized all conferences. They immediately began working in support of the Ninth District Lay Organization’s Program.
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization has hosted the Connectional Lay Biennial twice, 1971 and 1989. In November, 2017, the Connectional Lay Organization held its Executive Board in Birmingham, Alabama.
- D. Peters served as president from 1983-1991. Others who served with her were: Thomas Greene, Booker Pierce, James Bonner, Jr., James Littleton, Betty Hatter, Bobby Cox (who later went into the ministry), Donnell Anderson, Bernella Knight, James J. Moss, Birlie Brown, Ossie W. Mitchell, Geneva Ware, Nettie B. Williams, Lewis Spratt, Annie P. Wilson, E. E. Evans, Andrew Hayden, Eula Dixon, Hattie Greene, Helen Todd, L. O. McLeod, Barbara Mitchell, David Jackson, and Sereetta Reed.
Thomas Greene led the Ninth District Lay Organization from 1991-1999. Those who served with President Greene were: James Littleton, James Bonner Jr., Donnell Anderson, Jewel Harris, Betty Hatter, Gracie Roberts, Amanda McCants, Ossie Mitchell, Gussie Boyd, Bernella Knight, Henry Godwin, Sereetta Reed, Nettie Williams, Barbara Mitchell, Booker Pierce, and Veronica Wiley, Mary R. Walker, Donald and Ann Clemons, Margaret Johnson. Mr. Greene was Second Vice President and due to the death of President Arthur Brown, he was elevated to First Vice President of the Connectional Lay Organization. In 2009, he was elected First Vice President.
The gavel was passed to Donnell Anderson in 1999. She served as Ninth District President from 1999-2007. Others who served with her were: James Bonner, Jr., James Littleton, Donald Clemons, Robert Turner, Veronica Wiley, Bernella Knight, Henry Godwin, James Roberts, Gracie Roberts, Jewell Harris, Hattie Nathan, Gloria Woods, Edward Scott, Gussie Boyd, Carolyn Cummings, Wayman Shiver, Dorothy Davis, Mary R. Walker, Barbara Mitchell, Geneva Ware, Thomas Greene, Perry Jones, II, Willa Oates, William Marks, Dianne Stevens Battle.
From 2007-2015, Mr. James C. Bonner, Jr., served as the President of the Ninth Episcopal District. Those who served with him were: Wayman Shiver, Jr., Joyce O’Neal, Donald Clemons, Jewell Harris, Margaret L. Johnson, Hatttie Nathan, Alice Cornett, Richard Bowden, Sarah Butler, Gussie Boyd, Dorothy J. Davis, Robert Turner, Carolyn Cummings, Veronica Wiley, Dianne Battle, Justin Lawrence, Bernella Knight Rose, Cleveland Stokes, Jeremy Jospeh, Kenecia Cade, Willa Oates.
In 2015, Bernella Knight Rose was elected President of the Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization. Those serving with her are: James C. Bonner, Jr., Robert Turner, Tamara Bonner Royster, Kenecia Cade, Margaret Johnson, Hattie Nathan, Sharyn Menzies, Sarah Butler, Mary Banks, Geneva Lawrence, Betty Seals West, Veronica Wiley, Dianne Battle, Jeremy Joseph, Kenneth Strong, Faye McLeod, Gary Hart, Richard Bowden, Alice Cornett, Gussie Boyd, Donald Clemons, Edward Scott, Urla Boggan, James Roberts, Barbara Mitchell, Ann Clemons, Willa Oates, Cassandra Hughley, Valerie Wright, and Phyllis Alston.
Currently, the Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization has two Connectional Lay Officers, Richard Bowden, Treasurer and Dianne Battle, Director of Public Relations. They were elected in 2017.
The Ninth Episcopal District Lay Organization has been blessed with competent, creative, and strong leadership. Some of the accomplishments are: Regular Study of the Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lay Ministerial Scholarship, Evangelism, Church Growth, Lay Retreat, Youth and Young Adult Banquet, Lay Luncheon, Service Projects, CLEDC Contributions, Voter Education, Voter Registration, Connectional Lay Persons and Young Adult of the Year, increased membership and attendance at Biennials.
The Ninth Episcopal District had six annual conferences until 2009 when realignment occurred. Presently, there are five conferences.
The Alabama Conference Lay Organization began in 1960. In 2009, the name was changed to the Alabama River Region Conference. Presidents who have served were:
Alabama Conference Albert E. Fews James Littleton Conrad Lassister John Watkins Veronica Wiley Donald Clemons |
Alabama River Region Donald Clemons Kenneth Strong |
Some of the early faithful lay members were: Barbara Townsend, Vester Wiley, Rush Sullen, Luetta Mack, Arthur Pitts, Michael Thomas, Mahaley Barber, T. D. Peters, Myra Webb, Hattie Knott, Urla Boggan, E. E. Evans, Lucille Denson, Richard Bowden, Gussie Boyd, Charles Shelly, Nicola Blue, JoAnne Williams, Melinda Robinson, O. C. Heatherington, Dezier Marshall, Brenda Khan, Dale Gamble, Cora Harris, Jameesie Boswell, Lillie Hall, Ruby Jackson, Bennie Williams, Geraldine McDowell, E. P. Wallace, Mattie Langford, Willie Townsend, Louise Butler, Gladys Taylor, Samson Cotton, Henry Duncombe, Manatte Daly, Parse Billups, Joe Butler, Ollie Shelley, Veronica Wiley, Sarah Butler.
The North Alabama Conference Lay Organization was organized in 1960 at Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This was the first of the six conference lay organizations to organize. The West Alabama Conference Lay Organization was organized on a bright sunny, but very cold Sunday evening in 1960 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ensley, Alabama. The North and West Conferences were combined in 2009, and the name became the Northwest Alabama Conference. Presidents who have served were:
The North Alabama Conference Lay Organization was organized in 1960 at Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This was the first of the six conference lay organizations to organize. The West Alabama Conference Lay Organization was organized on a bright sunny, but very cold Sunday evening in 1960 at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ensley, Alabama. The North and West Conferences were combined in 2009, and the name became the Northwest Alabama Conference. Presidents who have served were:
North Alabama Conference Eugene Murphy Lewis Spratt Willie J. Miller James J. Moss James C. Bonner, Jr. Dorothy Moton Rodney Davidson |
West Alabama Conference W. E. Shortridge James Mooreland King A. Smith Henry Godwin Birlie Brown Wayman Shiver, Jr. Dewey Allen |
Northwest Conference Wayman Shiver, Jr. Tamara Bonner Royster |
Some of the other Pioneers in the North Conference were: Leola Early, Arthur Reid, Willis Wallace, Marion Matthews, A. G. Gaston, Carl and Alexinia Baldwin, Elijah Jackson, Alex McGinnis, Ossie Ware Mitchell, Clinton Jones, Mary S. Nation, Virginia Kennedy, Louis Smith, Rosetta Oliver, Dorothy R. Moton, A. B. Spence, Earline G. Hall, Margaret Trimble, Hattie B. Greene, Irby Dickinson, Geneva Ware, Jacob Ransom.
Those who pioneered in the West Conference were: W. E. Shortridge, Edwena Edwards, Odetta Kelly, James Mooreland, King A. Smith, Birlie Brown, Betty Hatter, Sarah Hanson, Carol Kirkland, Henry Taylor, Christine Tanner, Maxie Hampton, Charles and Eula Dixon, Nettie Williams, Henry Godwin, William Carlton, Edward Scott, Mathis Cooper, James Hudson, Essie Wilhite, Bessie Walker Pogue, Willie J. Pogue, Lillie Dudley, E. P. Clarke, Hosea Oldham, Charles Lamb, Bank Sanders.
The South Alabama Conference Lay Organization was organized during 1959-1960. The name was changed to the Southeast Alabama Conference in 2009. Since its inception, the following persons have served as president:
Those who pioneered in the West Conference were: W. E. Shortridge, Edwena Edwards, Odetta Kelly, James Mooreland, King A. Smith, Birlie Brown, Betty Hatter, Sarah Hanson, Carol Kirkland, Henry Taylor, Christine Tanner, Maxie Hampton, Charles and Eula Dixon, Nettie Williams, Henry Godwin, William Carlton, Edward Scott, Mathis Cooper, James Hudson, Essie Wilhite, Bessie Walker Pogue, Willie J. Pogue, Lillie Dudley, E. P. Clarke, Hosea Oldham, Charles Lamb, Bank Sanders.
The South Alabama Conference Lay Organization was organized during 1959-1960. The name was changed to the Southeast Alabama Conference in 2009. Since its inception, the following persons have served as president:
East Alabama Conference Eddie Cobb Savannah Matthews T.R. Agnew Roy Parker Raynard Grady Roy Parker Sereeta Reed Gloria Woods Robert L. Turner |
Northeast Alabama Conference Robert L. Turner |
Some of the other pioneers in the East Conference were: Louise Ezekiel, D. Spivey, Helen Todd, James Abram, Rena Todd, Susan Johnson, Barbara Mitchell, Joseph Perry Gloria Woods, Robert Turner, Savannah Ivory, Jewel Harris, Ernest Harris, Kenneth Strong, Mattie Jones, Hazel Patten, William Graham, Betty Moon, Aaron Cobb, Lamar Higgins, Booker T. Pierce, Sereetta Reed.
The Central Conference Lay Organization was organized in 1960 at Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The name was changed to Southwest due to realignment in 2009. Presidents who have served were:
The Central Conference Lay Organization was organized in 1960 at Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church. The name was changed to Southwest due to realignment in 2009. Presidents who have served were:
Central Alabama Conference James F. Kidd Andrew Hayden Thomas E. Greene Rondell Rhone Thomas E. Greene Cleveland Stokes |
Southwest Alabama Conference Cleveland Stokes Gary Hart |
Other pioneers who labored in the Central Conference were: Solomon Parker, David Jackson, Lynda Malone, J. L. Dennis, L. Minfee, Josephine Jackson, Beatrice Brown, Mary Stewart, Ruby Edwards, B. Pritchett, Hattie Dillard, J. Lucas, Mary Turner, Mary Walker, Clara Russell, Amanda McCants, Hezekiah Days, J. H. Williams, Willis A. Brown, Odessa Chatman, Archie Smith, Earl Dickerson.
The Lay Organization has soared to great heights due to the dedication and commitment of men and women who worked untiringly to increase participation in the total program of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Ninth Episcopal District.
The Lay Organization has soared to great heights due to the dedication and commitment of men and women who worked untiringly to increase participation in the total program of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Ninth Episcopal District.
Current 9th District Officers
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