Matthew C. Douglas
Second Episcopal District Lay Organization President
“Laity moving forward with a strong, courageous and visionary leader”…..Joshua 1:6
Bishop James Levert Davis, Servant Bishop
Mother Arelis Beevers Davis, Episcopal Supervisor
Darwin Curry, Historiographer
2018 – 2022 OFFICERS OF THE SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
- Bro. Matthew C. Douglas, President
- Sis. Florence Warren, First Vice President
- Sis Jean Wilson Ritchie, Second Vice President
- Sis. Yvonne M Davis, Third Vice President
- Sis. Monica Davis, Recording Secretary
- Sis. Pauline Watson, Corresponding Secretary
- Sis. Edna Watson, Treasurer
- Sis. Valerie Terry, Financial Secretary
- Bro. Darwin A. Curry, Historiographer
- Bro. Larry Rhodes, Parliamentarian
- Sis. Adrienne Warren, Director of Lay Activities
- Bro. Dontae Footer, Director of Public Relations
- Bro. Kenneth Woods, Chaplin
- Bro. Adam Johnston, Young Adult Representative
PAST PRESIDENTS OF SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION
- Professor Vernon Cowen, 1956
- Dr. Joseph C. McMcKinney, 1976
- Dr. Paulette Coleman, 1982
- Gertrude Upperman, 1988
- Sis. Marcie White, 1994
- Dr. Cellestine Cheeks, 2002
- Sis. Valerie G. Bell, 2010
- Bro. Dwight Patterson 2017
PAST ELECTED SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CONNECTIONAL LAY OFFICERS
- Sis. Voorhees James, Director of Public Relations
- Bro. Joseph C. McKinney, Third Vice President
- Sis. Annette Jones, Third Vice President
- Florence Warren, Director of Lay Activities
- Bro. William Ayers Director of Public Relations
- Dr. Felecia Commodore, Young Adult Representative
In 1954 Bishop D. Ward Nichols, who had an interest in the CLO, believed that the Balti- more and Washington Conferences should be represented at the 1955 CLO Biennial held at the Bellview-Straton Hotel in Philadelphia, he selected Sis. Rachael Valentine to represent the Washington Conference. Subsequently, when the Washington Conference Lay Organization (WCLO) was officially organized in 1956, Bishop Nichols’ selection of Mrs. Rachel Valentine to attend the Philadelphia Biennial manifested itself as prophetic as she was elected WCLO’s first president.
Sis. Vorhees Jameson was initially elected a charter member of the Baltimore Conference Lay Organization (BCLO); however, she later moved to Washington and became a charter member of the WCLO. Other charter members of the Baltimore Conference were Sis. Bessie Chapman, Sis. Julia Conner, Sis. Beatrice T. Faulkner, Sis. Irene Garner, Sis. Clara E. Harris, Sis. Maggie O. Harris, Sis. Vorhees Jamison, Sis. Rhonda McLain, Sis Georgia P. Mitchell, Sis. Mae H. Pack, Bro. H. C. Perrin, Sis. Alverta Presberry, Sis. Mary L. Stevenson, Sis. Mayme Tilghman, Sis. F. L. Wright, and Sis. Sarah Wirms. Bishop Vasti Murphy McKenzie, the first AMEC elected female bishop was elected from the BCLO.
From the beginning the WCLO played a pivotal role in the SEDLO, readily participating and engaging in all programs, activities, and events organized by SEDLO. Through the years, the WCLO served as hosts for CLO Biennials Conventions as well as SEDLO Conventions. In conjunction with its teaching and training model, WCLO stressed including youth, providing service, and fostering scholarship and leadership. Accordingly, five Bishops have been elected from the WCLO – Bishops G. Dewey Robinson, Frank Madison Reid, Jr., Robert L. Pruitt, William P. DeVeaux and Harry L. Seawright.
On Saturday, November 24, 1956 at 4:00 P. M., the Virginia Conference assembled for the purpose of electing the first officers of the Virginia Lay Organization (VLO). Professor Vernon Cowan, of Asheville, N. C., president of the SEDLO, presided over the election. After several members of the lay delegation had expressed themselves regarding the merits of the organization, Professor Cowan declared the meeting open for nominations. Elected were Moses Jones, Suffolk, VA, president, C. W. Traynham, Roanoke, VA, vice president, Virginia Bryant, Portsmouth, VA, secretary, F. W. Lewis, Norfolk, VA, treasurer, and A. B. Funn, assistant secretary. The officers were installed by Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr. The members of the Virginia Conference Lay Organization (VLO) voted to meet annually on the fourth Saturday of April. The (VLO) having met initially in Roanoke, VA, eventually expanded to the eastern shore and westward into little known areas establishing lay organizations and employing educational and informative workshops, activities and events to teach, train, and empower the laity.
Sis. Vorhees Jameson was initially elected a charter member of the Baltimore Conference Lay Organization (BCLO); however, she later moved to Washington and became a charter member of the WCLO. Other charter members of the Baltimore Conference were Sis. Bessie Chapman, Sis. Julia Conner, Sis. Beatrice T. Faulkner, Sis. Irene Garner, Sis. Clara E. Harris, Sis. Maggie O. Harris, Sis. Vorhees Jamison, Sis. Rhonda McLain, Sis Georgia P. Mitchell, Sis. Mae H. Pack, Bro. H. C. Perrin, Sis. Alverta Presberry, Sis. Mary L. Stevenson, Sis. Mayme Tilghman, Sis. F. L. Wright, and Sis. Sarah Wirms. Bishop Vasti Murphy McKenzie, the first AMEC elected female bishop was elected from the BCLO.
From the beginning the WCLO played a pivotal role in the SEDLO, readily participating and engaging in all programs, activities, and events organized by SEDLO. Through the years, the WCLO served as hosts for CLO Biennials Conventions as well as SEDLO Conventions. In conjunction with its teaching and training model, WCLO stressed including youth, providing service, and fostering scholarship and leadership. Accordingly, five Bishops have been elected from the WCLO – Bishops G. Dewey Robinson, Frank Madison Reid, Jr., Robert L. Pruitt, William P. DeVeaux and Harry L. Seawright.
On Saturday, November 24, 1956 at 4:00 P. M., the Virginia Conference assembled for the purpose of electing the first officers of the Virginia Lay Organization (VLO). Professor Vernon Cowan, of Asheville, N. C., president of the SEDLO, presided over the election. After several members of the lay delegation had expressed themselves regarding the merits of the organization, Professor Cowan declared the meeting open for nominations. Elected were Moses Jones, Suffolk, VA, president, C. W. Traynham, Roanoke, VA, vice president, Virginia Bryant, Portsmouth, VA, secretary, F. W. Lewis, Norfolk, VA, treasurer, and A. B. Funn, assistant secretary. The officers were installed by Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr. The members of the Virginia Conference Lay Organization (VLO) voted to meet annually on the fourth Saturday of April. The (VLO) having met initially in Roanoke, VA, eventually expanded to the eastern shore and westward into little known areas establishing lay organizations and employing educational and informative workshops, activities and events to teach, train, and empower the laity.
The Second Episcopal District Lay Organization (SEDLO)
The Second Episcopal District Lay Organization (SEDLO) is a fundamental part of the Second Episcopal District (SED) of the African Methodist Church. Primarily, the SEDLO has always played a significant role in the historical growth and development of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) as well as a significant role in the historical growth of the United States of America.
“In this Mid-Atlantic region covering two states, one commonwealth republic, and one territory, there is a sweet, sweet spirit and desire to ‘run and see’ what God has in store for the faithful”.
Many of the SED congregations are more than a century old and among these church memberships are living legends who have contributed immeasurable service, historical knowledge, and amazing experiences. This great cloud of witnesses continues to serve, to inspire, and to motivate both clergy and laity to continue the work of the church that was envisioned by early church leaders.
Just as the SED of the AMEC encompasses the jurisdictions of Baltimore, the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina and Western North Carolina so does the SEDLO. Faithful, creative, and valiant describes the 62 years of service of the SEDLO to God, to the church, and to the greater community. The SEDLO’s rich history is steeped in the goals and objectives of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO).
In 1956, under the visionary leadership of Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr., seasoned, loyal and dedicated laypersons were summoned from Baltimore, Washington, Virginia, and North Carolina, to Kittrell College in Henderson, North Carolina, to birth into existence the SEDLO. Because of the death of Bishop Lawrence Hemingway, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr. Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District, the state of South Carolina, was assigned to preside over the North Carolina and Virginia Annual Conferences, while Bishop D. Ward Nichols, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District, superintended the work of the Baltimore and the newly formed Washington Conference. Professor, Vernon Cowan was appointed as the first president of the SEDLO, and it became his charge to establish the annual conference lay organizations. The Second Episcopal District (SED) went to that AMEC General Conference under the leadership of two Bishops, Reid and Nichols, but returned under the capable leadership of Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr. who had been assigned to the Second Episcopal District. Professor Vernon Cowan proceeded to supervise the organization of each annual conference lay organization. There have been four Bishops elected from the Baltimore Conference: Bishop Harrison Bryant, Bishop John Bryant (2000), Bishop Vashti McKenzie and Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III.
For a period, the North Carolina Lay Organization (NCLO), organized in 1965, consisted of a Southern District Lay organization and a Northern District Lay Organization as well as the North Carolina Lay Organization. These organizations met once or twice a year. However, after a merger of those individual lay organizations in 1988, Florence Warren was elected president. With the merger, the NCLO was obligated to continue the teaching and training that had been enacted during the earlier years. Meaningful programs and activities were envisioned and enacted to carry out the goals of the Connectional Lay Organization of the AMEC.
Pillars of the North Carolina Lay Organization included: Sis. Myrtle Knox, Sis. Maggie Jenkins, Sis. Lucille Wiggins, Sis. Katy Forman, Sis. Mary Lennons, Sis. Louis Warren, Sis. Rometta Mills, Sis. Dorothy Nichols, Bro. Leroy Vaugh, Sr. Bro. Alvin Hankins, Bro. Heziah Maeh, Bro. Steve Moore, Bro. Harry Gore, Bro. Barnabas Parker, Bro. Robert Boddie, Bro. Coley Ashe, Bro. Mitchell Gadsen, Sis. Annie Smith, and Bro. W. Malcoln Lea. The NCLO hosted the SEDLO Convention in 2004 in Atlantic Beach, N. C.
Because of the encouragement of Bishop Nichols, the Western North Carolina Conference (WNCCLO) was organized. Ruth Wadell of Sandford, N. C. served as the first president. The WNCCLO believed that it was important for the WNCCLO to grow and to fulfill the goals of the CLO as well as goals it had established. Additionally, the WNCCLO believed that communication had to be transparent between laity and clergy. Under great leadership, the WNCCLO was creative and industrious in both work and service. Over the years the WNCCLO created a Course of Study and established a Religious Institute. The WNCCLO hosted the first SEDLO Convention at the Ramada Inn in Greensboro, NC, November 30 – December 2, 1989. Charter members of the North Carolina Lay Organization included: Bro. O. M. Carr., Sis. Minerva Evans, Bro., Bro. P. A. Williams, Bro. Vernon Cowan, Bro. L. E. Austin, Sis. Della Corbett, Sis. Mae N. Hopson, Sis. Carrie McAdoo, Sis. Nellis Murphy, and Sis. Marie M. Riddick. There has been one Bishop elected from the Western North Carolina Conference: Bishop Phillip Cousin, Sr.
Lastly, the SEDLO continued to be a vibrant and growing district lay organization with a rich history entrenched in the goals and objectives of the CLO. Since its inception, the SEDLO has been prolific in service and industrious in programmatic endeavors including recruiting new lay organizations, implementing social action projects, encouraging the engagement of youth, and establishing scholarships for young people. Since the fundamental purpose of the SEDLO ministry was teaching and training to empower the laity, forums such as workshops, seminars and creative activities with engaging speakers and presenters were held in each of the five conferences as well as at the seat of SED meetings. Annual Lay Night became a vital part of each SED Annual Conference series. With the advent of the “digital age”, the SEDLO enhanced communication among the laity by embracing technology – utilizing the SEDLO website, teleconferencing, and other digital and social mediums. Also, the SEDLO ensured that relevant news regarding its members, its programs and its activities were successfully featured in the CLO Periodical, WE Speak. Further, most local Lay organizations continued to meet consistently, many met monthly and celebrated either Lay Witness Sunday or Lay Day annually.
The Second Episcopal District Lay Organization continues to be a vibrant, growing organization, cognizant of the goals and objectives of the Connectional Lay Organization. Its plan is to remain productive in service and industrious in programmatic endeavors, including the establishing new lay organizations, implementing social action projects, encouraging the engagement of young adults and youth, and establish- ing scholarships.
“In this Mid-Atlantic region covering two states, one commonwealth republic, and one territory, there is a sweet, sweet spirit and desire to ‘run and see’ what God has in store for the faithful”.
Many of the SED congregations are more than a century old and among these church memberships are living legends who have contributed immeasurable service, historical knowledge, and amazing experiences. This great cloud of witnesses continues to serve, to inspire, and to motivate both clergy and laity to continue the work of the church that was envisioned by early church leaders.
Just as the SED of the AMEC encompasses the jurisdictions of Baltimore, the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina and Western North Carolina so does the SEDLO. Faithful, creative, and valiant describes the 62 years of service of the SEDLO to God, to the church, and to the greater community. The SEDLO’s rich history is steeped in the goals and objectives of the Connectional Lay Organization (CLO).
In 1956, under the visionary leadership of Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr., seasoned, loyal and dedicated laypersons were summoned from Baltimore, Washington, Virginia, and North Carolina, to Kittrell College in Henderson, North Carolina, to birth into existence the SEDLO. Because of the death of Bishop Lawrence Hemingway, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr. Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District, the state of South Carolina, was assigned to preside over the North Carolina and Virginia Annual Conferences, while Bishop D. Ward Nichols, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District, superintended the work of the Baltimore and the newly formed Washington Conference. Professor, Vernon Cowan was appointed as the first president of the SEDLO, and it became his charge to establish the annual conference lay organizations. The Second Episcopal District (SED) went to that AMEC General Conference under the leadership of two Bishops, Reid and Nichols, but returned under the capable leadership of Bishop Frank Madison Reid, Sr. who had been assigned to the Second Episcopal District. Professor Vernon Cowan proceeded to supervise the organization of each annual conference lay organization. There have been four Bishops elected from the Baltimore Conference: Bishop Harrison Bryant, Bishop John Bryant (2000), Bishop Vashti McKenzie and Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III.
For a period, the North Carolina Lay Organization (NCLO), organized in 1965, consisted of a Southern District Lay organization and a Northern District Lay Organization as well as the North Carolina Lay Organization. These organizations met once or twice a year. However, after a merger of those individual lay organizations in 1988, Florence Warren was elected president. With the merger, the NCLO was obligated to continue the teaching and training that had been enacted during the earlier years. Meaningful programs and activities were envisioned and enacted to carry out the goals of the Connectional Lay Organization of the AMEC.
Pillars of the North Carolina Lay Organization included: Sis. Myrtle Knox, Sis. Maggie Jenkins, Sis. Lucille Wiggins, Sis. Katy Forman, Sis. Mary Lennons, Sis. Louis Warren, Sis. Rometta Mills, Sis. Dorothy Nichols, Bro. Leroy Vaugh, Sr. Bro. Alvin Hankins, Bro. Heziah Maeh, Bro. Steve Moore, Bro. Harry Gore, Bro. Barnabas Parker, Bro. Robert Boddie, Bro. Coley Ashe, Bro. Mitchell Gadsen, Sis. Annie Smith, and Bro. W. Malcoln Lea. The NCLO hosted the SEDLO Convention in 2004 in Atlantic Beach, N. C.
Because of the encouragement of Bishop Nichols, the Western North Carolina Conference (WNCCLO) was organized. Ruth Wadell of Sandford, N. C. served as the first president. The WNCCLO believed that it was important for the WNCCLO to grow and to fulfill the goals of the CLO as well as goals it had established. Additionally, the WNCCLO believed that communication had to be transparent between laity and clergy. Under great leadership, the WNCCLO was creative and industrious in both work and service. Over the years the WNCCLO created a Course of Study and established a Religious Institute. The WNCCLO hosted the first SEDLO Convention at the Ramada Inn in Greensboro, NC, November 30 – December 2, 1989. Charter members of the North Carolina Lay Organization included: Bro. O. M. Carr., Sis. Minerva Evans, Bro., Bro. P. A. Williams, Bro. Vernon Cowan, Bro. L. E. Austin, Sis. Della Corbett, Sis. Mae N. Hopson, Sis. Carrie McAdoo, Sis. Nellis Murphy, and Sis. Marie M. Riddick. There has been one Bishop elected from the Western North Carolina Conference: Bishop Phillip Cousin, Sr.
Lastly, the SEDLO continued to be a vibrant and growing district lay organization with a rich history entrenched in the goals and objectives of the CLO. Since its inception, the SEDLO has been prolific in service and industrious in programmatic endeavors including recruiting new lay organizations, implementing social action projects, encouraging the engagement of youth, and establishing scholarships for young people. Since the fundamental purpose of the SEDLO ministry was teaching and training to empower the laity, forums such as workshops, seminars and creative activities with engaging speakers and presenters were held in each of the five conferences as well as at the seat of SED meetings. Annual Lay Night became a vital part of each SED Annual Conference series. With the advent of the “digital age”, the SEDLO enhanced communication among the laity by embracing technology – utilizing the SEDLO website, teleconferencing, and other digital and social mediums. Also, the SEDLO ensured that relevant news regarding its members, its programs and its activities were successfully featured in the CLO Periodical, WE Speak. Further, most local Lay organizations continued to meet consistently, many met monthly and celebrated either Lay Witness Sunday or Lay Day annually.
The Second Episcopal District Lay Organization continues to be a vibrant, growing organization, cognizant of the goals and objectives of the Connectional Lay Organization. Its plan is to remain productive in service and industrious in programmatic endeavors, including the establishing new lay organizations, implementing social action projects, encouraging the engagement of young adults and youth, and establish- ing scholarships.
