July 2024, Tarrytown, NY…, The 203rd Annual Session of the New York Conference was held at the Westchester Marriot Hotel in Tarrytown, New York from June 20 through June 22, 2024. The host church was Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church (Mt. Vernon, NY), where Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue is Pastor.
The 203rd Session was also the final Annual Conference for the Presiding Prelate Dennis V. Proctor, Bishop of the North Eastern Episcopal District, who will be retiring at the end of the General Conference in July 2024. Retirement celebrations have been held for him and his wife Missionary Supervisor, D. Diane Proctor throughout the year.
The Service of Holy Communion was led by Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue. The Presiding Elders and Clergy of the New York Conference processed in as the congregation sang, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty.” The Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church Choir led by Bro. Lorenzo Baker sang a medley, “He Looked Beyond My Faults-Jesus Paid It All-Amazing Grace-At the Cross.” The congregants were on their feet, shouting praises to God. Rev. Pogue said, “It seems like there’s a few of us in here who can say He looked beyond your faults and provided what you needed.” Presiding Elder Isidoa Branch, Sr. said, “My, my -- what a way to begin an annual conference,” as he approached the pulpit to present Bishop Dennis V. Proctor. P.E. Branch, Sr., said it was his honor to present our episcopal leader, “The Right Rev. Dennis V. Proctor, who has served God to the utmost in all of his assignments.” The Communion Meditation was preached by the Rev. Leonard A. Edwards.
Christian Education Night was also held on June 20th. Final reports for the Department were presented by Co-Conference Directors Irene Boykin and Terneisa Lynn Calhoun. Before accepting the reports, Katrina Brown, NYC District Co-Director of Christian Education, and Elizabeth Chappelle Meeks, NYC District YACM Director, presented Sisters Boykin and Calhoun with “stress-relief, customized gift baskets.” Sis. Calhoun thanked the Department for their thoughtfulness. She also thanked Bishop Proctor with an on-the-spot rendition of “I’m So Glad We Had This Time Together.” The Stoling Ceremony followed. Bishop Proctor introduced the guest speaker, The Reverend Lieta Singleton from St. John A.M.E. Zion Church in Highland Falls, NY.
On Friday, June 21, 2024, Presiding Elders Rev. Dr. A. Alfred Carson (NYC Dist.), Rev. Keith I. Harris (LI Dist.), and Rev. Isidoa Branch, Sr. (Westchester Dist.) gave reports.
Missionary Supervisor, Mrs. D. Diane Proctor, brought greetings at the WH&OMS Convocation. Presidents’ Reports were presented by Mrs. Ruth Young (NYC Dist.), Mrs. Tawanda Harris (LI Dist.), and Mrs. Diane Noble (Westchester Dist.) Mrs. Proctor also recognized the Life Members during the Candlelight Service. The speaker for the service was Rev. Dr. Marvin D. Hooks, Pastor (First A.M.E. Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY).
There was a Christian Education Moment on the last day of the Conference on Saturday morning, during which a Graduates Recognition video was shown. Graduates from Greater Centennial included Caiden Spears, Jeremiah Nelson, Ryan Logan, Makela Simpson, Genesis Bowman, Kori Milan Sutton, and Rev. Juluis Walls, Jr. Jackson Memorial’s graduates: Arrone Everett Mitchem and Andrew Webb. Jaylen Gilmore, Varick Memorial; Josiah Maddicks, Mother Zion; and Mrs. Dorian Carson, Superintendent Buds of Promise.
The Closing Service began at 11 a.m. The Presiding Elders of the New York Conference and clergy processed into “God of Our Fathers.” Rev. Keith I. Harris read the scripture, Luke 2:41-49. The morning prayer was delivered by Presiding Elder Isidoa Branch, Sr. Before presenting Bishop Proctor for the Episcopal Address, P.E. A. Alfred Carson asked the Conference Choir for “some more.” The Choir obliged, and there was a 10-minute praise-fest at the end of which P.E. Carson said, “The choir has sung us silly.”
Bishop Proctor agreed, “When they do their job, it’s much easier for us to do ours.” He acknowledged clergy, conference delegates, district leaders, members, and his wife, Missionary Supervisor D. Diane Proctor, “in all of her splendor and charm.” Bishop Proctor’s final sermonic address before the New York Conference entitled, “The Danger of Supposing that Jesus is Always with You,” was taken from Luke 2:41-49, wherein Jesus and his parents had traveled to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. Verse 42 says: “When the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.” Bishop Proctor said, “You don’t miss Jesus until you need him,” and reminded us that Jesus will never leave nor forsake us.
The Conference closed with the Reading of Appointments.
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