Bishop Adam J. Richardson announces details of upcoming Council of Bishops/General Board meeting

Bishop Adam Jefferson. Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District, recently told A.M.E. Today that this year's Council of Bishops/General Board meeting, scheduled for June 23-27 in Tampa, Florida will see the African Methodist Episcopal Church unveiling some new ways of  doing things.

Bishop Richardson said:

"This year's event is already different. As the saying goes, we are climbing "out of the box." 

1. To begin with, for the first time in recent memory, our regular summer meeting will not be held over the Father's Day weekend. The General Board approved my request to have the meeting changed to the following week (June 23). This allows for pastor's to be in their churches on a day that we allege to celebrate fatherhood, manhood and the family. 

2. I am also pleased to announce that the Bishops approved my request to change the times of the banquet and worship service. Bishop Belin, President of the General Board, has agreed to format the General Board sessions in a way that will accommodate a Monday night banquet (rather than Tuesday night). Rev. Champion, our Exec. Director of Church Growth and Development, has agreed to give up the Monday night Evangelism service, to accommodate the "big picture." 

3. I am very pleased to announce that the Bishop led worship service has been moved to Tuesday night (rather than Wednesday morning). I am hopeful that local people will be able to attend the worship without having to lose any benefit from their jobs by sacrificing to attend a mid-week, mid-morning service. The bishops have also agreed to use the traditional order of worship (rather than the Service of Word and Sacrament). It is my hope that we will also incorporate the newer praise and worship model for a spirited time together as we seek to enjoy the Lord's presence. 

4. We are making the effort to have the event covered by the media, to see AMEs in worship and fellowship in great numbers. This, I believe, will be a real evangelistic effort that will produce fruit. 

Thus, the Investiture Committee is pleased to announce other details of the Bishops' Council and General Board Meeting. 

Date: June 23 - 27, 2002 
Marriott Hotel Waterside 
700 South Florida Avenue 
Tampa, Florida 33602 
(813) 221-4900 

General Board Meeting: 
Business Hours - Monday and Tuesday 

Investiture Banquet: 
Monday, 7:30 p.m., June 24 
Tampa Convention Center 

Worship Service: 
Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., June 25 
Tampa Convention Center 

Bishop and Mrs. Adams, resident Bishop and Supervisor of the Eleventh Episcopal District, have left no stone unturned to assist us in having a flawless investiture in our home District and in my hometown. Under their leadership, the Eleventh District is a very hospitable environment. Come join us in Tampa, Florida. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is doing a new thing!