African Methodists throughout Southern California and the western U.S. will gather October 21 to November 1 for the 92nd Session of the Southern California Annual Conference of the AME Church and the Fifth District Planning Meeting.
Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate, and Supervisor Alexia Butler Fugh, will oversee the both events as the new spiritual leaders of the Fifth Episcopal District. Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., the Rev. Dr. Mia Whitlock, first lady, and the members of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church (COR) are the conference hosts.
“We’re excited about Christ Our Redeemer, the seed of Orange County, hosting the Southern California Conference at the LAX Hilton,” said Whitlock, who the largest African American congregation in Orange County with more than 3,500 members. “Also, we are calling all AMEs to come out and meet their new bishop.”
Activities begin on Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, when more than 250 youth participate in the Young People’s Division Lock-in Convention held at COR, located at 45 Tesla in Irvine.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, at 10:30 a.m., the Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, historiographer of the AME Church, will preach at COR. At 5:30 p.m., the Pre-Conference Musical takes place at COR featuring Dr. Bobby Jones of BET’s Bobby Jones Gospel, who will join Timothy Davis, Jr., in conducting the Southern California Conference Choirs. Also, a number of guest recording artists will perform.
For the remainder of the conference and the planning meeting, the venue will be the LAX Hilton Hotel, 5711 Century Blvd., in Los Angeles.
The AME Southern California Conference Women In Ministry (SCCWIM) plans two events on Monday, Oct. 24. A breakfast program emphasizing spiritual health and wellness will be held at 10 a.m. The ticket donation is $65. At 7 p.m., a worship service takes place with the Rev. Dr. Fry Brown as the guest preacher. The Rev. Dr. Charolyn Jones is the SCCWIM coordinator and the Rev. Carolyn Baskin Bell is the WIM 5th District president.
On Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m., the Women’s Missionary Society, led by Supervisor Fugh, will sponsor the WMS Night in White Service.
The conference officially opens on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Hilton. During the day, business sessions and workshops will be held. The Opening Worship Service is set for 7 p.m., with the Rev. J. Edgar Boyd, pastor of First AME Church – L.A., delivering the sermon. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and State Attorney General Kamala Harris will also attend.
Education and Social Justice Night will be highlighted on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. Lay Witness Night, directed by Jacqueline Dupont-Walker, takes place on Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. The theme is civic worship with the service reflecting an old-fashioned civil rights rally.
The Ordination Service will held on Saturday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. Bishop John R. Bryant will preach. Following the service, CIT Bank will sponsor a reception for Bishop and Mrs. Fugh. At 6 p.m., the Tokyo Mass Choir will perform at a free public concert.
The Closing Worship and Commissioning Service takes place on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m., with Bishop Fugh bringing the message and announcing the pastoral appointment for 2016-17.
The Fifth District Planning Meeting begins Monday, Oct. 31. Bishop E. Earl McCloud, presiding prelate of the 14th Episcopal District, will preach. The meeting concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 1.
To learn more, call COR at (949) 955-0014.
