Bishop T. Larry and Episcopal Supervisor Mary L. Kirkland

Aiming to move its historical mission of service to God and community to new levels, Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Sr., will convene the 90th Session of the Southern California Annual Conference (SCC) on Wednesday, October 20, and continuing through Sunday, October 26, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel, 5711 West Century Boulevard in Los Angeles.

As the spiritual leader of the Fifth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, Bishop Kirkland will preside over worship services and business sessions as well as receive reports from the 55 churches in the conference.  Also, the church’s legacy of social justice and equality will be revived through strategic partnerships with elected officials and community organizations.

“The AME Church, as it approaches the 200th year of its incorporation, continues to identify with all people who are struggling for human dignity.  It is not an addendum to an already crowded agenda, but the very heart of our mission and ministry,” said Bishop Kirkland.

“Our coming together for the 90th time will not be ritualistic; it will be life changing for our members, our community partners, our leaders in the sacred and secular worlds.  We welcome everyone to join us.”

He added that Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congresswoman Karen Bass, LAUSD Board Member George McKenna, L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, and businessman Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson will be honored during the conference.

The conference hosts are the Rev. Taurus and First Lady Denise Myhand and the members of Ward A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles.  Joyce Clarke is the chairperson. Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsey and Dr. Kaye Lindsey are the host leaders of the Los Angeles-San Diego-Las Vegas District.

Activities begin with the Pre-Conference Musical on Sunday, October 19 at 4 p.m., at Holman United Methodist Church, 3320 West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles.  The Southern California Conference Choir will perform under the direction of Ron Lowe.

On Monday, October 20, the SCC Women In Ministry, led by the Rev. Johnetta Toodle Tarkington, will sponsor workshops and hold an evening worship at 7 p.m., at Ward A.M.E., 1177 W 25th Street in

Los Angeles.  The Rev. Dr. Charolyn Jones will preach.

Bishop Kirkland will preside over conference business beginning Wednesday, and continuing on Thursday, October 23, and Friday, October 24 at 10 a.m.  Worship services are set each night at 7 p.m. 

Pastor Leslie R. White of Bethel Memorial A.M.E. will preach on Wednesday and Pastor Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. on Thursday.  Friday is Lay Witness Night featuring a dialogue on uniting church and community to increase voter participation. The speakers are Professor Kareem Crayton of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass.

On Saturday, October 25, the ordination service is set for at 10:30 a.m.  Also, conference youth will meet on Friday and Saturday. At 6 p.m., the 6th annual Kirkland Academee Annual Gala takes place at the LAX Crowne Plaza Hotel, 9750 West Century Boulevard in Los Angeles. Comedian T. J. McGee will emcee and Barbara Morris will perform. 

The Closing Worship and Commissioning Service will be held Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m.  The SCC Women’s Missionary Society will kick-off ‘Mission Madness’ at 6 p.m., and conclude on Monday, October 27, at 6 a.m.  Members will engage in 12 hours of non-stop projects to aid Operation Gratitude and Wounded Warriors.

Bishop Kirkland will hold the Fifth Episcopal District Planning Meeting on October 27-28 at the Hilton. The preachers on Monday at 12 p.m., are the Reverends Timothy Tyler of Shorter A.M.E. – Denver, CO; James Rumph of Grant A.M.E. – LA, Kelvin Calloway of Bethel A.M.E. – LA, Francine Brookins of Bethel A.M.E. – Fontana, Allen Williams of First A.M.E. – Pasadena, and Gordon Glenn of St. John A.M.E. – Topeka, KS.  The ministers are all candidates to serve as bishops in the A.M.E. Church.

Bishop Preston W. Williams, presiding prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, will preach at 7 p.m.

For more information, call Ward A.M.E. at (213) 747-1367.