Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District of the AME Church convened the Southern California Annual Conference (SCC) this week at the LAX Hilton Hotel, 5711 W. Century Blvd. in Los Angeles.
The pastors and members of the 55 churches in the conference will participate in the business sessions, workshops and worship services. The gathering concludes with the Closing Worship and Commissioning Service on Sunday, October 29. The Rev. Darryl Walker of New Philadelphia AME Church is the host pastor of the conference.
Among the highlights is Lay Witness Night on Friday, October 27, at 7 p.m. The service, sponsored by the SCC Lay Organization (SCCLO), will focus on public education and the issue of trauma-based schools. Dr. Nicole Baker Fulgham, a nationally recognized advocate on the topic, will be the keynote speaker.
Also, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, president of the L.A. Community College District Board of Trustees; Alex Johnson, chair of the L.A. County Board of Education; and Dr. George McKenna, LAUSD board member will participate.
“We invite the public to attend and learn how the faith community can partner with public education systems to address the needs of many young people who come from neighborhoods with high crime rates, unstable living situations including foster care and homelessness, and neighborhoods where simple, child-like actions can result in life threatening situations,” said SCC Lay President Dorothy Vails-Weber.
In addition, Fugh and the SCCLO will honor clergy and laity involved in public education, added Vail-Weber. “We recognize that each person such as bus drivers, lunchroom staff, nurse office team, teachers, principals, professors, higher education instructors, school board members and others, a role in creating a trauma information environment.”
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker contributed to this report. To learn more, call her at (213) 494-9493 or email [email protected].
