Announcing the Transition of Reverend Dr. W. Clyde Williams

Greetings CME Church Family & Friends!

I am saddened to announce the transition of Reverend Dr. W. Clyde Williams on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, just minutes before midnight, while surrounded by his family in Atlanta, GA.

Reverend Dr. W. Clyde Williams retired from the Southeast Alabama Region, following years of pastoral appointments in Alabama and Georgia. Retirement did not limit his love for pastoring, as he continued to provide pastoral leadership to Tree of Life Deliverance Church gathered at the Phillips School of Theology at the ITC.

Reverend Dr. Williams has been President and CEO of the National Institute for Human Development, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, for 32 years.

Reverend Dr. Williams was the past President of Trenholm State Community College of Montgomery, Alabama from 2018-2000.

Dr. Williams was elected as the first Executive Secretary of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a General Officer with honor from 1986 until 1998.

Reverend Dr. Williams was a distinguished past President of Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama. During his fifteen years tenure the Miles College Law School was created and opened; the C.A. Kirkendoll Learning Resources Center (Library) was completed; a Miles campus was opened in Eutaw, Alabama; community projects and business partnerships flourished under the leadership of Dr. Williams, including the erection of the W. Clyde Williams Terrace Apartments – affordable housing for the elderly, physically challenged and disabled.

The earthly remains of Reverend Dr. W. Clyde Williams have been entrusted to Murray Brothers Funeral Home, 1199 Utoy Springs Road, Atlanta Georgia 30331. Viewing and Visitation with the family is scheduled for Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Homegoing Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 11:00 am At West Mitchell Street CME Church, 560 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. Reverend Dr. Herman Mason, pastor of West Mitchell Street CME Church, is the officiant.

Please join me in praying for the family of Reverend Dr. W. Clyde Williams. Condolences may be sent to his daughter, Ms. Joyce L. Williams, 2805 Shoreland Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30331.

This service will be live streamed. You may join by clinking on the following Link: https://youtu.be/JTPaYXt7w90

Again, thank you for your continued prayers for the family.

Warm Regards,

C. Kelby Heath, Presiding Bishop

Fifth Episcopal District

(photo cred: Rev. Dr. Herman "Skip" Mason)

Register for the Virtual 27th Pastors' Conference & 79th Founders' Celebration

Dear CME Members and Friends,

The Phillips School of Theology will host the virtual Twenty-Seventh Pastors' Conference & Seventy-Ninth Founders' Celebration, January 9-10, 2023.

The theme is, "Being Bold: In an Era of Hashtags, Likes, Follows and a Centuries Old Jesus.” This year's Pastors' Conference is a milestone as we celebrate our 27th annual event and third virtual one! The Pastors' Conference will be live-streamed via Zoom on Monday and Tuesday, January 9-10, 2023. The Chapel Service for Founders' Day will be held Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 11:00 AM and live-streamed via the ITC Zoom platform.

The registration fee for the Pastors' Conference & Founders' Celebration is $100. Online registration is available here. <https://thecmechurch.org/pastors-conference/>. You may download a registration form here.

For additional information, please contact 404-527-7768.

We look forward to your presence at the virtual Pastors' Conference and Founders' Celebration!

Please pray for the success of these events.

In the Service of the Lord,

Dr. Paul L. Brown, Sr., President-Dean

Phillips School of Theology at ITC

Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr., Chair, Board of Trustees

Phillips School of Theology at ITC

Reminder: Complete the CME Church Technology Survey by December 31

Dear Members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church,

Greetings!

The Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT) has created the CME Church Technology Survey to evaluate technology resources used and needed within our connectional church, with a two-fold emphasis for local churches and our members. In an effort to ensure that there is more participation from our CME members, clergy, and laity of all ages (youth, young adults, and adults), the deadline to complete the survey has been extended to December 31, 2022.

The CME Church Technology Survey will help us to learn from our membership about different perceptions and opinions regarding using technology in our churches and members’ homes and gather insights on software tools, Internet services, and relevant technical skills. Additionally, the survey can help with understanding the challenges faced by our connectional churches and members, identify the resources that are needed to meet the needs, and further assist us with defining communication and information technology strategies for our connectional church.

Click Here to Take the Survey

Please take about 5-10 minutes to fill out the survey by Saturday, December 31, 2022. You are welcome to share this announcement widely with members and friends in your congregations and households. Pastors -- please include the survey link in your church's bulletins and in your announcements.

It is our hope that you will find this survey useful for our connectional church. If you have feedback or questions about the survey, please email cio@thecmechurch.org.

A report on the results of the CME Church Technology Survey will be published in January 2023.

Thanks for your participation and support!

In the Service of the Lord,

Dr. Theresa Duhart, General Secretary/CIO

Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT)

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

cio@thecmechurch.org

253-376-6361

Bishop James B. Walker, Chair

Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT)

Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Vice Chair

Department of Communication and Information Technology (CIT)