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African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church 150th Session New Jersey Annual Conference held at the The Westin Princeton at Forrestal Village Princeton, New Jersey St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church – Host Church Rev. Quavon Newton - Host Pastor May 9-11, 2024 REPORT OF THE PRESIDING ELDER of the “JOYFUL” JERSEY CITY DISTRICT Rev. Dr. Odinga Lawrence Maddox, II Reverend Dr. Odinga Lawrence Maddox, II, Presiding Elder, Jersey City District Reverend Dr. Laticia Hill Godette, Presiding Elder, Camden District Mrs. D. Diane Proctor, Missionary Supervisor, North Eastern Episcopal District Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, Presiding Bishop, North Eastern Episcopal District

To Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, Mrs. D. Diane Proctor, Presiding Elder Laticia Hill Godette, Conference Officers, Clergy, Ministers, Laity and Friends of the 150th Session of the New Jersey Conference, I stand before you to make my maiden report as the Presiding Elder of the “Joyful” Jersey City District. This year has been one of watching and learning as well as fasting and praying and I am glad to report that while we have much work yet to do, the Jersey City District is healthy, growing and working together to empower, encourage and edify churches and our communities in North Jersey. To that end, the following is a report of the stewardship of my labors in supervising the district this conference year: Activities: This conference year the vision that was cast by the Presiding Elder focused on empowering and equipping leadership at all levels of the district. One of the thoughts the Presiding Elder asked members of the district and local churches to always remember was asking ourselves the question, “When I show up, what kind of weather do I bring?” In addition to our regularly scheduled mandated meetings, in September the district assembled for a very productive District Conference, two (2) Super Saturdays and a Pastor’s breakfast with the Presiding Elder. These gatherings fostered trainings, teachings, mentoring and fellowship. Churches: Metropolitan, Jersey City – Led by their veteran pastor, the Rev. Eli D. Smith, Metropolitan made major improvements to their church edifice. A major accomplishment this year is that their church mortgage has been paid in full! This is a church that’s located in the heart of an urban setting and their doors are open to serve the community. The pastor and church are regularly involved in Social Action issues in the city and they are providing a voice for the people. Clinton Memorial, Newark – The Rev. Dr. George W. Maize, IV provides multi-faceted leadership to this congregation and community. This year major improvements were made to the church plant including the installation of a video wall, security lighting and remodeled restrooms. Their outreach ministry provides toys for children during the holidays, regular food give aways, free movie nights with dinner for youth, and assisting Veterans. Worship services and Bible Study are well attended both in person and virtually. Clinton Memorial is doing well. Shiloh, Staten Island – The “Dynamic Duo” of Pastor Rev. Kenneth P. Heyman, Sr. and his wife Rev. Lisa Heyman are doing a great work at the Shiloh Church. There is a fresh spirit of fellowship and Christian love amongst the congregants and between the pastor and people. Weekly Bible Study, Testimony Thursday, Breakfast with the Bible and Sunday Worship services are very well attended by the membership and visitors are attending regularly as well.

Varick Memorial, Hackensack – The Rev. Rashaun Booker is providing stellar leadership at Varick. This year their outreach included adopting the Nellie K. Parker Elementary School where they provided school supplies and other items to the students. They also provided Winter Care packages for seniors in the congregation and the community. Bible Study and Sunday worships are well attended and the congregants are growing spiritually. One of their major accomplishments was the renovation of their rental properties. The Varick Church is a progressive. First Church, Paterson – The Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Maven represents the church in the community with a strong presence at civic, municipal and social justice events and meetings. He is one of the pastors in Paterson that the mayor regularly consults with. The outreach ministry of First Church includes feeding hot meals to more than fifty less fortunate people monthly. Youth and Children’s ministries are vibrant and keep the younger generations engaged and connected to the church. First Church has also established inter-faith relationships and partnerships with area churches, synagogues and mosques. First Church continues to do well. Shiloh, Englewood – Shiloh is actively involved in civic and social action events and issues in Englewood. This conference year Pastor Givens and the church assisted a grieving mother who’s son was killed by local police. Dr. Givens personally participated in dialogue between the family, their legal counsel and the city representatives. As a result, the mother and her family joined Shiloh and are active members. Shiloh’s outreach ministries included distributing toys to 120 children during their Christmas toy drive and adopting Boy Scout Troop 129. Worship services and Bible Study are well attended and there is a strong youth presence with more than ten youth now singing in the Youth Choir. Shiloh Church is making an impact in Englewood. New Church, Paterson – Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Odinga Lawrence Maddox, II, New Church is a thriving church. In person worship services are well attended and the church has a robust presence virtually with weekly Sunday services and Bible Study. Dr. Maddox and New Church have a very strong relationship with city government where the church has a seat at the table. Outreach ministries included adopting the Rosa Parks School of Fine Arts where the church donated fifty bow ties for the school’s choir. Additionally, food baskets are provided for senior members. The congregants and community are experiencing new life at New Church! Wallace Chapel, Summit – The Rev. Dr. Denison D. Harrield, Jr. is one of the New Jersey Conference’s veteran pastors. He provides leadership at its highest level for the church. This year Dr. Harrield and congregation celebrated their 100th Church Anniversary. It was a spiritually festive time that was strongly supported by the Mayor and elected officials of Summit as well as the residents of the community. Wallace Chapel has the designation and distinction of being a Historical Landmark and the pastor and people take very seriously the appearance and maintenance of their church. To ensure this, the church raised more than $87,000 towards major renovations which have been made to the church and parsonage. The church is on a spiritual high and the pastor and people are growing together.

Wallace Temple, Bayonne - Under the capable leadership of the Rev. Dorothy A. Patterson, Wallace Temple continues to be a vibrant church. They’re in the final stages of a major construction project that totally renovated and beautified the main sanctuary. The church’s 501 ©3 program, “WTCARES” provided 175 Winter coats to students at Bayonne’s largest public school. They also provided 150 Busy Boards to developmentally challenged students throughout the Bayonne School District. In other outreach projects, $200 gift cards were given to 33 families in need and during the holidays more than 2,400 people were assisted with food. It should be noted that Governor Phil Murphy and other community leaders participated in the food distribution. Pastor Patterson was instrumental in the church securing a $10,000 grant from the LDS Foundation that will assist the church in their outreach efforts. The community of Bayonne is blessed by this church, pastor and its people. Metropolitan, Ridgewood – The Rev. H. Mack Brandon is the multi-gifted pastor of this congregation. For the past 10 ½ years Pastor Brandon has facilitated a daily prayer line called “DayStart.” The congregants are joined by people around the world receiving a daily inspirational message and prayer. The church has several active and retired educators that facilitate a free educational series open to the community. The first series was entitled “Generation Talk: Hip Hop and Civil Rights.” Pastor Brandon is ecumenically involved in the community and ensures that Metropolitan participates in inter-faith worship services and events. The church’s major outreach project is the Labor Day Community Cookout where every year the church welcomes the community to come and share in great food and fellowship. This event is regularly attended by the mayor and elected officials of Ridgewood. Metropolitan is a growing church. St. Luke, Westfield – The Rev. William E. Lawson leads this congregation in the affluent community of Westfield. This year they celebrated their 152nd Church Anniversary. The celebration was well supported by the church and community. Sunday worship services and weekly Bible Study are well attended by members and visitors. The congregation is growing, especially with men, two of whom re-united and reclaimed their church memberships after being absent for more than ten years. The church’s Music Ministry is also growing and they now have a full-time pianist. Rev. Lawson was recently honored by the City of Westfield for providing outstanding community service. The St. Luke Church is making a difference in Westfield. St, Thomas, Somerville – The Rev. Donna Stewart leads the St. Thomas congregation. Rev. Stewart is a pastor that challenges her congregation to stretch out of their comfort zones and the members are responding. This year six people surrendered and re-dedicated their lives to Christ and the membership is growing. This is another one of our churches that’s having challenges with its building. The pastor, officers and members have assessed the needed repairs and are in consultation regarding making them. Rev. Stewart facilitates worship in-person and via Zoom. St. Thomas is a historical church that’s connected to the community and its people.

Williams Chapel, Passaic – The Rev. Devon Horton, who’s more affectionately known as, “Pastor D”, believes in transformative ministry. This is evident by the types of ministries, programs and events taking place at Williams Chapel. Residents of the Passaic community know that they can come to the church and have their spiritual needs met as well as receive a plethora of resources for their families such as their Annual Community Fair where various agencies and the church distribute book bags, clothing, food and other household items. Rev. Horton and congregation have a strong connection with the community. Rossville, Staten Island – Pastor Charles Washington just completed his first year of serving this congregation in his home town. The congregants welcomed him home by working with him in ministry. At Rossville, Sunday worship services, Bible Study and Sunday School are all well attended. This is a growing church that has a inviting spirit. This past year all major and connectional days were observed and supported. A major achievement of the church is that they had asbestos professionally removed from the fellowship hall, kitchen and finance room. Rossville is on the move. Centennial, Closter – The Rev. Charles Wilson, III is completing his 2nd year as pastor of the Centennial Church. Rev. Wilson is an energetic pastor with creative ideas for ministry that the congregants embrace. This year the church was blessed with new musical instruments including a Hammond Organ and two keyboards. In addition to the instruments, they now have a musician who plays them well. It should be noted that not only is he a gifted musician, but he gives his tithes at Centennial. Centennial is a small church with a huge heart! Antioch, Linden – The Antioch church has major challenges with its building. Because of this the congregation has met virtually for worship and Bible Study. The Rev. Joshua Corbin was sent to supply this church and he has lead them faithfully. Rev. Corbin is a young gifted preacher with creative ideas for ministry. In addition to meeting and fellowshipping virtually, when weather permits Bible Study and worship are held outside. Rev. Corbin and the congregation are actively searching for a location where they can regularly worship in-person. The district is assisting them in their search. Mt. Zion Mahwah – The Rev. Wanda Dorsey is completing her first year as pastor of Mt. Zion and she and congregation had a productive year. New members have joined and been baptized and they are serious about Discipleship. This year the church was actively involved in community and ecumenical events such as participating in the Inter-faith Thanksgiving Service held in Hebron, NJ. A major project of their outreach ministry was holding a community garage sale where the proceeds from all items sold were donated to the local homeless shelter. Rev. Dorsey and congregation are serving with a glad heart.

New St. Mark, Westwood – New St. Mark is located in a neighborhood and community where the demographics have dramatically changed over the years. We are thankful that the Rev. Mack Brandon has faithfully traveled to Westwood every Sunday afternoon and facilitates a worship service. These services not only continue to give us a presence in that community but they’re also multicultural and are attended by Black, Hispanic and White worshippers. Thank you Rev. Brandon for ensuring the that the A.M.E. Zion Church continues to have a place in a community that otherwise would not be familiar with us. District Ministries – All district ministries have reported to the annual conference and given an account of their stewardship. As the Presiding Elder of the district, it does my heart good to see each of our district organizations and ministries working hard to engage in relative events and programs as well as working and serving together. In closing, I offer my sincere thanks to my Bishop, Bishop Dennis Vernon Proctor. To you Bishop I thank you for your tutelage, mentoring and support. You have always been an encouragement to me and a blessing to my family. I am deeply humbled and thankful for your giving me the opportunity to serve at this level. To my Missionary Supervisor, Ms. D. Diane Proctor, your words of support, direction and patience with me as I continue to learn the work is so much more than reassuring and encouraging. Thank you for having confidence in me. To Presiding Elder Laticia Hill Godette, I could never begin to express how much I appreciate your advice, suggestions and help that have made my first year on the assignment a much easier transition. I appreciate the spirit of working together that makes us New Jersey Strong. To my New Church Family, from the moment Bishop appointed me as Presiding Elder, collectively your words were, “What can we do to help?” You are the best church this side of glory and I am blessed to pastor such a committed and loving people of God. To my Jersey City District Family, our mantra is, we are “The JOYFUL” Jersey City District. Each of you have shown me that your commitment to and love for God’s church is done in a spirit of excellence. Together we do ministry knowing that the Joy of the Lord is truly our strength. To the Maddox Family, thank you for being the Aaron and Hur in my ministry. When my arms grow tired, I can count on you to hold them up. Thank you for being involved in the work and assisting me in any way I ask. There really, “Ain’t No Family Like the One I Got!” In closing I give thanks to The Almighty for giving our Bishop the godly judgment to appoint me to this position as servant leader. I thank God for Who and all He is in my life. It’ is in Him, that I live, move and have my being. God I thank you, that whenever the load seems to heavy to carry, the hymnwriter reminds me to “Be not dismayed, whatever betide, God will, take care of you, beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you!” Humbly Submitted, Reverend Dr. Odinga Lawrence Maddox, II, Presiding Elder, Jersey City District