Albemarle Conference Lay Council Hosts Annual Black & Gold Banquet

Elizabeth City, NC - On April 22, 2023, the Albemarle Conference Lay Council held its annual Black & Gold Banquet at Mt. Lebanon A.M.E. Zion Church in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It was a fun, spirit-filled, well-attended event, the highlight of which was the keynote speaker, Dr. Larry B. Johnson, CLC Regional Director of Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District and Chair of the Connectional Lay Council Education Committee.

In attendance were Mr. Hank Dobson (CLC Regional Director of Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District), Presiding Elder Rev. Fondella Leigh (Edenton District), Mr. Julius Walker Jr. (President of Albemarle Conference Lay Council), several pastors, ministers, officers, and guests.

The Black and Gold Banquet is an awards event that began in 2001 under the Episcopal Leadership of Bishop George Battle. The banquet was the vision of Sister Jessie Riddick (currently Rev. Jessie Riddick), who envisioned a time to recognize local laypersons for their many good works to the conference and to memorialize a former president, Mr. Buford Dunlap Jr. It was initially named the Buford Dunlap Awards Banquet. However, after a few series of revamps, the name was changed to the Black and Gold Awards Banquet in 2013. The Lay Council expanded the awards to name outstanding lay persons and past presidents as a means to capture its rich history and pay homage to those who worked tirelessly in Zion. Since its inception, the banquet has recognized and honored pastors and laypersons.

Ms. Keisha Dobie (Secretary of the Edenton District) served as Mistress of Ceremony. The program included a memorial tribute by Ms. Alice Clagon, a poetic reading by Mr. Robert Hickson, and a recognition of the Conference Centenarian (Mr. Albert Davis Sr., 100 years old, of Porters Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church) by Ms. Katie Walker. Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Larry B. Johnson, delivered an outstanding message focused on the Quadrennial Theme component, “Serving Our Flock.”

The program included presentations of awards to our “Outstanding Lay Persons” of the Year - Mr. Mark Brown Sr. (Elizabeth City District) and Ms. Agnes Blount (Edenton District). In addition, several door prizes were given.

Musical renditions were performed by the Washington County Male Chorus and the Dempsey Brothers Group. A musical tribute to the Centenarian Honoree was performed by Rev. Mario Kilpatrick. The food was catered by Wyommie Gallop Catering Service of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Our prayer, as written in the program pamphlet, was “Dear Lord, Thank you for today. May you go before me and lead me. I pray that I would allow your Holy Spirit to guide me today and that I would be a light to others. May your light shine through me and may your love bless those around me. I pray that I would be patient, kind and considerate. I pray that your character would flow from me as I put others first. Use me as a vessel for your glory. In Jesus name. AMEN.”

Many thanks to Ms. Katie Walker (First Lady and Secretary of the Albemarle Conference Lay Council) for putting together a beautiful program pamphlet.