204th ANNUAL SESSION OF THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE WELCOMES BISHOP GEORGE D. CRENSHAW & MISSIONARY SUPERVISOR LADY  LAURENNA H. CRENSHAW

Michael E

 July 2025, Tarrytown, NY… The 204^th Session of the New York Annual Conference was held on June 5^th through June 8^th, 2025, at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown, New York. The host churches were St. Charles A.M.E. Zion, where Reverend Dr. Brandon D. McLauchlin is the Pastor, and Park Street A.M.E. Zion, where Reverend Robert Kilpatrick, II, is the Pastor.  

The Conference Theme was Lifting a Standard: “Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.”  Isaiah 62:10.

The 204^th Session was also the first New York Annual Conference for Bishop George D. Crenshaw, who was appointed the Presiding Prelate of the Northeastern District (N.E.E.D) at the 2024 General Conference.

Bishop Crenshaw and his wife, Missionary Supervisor Mrs. Laurenna H. Crenshaw wrote in their Greetings to the New York Conference: “As your Episcopal Leadership, we are excited about the vision God has given us for the Northeastern Episcopal Area, and it is refreshing to see that New York is already Lifting the Standard in serving this present age. As your Bishop, I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude and joy as we gather to conduct the business of the 204^th Session of the New York Annual Conference.” 

The Morning Worship Service on Thursday, June 5^th opened with the Service of Holy Communion, the Reverend Robert Kilpatrick, II, Presiding.  Dr. A. Alfred Carson (Presiding Elder, NY City District) presented Bishop Crenshaw, the Chief Celebrant. The Communion Meditation was led by Reverend Dr. Marvin D. Hooks, Sr. (First A.M.E. Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY).

 It was a full day of events for clergy, laity, and delegates. Bishop Crenshaw convened the Business Session with the Organization of the Annual Conference and heard reports from the various committees. The reports of the Presiding Elders, Pastors, and Delegates followed. The Lay Council Luncheon was held later that afternoon.  Mrs. Nicole Griffiths (pictured) from Greater Hood A.M.E. Zion (New York, NY) was the keynote speaker.  Bishop Crenshaw gave his Episcopal Address during the afternoon Worship Service and received additional committee reports.

The Christian Education Department led the Evening Worship Service. Conference President Ms. Terneisa Lynn Calhoun served as Worship Leader. The Christian Education Department and Lay Council Stoling Ceremonies were also held during the service.  Bishop Crenshaw introduced the guest preacher, Reverend Elizabeth Morris (Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion, Yonkers, NY). The service closed with the Invitation to Christian Discipleship, Remarks, and Benediction.

The Missionary Convocation with Missionary Supervisor Laurenna Crenshaw, presiding was held on Friday, June 6^th. Reports from the various committees were presented to Missionary Supervisor Crenshaw. Reverend Gregor Miles, the retiring Pastor at Westbury A.M.E. Zion (Westbury, NY) preached the sermon for the afternoon Worship Service. 

MRS. ELSIE BYRD & VERDELLE CUNNINGHAM

 Later that evening, over one hundred Missionaries were stoled during the Missionary Candlelight Service. Missionary Supervisor Crenshaw gave the Charge to the Candidates and Prayer of Blessing. The Missionary Message was delivered by Reverend Dr. Stephen Pogue, Pastor of Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church (Mt. Vernon, NY.)

The Christian Education Convocation began on Saturday, June 7^th. The theme was “Intergenerational Worship & Fellowship.” In keeping with its theme, there were activities for all age groups. Rev. Lawrence Alston, the Pastor at Saint Francis A.M.E. Zion Church (Port Chester, NY), was the preacher for the afternoon Worship Service.

As with most Annual Conferences, the closing Sunday Worship Service opened with a majestic and profoundly moving processional of clergy as the congregation joined the Conference Choir in singing “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” Rev. Dr. Brandon McLauchlin (St. Charles A.M.E. Zion, Sparkhill, NY) presided. Rev. Dr. Wallace Noble (St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion, New Rochelle, NY) led the Call to Worship.  Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. A. Alfred Carson (NY District) read from Exodus 14. Bishop Crenshaw later remarked, “He [Carson] read it like he wrote it.” Presiding Elder Rev. Dr. Keith I. Harris (Long Island District) delivered the morning prayer.

Rev. Pogue introduced Bishop Crenshaw and recited many of his pastoral accomplishments from Alabama to New York. Rev. Pogue described the Bishop as “a visionary, with creativity, and a “sho nuff” preacher.” Rev. Pogue continued by saying, “And we are happy to have him with us.” 

Bishop Crenshaw began his address by thanking the New York Conference for the warm reception extended to him and his wife, “the morning star of my life.” He said, “It’s been a long road from Alabama.” 

The Bishop’s sermon, entitled “A rock and a hard place,” was lifted from Exodus 14:13-14: “Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

 Bishop Crenshaw began by asking, “If anyone had ever been disappointed or mad at God?” He said, “It’s natural if you lose your job; the bills are mounting; that trifling Negro in your life has let you down again.” God told Moses and the Israelites, “not to fear and stand still.” Bishop Crenshaw told the congregation we must do what Moses and the Israelites did. “We must stand firm. Now is not the time for crying; it’s time for marching. Now is the time to stand firm and see the salvation of God. Without God, we can’t; without us, God won’t.”  Bishop Crenshaw ended his sermon with a message of hope, “When you’re between a rock and a hard place, let God handle it. God is fighting for you.”

Before reading the pastoral appointments, Bishop Crenshaw said the Church cannot endorse political candidates, but “we can offer a space for them to speak.” He invited anyone running for an office in the upcoming 2025 mayoral race to the podium. Rev. David Aiken (Shaw A.M.E. Zion Church, Corona, NY), candidate for the New York City Council, District 21, addressed the congregation and asked for support.

Pastoral appointments were read. Bishop Crenshaw delivered the benediction ending the 204^th Session of the New York Annual Conference.  

Rev. Malcolm J. Byrd, Senior Pastor at Mother A.M.E. Zion Church, commended Bishop Crenshaw for his leadership.  “A lot of important business was conducted efficiently and with due diligence.”

Kudos to the Conference and Church Choirs – “They brought it!”