South District church convention to be held at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Columbia

The South District of the Tennessee Annual Conference will hold its Annual Church School convention beginning Friday Night, June 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul A.M.E. Church, 405 Church St. in Columbia.

Rev. Dennis D. Lawson, the church’s pastor, is welcoming the Maury County community and surrounding areas.

“Our district of churches, like many, have made major adjustments because of the pandemic,” said Presiding Elder Sidney F. Bryant, overseer of the South District.

"The COVID crisis sent every church leader scrambling to keep ministries afloat as we learned digital platforms in order to maintain, and annual meetings like ours were no exception. We were the first district in the Tennessee Conference to conduct a virtual convention in 2020," Bryant said.

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"As the South District moved through this critical period, we gathered information about the platforms available to make sure that youth and adults had access to the Bible training and lessons that we would normally teach on-site. However, we are elated that for the first time in two years, our convention will be held in person.”

The Convention will be a hybrid planned assembly. Members and friends can choose to attend in-person at St. Paul or digitally via Zoom.

Right Reverend E. Anne Henning Byfield — presiding Bishop of the 13th Episcopal District and president of the Council of Bishops — will serve as the preacher for the opening worship service at St. Paul.

Bishop Byfield, a lifelong member of the A.M.E. Church, is the daughter of the Late Rev. H.W. Henning, a prolific pastor of St. Paul AME Church.

Byfield is an accomplished author, liturgist, poet, composer and social justice advocate.

“The work of the Presiding District is a necessary time of preparation, learning and faith- in-action. We celebrate with Presiding Elder Sidney Bryant and the South District in this venture. Presiding Elder Bryant and Lady Andriette Bryant are excellent examples of leaders who are committed to the growth and development of their district.  

"The last pastorate my father served was at St. Paul A.M.E. Columbia, Tennessee. Preaching in Columbia is indeed an honor,” Byfield said.

During the opening service on June 3, a special emphasis, remembrance of victims and support for survivors will be observed in commemoration of National Gun Violence Prevention and Awareness Weekend. Attendees are encouraged to wear orange in support of this national observance.

“The pandemic of senseless gun violence that ravages our communities, especially now, disproportionately affects children and youth," said Convention and Christian Education Director Tammye R. Robinson.

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"It is my desire to make our advocacy for prevention clear. Our youth can learn Christ's lessons of love and care through creative instruction and real-world examples. Our job is to help all ages to live peaceably with one another and strengthen our bonds of Christian service and brotherhood.”  

Saturday’s instructional opportunities and Bible training for all ages will be held at Porter School, beginning at 8:30 a.m. and will be streamed digitally. Following the instructional period, will be the annual fun, food and long-awaited fellowship at historic Fairview Park.

All are welcomed. For more information, contact Tammye Robinson at tlrobinson18@yahoo.com or St. Paul A.M.E. Church (931) 388-4069.