PERSIMMON GROVE A.M.E. CHURCH


Persimmon Grove has several commissions and organizations actively fulfilling the prescribed duties in the

local church and community.

COMMISSION ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 


The Commission on Christian Education plans and presents programs and information to educate and enlighten the congregation. This information is designed to lead to a better and informed knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, the Christian religion, the A.M.E church and the implementation of these values in our daily lives. The Christian Education co-chair is

Louise Bowens.

SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT



The Sunday School is the organization where there is study of the Bible based on specific

topics. There are questions, life applications, and class participation. The Superintendent of

the Sunday School is Exhorter James Turner.

COMMISSION ON STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE 


The Commission on Stewardship and Finance administers the financial program of the

church including setting up a budget for the church, encouraging financial support from each church member to provide income sufficient to cover the budget, and the disbursement of funds. The co-chair for the Commission on Stewardship and Finance is Felicia Raleigh, Church Treasurer.

COMMISSION ON CHRISTIAN SOCIAL ACTION

The Commission on Christian Social Action coordinates activities in the areas of social, racial, community cooperation, and economic relations. The co-chair of the Commission on Christian Social Action is Carletta Judd.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC RELATIONS

The Commission on Public Relations gathers and disseminates information of interest to the religious press, secular press, radio, television, and other legitimate media of public information. It keeps the congregation abreast of current events and is responsible for communicating intra-congregational information. The co-chair of the Commission on Public Relations is Cassandra Graves.



BOARD OF STEWARDS

This body is appointed annually by the pastor to be responsible for the overall needs of the local church: finances, the pastor, the spiritual and the general welfare of the church members. The pastor also appoints a president Pro Tem from this board to act on his behalf during his absence. The pastor has veto powers on any action taken in his/her absence. The Steward Pro Tem is Felicia Raleigh.



PRINCESS CALDWELL WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY


Members of the Princess Caldwell Missionary Society help people grow in the knowledge and experience of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. They participate in ongoing Christian training as well as perform individual and collective mission work. Judy Tate is the president.


BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The members of this board are nominated yearly by the pastor and elected by the membership at an election called by the pastor.  The Trustees responsibilities include the temporal concerns of the church, i.e., church property, church building, parsonage, equipment, etc.

 The Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees is Lonnie Cathey, Jr.


STEWARDESS BOARD

The Stewardesses assist the Board of Stewards in carrying out the duties of the rituals of Baptism and The Lords Supper. The president of the Stewardess Board is Sabra Meachum.


SONS OF ALLEN

In 1984, the African Methodist Episcopal Church created the Sons of Allen Men’s Fellowship to foster closer relationships between men of the church, to equip men of the church for meaningful service, to reach unchurched men, and to present positive role models for our youth. The Sons of Allen has grown into an important connectional movement over the past twenty-plus years and the Fellowship is becoming a true connectional ministry. The challenges and disturbing realities facing African American men call for a response from the church. The chairperson is Exhorter Spencer Wilson.

 


 



YOUNG PEOPLE’S DEPARTMENT (YPD) a division of the WMS

The Young People and Children’s Division serve under the Princess Caldwell

Women’s Missionary Society and includes youth ages 2 to 26. It provides

meaningful resources, training and guidance in all areas of church life which

encourage full participation in the mission programs and activities of the entire church and support opportunities for leadership. YPD provides specific training in Evangelism, Christian Social Relations and Education programs designed to increase knowledge of the African Methodist Episcopal Church History and the scriptures. Nicole Walker is the YPD Director.


 


USHER BOARD

Because the ushers are the official doorkeepers and usually the first contact when someone enters the church, their responsibilities are sacred. The ushers seek to interact with everyone in a manner that exemplifies God and the church. They assist in making members and visitors feel comfortable and lend spiritual dignity to the church service. The Usher Board is composed of both youth and adults who serve each Sunday and during special services. Beverly Ritchie is president of the Usher Board.  

LAY ORGANIZATION

Each member of the church, with the exception of clergy, is generally regarded as a Lay Member. Members are encouraged to become active and participating members of the Lay Organization. The Lay Organization trains the laity on the history, laws, and guidelines of African Methodism and promote service, support, harmony and respect in the church. Stephanie Wilson is President of the Lay Organization.   




CLASS LEADERS

The Class Leader system is a basic organizational unit of the African Methodist

Episcopal Church. Each local congregation of the A.M.E. Church has its membership divided into small groups called classes. Each class is appointed a spiritually knowledgeable leader who reports to the church’s Official Board the needs and concerns of his/her members. It is the system that enables the Pastor and the congregation to remain a closely-knit and warm church

family. Cassandra Graves is the Lead Class Leader.


HEALTH & WELLNESS

Historically, the AME Church has actively encouraged wellness and healing. The

PG Health & Wellness Organization continues to carry this legacy through its

current work. The members aim to provide the best health-related information

and to promote the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual wellbeing of

members of the Persimmon Grove AME Church and, by extension, its community.

Furthermore, the Organization advocates for healthcare as a right and not a

privilege. By challenging the unjust structure that creates health and healthcare

disparities, the Commission gives voice to the health issues that are prevalent in

African Americans and other marginalized communities. Claudette Johnson is the Chairperson.