Regional Lay Council: Annual Centennial Event (virtual)

 

Department of Church Growth and Development

 Dear Zion Family,

We’re excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Brandon McLauchlin, as our guest presenter for the next session of the State of Your Church Course Curriculum, Monday, November 24th @8PM (ET).

In this session, we’ll dive into our second Dimension of Thriving Churches: Prayer Culture. This dimension explores the development of healthy prayer habits as well how we experience the power of prayer in our congregations.

We look forward to seeing you in class!

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather
Executive Director
Department of Church Growth & Development
The A.M.E. Zion Church

Zoom Information

Meeting ID: 826 7615 4153
Password: 2025
Dial-In #: (646) 558-8656

CLICK HERE TO JOIN ZOOM: https://gmail.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33499aaf53995e7ef8d11fddd&id=15ed7338ab&e=081dc5f242CLICK HERE TO JOIN ZOOM: https://gmail.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33499aaf53995e7ef8d11fddd&id=15ed7338ab&e=081dc5f242

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.” (Psalms 92:12-13 NIV; and see Book of Discipline, Page 400).

Wilmington District Welcome Service & Reception

Good Evening,

Your presence is requested at the special event on tomorrow, as detailed in the attached flyer from Rev. Armour.  

Thank you,

Gerotha R. Spain

Wilmington District Lay Council: 1st Meeting

 

2nd Annual Wilmington District Christmas Program

 

Global Bible Month Message: "Rooted, Ready, Radiating Truth"

 This Global Bible Month, we celebrate the living Word that anchors our hearts, equips our hands, and lights our path. Across nations and generations, the Bible remains a timeless source of wisdom, comfort, and conviction. Whether whispered in prayer, proclaimed in pulpits, or shared in quiet moments, God's Word is our compass and our courage.

 Let this month be a sacred invitation—to go deeper, reach wider, and live louder. As we open the pages of scripture, may we be rooted in truth, ready to serve, and radiating the hope of Christ in every space we enter.

 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." — Psalm 119:105

 

30-Day Bible Engagement Activities

Each day offers a fresh way to interact with scripture—through study, creativity, service, and reflection:

 Week 1: Foundation & Focus

1.         Read Psalm 1 and journal what it means to be “planted.”
2.         Create a Bible verse bookmark with your favorite scripture.
3.         Memorize one verse from Proverbs and share it with a friend.
4.         Listen to a Bible-based podcast or sermon.
5.         Write a prayer inspired by Philippians 4:6–7.
6.         Decorate a scripture card and leave it in a public place.
7.         Read John 1 and reflect on “the Word became flesh.”
Week 2: Creative Expression
8.         Illustrate or paint a verse that speaks to you.
9.         Write a spoken word or poem based on Psalm 23.
10.       Record a short video sharing your testimony and favorite verse.
11.       Create a playlist of worship songs tied to scripture themes.
12.       Design a social media post with a verse and encouragement.
13.       Read a parable and retell it in your own words.
14.       Host a mini Bible trivia night with friends or youth.
Week 3: Service & Sharing
15.       Write a note of encouragement with a verse and mail it.
16.       Volunteer and pray over the space before you serve.
17.       Share a Bible verse with someone going through a hard time.
18.       Read James 2 and reflect on faith in action.
19.       Create a care package with scripture tucked inside.
20.       Lead a short devotional for your team or family.
21.       Pray for a different country each day using Psalm 67.
Week 4: Deepening & Discipleship
22.       Read Romans 12 and list ways to live it out.
23.       Fast from distractions and spend time in quiet scripture reading.
24.       Study a Bible character’s journey (e.g., Esther, Joseph).
25.       Write a letter to God based on Psalm 139.
26.       Read a chapter aloud with someone and discuss it.
27.       Create a “Bible Month Reflection” journal entry.
28.       Invite someone to church or a Bible study.
29.       Read Revelation 21 and imagine the hope of eternity.
30.       Celebrate with a “Word & Worship” night—testimonies, music, and scripture.

Be Blessed,
WE CARE Ministry
Wilmington District Lay Council

"WE CARE- compassion is our calling and Christ is our compass"

Wilmington District Welcome Service & Reception

 

Wilmington District Youth Choir: Rehearsal Schedule

 

Christian Education Department: Family Meeting

 

Thrive on Thursday (Week 2) - Bishop W. Darin Moore

 

Bishop W. Darin Moore YACM Scholars Award

 

Apply Today!

Christian Education Department

 

Important updates from CED and beyond! Get Ready to ELEVATE! Registration now OPEN! Registration for Elevate 2025: Flourish and Thrive is now open!! Prepare now to join us for ELEVATE, the winter meeting of the Christian Education Department of the AME Zion Church! This impactful conference will be held in Baltimore, MD, at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, December 27-30, 2025. This year's theme is "Flourish and Thrive" rooted in Jeremiah 29:4-7. Don't miss this powerful time as we come together to lead our congregations into vibrant ministry despite the shifting landscape. Learning experiences are being prepared for youth, children, young adults, clergy, and CED leaders. We hope to see you in Baltimore for our Zion's premiere educational and evangelistic experience. Let's get ready to ELEVATE!   Elevate Minds | Elevate Ministry Elevate the Mission of Christian Education Register TODAY! September is CED Month!! We are excited to share our 2025 Christian Education Month theme: “F.R.E.S.H. Fire: Reclaiming the Past, Igniting the Future” This theme invites us to explore FRESH approaches to Christian education ministry that are: - Focused – Rooted in purpose and intentional discipleship - Relevant – Speaking to today’s realities with timeless truth - Engaging – Capturing hearts and minds of emerging generations - Sound – Built on strong theology and solid teaching - Holistic – Ministering to the whole person: mind, body, and spirit In a time of cultural shifts, political uncertainty, and spiritual hunger, we believe God is calling us to reclaim our Methodist fundamentals—class meetings, social holiness, discipleship, and sound doctrine—with fresh perspective and renewed commitment.    Click below to download this year’s CED Month Resource Guide and Sunday Service Template! To download the entire folder, click "quick download it". The folder includes: CED Month Theme Outline 2025 CED Sunday Worship Template (plus Word version) 2025 CED Month theme logo and graphics CED Sunday Offering Announcement Promotions for Thrive on Thursday and other events Suggestions for enhancing your CED Sunday Celebration CED theme songs, logos, and publication details And plan now to join us every Thursday in September for Thrive on Thursday! This year, we are pleased to welcome members of the Board of Bishops who will lead us in thinking deeply about F.R.E.S.H. perspectives for doing ministry that makes an impact! Join us every Thursday at 7pm EST.  We encourage every local church and conference to actively participate in Christian Education Month and to celebrate Christian Education Sunday, which is celebrated the 3rd Sunday of September, the 21st. Join us as we celebrate the men and women on the front lines of fostering the development of credible, committed, Christian disciples in our Zion! Happy CED Month!  Download the 2025 CED Month Resources!

Sign-up for Email Updates! Support Christian Education Through Giving! Stay Connected through the Church School Herald Journal! Purchase Your Church School Literature!

The Department of Church Growth & Development: The State of Your Church Course Curriculum & The Kingdom Agenda Master Class Series

 

Dear Zion Family, We are excited to invite you to SAVE THE DATE for an empowering  experience brought to you by the Department of Church Growth & Development, in collaboration with The Board of Bishops and the Department of Records, Research & Archives.  Join us on a transformational journey—Monday nights @ 8 PM (EST) beginning Sept.  8 as we explore The State of Your Church Course Curriculum & The Kingdom Agenda Master Class Series! Here’s What’s Coming Up: State of Your Church Course Curriculum Our course curriculum—unfolding over two semesters—will provide a framework for evaluating, renewing, and strengthening your congregation from the inside out. We’ll explore the 7 Dimension of Flourishing People & 15 Dimensions of Thriving Churches to help us apply these key principles to our local ministries. Click the images below to learn more about each dimension! The Kingdom Agenda Master Class Series This Master Class Series features 10 impactful sessions crafted to shift our focus from mere church maintenance to a vibrant Kingdom mentality.  Below is a sneak peek at some of the topics. Stay tuned for registration details and additional info. In the meantime, join us in a Connectional Week of Prayer & Fasting, September 2nd - 8th, 2025. Click the image below to download the Fasting Guide. Need a Reminder? Signup to receive text message updates & reminders from the Department about upcoming trainings & events. Just text the word “CONNECT” to (833) 266-5356 Yours in Christ, Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather Executive Director Department of Church Growth & Development The A.M.E. Zion Church

The A.M.E. Zion Church Department of Church Growth & Development

 

Greetings! Thank you to all who joined us for the Evangelism Lab this past Saturday in Winston-Salem. Below is a link to the session replay.  We’ve also linked the handouts below for your convenience.   Click the Image Below for the Replay DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION DOWNLOAD QUESTIONNAIRE HANDOUT Yours in Christ, Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather Executive Director Department of Church Growth & Development The A.M.E. Zion Church

Rev. Dr. Alexander L. Jones Scholarship