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Join the Journey: C3 -

Converge, Create, Consecrate

This Fall, experience transformation and growth with leaders and innovators from across the First Episcopal District. Together, we are raising the level of ministry, leadership, and community.

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About

Founders Day is a cherished tradition in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church

Honoring the legacy of our founder, Bishop Richard Allen. It is a time to reflect on our history of faith and resilience while equipping ourselves to lead transformative change in our communities.

This year’s theme, "Legacy and Liberation: A Black Agenda for Faith and Justice," calls us to celebrate our heritage while mobilizing for a brighter future. It challenges us to reestablish the Black Church as a moral authority and cultural cornerstone.

Key highlights of Founders Day 2025 include:

  • Worship Services designed for celebration and renewal
  • The Richard Allen Lecture Series, offering insights on justice, theology, faith, and leadership.
  • The State of the Black Church, addressing today’s challenges and opportunities.
  • Learning Toolkit with practical tools to organize, mobilize, and activate change.

Held in Philadelphia, the birthplace of African Methodism, Founders Day inspires us to honor the past and step boldly into the future. This is more than a celebration; it’s a call to action for clergy, laity, youth, and community leaders to unite and lead with faith and purpose.

Join us as we build on our legacy and commit to creating a liberated and just world. Together, we will reimagine, mobilize, and activate for God’s glory and the empowerment of our communities.

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Raise the Level of your ministry — come, Converge, Create, and Consecrate with us.

Founders Day

Events

Richard Allen Lecture Series I: The Black Church: A History of Resistance

#WeAreAME Reception

Opening Worship Service

State of the Black Church Agenda Part 1: Lament to Liberation

Freedom! The Rev. Jarena Lee Celebration 

A Celebration of the Arts

Richard Allen Lecture Series II: Jesus & Justice: A Theological Framework

State of the Black Church Agenda Part 2: Self-Care as Resistance: Protecting Your Mind, Body, and Spirit

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Richard Allen Lecture Series I The Black Church: A History of Resistance

This conversation explores the pivotal role of the Black Church in shaping both religious and social movements, focusing on its history of resistance to oppression. Participants will examine key figures, movements, and the profound connection between faith and activism in the fight for justice. Through this lens, we’ll explore how the Black Church, particularly the AME Church, has served as a foundation for social change throughout history.

 Lecturer: Dr. Kelly Harris, University of Pennsylvania 

Co-lecturer: Dr. Christina Dickerson-Cousin, Quinnipiac University

Richard Allen Lecture Series II Jesus & Justice: A Theological Framework

Engage in conversation that delves into the intersection of faith and justice through the lens of Jesus’ ministry, examining biblical concepts of justice and the theological foundations that shape them. Participants will reflect on how Jesus’ teachings and actions provide a framework for addressing contemporary issues of inequality and oppression. Together, we will apply these insights to develop a deeper understanding of justice in today’s world.

Lecturer: Dr. Obrey Hendricks, Jr., Columbia University 

Conversation Partner: Rev. Ari Colston Johnson, PhD Candidate, Princeton University

State of the Black Church Part I Lament to Liberation

Immerse yourself in a transformative workshop that explores lament to liberation as a theory of change, deeply rooted in the black faith tradition. As we navigate lament, there will be a discussion on Holy Black Rage. This session will guide participants through the process of hearing from directly impacted individuals and utilizing theological reflection to foster powerful priestly and prophetic ministries.

Lecturer: Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer, Salvation & Social Justice 

Co-lecturer: Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd, Episcopal Supervisor, 17th District

State of the Black Church Part II Self-care as Resistance: Protecting Your Mind, Body, & Spirit

This conversation emphasizes the powerful connection between self-care and resistance, highlighting how prioritizing wellness can be an act of defiance against systems of oppression. Participants will explore the health challenges faced by African-Americans and discuss the importance of building a culture of care. Through practical strategies, we will learn how to protect and nurture our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Lecturer: Rev. Lisa Williamson 

Conversation Partners: Rev. Dr. Natalie Mitchem, Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison

Worship Materials
Acknowledgments
Featured Speakers
Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III

Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III

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Lecturers
Kelly Harris

Dr. Kelly Harris

University of Pennsylvania
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Christina Dickerson Cousin

Dr. Christian Dickerson-Cousin

Quinnipiac University
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Charles Boyer

Rev. Dr. Charles F. Boyer

Salvation & Social Justice
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Melinda Contreras-Byrd

Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd

Episcopal Supervisor, 17th Episcopal District
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Obrey Hendricks

Dr. Obrey Hendricks, Jr.

Columbia University
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Lisa Williamson

Rev. Lisa Williamson, MD

Program Consultant, Women’s Opportunity Rehabilitation Center
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Conversation Partners
Ari Colston Johnson

Rev. Ari Colston Johnson

Princeton University PhD Student
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Dr. Natalie Mitchem

Rev. Dr. Natalie Mitchem

AME Health Commission
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Dr. Ann Marie Pic

Rev. Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison

Executive Director of the International Health Commission
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EVENT

Glimpse

PROGRAM GUIDE

ANNUAL CONFERENCE2025

Live Stream
AME1-AnnualConference25(Flyer)

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Learning Guide

Overview

Immerse yourself in a transformative multidimensional learning experience that embraces our history, expands our theology, and equips us on our journey towards a collective Black Church Agenda. Our time will be grounded in Lament to Liberation as a theory of change, deeply rooted in the Black prophetic faith tradition. Participants will be guided through the process of hearing from directly impacted individuals and utilizing theological reflection to foster powerful priestly and prophetic ministries. Recognizing the importance of wellness, we will also examine ways to care for the mind, body, and spirit that builds a culture of care. Together, we will explore how to advocate for just public policies and create transformative direct impact ministries within our churches.

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Learning Objectives
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