Bishop McKinley Young 11th Episcopal District, AME Church   The Greeting 2011  “ I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?   Isaiah 43:19 (NRSV)  And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true. Revelation 21:5 NRSV Greetings to our Eleventh Episcopal District Family: We begin this last series of Annual Conferences with tremendous joy and great thanksgiving.  God has been very good to us! In this season we are compelled by the Holy Spirit to live, witness and serve as a liberating and reconciling people to the glory of God.  We continue to celebrate the ministries of Bishops Richard Allen Hildebrand and Robert Vaughn Webster.  We are encouraged and inspired by the many ministries of retired presiding elders, pastors and ministers and we gladly welcome their prayers, presence, wisdom and support of all programs and district projects.  Our Supervisor continues to give innovative and thoughtful leadership to the Women’s Missionary Society/YPD, Ministers’ Spouses Alliance and the Debutante Masters Commission.  We are grateful for the overwhelming support which The Pastors, Lay Leaders, Missionaries and Young People gave to our 2011 Christian Education Congress and the 17th Quadrennial Convention of the Women’s Missionary Society.  Congratulations to Bro. Jon Ingraham newly elected Connectional Y.P.D. President and Mrs. Shirley Cason Reed Connectional WMS President. We praise and thank Almighty God for the love and support of our children and grandchildren.  We celebrate our loyal, caring, competent and dedicated staff for all they do to complement and enhance our work and ministries. Edward Waters College, in its 145th year moves ahead under the capable and dynamic leadership of Mr. Nathaniel Glover.  President Glover will be inaugurated as the 29th President of EWC on Saturday, October 15, 2011.  This Conference year we continue to build on a solid foundation of support, energetic recruitment and sustained financial and resource development. We look forward, with great anticipation, to our Founder’s Day Celebration and the 25th Anniversary of Black Heritage Weekend on the campus of EWC in February under the leadership of our Supervisor Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, our Episcopal President Attorney Harriet Birk and our Episcopal Y.P.D. Director Sis. Sanjena Clay. As we gather at our Conference sites to worship, study and pray, we look forward to the Annual Sermons, Pastors’ Reports, and the word and witness of our components.  We will ordain persons into our ministry, elect clergy and lay delegates to the General Conference and celebrate the ministries of those who retire from active ministry.  We urge you to take full advantage of the Connectional Initiative of  our Council of Bishops as you consider and support the 2011-2012 Anvil theme: “Great Past-Greater Future: An Incredible Call to Serve: Innovation.  We invite you to join us in a season of prayer for the move of God in all sessions of our Annual Conferences. Joy and Peace,  Bishop McKinley Young