First Episcopal District Lay
Officers
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Sis. Linda Gant has been a dedicated and devoted member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Hartford CT for over 45 years. From her initial experience as a young adult attending Sunday School there, she has always enjoyed being in church. She has served in many varied capacities at Allen Chapel over the years, including being an enthusiastic member of the Trustee Board, serving as a doorkeeper on the Usher Board, serving as Superintendent of Church School, Christian Education Director, Church Treasurer, and Vice Chair of the Board of Stewards, and participating in many outreach projects for the community . . . and always with a smile.
Sis. Linda’s passion for the Lay Organization led her to work not only on the local level but also on the conference level as Recording Secretary, First Vice President, and President of the New England Conference Lay Organization before being elected to hold the distinguished position of President of the First Episcopal District Lay Organization. She takes her work seriously and truly believes this is the calling God has placed on her life.
Her family is the love of her life, with God being first. Robert, Mildred, Nina, NaKiya, Tylon, and Stephanie, as well as grandchildren Alana, Jalon, Jazmyn, and Andrew, would all agree that if you want to find their mother and grandmother, go by Allen Chapel and there she will likely be . . . either worshipping, working or otherwise serving and meeting the needs of the church. Or in some cases, ask her where she’s going now, as she prepares for the next trip to the next meeting or Annual Conference across the District and sometimes beyond. Between these meetings and conferences, she enjoys doting on her family and often includes them on some of the trips she takes, just to be able to spend time with them.
Sis. Linda recognizes just how blessed she is, as she is surrounded by love from family and friends wherever she is. One of her favorite scriptures is Psalm 37:4 [“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”], and she knows that God is doing just that!
President Linda C. Gant
1st Vice President
Robin Batson
2nd Vice President
Shawn J. Lee
Shawn James Lee was born and raised in Norristown, PA. Shawn is currently the Director of Orchestras at Phoenixville Area Middle School and Phoenixville Area High School, in Phoenixville, PA, and teaches the Phoenixville Phantom Band, as well as Adjunct Professor of Strings at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA, where he is the Director of String Ensemble and Instructor of Violin and Viola. Shawn is a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Bryn Mawr, PA where he is proud to be the Local Lay President. He also currently serves as Second Vice President of the Philadelphia Conference Lay Organization. Shawn is privileged to hold both of these offices as the successor of his mentor and role model, Bro. Hosea Jackson. Shawn is beyond thrilled to now be serving as the Historiographer for the First Episcopal District Lay Organization, under the leadership of Sis. Cheryl Hammond Hopewell. Shawn recently had the honor of being chosen to be the Speaker for Lay Night for the oldest Conference in the African Methodism, the Philadelphia Annual Conference. He was also elected as a Delegate to the General Conference in Orlando, Florida in 2020 (now 2021). In addition to his responsibilities with the Lay, Shawn’s other organizational involvement at Bethel Bryn Mawr includes the Steward Board, Male Chorus, Student Aid Committee, and Finance Commission. Shawn often describes himself as “Blessed” and his favorite passage of scripture is the 100th Psalm. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing...For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Shawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree Magna Cum Laude in Music Education from Millersville University of Pennsylvania, where he was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success, and won the society’s “Excellence Award,” and was named a “Student of Academic Distinction,” and a Master’s Degree in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford.
3rd Vice President
TBA
Recording Secretary
Dorothy Chandler
Asst Recording Secretary
Cynthia King
Corresponding Secretary
Keith Arrington
Financial Secretary
Cheryl L. Ford
Cheryl L. Ford is married to James O. Ford, the mother of five, grandmother of twelve, and great grandmother of nine. Her siblings include two brothers and three sisters. She is a member of Hickman Temple AME Church located in Philadelphia, PA pastored by Rev. Ronald L. Green. She has a penchant for desktop publishing and has made it her second career. When she is not publishing journals or attending religious activities Cheryl is volunteering with Soroptimist International of Five Points Magneta. This organization is her passion because they work improving the lives of women and girls throughout the world. Her favorite scripture is Luke 12:48
Treasurer
Sandra Mosby
Sis. Sandra Mosby is from the New England Annual Conference and is a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bloomfield, CT where the pastor is Rev. Daylan Greer, Sr. Sis. Sandra serves as the Director of Lay Activities for the Priscilla Green Lay Organization, Treasurer for the New England Conference Lay Organization, a member of the Doxology Dance Ministry (Treasurer), Gospel Chorus, Acapella Choir, Prison Ministry, New Members Class Instructor, and the Prayer Line Ministry (contributor).
Historiographer
Caroline Hoffman-Veasey
Chaplain
Catherine Combs-Smith
Evangelist Kitty Combs Smith, Chaplain of 1st Episcopal District Lay. Went to Seminary and became a licensed evangelist. Circular Career was at Prudential Insurance Company as a Medical Underwriter. She volunteered as EMT on the Roseland Ambulance Squad. Member of Union Chapel AME Church, Rev. Larry Jennings is the pastor. I have given the word on many occasions. My passion is helping others, encouraging others, hosting a 6:00 prayer line once a month. I help out where necessary. I want everyone I meet and see to know Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us. Secretary for the great St. Luke AME Church, Newark, NJ where Rev. Dr. Joseph A Hooper is the pastor.
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Director of
Lay Activities
Dr. Eyerce
Armstrong Polston
For many years Dr. Poston has been an active leader, mentor, and champion of education teaching young women about research and development career opportunities. Additionally, she has been a role model, guide, and mentor for men and women struggling to rebuild their lives. Dr. Poston’s demonstrated accomplishments as a research scientist and her commitment to community service have served as a bridge to help people succeed, not only in science and technology, but in life itself. Dr. Poston accepted Christ at an early age in Memphis, Tennessee where she served as the pianist and organist for her father, The Rev. Dr. John L. Armstrong. Her mother, Mary Armstrong was her Sunday school teacher and Christian Education Director. Dr. Poston has continued the Christian Education legacy by serving at Bethel-Wilmington, Delaware as the Christian Education Director. She has served as the Director of Vacation Bible School, a member of the Trustee Board, Secretary of the Stewardship & Finance Commission, Church School teacher, and Director of Lay Activities for the Katherine B. Ross Lay Organization. On the Conference level, Dr. Poston serves as the 2nd Vice-President of the Lay Organization and Promotion and Mission Director of the Women’s Missionary Society. She is currently the Director of Lay Activities for the First Episcopal District. Dr. Poston is a Spelman Alumna, an inventor holding a patent in High Refractive Index and High Photosensitive Materials and Methods and a publisher of peer reviewed publications and corporate publications. Dr. Poston is married to Avee Poston, Jr. a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her mother, Mary Armstrong lives in Memphis, TN and remains active in her Ministry Wives’ Guild. Her sister, Dr. Vondra Armstrong, Ed. D. resides in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Poston’s favorite scripture is “But it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of anyone the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” I Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
Director of
Public Relations
Sharon Carmichael
Sis. Sharon Carmichael has been a member of the North Stelton AME Church in Piscataway, New Jersey for 33 years. She formerly served as her local church Christian Education Director, Public Relations Coordinator, and editor-in-chief of the NSAME Family Times Newsletter. She also served as a Steward for over 20 years, and was the New Brunswick District Director of Christian Education under the leadership of the late Presiding Elder Melvin L. Guyton and Presiding Elder Vernard Leak, and currently under Presiding Elder Lanel D. Guyton. She also served 8 years as the New Brunswick District Lay Director of Public Relations and is currently serving as the First District Lay Director of Public Relations (DOPR), under former President Dr. Cheryl Hammond-Hopewell and currently a second term under President Linda C. Gant since her re-election on July 28, 2024. She is also the newly appointed New Jersey Conference Director of Christian Education since June 2024 by Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Sr. Sis. Sharon loves the AME Church and enjoys attending AME Church conferences and working with the Lay Organization. As the daughter of a preacher, the late Elder Wilma C. Berry, Sis. Sharon attributes her church upbringing, and mother's teaching of excellence to the values she holds today. Sis. Sharon holds a Master’s Certificate in Project Management and a BA in Mathematics & Computer Science. She recently retired from AT&T as a Senior Technical Project Manager. She is a licensed independent insurance broker, and an avid cake baker. Sister Sharon is the proud mother of three extraordinary children (Raqiyah: author/activist; Dr. Marc: PhD Biomedical Engineering; and Jasmine: Actress & Teaching Artist); and has 5 beautiful grandchildren. Sis. Sharon gives all praises to God for His blessings, and lives her life by Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV)
Young Adult Representative (YAR)
Jyzelle Steplight
Jyzelle Steplight was elected to the position of First Episcopal District Lay YAR. She proudly served for 4 years and was re-elected to her second term in July 2024.
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Parliamentarian
TBA
Advisor
President Emeritus Mary Mootoo
Advisor
President Emeritus Dr. Cheryl Hammond Hopewell
Young Adult Representative (YAR)
Jyzelle Steplight
Jyzelle Steplight was elected to the position of First Episcopal District Lay YAR. She proudly served for 4 years and was re-elected to her second term in July 2024.
Parliamentarian
TBA
Advisor
President Emeritus Mary Mootoo
Advisor
President Emeritus Dr. Cheryl Hammond Hopewell