First Episcopal District Lay
Officers
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.
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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
Wanda L. Duckett
2nd Vice President
Robin Batson
3rd Vice President
Shawn J. Lee
Recording Secretary
Dorothy Chandler
Asst Recording Secretary
Cynthia King
Corresponding Secretary
Keith Arrington
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).
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.
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.
Director of Lay Activities
Dr. Eyres L. Armstrong Poston
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Historiographer
Carolyn Hoffman-Veasey
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 local Church Christian Education Director for 20 years, Public Relations Coordinator, and editor-in-chief of the NSAME Family Times Newsletter. She also served as a Steward for16 years, and was the New Brunswick District Director of Christian Education for for17 years, She also served 8 years as the New Brunswick District Lay Director of Public Relations and 4 recently completed 4 years of service as the First District Lay Director of Public Relations (DOPR). She says she has more work to do as the DOPR, and was re-elected to a second four-year term on July 28, 2024. She is also the newly appointed New Jersey Conference Director of Christian Education since June 2024. 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 is a Senior Technical Project Manager at AT&T; a licensed independent insurance broker, and an avid cake baker.
She 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
Jyzelle Steplight
Parliamentarian
TBA
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Advisor
President Emeritus Mary Mootoo
