Bethel AME Ann Arbor - Lay Organization

The Lay Organization meets each month on the 1st Thursday of the month. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m. with a workshop, design to teach members about the policies, doctrines, rituals and history of the AME church. The business of the local Lay Organization is conducted after the workshop. For additional information please contact the Church Office.

You can visit the Connectional Lay's web site by clicking on the logo

History of the Bethel A.M.E. Lay Organization
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Mrs. Lucile Harden, Chaplain of the Michigan Lay Organization was very instrumental in starting the Lay Organization at Bethel. Rev. C. Wesley Gordon, pastor of Bethel at that time, encouraged Mrs. Harden to establish the organization. With the help of many lay volunteers, the organization was critically established in the spring of 1990. The first officers were elected and installed, with Dr. Bella Parker as president.

Mr. Joe E. Ezell, President of the Michigan Lay Organization at that time, availed the charter group of his expertise and support. He provided information as to how to start a lay organization. He was also the speaker for the first Lay Day at Bethel, Ann Arbor in 1991.

Mr. Robert Connors served as the second president under his leadership, the group held its second Lay Day celebration and was proud to have as its speaker, Dr. Pauline Coleman, of the Connectional Lay Organization, who was subsequently elected Editor of the A.M.E. Review at the 1992 General Conference.

Mr. Robert Connors was called to the ministry in the fall of 1992 and relinquished the presidency so as to have more time to devote to his ministerial studies. Mrs. Barbara A. Robinson, in order to maintain continuity within the Lay Organization, accepted the position of president for the 1992-1993 activity year.

Workshops on all phases of the structure and polity of the A.M.E. Church have been provided for the laity of Bethel. The members have also taken part in various activities sponsored by the Michigan Conference Lay Organization, and local lay organization within the Conference.

The Bethel Lay Organization continues to grow, both in knowledge and membership, with the support and guidance of current pastor, Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Cousin.