[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 149 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2562-E2563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        PASTOR CHARLES T. SEMBLY AND FIRST LADY PAMELA J. SEMBLY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 15, 2009

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Reverend Charles T. Sembly and First Lady Pamela J. Sembly for their 25 
years of faithful, dedicated service to Union Bethel A.M.E. Church.
  Following in the footsteps of his father, the late Rev. Edgar L. 
James, Pastor Sembly earned his license to preach on March 17, 1971, 
and was ordained an African Methodist Episcopal Itinerant Deacon in 
1978 and an Itinerant Elder in 1979. In 1982, Pastor Sembly was 
appointed Pastor of Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church in 
Knoxville, Maryland. During the mid-year Conference on October 24, 
1984, Pastor Sembly was appointed to Union Bethel African Methodist 
Episcopal Church.
  Pastor Sembly and Mrs. Sembly have provided noteworthy spiritual 
leadership in fulfilling their vision of growth and development at 
Union Bethel A.M.E. Church. During Pastor Sembly's tenure, the church 
established over 40 ministries and outreach programs to enhance the 
Randallstown community. Under his leadership, the church created a 
nonprofit Community Development Corporation to increase its social 
outreach and opportunities for service to the greater Northwest 
Baltimore County community. As local President of the Lillian M. Dorsey 
Senior Missionary, Mrs. Sembly established several on-going outreach 
programs, which include the Good Samaritan Ministry, the Senior 
Outreach Ministry and provided additional support to three area 
shelters.
  Pastor Sembly is currently a Trustee and Member of the Finance 
Committee of the Second Episcopal District Washington Conference, and 
an Instructor of the Second Episcopal District Washington Conference 
Board of Examiners. Pastor Sembly conceptualized and developed the Six-
Week Lenten Services with seven A.M.E. Churches and is a former 
Recording Secretary for the Second Episcopal District Washington 
Conference.
  Mrs. Sembly is very active in the Women's Missionary Society of the 
African Methodist Episcopal Church. She currently serves as the 
President of the Lillian M. Dorsey Senior Missionary Society of Union 
Bethel A.M.E.

[[Page E2563]]

Church. She has served for more than 8 years as the Recording Secretary 
and the Treasurer of the Matilda Monroe Area. She was also the Editor 
of the ``Bridge,'' the Second Episcopal District WMS Newsletter, and 
was elected a Delegate to the 15th and 16th Quadrennial Conventions.
  Married for 35 years, Pastor Sembly and First Lady Mrs. Pamela J. 
Sembly have three loving children and six grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Reverend 
Charles T. Sembly and First Lady Pamela J. Sembly for their outstanding 
service to the Union Bethel A.M.E. Church and their continued 
commitment to enhancing lives in their community.

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