[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17406]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          A TRIBUTE TO THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

 Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, it gives me great pleasure to 
rise today and to honor the work of the Women's Missionary Society of 
the African Methodist Episcopal Church, whose annual conference will be 
held in my home State of Kansas. As you may know, the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church has a magnificent and marvelous history in this 
country. The A.M.E. Church was the first African American Church 
founded in this Nation. Borne out of the struggle to worship our 
almighty and benevolent Father without persecution, the A.M.E. Church 
was founded in order that African Americans could worship freely. And 
unlike the churches of their time, the co-founder, Bishop Richard 
Allen, insured that any person regardless of race, creed, or color 
could worship in church.
  It is with that spirit and the spirit of benevolence toward one 
another that the Women's Missionary Society was formed. Through the 
vision of Mrs. Sarah Allen, the wife of Bishop Richard Allen, there was 
formed the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist 
Episcopal Church in an effort to mobilize and encourage women in the 
area of missions. Today the missionary society is still committed to 
spreading the principles of Christian love and boasts a membership of 
over 800,000 worldwide. It is their charge and duty to serve God in all 
they do and to assist in the progression of serving all people 
worldwide.
  Indeed, the Women's Missionary Society has a wonderful 130 year 
history within the A.M.E. Church. In early 1900s the Kansas/Nebraska 
Conference Branch Women's Missionary Society was formed. At this time, 
Kansas/Nebraska conference began to serve and meet the needs of the 
church and the community. During their 130 year history, the Missionary 
Society encountered many social challenges. And holding true to their 
legacy, they learned to adjust, adapt, and to be of service to the 
A.M.E. Church and the African American community. As a conference, they 
sponsor and hold workshops and seminars to educate the A.M.E. Church 
and the community on social issues that affect the Black community 
daily.
  The Kansas/Nebraska Missionary Society has had several Episcopal 
supervisors who met the challenges of mission with the A.M.E. Church 
and the African American community in general. Today, the missionary 
society has opened a new chapter of missions with a Supervisor who has 
a global mission to serve abroad as well as at home, Reverend Dr. 
Cecelia Williams Bryant, who is affectionately known as ``Rev. C.''
  Holding true to the A.M.E. Church legacy, Rev ``C'' is a true 
visionary. Under the direction of Rev. ``C,'' the missionary society 
will create opportunities for those in need, obtain resources for the 
changing needs and work to address the concerns of people throughout 
the world. They will also offer aid and assistance to women's 
organizations throughout the world as well. They also plan to pray and 
enthusiastically send the message throughout the Nation and the world 
that prayer will and can make a difference.
  On the evening of September 6, 2005, at St. John African Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Topeka, KS, the Kansas/Nebraska Conference Branch 
Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 
will proclaim ``The Healing of the Nations'' as they explore and tell 
the story of the women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India 
and the Boothheel of Missouri.
  Mr. President, it is quite evident that the Kansas/Nebraska Women's 
Missionary Society is ready to accept the challenges to move forward 
and continue to serve this Nation and the world in the areas of 
missions.

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