Welcome

From Bishop Sarah Frances Davis

Welcome to the Official Website of the Sixteenth (16th) Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church which is comprised of the wonderful Church family, Churches, and Schools in Europe, the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, and South America. Our Episcopal leaders here in the 16th District are Bishop Sarah F. Davis and Episcopal Supervisor Claytie Davis, Jr. who are now called “A-maicans” having moved into the Episcopal residence in Kingston, Jamaica, August 28, 2008. Jamaica is the headquarters' location for the 16th District.

This website is your entrance into the history of this great District. Here we will share with you who we are: our languages, culture, our work of ministry and our mission. Here you will learn about our seven Annual Conferences: European Conference, Dominican Republic Conference, Guyana Conference, Haiti Conference, Jamaica Conference, Virgin Islands Conference, and the Windward Islands Conference. You will find out that we span as far north as England and as far south as Suriname and Guyana in South America.

During this 2008-2012 Quadrennial our focus of ministry, teaching, preaching and lifestyle will be directed to our theme: “INFLUENCING THE WORLD FOR CHRIST”. The Scripture which informs us as we move forward “Influencing the World for Christ" is Matthew 5:13 (NRSV) which says: “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

The 16th Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich and unique history of which we are proud. Five Bishops in African Methodism were born in the 16th District: Bishop W. B. Derrick of Antigua, Bishop John Hurst of Haiti, Bishop D. O. Walker of St. Vincent, Bishop Joseph Gomez of Trinidad, and Bishop Frederick H. Talbot of Guyana. Bishop Talbot physically lives today in Tennessee, but is also living in the hearts and minds of many who remember his great contributions while serving in the District (1972-1979). It was in the 16th District that the first meeting of the Bishops’ Council, outside the Continental United States, was held. It was in the 16th Episcopal District where the 2nd elected and consecrated female Bishop, The Right Reverend Carolyn Tyler Guidry, was assigned to serve in (2004-2008). It was Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry's vision which led her to the decision to purchase an Episcopal residence for the 16th Episcopal District. And in 2005, her vision for the District became a reality with the purchase the property at 4A Widcombe Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica, West Indies, which is now the first ever Episcopal residence of the 16th District.

At the close of the 2008 Quadrennial, the Sixteenth Episcopal District had a total membership of 7,431. We move forward knowing that as we "Influence the World for Christ" our family size will increase as will the Kingdom of God here on earth. Our examples of being good followers can cause the Kingdom of God here in the 16th District to grow Sunday by Sunday in all seven Conferences of this Spirit filled and praying District.

We are happy that you have come by our site and hope you will visit us often. Your prayers and support are unashamedly solicited as we pray for you, too.