The Northeastern Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Zion Church gathered on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY, to celebrate our Bishop, The Right Rev. Dr. Dennis V. Proctor. Over 720 members were present for this auspicious occasion. The decorations were elegant and fashioned for a king. Bishop Proctor was in awe as he processed in with our Queenly Missionary Supervisor, Mrs. Deborah Diane Wilson Proctor.
This royal Quadrennial Banquet was hosted by The Rev. Dr. Stephen Pogue, Pastor of The Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church, and The Rev. Dr. Laticia Hill Godette, the first woman Presiding Elder of the Camden District. Their creativity was unparalleled. One Pastor stated, “This is the very first banquet I have attended where I wasn’t bored. I was excited during the entire program!” Dr. Pogue and P.E. Godette included all twelve Presiding Elder Districts and used drama, skits, poetry, dance and video presentations to illustrate different parts of Bishop Proctor’s life. Presiding Derrill Blue presented an emotional video about Bishop Proctor’s parents that moved Bishop Proctor to tears. Presiding Elder Alphonso Meadows presented a skit demonstrating how Bishop met his beautiful wife in college. The presentation made Bishop Proctor laugh.
Presiding Elder Kevin Coakley had the entire room singing, “The Proctor Bunch,” while Bishop Proctor smiled when he saw his children representing on the video. Presiding Elder A. Alfred Carson highlighted powerful, prolific moments of Bishop Proctor’s preaching ministry. Bishop Proctor is an internationally known preacher who will make you want to preach. Presiding Elder Moses Harvill surprised Bishop Proctor and captured Bishop’s former church members, saying how Bishop transformed their lives. Presiding Elder Keith Harris showcased greetings from Dr. Cynthia Hale and other ecumenical leaders.
Our Bishop is well-known at the prestigious Hampton University Ministers’ Conference, and a national board member of the N.A.A.C.P. Presiding Elder Jacqueline King created her own rendition of “I Just Wanna Praise You” by Maurette Brown Clark and led the entire room in singing, “Thank you Bishop…for blessing me!” The song electrified the banquet, and we got caught up praising God for our Bishop. Presiding Elder Branch and the drama ministry team from The Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church performed a Black Nationalism play about the fight for Civil Rights and educated us on leaders of the movement, including Bishop Proctor.
Presiding Elder Odinga Maddox II presented on Bishop Proctor’s college days at Ohio State University. The presentations concluded with Presiding Elder Laticia Hill Godette and the Camden District Pastors performing a skit to demonstrate how Bishop Proctor went to Livingstone College with a full-ride football scholarship and ended up with a full-ride scholarship as the new Drum Major. P.E. Godette surprised Bishop Proctor by bringing Master Corian Mincey, the current Drum Major at Livingstone College, to close out the celebration with a live performance. Master Corian ended his performance by stepping to Bishop Proctor and placing his mace in Bishop’s hand and his busby hat on Bishop’s head. In true Drum Major form, Bishop Proctor came alive and started his shimmy as he danced. Presiding Elder Godette led the entire room in a chant, “One band, one sound!” She let Bishop know that he is the drum major of The Northeastern Episcopal District and that we are in his band working together in unity because teamwork makes the dream work.
Pastor Pogue and Presiding Elder were full of surprises for Bishop Proctor. Bishop Proctor thought his children were unable to attend the banquet due to their friend’s wedding. Dennis Vernon Proctor, Jr. was the greatest surprise. Dr. Godette told everyone that there are some things that money just can’t buy! Dennis, Jr. gave the most touching remarks. He ended by saying, “The highest compliment anyone could ever give me is to tell me I remind them of my Father. I love you, Slim!”
Also, The Northeastern Episcopal District stood to give Mrs. Proctor an enthusiastic round of applause for her faithful, loyal, considerate, and loving leadership and service. Mrs. Proctor gave remarks and thanked everyone for showing love to her husband and family. The Northeastern Episcopal District ended the banquet by showering Bishop Proctor with appreciation gifts of love. The North Eastern Episcopal District Choir, led by Sister Nicole Phifer, serenaded Bishop Proctor before he gave his remarks.
Bishop Proctor approached the podium to make final remarks, and he was moved to tears. He was full of love, joy, and thankfulness to receive a celebration of this magnitude. “Let the Elders who serve well be counted worthy of double honor!” The Northeastern Episcopal District definitely gave Bishop Proctor our best. God blessed us with an exceptional Bishop and Missionary Supervisor. We were happy to return the love.
Bishop Proctor capped off the celebratory weekend by worshipping at The Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church in Mt. Vernon, New York. Pastor Stephen Pogue invited Bishop Proctor to preach at the 9:30 A.M. Worship Service. Bishop Proctor experienced some vertigo symptoms, so he gave Presiding Elder Laticia Hill Godette the opportunity to preach in his place. She preached from 2 Kings 20:1-7, “You Shall Recover All!” It was a powerful, soul-stirring message. We thank God that one soul was saved.
Pastor Pogue and his congregation showed radical hospitality to Bishop Proctor and all assembled. Bishop Proctor gave final remarks and the Benediction. He thanked Pastor Pogue for being his first Pastor for 16 years of his episcopacy and for doing an excellent job. Bishop Proctor was extremely pleased with the entire Celebration!
Special thank you to Pastor Stephen Pogue, Presiding Elder Laticia Hill Godette, Presiding Elder Daren C. Jaime and Presiding Elder Derrill Blue (Planning Committee); Sister Phyllis Couch (Decorations); Sister Jackie Davis (Commemorative Journal); Bishop Brian R. Thompson, Sr. (Video Greetings); Livingstone College President Anthony Davis (Video Greetings); All Presiding Elders and members of N.E.E.D.; & Sis. Nicole Phifer and the Music Ministry.
