annual conferences - 2008

Each year, hundreds of leaders from throughout the District, as well as the AME Church as a whole, gather to discuss issues within the church, vision and direction for the coming year and discernment of God's call in their own congregations and communities.

Annual conference meetings are held in each of the Conferences that headquarter the District.  In the case of the First District, these conferences are divided by geographic region into the Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, New England, Bermuda and Western New York Conferences.

The First District—as well other AME districts—develop a theme each year which becomes a focal point for the annual conference gatherings.  The theme for 2005, "Living Well,"; was a directive to all AME followers, encouraging them to live out their faith in all aspects of their daily lives.  Church leaders incorporate this theme throughout their teachings to further reinforce it.