And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:30

Who Are We?

      We are the Church (Sunday) School of the First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Church.  The First District covers Bermuda and northeastern United States.  It contains seven conferences: Bermuda, New England, New York, Western New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Philadelphia (eastern Pennsylvania) Conferences.  It is the largest AME Episcopal District in terms of number of churches and total membership. 

            The African Methodist Church is the oldest historically Black Church in the United States.  It traces its history back to the Free African Society established in 1787, Mother Bethel founded in 1794, and the organization of the AME denomination in 1816 all in the city of Philadelphia.  The First District is the First because the AME Church started there under the leadership of Richard Allen, its first bishop and founder.  The AME Church has been a leader in the struggle for justice and freedom in the United States and Africa.  It is also a leader in secular and Christian education.  

The Presiding Bishop of the First Episcopal District

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris

3801 Market Street, Suite 300

Philadelphia, PA 19104

The Director of Christian Education of the First Episcopal District

Rev. James E. Deas, Sr.

          3801 Market Street, Suite 300

Philadelphia, PA  19104

The Church School Superintendent of the First Episcopal District

Sis. Ann B. White-Sims

   4 East 107th Street #15C

New York, NY 10029

       Telephone:  (212) 410-2356

Conference Church School Superintendents

                                    Bermuda:    (Vacant)  

                                    Delaware:       Ms Barbara Lash

                                                            16 West 26th Street

                                                            Wilmington, DE  19802

                                     New England: Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle

                                                              46 Park Street #20

                                                              Lowell, MA  01852-2474

                                                              Telephone: (978) 452-8577   

                                                              Email: relates7@earthlink.net  

                                                              Website: relates.org

                                     New Jersey:   Mr. Samuel Jones

                                                             1114 Lakeshore Drive

                                                            Camden, NJ  08104

                                                            Telephone: (609) 541-3032

                                    New York:   Ms. Christine Powell 

                                                          333 Lafayette Avenue #22N

                                                          Brooklyn, NY  111238-1350

                                                          Telephone: (718) 638-2040

                                    Western New York:  Mrs. Carolyn Williams 

                                                                         25 Westchester Drive

                                                                         Albany, NY  12205-2118

                                    Philadelphia: Sis. Jeanne Chavious

                                                            110 West Apsley Street

                                                            Philadelphia, PA  19144

                                                            Telephone:  (215) 843-5842

Comments or Questions

Contact the Webmaster

Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle at

relates7@earthlink.net