Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei a native of Likpe-Bakua in the Oti Region of the Republic of Ghana, was born November 23rd, 1963 to Lawrence Kwame Adjei of blessed memory and Christine Nubuasah. He is the 3rd of the 12 children. He was elected the 68th Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on 1st ballot on June 29th, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a Post-Secondary Diploma in Theology and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ministry with majors in Pastoral Ministry and Missions respectively from the Maranatha University College in Accra, Ghana. He earned his Masters in Divinity from Successful Ministers Academy in collaboration with London Theological Accrediting Agency in Accra, Ghana. Received his Doctorate of Theology from the American Bible University, Ghana Campus.

Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei received his Local Preachers License in 1991 at Beulah Temple CME Church. He was ordained to the Orders of Deacon in 1995 and Elder in 1998 by Late Bishop Charles L. Helton. He was assigned to start a mission in Accra by Late Senior Bishop Linsey in 1993 which he did by going to plant a church at a school room in Tesano, Accra. The Church has grown to become the Bethel CME Church which now worships on her own church building at a landed property purchased under his leadership for the CME Church. He was appointed Presiding Elder of North West District in 1998 by Senior Bishop LL Reddick III. A district that has grown by extending the missions to the Republic of Togo. Bishop Kenneth Wayne Carter, further appointed him as Mission Supervisor for Ghana-Togo region.

Until his election to the office of bishop in the CME Church, he served as the Chaplain of the Christian Methodist Senior High School. A role he played on behalf of the CME Church for 31 years without stipends in order to certify and enhanced the CME Church ownership and relationship with the Ghana Education Service.

Bishop Adjei climbed through the ladder of the CME Church hierarchy from Licensed Local Church Preacher, Local Church Pastor, Presiding Elder, Annual Conference Secretary, Chair of the Joint Board of Finance, Chair of the Committee on Ministerial Examination, Dean of Leadership Studies and Young Adult Council President of the Ghana Region Annual Conference.

He furthermore, faithfully worked in succession to the following Bishops of the Church. They were: Late Senior Bishop Nathaniel Linsey, Late Bishop Charles L. Helton, Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick III, Late Bishop Ronald Cunningham, Bishop Kenneth Wayne Carter and Late Bishop Godwin T. Umoette.

Ecumenically, before his election, he was the Vice Chairman of the Christian Council of Ghana by virtue of the fact that the CME is a member church of this oldest most revered ecumenical body in Ghana. In January 2007, Bishop Adjei received ITC distinguished award for Ministry for the 10th Episcopal District in Atlanta, Georgia.

He is a respected International Speaker, spanning from West Coast of Africa to Europe and America. In 2015 he was invited to the Home coming week celebration of Lane College, in Jackson Tennessee as the Parade Grand Marshall of the College and a special guest speaker of the Chapel Service of the Home coming week celebrations. He has also spoken and preached at some major CME denominations in the USA. Some of which include Miles Chapel CME, Houston, TX., Metropolitan CME Church Houston, TX. Trinity CME Church in Memphis TN. Bullock Temple CME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mother Liberty and St. John CME Churches all in Jackson TN. Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church, Dallas, TX., Kirkwood CME, Dallas, TX. Southside Community CME Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Westside Community CME, Atlanta, GA, Russell Temple CME Church in Alexandria, Virginia State, Trinity CME Church in Tucson, Arizona, just to mention a few.

Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei until his election, was a member of the Judicial Council of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2018 all respectively on first ballot. He was elected a delegate to the World Methodist Council in 2001 in Brighton, England and re-elected to attend the 2016 World Methodist Council held in Houston, Texas where he represents 10th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2001 and 2016.

Bishop K.L. Adjei was a Council Member of Maranatha University College in Ghana, Board member of the Municipal Educational Oversight Committee of Ga Central Municipal Assembly, Board member of Christian Methodist Senior High School and Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School. He was also the PTA Chairman of Mfantsiman Girls Senior High School which is currently the largest female school in Ghana with students’ total population of 4,926.

Bishop Adjei is highly revered in the community that he lives. He is currently the Chairman of the Land Lords Association of Israel South community in Accra, Ghana. He has endeared himself to service in the community that the Local government of his constituency honored him by naming a street lying in front of Bethel CME Church after him. The street name is “Lawson Street”.

Bishop K.L. Adjei also founded the LL Reddick School of Theology & Leadership Studies that is purposely earmarked to train CME Ministers and Church leaders of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Ghana. He was until his election to the Episcopacy, the President of the School.

Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei is happily married to Rev. Mrs. Mercy Adjei since 1998 and are blessed with two daughters and a son, Justina, Mary and Emmanuel.

Contact Information:
Bishop Kwame Lawson Adjei
11th Episcopal District
P. O. Box AN 7639, Accra, Ghana, West Africa
Phone: 011-233-244-630267
Email: bishopkladjei@thecmechurch.org | rev.adjei@hotmail.com

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE BYLAWS

Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department 
BYLAWS

THE DEPARTMENT'S CONNECTIONAL COLORS
Black with Gold Accessories

THE DEPARTMENT'S FIRST CONNECTIONAL OFFICERS, ELECTED 1995
President: Mrs. Patricia Redds
Vice President: Mrs. E. Louise Buckner
1st Vice President: Mrs. Maggie C. Banks
2nd Vice President: Mrs. Charlotte Yenn-Batah
Treasurer: Mrs. C. D. Lynn Jones
Recording Secretary: Mrs. Deborah G. Harris
Assistant Secretary: Mrs. Frances Jones
Corresponding Secretary: Mrs. Cornelio Berliner
Financial Secretary: Mrs. Gladys Cherry-Jones
Worship Leader: Mrs. Helen Sprewer

LESGISLATIVE HISTORY
The: Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department, authorized by the 1994 General Conference, is the Connectional organization for the spouses, widows and widowers of the ministers of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (C.M.E.). Its purpose is to provide at the Connectional level of the church a means by which ministers' spouses may share mutual concerns, support, communication and fellowship. The Department is organized at the Connectional, Region and District level and is supported by membership dues and affiliation fees. Its major program is the Widow's Mite and the Barbara H. Hoye Scholarship Fund for children of C.M.E. ministers. It meets annually at the C.M.E. Unity Summit.

STRUCTURE STATEMENT
The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department is designed so that each Episcopal District has representation, and that each officer represents his/her Episcopal District by holding an office on the Executive Committee. The intent is to ensure that information flows horizontally arid vertically throughout the connection. An Official Emblem was adopted at the 11th Annual C.M.E. Convocation held September 30 through October 3, 1997 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each Episcopal District was asked to design and/or propose a logo.

MEMBERSHIP AND GOOD STANDING
Membership is an honor and privilege. It is always the intent to include members and provide a welcoming and nurturing environment. Special attention is given to widows and affiliate members. Our widows and widowers are our charge to assist and treasure. We welcome and need their participation to keep us relevant and able to minister our families and the church in general. They are encouraged to participate in all levels and activities, but it is not mandatory. Connectional dues must be paid annually, and Regional departments are urged to pay these dues on the widows/widower’s behalf.
Affiliate members are welcomed to our fellowship. However, since they are not members of the C.M.E. Church, their privileges are restricted. See Article IV. Section 3.  Each Region is required to pay $200.00 annually for their Region to be considered in good standing.

BYLAWS - REVISED AUGUST 2019

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this department will be The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department of the

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVE

The objective of The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department is to provide a Support system for spouses and members of their families; to provide for the total development of the individual through its programs and  ministries; to study and help alleviate problems concerning the family; and to be of service to the Church.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERS

SECTION 1:  Any C.M.E. member, married to a C.M.E. minister, shall be eligible for membership in The Ministers' Spouses Department of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

SECTION 2: Widows and Widowers in good standing with their Region of the C.M.E. Church are eligible for membership.

1. In good standing is defined as Ministers' Spouses who meet the following criteria:
2. Currently married to a C.M.E. minister;
3. Involved both financially and actively in the church at the District and Region level(s);
4. A widow/widower who remains unmarried after the passing of the spouse;
5. A widow/widower of a C.M.E. minister at the time of his/her passing.

SECTION 3: Those spouses who are non-members of the C.M.E. Church shall be called Affiliate members without voting privileges.

SECTION 4: Each Region's asking shall be $200.00 annually payable at the close of each conference.

ARTICLE IV - OFFICERS

SECTION 1: The elected officers of The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department shall be a President, a Vice President, a First Vice President, a 2nd Vice President from Africa, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, a Treasurer, a Financial Secretary, a Worship Leader, and a Parliamentarian appointed by the President.

The Department's Region and District Conference Officers (when possible):

President, Vice President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Financial Secretary, Worship Leader

SECTION 2: Beginning 2001, all officers shall be elected by ballot during The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department Meeting held at the C.M.E. Unity Summit. An officer is to serve a term of two years and may succeed herself/himself for one term only and shall not exceed four consecutive years. The term of office shall begin upon adjournment of the annual meeting.

SECTION 3: To hold an office at the connectional level in the Minister's Spouses Widows/ Widowers Department the spouse (including widows/widowers) must be:

• (a) The spouse, widow, or widower of an ordained C.M.E. minister;
• (b) A member of the C.M.E. Church;
• (c) A financial member in good standing at every level with the Ministers' Spouses Department;
• (d) An affiliate member can only hold the offices of Assistant Secretary or Corresponding Secretary in the Ministers Spouses Widows/Widowers Department of the C.M.E. Church on the Region and District levels; still without voting privileges.
• (e) Affiliate members shall not hold an office in The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department of the C.M.E. Church at connectional level but only on the Region, and District levels.
• (f) No person shall hold more than one office at a time at the connectional or regional levels.

SECTION 4: The Department of Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall be legally bonded.

SECTION 5: Any vacancy on the Executive Committee shall be filled by the Episcopal Bishop of the vacated office. The Bishop shall consult with the Region Presidents and the President of the Department. The Bishop shall announce the appointment to the vacancy by the next annual meeting.  Any vacancy in a Region shall be filled under the direction- of the Bishop by holding an election or left vacant until the next scheduled election.

Any vacancy at the District level shall be filled under the direction of the Presiding Elder by holding an election or left vacant until the next scheduled election.

ARTICLE V - DUTIES OF OFFICERS

A. PRESIDENT It shall be the duty of the President to:

• Administer the programs of the Department
• Preside at all meetings of the Department and Executive Committee
• Articulate the guidelines of the programs throughout the Episcopal Districts
• Enforce the Bylaws of the Department
• Call Executive Committee meetings at official C.M.E. meetings
• Appoint chairpersons of all committees'
• Serve as ex-officio member of all committee except the nominating committee
• Represent the Department, when appropriate
• Sign bank card and be one of the three signatories for check writing
• Appoint the office of parliamentarian (per Roberts Rules of Order)

B. VICE PRESIDENT It shall be the duty of the Vice President to:

• Preside during the absence of the President
• Serve as chairperson of the program committee
• Serve as chairperson of the handbook committee
• Compile a report of the programs submitted by the Vice Presidents of the Regions
• Promote the Marion Scipio Vesper as a Widow's Mite Fund Raiser
• Promote the 4th Sunday in April as the C.M.E. Ministers' Spouses Annual Day

C. FIRST VICE PRESIDENT It shall be the duty of the First Vice President to:

• Serve as chairperson of the resolution committee
• Assist the appointed chairperson of the Widow's Mite program

D. SECOND VICE PRESIDENT FROM AFRICA It shall be the duty of the Second Vice President to:

• Inform the Department of the well-being of the African spouses and their concerns

E. SECRETARY It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:

• Preside during the absence of the President and Vice President
• Keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings
• Provide each member a copy of the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in a timely manner
• Assist the President in preparing the meeting agenda
• Complete application and/or necessary forms to secure legal bonding for the Treasurer and Financial Secretary
• Sign the bank card and be one of the three signatories for check writing

F. ASSISTANT SECRETARY It shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary to:

• Keep a record of the proceedings of the meeting in the absence of the Secretary
• Establish an attendance roster at each meeting to include name, address and telephone number of each attendee
• Provide copies of attendance roster to each Executive Committee member in a timely manner
• Serve as written and pictorial historian of the Department

G. CORRESPONDING SECRETARY It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to:

• Issue notices of The Ministers' Spouses Department meetings
• Read correspondence at The Ministers' Spouses Department meetings
• Chair the courtesy committee
• Work closely with the corresponding secretaries at the Region and District Conference levels in securing information for The Ministers' Spouses Department to respond to Episcopal courtesies
• Show the appropriate courtesies for The Ministers' Spouses Department

H. TREASURER It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

• Serve as chairperson of the budget committee and present budget for adoption at the annual meeting'
• Open a bank account in the area where she/he resides following bank protocol
• Obtain signature cards for the President, Secretary and Treasurer to sign
• Sign the bank card and be one of the three signatories for check writing
• Issue and sign checks upon receipt of vouchers bearing the signature of the President
• Become legally bonded per application process
• Make an annual report of all department financial transactions for the annual meeting
• Have an annual financial audit

I. FINANCIAL SECRETARY It shall be the duty of the Financial Secretary to:

• Receive all The Ministers' Spouses Department monies: membership, Widow/Widowers Mite, scholarship, region asking
• Prepare money for deposit
• Report all income to the Treasurer and President of The Ministers' Spouses Department
• Obtain the names of widows and widowers
• Provide a copy of the list of widows and widowers to the membership chairperson and the President
• Become legally bonded per application process

J. WORSHIP LEADER It shall be the duty of the Worship Leader to:

• Serve as chairperson of the worship committee
• Prepare and conduct a meditation for all meetings
• Conduct a memorial service for deceased spouses at the annual meeting
• Encourage the use of prayer partners throughout the C.M.E. Connection

K. PARLIAMENTARIAN It shall be the duty of the Parliamentarian to:

• Assist the presiding officer in the interpretation of the Bylaws as needed
• Attend all meetings of The Ministers' Spouses Department
• Serve as chairman of the Bylaws committee

L. EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ADVISORS

The Bishop's Spouses shall lend their leadership at the Episcopal level by working closely with the Episcopal Representative of their said Episcopal District and Region Presidents by planning and implementing programs for study, service and retreats for the spouses in his/her Episcopal District. If the Bishop or Presiding Elder is not married, it is not necessary to appoint an advisor.

M. It shall be the duty of each officer to:

• Deliver to his/her successor all files, supplies and other materials in his/her possession within thirty (30) days after the installation of officers
• Report in writing an account of her/his activities and expenses at the Convocation
• Submit a copy of the report for Department files

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

SECTION 1: A regular meeting of The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department shall be held on the designated day at the Annual C.M.E. Unity Summit each year.

SECTION 2: The President shall have the authority to call special meetings of the executive committee where Connectional C.M.E. meetings are being held to conduct special business of the Department.

SECTION 3: No notice shall be required for the regular meeting of The Ministers' Spouses Department held at the C.M.E. Unity Summit.

SECTION 4: The announcement of the meeting shall appear in the Christian Index.

SECTION 5: Any six of the elected officers and the spouses present shall constitute a quorum at any of The Ministers' Spouses Department meetings.

ARTICLE VII - ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

SECTION 1: The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Departments shall be organized at the District and Region levels of the C.M.E Church and shall be governed by these Bylaws.

SECTION 2: Region Presidents shall be responsible for sending all monies collected from their region, to the Connectional Financial Secretary. (membership dues. Widows/Widowers Mite, scholarship, social concerns, and region asking).

ARTICLE VIII - PATRON BISHOP

The College of Bishops shall appoint a Bishop to serve as the Patron Bishop to The Ministers' Spouses Department.

ARTICLE IX - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

In all matters not provided for in the Bylaws, The Ministers' Spouses Widowers/Widowers Department shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, current edition.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENT OF Bylaws

SECTION 1: Recommendations for Bylaws changes must be sent to the Bylaws chairperson one month prior to the convening of The Ministers' Spouses Widows/Widowers Department meeting at which the voting is to be taken.

SECTION 2: These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of The Ministers' Spouses Department by a two-thirds vote of those present.

ARTICLE XI - COMMITTEES

SECTION 1: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to:

• Meet prior to the regularly scheduled Departmental Meeting
• Have the authority to act as agents for the Department
• Hear the reports of the Officers and Committee Chairpersons
• Review the Bylaws and hear recommendations and resolutions for changes
• Serve as the Bylaws Committee

SECTION 2: EPISCOPAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES It shall be the duty of the Episcopal District Representatives to:

• Represent the Episcopal District at the Executive Committee meetings
• Obtain and disseminate information from the President and Executive Committee to the Region Presidents
• Assist in coordinating and implementing The Ministers' Spouses Department per the Bylaws at the Region level with instructions to the Region Presidents to implement at the District level
• Work with the Bishop's wives. Region and District Conference Presidents in planning retreats, institutes and program activities on the Region level
• Represent the Ministers' Spouses Department at Region affairs and to extend greetings as appropriate

SECTION 3: STANDING COMMITTEES The Standing Committees shall be:

• Budget Committee (Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Secretary, President and others appointed by the President, Chaired by the Treasurer)
• Bylaws Committee (Executive Committee Members, Chaired by the Parliamentarian)
• Resolutions Committee - Chaired by the First Vice-President
• Courtesy Committee - Chaired by the Corresponding Secretary
• Nominating Committee - To be elected by the body
• Program Committee - Chaired by the Vice-President
• Scholarship Committee - Chair appointed by the President
• Social Concerns Committee - Chair appointed by the President
• Widows'/Widowers' Committee - Chair appointed by the President
• Worship Committee - Chaired by the Worship Leader

BARBARA HOYE SOMMERVILLE

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Mrs. Barbara Delia Hoye Sommerville, the daughter of the late Reverend and Mrs. Ezel S. Hoye, was born on April 6, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She accepted the Lord at an early age while attending Metropolitan C.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, under the pastorate of her father. She joined Russell Tabernacle and was a faithful member until her marriage to Reverend Raymond Sommerville. As a pastor’s wife, she joined West Philadelphia, Metropolitan, and St. Paul C.M.E. Churches (Chester, Pennsylvania), Sidney Park C.M.E. Church (Columbia, South Carolina), Central C.M.E. Church (Jacksonville, Florida) and Thurgood Memorial C.M.E. Church (Birmingham, Alabama). When Reverend Sommerville was assigned as Presiding Elder, Mrs. Sommerville became the First Lady in the Miami-Tampa District.

Mrs. Sommerville served as Secretary of the Ministers’ Wives Department of the Florida Annual Conference from 1973-1983. As the Vice President of the Florida Annual Conference Missionary Society, she held the position as Secretary of the Ministers’ Wives Department of the Women’s Missionary Council from 1983 to 1985. In every church she attended she was an active member who worked with the Missionary Society, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir and served on the Stewardess Board.

Mrs. Sommerville departed this life June 8, 1996. She will be remembered for the loving concern and gracious hospitality that she shared with all of God’s children.

Click Here to download the Barbara Hoye Sommerville Scholarship Packet

Marion Scipio, the wife of the late Rev. Isaiah Scipio was more than a Minister’s wife. She was a caring advocate for the Minister’s wives throughout the CME Connection. She loved to take new Minister Wives under her wing and mentor them. Back in Sister Scipio day, there were no male spouses. We were a spoke on the Missionary Wheel and our primary functions were: 1). To raise funds for the Widow’s Mite; and 2) To provide religious tracks in the local churches.

Under the Missionaries, the Widows Mite money was paid out every four years to widows across the connection. Marion Scipio started a new day for Minister Wives.

Mrs. Scipio felt that the wives shouldn’t just sit back in a corner smiling and agreeing with everything but should say something.  She knew we had a special calling.  We were called as helpmeets to God’s chosen Servant and we needed a support group.  We needed to be in fellowship with each other and we needed to be heard.

Sister Scipio became a fervent advocate for Ministers’ Wives throughout the connection, so it was no surprise when she became the first Secretary of the Ministers Wives under the Missionaries.  If she would have lived beyond 1995, she would have been delighted to know that in 1995, the CME Church commissioned and ordained the Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department and that the Widows’ Mite money is now paid out every year to Widows and Widowers throughout the connection. 

In the official by-laws of the National Ministers’ Spouses, Widow and Widowers Department, the Marion Scipio Vesper Hour is listed as the official event to raise monies for the Widow’s Mite Fund.