Pastor William D. Watley's Retirement Celebration Souvenir Journal - 2023

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love
endures forever.”
As I prepare to close one chapter of my life and open a new one, I do so with a heart
full of gratitude.
I am grateful for the call of God upon my life to preach the saving and liberating
Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I am grateful for the heritage and foundation of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, under whose aegis and authority I have exercised the shepherding ministry that has
been entrusted to my care.
I am grateful for my father, the Reverend Matthew Allen Watley and my mother,
Mrs. Marian Pauline-Day Watley, for setting a noble example for me of a Christian home
that was filled with love, commitment, fun, and service to the people of God.
I am grateful to my companion of 55 years, Mrs. Muriel Annette Lewis Watley for her
loyalty, her own love for the Lord, and her willingness to follow me without complaint as I
followed the call of God upon my life in Georgia, New York, New Jersey and Texas.
I am also grateful for the home life and example of Christian love that she set for our
two children Jennifer Elaine Watley Maxell, and Matthew Lawrence Watley, that inspired
them to answer the call and commission of Christ to preach and teach his unsearchable
riches.
Psalm 136: 1
I am grateful and proud of Jennifer and Matthew as parents, preachers, faithful
companions, conscientious offspring and devoted practitioners of the Christian faith.

I am grateful for the educational and ecumenical opportunities that many persons of
goodwill have provided for me to grow as a vessel for the Lord’s work, that have developed
my gifts, and increased whatever competencies I have for serving the Church universal, and
the people of God individually.
I shall be forever grateful to the people of Bethel and Hunters Chapel AME Churches
of the Elberton Circuit in Georgia; Union AME Church in Warwick, New York; Macedonia
AME Church in Flushing, New York; St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey; and Saint
Philip AME Church in Atlanta and Decatur, Georgia, for the many ways they have poured
into my life and that of my family, as we have poured into their lives as shepherds and as
visionary leaders.
I am thankful for the members of the executive staff for their leadership,
competence, commitment, and friendship who worked so assiduously during this latest
season of my life and ministry. I thank them as well as others whose labors, love and vision,
along with the Lord’s favor have made this farewell celebration a unique and unforgettable
event.
I face the unknown future with a heart full of gratitude for the blessings of the past
and the present. I also face the unknown future with faith that God has a vision for all of us
that is greater than any vision we can have for ourselves, or others can have for us.
Peace,
In the Mighty and Matchless of Jesus,
WILLIAM DONNELL WATLEY

The Reverend William D. Watley, is the Senior Pastor of the historic Saint Philip African
Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, whose membership consists of 5,000
parishioners and whose budget exceeds $5,000,000. Dr. Watley received his Bachelor of Arts
in Theology from St. Louis University and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational
Theological Center. He received a Master of Philosophy and his Doctor of Philosophy in Ethics
from Columbia University.
He has done post-doctoral work at Harvard’s Institute for Education Management and the
Ecumenical Institute in Celigny, Switzerland. In addition, he has also received an honorary
Doctor of Laws from Edwards Waters College and a Doctor of Divinity from Payne Theological
Seminary.
A preacher par excellence, Dr. Watley’s homiletical ability is both nationally and
internationally recognized. He has the distinction of being the Conference Preacher for the
Hampton University Minister’s Conference for two consecutive years as well as a Conference
Lecturer. At the invitation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Dr. Watley preached to over
20,000 people at their annual International Holy Convocation (1988). Dr. Watley has also
preached at the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, as well as Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Men Are Builders
Conference.
Moreover, Dr. Watley has preached on the continents of Africa (Botswana and South Africa),
Asia (South Korea), Australia (Canberra), Europe (Switzerland), and South America (Guyana).
In addition, he has also preached on the island nations of Barbados, Bermuda, and Trinidad.
A mentor and educator, Dr. Watley has served as a visiting professor and guest lecturer at the
New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New York Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological
Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary,
Phillips School of Theology, and Payne and Turner Theological Seminaries.
A prolific author, Dr. Watley has written and edited twenty-eight (28) books and has authored
several booklets and articles throughout the past three decades. He is the founder and C.E.O.
of New Seasons Press, the publishing division of William Watley Ministries.
An ecumenical leader, Dr. Watley has served as the Associate General Secretary of the Council
on Church Union (COCU), a member of the Missions Unit for the World Council of Churches
(WCC), a member of the Governing Board for the National Council of Churches (NCC) and the
World Methodist Council. He was also the first African American to serve as chairperson of
the National Workshop on Christian Unity. He was also a member of the Fund for Theological
Education and the advisory board of the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentaries.
He is married to Muriel Annette Lewis Watley (52 years). They have two children, Reverend
Jennifer Watley Maxell and Reverend Matthew Lawrence Watley four grandchildren:
Madison, Charles Maxell, III, Skylar Maxell, and Alexandra Watley. Dr. Watley is also
godfather, mentor and father in ministry to many.

MINISTERIAL CAREER:
Licensed to Preach, 1964, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Ordained Itinerant Deacon, 1967, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Ordained, Itinerant Elder, 1969, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Pastorates
Elberton Circuit, Elberton, Georgia, 1969-1971
Union AME Church, Warwick, New York, 1972-1974
Macedonia AME Church, Flushing, New York, 1974-1978
St. James AME Church, Newark, New Jersey, 1984-2011
Saint Philip AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia, 2011-present
VARIOUS BOARDS AND AWARDS
Ecumenism:
Governing Board of the National Council of Churches (approximately 20 years)
Chairperson, National Workshop on Christian Unity
Black Church Liaison Committee, World Council of Churches
Delegate, World Council of Churches, Canberra, Australia
Member, Unit on Missions, World Council of Churches
Member, World Methodist Council
Community Involvement:
Board of Directors, Beth Israel Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
Advisory Board, WellStar Health System, Atlanta, Georgia
Awards:
Union Theological Seminary, New York City, 1997 (Ministry contributions)
Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio, 1995, (Ministry contributions)
PUBLICATIONS
Articles
“Martin Luther King, Jr.” Non-violence---Central to Christian Spirituality: Perspectives from
Scripture to the Present, Edwin Mellen Press, 1982.
Review of Prophesy Deliverance: An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity, by Cornel
West in Theology Today, October 1983.
“Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” in Midstream: An Ecumenical Journal,
January, 1983.
“Lambs and Wolves: A Vision of Hope,” in Midstream: An Ecumenical Journal, April, 1985.
“The Theological Foundations of Black Worship” in Liturgy: a Journal of the Liturgical Conference,
Volume 8, Number 1
“The Tipping Point” in The African American Pulpit, Volume 13, No. 2, Spring, 2010
“God’s Timing And Our Timing,” in Joy To The World: Inspirational Christmas Messages From
America’s Preachers. Atria Books, 2006

Edited, The Word and words; Beyond Gender in Theological and Liturgical Language,
Consultation on Church Union, 1983
Books
Judson Press
William Watley and Samuel Proctor, Sermons From the Black Pulpit, 1984
William Watley, Roots of Resistance: The Nonviolent of Martin Luther King, Jr., 1985
William Watley, Sermons on Special Days: Preaching Throughout The Year in The Black
Church, 1987
William Watley, From Mess to Miracle and Other Sermons, 1989
William Watley and Suzan Johnson, Preaching in Two Voices: Sermons on the Women in
Jesus’ Life, 1992
William and Matthew L. Watley, Poems of a Son/Prayers of a Father, 1992
William Watley, Bring the Full Tithe: Sermons on the Grace of Giving, 1995
William Watley, You Have To Face It To Fix It: Sermons on the Challenges of Life. 1997
William Watley and Raquel St. Clair, The African Presence in the Bible: Gospel Sermons
Rooted in History, 2000
William Watley, Exalting the Names of Jesus, 2002
William Watley, God Wants You To Grow, 2003
Abingdon Press
“Are You The One? Teaching Sermons on Crucial Questions in the Bible, 1997
Eerdmans Press:
“Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land: The African American Churches and Ecumenism,
1993
New Seasons Press
(Booklet) Less Than Tipping: Questions and Answers About Tithing, 2005
Less Than Tipping: Twenty-five Reasons to Tithe, 2005
Preparing Joshua: Equipping the Next Generation for Leadership, 2006
Breaking Financial Barriers: Messages for Financial Empowerment
(Booklet) Ten Steps to Financial Freedom, 2007
(Booklet) Twelve Standards for Church Leaders, 200
Editor, Doing Church: A Practical Guide by Those Who Do It, Volume 1, 2010
Doing Church: A Practical Guide by Those Who Do It, Volume 2, 2010
Everybody is Recovering From Something, 2016
A Prayer A Day: 366 Days in the Presence of God, 2016
William Watley and Jennifer Watley Maxell, Like Father Like Daughter: Meditations and
Reflections on Fathers and Daughters in the Bible, 2017
(Booklet) Congratulations: You Are A Chaperone, 2017
The Wizard of Oz and You: Believing in Yourself When You Don’t Fit In, 2018
The Dirty Dozen: Twelve Things God Cannot Do, 2019
Getting Real With God: 366 Days in the Presence of God, 2020
Overcoming F.E.A.R. , 2021

Saint Philip AME Church
presents
The 60 th Anniversary and Retirement Celebration
of
Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D.
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding
Presiding Prelate, Sixth Episcopal District
The Prelude
The Processional
The Hymn
Saint Philip AME Church Mass Choir
“Let’s Just Praise The Lord”
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Congregation
The Prayer
Bishop Sir Walter Lee Mack
Senior Pastor, Union Baptist Church, Winston Salem, North Carolina
The Scripture
Old Testament Isaiah 35 Bishop Charley Hames, Jr.
Presiding Prelate, 9 th Episcopal District CME Church
New Testament Romans 8:26-38 Rev. Dr. Carolyn Williams
Saint Philip AME Church Minister To Women
The Occasion
Mrs. Essie Baker, Mrs. Shan Cooper, Mr. Gregory Levett
Anniversary/Retirement Co-Chairs
The Musical Tribute
Saint Philip AME Church Mass Choir
“Great God, Great Vision, Great Accomplishment”
The Poem
The Youth & Young Adult Tribute
Ms. Patsy Lewis
Saint Philip AME Church WMS Worship Director
Rev. LaMone Gibson
Saint Philip AME Youth & Young Adult Pastor
Miss. Celine Conner, Mr. Tristan Copeland & Mr. Jakai Smith
Saint Philip AME Church Risen Generation
The Ministry of Dance
Saint Philip Holy Dance Ministry

TRIBUTES
Ecumenical Tribute
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith
President, World Council of Churches
Bishop Samuel L. Green
Presiding Prelate, Seventh Episcopal District
The New Jersey Crew
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate, Sixth Episcopal District
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., Senior Pastor, Cathedral International
Rev. Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Jr., CEO of Dfree Global Foundation
Educational Tribute
Brother In Ministry
Sister In Ministry
The Gift Appeal
Sons/Daughters In Ministry
The Various Pastorates
Rev. Raquel S. Lettsome, Ph.D.
Rslministries.com
Rev. Dr. Rickie G. Rush
Inspiring Body Of Christ Church, Dallas, Texas
Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale
Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Atlanta, Georgia
Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr.
Pastor Emeritus, Salem Bible Church, Atlanta, Georgia
Rev. Mashod A. Evans
Senior Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Mrs. Carolyn Scavella, Macedonia AME Church Jamaica, New York
Rev. Reginald Clark, Saint James AME Church, Newark, New Jersey
Rev. Dr. Janice McCray, Saint Philip AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia
The Introduction of the Speaker
Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr.
Senior Pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland
The Ministry of Music
The Sermon
Saint Philip AME Church Mass Choir
“Jesus The Sweetest Name I Know”
Bishop John R. Bryant
Retired Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Invitation to A Relationship with Jesus Christ
Rev. Dr. William E. Curtis
Senior Pastor, Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Watley Family Tributes
Mother Marion Watley
Mother
Introduced by Miss Madison Maxell
Eldest Great Grandchild
& The Great Grand Children
Mrs. Muriel Watley
First Lady
Introduced by Rev. Jennifer Watley-Maxell
Daughter / Pastor, The Breakthrough Fellowship, Smyrna, Georgia
Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D., Honoree
Introduced by Rev. Matthew L. Watley
Son / Pastor, Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, Calverton, Maryland
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”
The Benediction
Bishop Sylvester S. Beaman
Presiding Prelate, 15 th Episcopal District
The Recessional
“Let The Church Say Amen”
Congregation

Gold

Trustees

CONGRATULATIONS!
REVEREND WILLIAM D. WATLEY
FOR
60 YEARS OF MINISTERIAL SERVICE
and being a model, mentor and teacher in so many areas of life,
especially biblical stewardship.
Reaching and Meeting Needs Worldwide Ministry, Inc.
3719 North Goddard Road
Lithonia, Georgia 30038
Roe Nall, Jr., CEO