Pastor William D. Watley's Retirement Celebration Souvenir Journal - 2023
This souvenir journal is a commemorative item that encompasses the celebration of 60 years of pastor service to the Kingdom of God by none other than Pastor William D. Watley, Ph.D. This keepsake document that reflects the spirit, commitment and dedication of his pastoral and spiritual journey where "every round goes higher and higher"! Though this celebration marks the end of his official pastorship, it is the beginning of a new chapter of his servitude to our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ! Enjoy the photos, narratives, history, bios, ads and sentiments of love expressed in tribute of this amazing leader, father, husband and anointed child of God. We look forward to your attendance during the celebration. To God Be the Glory!
This souvenir journal is a commemorative item that encompasses the celebration of 60 years of pastor service to the Kingdom of God by none other than Pastor William D. Watley, Ph.D. This keepsake document that reflects the spirit, commitment and dedication of his pastoral and spiritual journey where "every round goes higher and higher"! Though this celebration marks the end of his official pastorship, it is the beginning of a new chapter of his servitude to our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ! Enjoy the photos, narratives, history, bios, ads and sentiments of love expressed in tribute of this amazing leader, father, husband and anointed child of God. We look forward to your attendance during the celebration. To God Be the Glory!
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“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love<br />
endures forever.”<br />
As I prepare to close one chapter of my life and open a new one, I do so with a heart<br />
full of gratitude.<br />
I am grateful for the call of God upon my life to preach the saving and liberating<br />
Gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<br />
I am grateful for the heritage and foundation of the African Methodist Episcopal<br />
Church, under whose aegis and authority I have exercised the shepherding ministry that has<br />
been entrusted to my care.<br />
I am grateful for my father, the Reverend Matthew Allen Watley and my mother,<br />
Mrs. Marian Pauline-Day Watley, for setting a noble example for me of a Christian home<br />
that was filled with love, commitment, fun, and service to the people of God.<br />
I am grateful to my companion of 55 years, Mrs. Muriel Annette Lewis Watley for her<br />
loyalty, her own love for the Lord, and her willingness to follow me without complaint as I<br />
followed the call of God upon my life in Georgia, New York, New Jersey and Texas.<br />
I am also grateful for the home life and example of Christian love that she set for our<br />
two children Jennifer Elaine Watley Maxell, and Matthew Lawrence Watley, that inspired<br />
them to answer the call and commission of Christ to preach and teach his unsearchable<br />
riches.<br />
Psalm 136: 1<br />
I am grateful and proud of Jennifer and Matthew as parents, preachers, faithful<br />
companions, conscientious offspring and devoted practitioners of the Christian faith.
I am grateful for the educational and ecumenical opportunities that many persons of<br />
goodwill have provided for me to grow as a vessel for the Lord’s work, that have developed<br />
my gifts, and increased whatever competencies I have for serving the Church universal, and<br />
the people of God individually.<br />
I shall be forever grateful to the people of Bethel and Hunters Chapel AME Churches<br />
of the Elberton Circuit in Georgia; Union AME Church in Warwick, New York; Macedonia<br />
AME Church in Flushing, New York; St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey; and Saint<br />
Philip AME Church in Atlanta and Decatur, Georgia, for the many ways they have poured<br />
into my life and that of my family, as we have poured into their lives as shepherds and as<br />
visionary leaders.<br />
I am thankful for the members of the executive staff for their leadership,<br />
competence, commitment, and friendship who worked so assiduously during this latest<br />
season of my life and ministry. I thank them as well as others whose labors, love and vision,<br />
along with the Lord’s favor have made this farewell celebration a unique and unforgettable<br />
event.<br />
I face the unknown future with a heart full of gratitude for the blessings of the past<br />
and the present. I also face the unknown future with faith that God has a vision for all of us<br />
that is greater than any vision we can have for ourselves, or others can have for us.<br />
Peace,<br />
In the Mighty and Matchless of Jesus,<br />
WILLIAM DONNELL WATLEY
The Reverend <strong>William</strong> D. Watley, is the Senior <strong>Pastor</strong> of the historic Saint Philip African<br />
Methodist Episcopal Church in Atlanta, Georgia, whose membership consists of 5,000<br />
parishioners and whose budget exceeds $5,000,000. Dr. Watley received his Bachelor of Arts<br />
in Theology from St. Louis University and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational<br />
Theological Center. He received a Master of Philosophy and his Doctor of Philosophy in Ethics<br />
from Columbia University.<br />
He has done post-doctoral work at Harvard’s Institute for Education Management and the<br />
Ecumenical Institute in Celigny, Switzerland. In addition, he has also received an honorary<br />
Doctor of Laws from Edwards Waters College and a Doctor of Divinity from Payne Theological<br />
Seminary.<br />
A preacher par excellence, Dr. Watley’s homiletical ability is both nationally and<br />
internationally recognized. He has the distinction of being the Conference Preacher for the<br />
Hampton University Minister’s Conference for two consecutive years as well as a Conference<br />
Lecturer. At the invitation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Dr. Watley preached to over<br />
20,000 people at their annual International Holy Convocation (1988). Dr. Watley has also<br />
preached at the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, as well as Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Men Are Builders<br />
Conference.<br />
Moreover, Dr. Watley has preached on the continents of Africa (Botswana and South Africa),<br />
Asia (South Korea), Australia (Canberra), Europe (Switzerland), and South America (Guyana).<br />
In addition, he has also preached on the island nations of Barbados, Bermuda, and Trinidad.<br />
A mentor and educator, Dr. Watley has served as a visiting professor and guest lecturer at the<br />
New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New York Theological Seminary, Princeton Theological<br />
Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary,<br />
Phillips School of Theology, and Payne and Turner Theological Seminaries.<br />
A prolific author, Dr. Watley has written and edited twenty-eight (28) books and has authored<br />
several booklets and articles throughout the past three decades. He is the founder and C.E.O.<br />
of New Seasons Press, the publishing division of <strong>William</strong> Watley Ministries.<br />
An ecumenical leader, Dr. Watley has served as the Associate General Secretary of the Council<br />
on Church Union (COCU), a member of the Missions Unit for the World Council of Churches<br />
(WCC), a member of the Governing Board for the National Council of Churches (NCC) and the<br />
World Methodist Council. He was also the first African American to serve as chairperson of<br />
the National Workshop on Christian Unity. He was also a member of the Fund for Theological<br />
Education and the advisory board of the New Interpreter’s Bible Commentaries.<br />
He is married to Muriel Annette Lewis Watley (52 years). They have two children, Reverend<br />
Jennifer Watley Maxell and Reverend Matthew Lawrence Watley four grandchildren:<br />
Madison, Charles Maxell, III, Skylar Maxell, and Alexandra Watley. Dr. Watley is also<br />
godfather, mentor and father in ministry to many.
MINISTERIAL CAREER:<br />
Licensed to Preach, 1964, African Methodist Episcopal Church<br />
Ordained Itinerant Deacon, 1967, African Methodist Episcopal Church<br />
Ordained, Itinerant Elder, 1969, African Methodist Episcopal Church<br />
<strong>Pastor</strong>ates<br />
Elberton Circuit, Elberton, Georgia, 1969-1971<br />
Union AME Church, Warwick, New York, 1972-1974<br />
Macedonia AME Church, Flushing, New York, 1974-1978<br />
St. James AME Church, Newark, New Jersey, 1984-2011<br />
Saint Philip AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia, 2011-present<br />
VARIOUS BOARDS AND AWARDS<br />
Ecumenism:<br />
Governing Board of the National Council of Churches (approximately 20 years)<br />
Chairperson, National Workshop on Christian Unity<br />
Black Church Liaison Committee, World Council of Churches<br />
Delegate, World Council of Churches, Canberra, Australia<br />
Member, Unit on Missions, World Council of Churches<br />
Member, World Methodist Council<br />
Community Involvement:<br />
Board of Directors, Beth Israel Hospital, Newark, New Jersey<br />
Advisory Board, WellStar Health System, Atlanta, Georgia<br />
Awards:<br />
Union Theological Seminary, New York City, 1997 (Ministry contributions)<br />
Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio, 1995, (Ministry contributions)<br />
PUBLICATIONS<br />
Articles<br />
“Martin Luther King, Jr.” Non-violence---Central to Christian Spirituality: Perspectives from<br />
Scripture to the Present, Edwin Mellen Press, 1982.<br />
Review of Prophesy Deliverance: An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity, by Cornel<br />
West in Theology Today, October 1983.<br />
“Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” in Midstream: An Ecumenical <strong>Journal</strong>,<br />
January, 1983.<br />
“Lambs and Wolves: A Vision of Hope,” in Midstream: An Ecumenical <strong>Journal</strong>, April, 1985.<br />
“The Theological Foundations of Black Worship” in Liturgy: a <strong>Journal</strong> of the Liturgical Conference,<br />
Volume 8, Number 1<br />
“The Tipping Point” in The African American Pulpit, Volume 13, No. 2, Spring, 2010<br />
“God’s Timing And Our Timing,” in Joy To The World: Inspirational Christmas Messages From<br />
America’s Preachers. Atria Books, 2006
Edited, The Word and words; Beyond Gender in Theological and Liturgical Language,<br />
Consultation on Church Union, 1983<br />
Books<br />
Judson Press<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley and Samuel Proctor, Sermons From the Black Pulpit, 1984<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, Roots of Resistance: The Nonviolent of Martin Luther King, Jr., 1985<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, Sermons on Special Days: Preaching Throughout The Year in The Black<br />
Church, 1987<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, From Mess to Miracle and Other Sermons, 1989<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley and Suzan Johnson, Preaching in Two Voices: Sermons on the Women in<br />
Jesus’ Life, 1992<br />
<strong>William</strong> and Matthew L. Watley, Poems of a Son/Prayers of a Father, 1992<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, Bring the Full Tithe: Sermons on the Grace of Giving, 1995<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, You Have To Face It To Fix It: Sermons on the Challenges of Life. 1997<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley and Raquel St. Clair, The African Presence in the Bible: Gospel Sermons<br />
Rooted in History, 2000<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, Exalting the Names of Jesus, 2002<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley, God Wants You To Grow, 2003<br />
Abingdon Press<br />
“Are You The One? Teaching Sermons on Crucial Questions in the Bible, 1997<br />
Eerdmans Press:<br />
“Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land: The African American Churches and Ecumenism,<br />
1993<br />
New Seasons Press<br />
(Booklet) Less Than Tipping: Questions and Answers About Tithing, 2005<br />
Less Than Tipping: Twenty-five Reasons to Tithe, 2005<br />
Preparing Joshua: Equipping the Next Generation for Leadership, 2006<br />
Breaking Financial Barriers: Messages for Financial Empowerment<br />
(Booklet) Ten Steps to Financial Freedom, 2007<br />
(Booklet) Twelve Standards for Church Leaders, 200<br />
Editor, Doing Church: A Practical Guide by Those Who Do It, Volume 1, 2010<br />
Doing Church: A Practical Guide by Those Who Do It, Volume 2, 2010<br />
Everybody is Recovering From Something, 2016<br />
A Prayer A Day: 366 Days in the Presence of God, 2016<br />
<strong>William</strong> Watley and Jennifer Watley Maxell, Like Father Like Daughter: Meditations and<br />
Reflections on Fathers and Daughters in the Bible, 2017<br />
(Booklet) Congratulations: You Are A Chaperone, 2017<br />
The Wizard of Oz and You: Believing in Yourself When You Don’t Fit In, 2018<br />
The Dirty Dozen: Twelve Things God Cannot Do, 2019<br />
Getting Real With God: 366 Days in the Presence of God, 2020<br />
Overcoming F.E.A.R. , 2021
Saint Philip AME Church<br />
presents<br />
The 60 th Anniversary and <strong>Retirement</strong> <strong>Celebration</strong><br />
of<br />
Rev. <strong>William</strong> D. Watley, Ph.D.<br />
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding<br />
Presiding Prelate, Sixth Episcopal District<br />
The Prelude<br />
The Processional<br />
The Hymn<br />
Saint Philip AME Church Mass Choir<br />
“Let’s Just Praise The Lord”<br />
“Lift Every Voice and Sing”<br />
Congregation<br />
The Prayer<br />
Bishop Sir Walter Lee Mack<br />
Senior <strong>Pastor</strong>, Union Baptist Church, Winston Salem, North Carolina<br />
The Scripture<br />
Old Testament Isaiah 35 Bishop Charley Hames, Jr.<br />
Presiding Prelate, 9 th Episcopal District CME Church<br />
New Testament Romans 8:26-38 Rev. Dr. Carolyn <strong>William</strong>s<br />
Saint Philip AME Church Minister To Women<br />
The Occasion<br />
Mrs. Essie Baker, Mrs. Shan Cooper, Mr. Gregory Levett<br />
Anniversary/<strong>Retirement</strong> Co-Chairs<br />
The Musical Tribute<br />
Saint Philip AME Church Mass Choir<br />
“Great God, Great Vision, Great Accomplishment”<br />
The Poem<br />
The Youth & Young Adult Tribute<br />
Ms. Patsy Lewis<br />
Saint Philip AME Church WMS Worship Director<br />
Rev. LaMone Gibson<br />
Saint Philip AME Youth & Young Adult <strong>Pastor</strong><br />
Miss. Celine Conner, Mr. Tristan Copeland & Mr. Jakai Smith<br />
Saint Philip AME Church Risen Generation<br />
The Ministry of Dance<br />
Saint Philip Holy Dance Ministry
TRIBUTES<br />
Ecumenical Tribute<br />
The African Methodist Episcopal Church<br />
Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith<br />
President, World Council of Churches<br />
Bishop Samuel L. Green<br />
Presiding Prelate, Seventh Episcopal District<br />
The New Jersey Crew<br />
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate, Sixth Episcopal District<br />
Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., Senior <strong>Pastor</strong>, Cathedral International<br />
Rev. Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries, Jr., CEO of Dfree Global Foundation<br />
Educational Tribute<br />
Brother In Ministry<br />
Sister In Ministry<br />
The Gift Appeal<br />
Sons/Daughters In Ministry<br />
The Various <strong>Pastor</strong>ates<br />
Rev. Raquel S. Lettsome, Ph.D.<br />
Rslministries.com<br />
Rev. Dr. Rickie G. Rush<br />
Inspiring Body Of Christ Church, Dallas, Texas<br />
Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale<br />
Senior <strong>Pastor</strong>, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Atlanta, Georgia<br />
Rev. Jasper <strong>William</strong>s, Jr.<br />
<strong>Pastor</strong> Emeritus, Salem Bible Church, Atlanta, Georgia<br />
Rev. Mashod A. Evans<br />
Senior <strong>Pastor</strong>, Bethel AME Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan<br />
Mrs. Carolyn Scavella, Macedonia AME Church Jamaica, New York<br />
Rev. Reginald Clark, Saint James AME Church, Newark, New Jersey<br />
Rev. Dr. Janice McCray, Saint Philip AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia<br />
The Introduction of the Speaker<br />
Bishop Walter Scott Thomas, Sr.<br />
Senior <strong>Pastor</strong>, New Psalmist Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland<br />
The Ministry of Music<br />
The Sermon<br />
Saint Philip AME Church Mass Choir<br />
“Jesus The Sweetest Name I Know”<br />
Bishop John R. Bryant<br />
Retired Bishop, African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Invitation to A Relationship with Jesus Christ<br />
Rev. Dr. <strong>William</strong> E. Curtis<br />
Senior <strong>Pastor</strong>, Mt. Ararat Baptist Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania<br />
The Watley Family Tributes<br />
Mother Marion Watley<br />
Mother<br />
Introduced by Miss Madison Maxell<br />
Eldest Great Grandchild<br />
& The Great Grand Children<br />
Mrs. Muriel Watley<br />
First Lady<br />
Introduced by Rev. Jennifer Watley-Maxell<br />
Daughter / <strong>Pastor</strong>, The Breakthrough Fellowship, Smyrna, Georgia<br />
Rev. <strong>William</strong> D. Watley, Ph.D., Honoree<br />
Introduced by Rev. Matthew L. Watley<br />
Son / <strong>Pastor</strong>, Kingdom Fellowship AME Church, Calverton, Maryland<br />
“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”<br />
The Benediction<br />
Bishop Sylvester S. Beaman<br />
Presiding Prelate, 15 th Episcopal District<br />
The Recessional<br />
“Let The Church Say Amen”<br />
Congregation
Gold
Trustees
CONGRATULATIONS!<br />
REVEREND WILLIAM D. WATLEY<br />
FOR<br />
60 YEARS OF MINISTERIAL SERVICE<br />
and being a model, mentor and teacher in so many areas of life,<br />
especially biblical stewardship.<br />
Reaching and Meeting Needs Worldwide Ministry, Inc.<br />
3719 North Goddard Road<br />
Lithonia, Georgia 30038<br />
Roe Nall, Jr., CEO