Dear District Pastors, Ministers and Laity:

Another year has come and gone.  A new conference year is upon us.  I would like to express my appreciation to each of you for giving me the opportunity to serve you once again as the Presiding Elder of the Elberton/Gainesville district.

Last year's conference year's conference year was another dynamic year.  Cleveland/Toccoa erected a new fellowship hall; New Saints/Washington built a new fellowship hall and purchased additional properties; and St. Mary's/Royston completed their renovation of the Sanctuary and fellowship hall - "To God be the Glory"!  Rev. Darryl Claybon received his Doctorial degree and is a new Professor at ITC; Dr. Thomas Slater received his professor's Degree; and Rev. Charles Henderson received his Master's degree.  Kudos and Congratulations are extended to all of them.  The Elberton/Gainesville District hosted the Georgia North Region Annual Conference and did a magnificent job.  Our host Pastor was Rev. Joyce Dawson and our co-host Pastor was Rev. W.L. Whelchel.  I certainly want to salute them for a "job well done".  We are looking forward to another successful conference year and with God and our faith, we will!

Let us, as spiritual leaders, continue, "to pick up th cross and follow Him" who is our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Sincerely,

Albert Lee III,  Presiding Elder

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF

REV. ALBERT LEE III

(A PERSONAL PROFILE)

PRESIDING ELDER OF THE ELBERTON/GAINESVILLE DISTRICT

In August 1998, Albert Lee III was appointed as Presiding Elder serving the Elberton/Gainesville District. Currently, Elder Lee provides guidance to 31 churches in the Elberton/Gainesville District.

Prior to this appointment, Elder Lee was installed as the first full-time Pastor of the College Park Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in College Park, GA in August 1992. He brought to the pastorate some twenty-seven years in the public sector, twenty-five years of active membership at Butler Street Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (four years as a local preacher), and most important of all, a spiritual calling not to be denied.

Born May 7, 1945, in Albany, Georgia, to the late Mr. Albert Lee, Jr. and Mrs. Bernice Hill Lee, he grew up as a Christian at Friendship Baptist Church under the late Pastor John Wesley Lowe’s leadership and received his early education in Albany as well. He graduated from Monroe Senior High School in 1965. He received his Certificate of Theology from the Phillips School of Theology/Interdenominational Theological Center in the City of Atlanta. He plans to continue his quest for further education in the near future.

Rev. Lee began his career by serving in the United States Coast Guard. Afterwards, he worked for Rich’s Department Store/Lenox Square for several years before joining the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) as a Bus Operator. Rev. Lee recently retired from MARTA (August 27, 2001) after twenty-seven years of service. He received his call to preach the gospel while a member of Butler

Street Christian Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership, direction and guidance of Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Brown, Sr.

He began his preaching as a Pastor when he was assigned to Norman Grove C.M.E. Church in Elberton, Georgia and St. James C.M.E. Church in Hartwell, Georgia. He served these churches for four (4) years. Under his leadership, both churches were converted – Norman Grove moved from a circuit church to a full-time station church and St. James moved from a one (1) Sunday church to a two (2) Sunday church. Rev. Lee’s ministry does not begin nor end in the pulpit. He preaches God’s WORD everywhere he goes.

After leaving the North Georgia area, Rev. Lee was installed as the first full-time Pastor of College Park C. M.E. Church. During his five (5) years as Pastor of College Park, the following church ministries were established: finance, prison, hospital-home and nursing home visitation, new member orientation, counseling, Sunday School, tutorial, and various boards & auxiliaries.

Rev. Lee encouraged church members to “grow their love” and extend their personal ministries. College Park C.M.E. Church soared to new heights in Christian education, outreach, evangelism and physical growth under his leadership. His response to community needs was generous and fulfilling. He enjoyed church-wide support and community-wide recognition while Pastor at College Park.

Rev. Lee received the Pastor of the Year Award for the 1995 – 1996 Conference Year. He also received the 1993 C.A.R.E. Award from the Atlanta District Conference and has been a 27 Year Honoree for Safe Driving for MARTA. After 27 years at MARTA, Rev. Lee retired and is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Rev. Lee is 100% Presiding Elder and is dedicating the rest of his life to do what God will have him to do for the Elberton/Gainesville District or whatever the Bishop decides for him to do.

Rev. Lee is married to Mrs. Ruenette Williams Lee. He is the proud father of two (2) children: Eric Bernard Lee and Zaneta Lee Bush. He is also the very proud grandfather of Alex, Eric Jr., Emani, and Darrius.

Rev. Lee’s motto: “God is Good all the time, and all the time God is Good”.