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TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR BISHOP HARRY L. SEAWRIGHT, PRESIDING PRELATE OF THE 9TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ON HIS INVESTITURE AS LEADER OF HIS DISTRICT IN JULY 2016 AND TO WISH HIM GOD'S BEST AS HE CONTINUES TO SERVE THE LORD.
Whereas, it is entirely appropriate to celebrate those worthy individuals who give tirelessly of themselves to succor the souls of men. Bishop Harry L. Seawright, presiding prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, stands among their number as an outstanding minister of the Gospel, one much admired by colleagues, lay congregants, and area residents at large; and
Whereas, in July 2016, at the 50th Quadrennial Session of the AME Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Reverend Dr. Harry L. Seawright was elected and consecrated the 133rd Bishop of the AME Church and charged to serve as presiding prelate of the 9th Episcopal District (the State of Alabama); and
Whereas, born in Swansea to the late Joe Nathan and Mary L. Seawright, Harry L. Seawright was a fourth-generation AME, his faith being nurtured at Prodigal AME in Swansea. He accepted his call to ministry in 1976 and was admitted to the South Carolina Central Annual Conference in 1977. In 1979, he was ordained as an itinerant deacon and in 1981 was ordained as an itinerant elder; and
Whereas, in 1978, the young Harry Seawright served as interim pastor of St. Stephen AME Church in St. Matthews and from 1978 to 1981 was assistant to the pastor at Pilgrim AME in Washington, D.C. In June 1986, he was assigned to Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Brandywine, Maryland, where he served longer than any other pastor in the church's history and saw the Lord's large hand of blessing on his ministry. Over the years, he proved himself a dynamic spiritual leader, entrepreneur, community leader, world traveler, author, loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, and loyal friend; and
Whereas, in the community, Bishop Seawright is a trustee emeritus of Prince George's Community College; founder, president, and CEO of HLS Consulting, Inc., and other endeavors; founder and CEO of the Union Bethel Intergenerational Center, Inc.; and member of many other community and national organizations. He is the author of two books, More Than Bricks and Mortar: Building a Church Without Losing Your Mind and Don't Faint: Help for Hurting Pastors and Their Families. In addition, he has served his denomination in various leadership capacities; and
Whereas, in preparation for his ministry, Bishop Seawright earned his bachelor's degree in business administration at Benedict College in Columbia and his master's and doctor of ministry degrees from Howard University School of Divinity. As a member of the graduating class of 1995, he received the Doctor of Ministry Student of the Year Award for his research project. In 2015, the Howard University School of Divinity Alumni Association honored him with a Distinguished Service in Pastoral Ministry Award; and
Whereas, Bishop Seawright considers it one of the greatest triumphs of his life that he was able to persuade Sherita Moon Seawright to become his bride. The Seawrights are the proud parents of Shari and Matthew and the delighted grandparents of Cameron; and
Whereas, because of his fruitful spiritual nourishment of so many, Bishop Seawright deserves grateful thanks, as well as fervent wishes for God's best in his life and ministry, as he continues to run the race the Lord has set before him. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and honor Bishop Harry L. Seawright, presiding prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, on his investiture as leader of his district in July 2016 and wish him God's best as he continues to serve the Lord.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Bishop Harry L. Seawright.
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