The THIRD Episcopal District
of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Third Episcopal District Leadership
BISHOP SYLVESTER WILLIAMS, SR.
Presiding Prelate
Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr., is the last of three children born to the late Edward and Georgiana Williams. Growing up in a small rural town in Hale County, Alabama, Bishop Williams was surrounded by a loving family who taught him values such as respect and caring for each other, honoring your word, being responsible, but more importantly to love the Lord. As he watched his family, particularly his mother and father, display these values, he became more keenly aware of his calling and how God had partnered with them to shape him for ministry.
MRS. CARMEN WILLIAMS
First Lady and Episcopal Liaison
Carmen E. Leonard Williams was born in Mobile, AL. She is the older of two daughters born to John W. and Ellen Leonard of Daphne, AL. After graduating from Fairhope High School, she matriculated at The University of Alabama where she received a B.S. in elementary education. Subsequently, she obtained a Master’s Degree in elementary education from the University of Alabama Birmingham. Mrs. Williams has educated students with love in the states of Alabama, Florida and Illinois for over 25 years.
REVEREND ANTHONY C. HILL
Presiding Elder, Kansas District
Reverend Anthony Curtis Hill is the Presiding Elder of the Kansas District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Hill was licensed to preach in the CME Church in 1993. He was ordained Local Deacon in 1995, Traveling Elder in 1997, and received into Full Connection in 1999. He has pastored the Saint James CME Church, Leavenworth, KS, Wesley Chapel CME Church, Coffeyville, KS, Escue Chapel CME Church, Larned, KS and St. Luke CME Church in Denver, CO. He currently serves as the pastor of the Cleaves Memorial CME Church in Denver, CO.
REVEREND RICHARD MCDUFFIE
Presiding Elder, Missouri District
Reverend Richard McDuffie is a native of Bradenton, Florida. The son of Eddie and Martha McDuffie and the youngest brother of fifteen brothers and sisters. He is a graduate of Manatee High School in Bradenton, Florida, a graduate of Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama and the Phillips School of Theology a part of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
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REVEREND DR. TWANA A. HARRIS
Presiding Elder, Detroit and Mid-Michigan Districts
Rev. Dr. Twana Harris is the daughter of Rev. Rosa and the late Napoleon Harris. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, she is the product of Washington Township Schools. She received a Bachelor of Music Education with emphasis in Vocal Performance from Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, as well as a Master of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) in Indianapolis. She completed a Doctor of Ministry degree in the field of Practical Theology- Preaching in May of 2010. Twana also contributed to the seminary community as the director of the CTS Gospel Choir and professor of preaching.
REVEREND DR. CURLEE L. ADAMS
Presiding Elder, Gary District
Rev. Dr. Curlee L. Adams is a product of the Chicago public school system and the Chicago housing projects. He is a graduate of Dunbar Vocational High School and holds a BA Degree from Northeastern Illinois University and a Paralegal Certification from Roosevelt University. In October of 2004, he accepted his call to the ministry at Carter Temple CME Church. Feeling the need to prepare himself further, he enrolled into Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University, where in May of 2009 he graduated with his Master of Divinity Degree and received his Doctor of Ministry degree in May of 2019.
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REVEREND DR. TIGGS WASHINGTON
Presiding Elder, Milwaukee District
Rev. Dr. Tiggs E. Washington was born in Buffalo, New York. His parents are Moody and Maryetta Pugh. Rev. Washington is the youngest child out of five. Rev. Washington is married to the beautiful, Mrs. Gabrielle J. Allen-Washington. Rev. Washington is the father of one daughter, Trinity Washington.
Rev. Washington was educated in the Buffalo Public School System. In 2012, Rev. Washington earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business from Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee—with the academic distinction of Summa Cum Laude.
REVEREND WILLIE F. DOCKERY, JR.
Presiding Elder, Chicago District
Reverend Dockery is the Presiding Elder of the Chicago District of the Southeast, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin Region and Pastor of Bethel C.M.E. Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His personal motto and theme for ministry is “ Our best for His Glory.“
He was born in Laurinburg, North Carolina to Mr. Willie F. Dockery, Sr. and Mrs. Fannie L. Dockery, (both deceased).
He is married to Reverend Annie B. Dockery and they are the proud parents of Minister Chanda L. Dockery, Mrs. Alicia R. Thomas and Jasmine J. Dockery.
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REVEREND DR. JANCI FINKLEY, SR.
Presiding Elder, St. Louis District
Rev. Dr. Janci Finkley is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He is the eldest son of Brenda and James Finkley. Upon graduating from Phillips High School of Birmingham, he attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi. At Alcorn, he lettered in football and received numerous awards. It was also there in Lorman, Rev. Finkley accepted his call to ministry in 1991. He was assigned to West Princeton CME Church of Birmingham by Bishop Bass in 1994. As a bi-vocational pastor, he served several congregations.