book

ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I
Attachment 2
Attachment 3
Attachment 4
Attachment 5
Attachment 6
Attachment 7
Attachment 8
Attachment 9
Attachment 10
Attachment 1l
December4, 2017
December 12,2017
July 8,2018
November 16,2017
October 1, 2018
October 16,2018
August 28,2018
October 2, 2018
August 26,2018
Letter sent to Bishop Brown
Letter sent to Bishop Brown
Letter sent to Bishop King
Obligated the Church
Without Church Conference
Steward Larry Thomas'
Letter
Steward Clyde Lawrence's
Letter
Trustee Jason Daniels'
Letter
Trustee Carol Collins'
Letter
Pictures of Condition of
Church
Video of Preachers taking up
Sunday's Collection
Naming of Chairman of
Trustee Board without
Trustees' Recommendation

December 4, 2017
To: Bishop Thomas L. Brown,5r.
Presiding Prelate of the 4h Episcopal District
From: Concerned Members of Reeves Temple C.M.E. Church
Dear Bishop Brown,
It is with profound sadness and great urgency that we seek your intervention on several important
matters regarding Rev. Dr. H. Leon Williams Sr. and on our beloved church. The issues of greatest
concern are outllned below for your review:
1. Wanton disregard for the operating procedures ofthe C.M.E. Church. (Article 422 - 28)
a. Obligated church financially by ordering security cameras for the church's parsonage
and Fellowship Hall without following procedure. Also signed contractual agreement of
the aforementioned.
b. Used clergy to collect and handle church tithes and offering. Further instructed
Stewards to teach clergy counting procedures.
c. Dismantled the Lay Council without cause or explanation, removed Lay Leader & failed
to name a replacement for (7) seven years.
d. No functioning Board of christian Education.
e. Dismantled the Finance Committee without cause and explanation.
2. Wanton disrespect for the membership of the church.
a. Failure to call monthly church conference as per C.M.E. discipline, quarterly conference
& official board meetings. When he does call one it is limited to only what he wants to
talk about and defers questions and concerns until a later date.
b. Failure to recommend and confirm officers for two consecutive years, including this
current conference year.
c. Church operating without a budget for 2017 - 2018 Conference year, which is essential
for financial planning and accountability.
3. Retaliation on the part of the Pastor against those who oppose or disagree with him.
a. Removal from office because of disagreement. i.e. Board of Christian Education and Lay
Leader.
4. Pastor Williams not accessible to membership.
a. He does not respond to phone calls, texts or e-mail messages from members with
concerns or questions about church matters.
We understand you will be in Lake Charles, Louisiana on Saturday, December 9, 2017 for the funeral of
Reverend Nerma Chretian. We respectfully request a meeting with you immediately following the
service to address our concerns.
Thank you for your time and attention to this urgent matter.
Prayerf ully submitted,

December 12,2017
To: Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr.
Presiding Prelate ofthe Fourth Episcopal District
CC: Rev. Dr. H Leon Willlams Sr.
From: Concerned Members of Reeves Temple C.M.E. Church
Dear Bishop Brown:
We were sorry that you were not able to be with us on Saturday, December 9, 2017 for the
Homegoing Services of Rev. Nerma Chretian. We do understand fliEht delays.
The Concerned Members of Reeves Temple C.M.E. Church met again on Monday, December 11,
2017 to discuss further actions to be taken. There were more concerned members at this meeting than
the first one. We were hoping for some kind of response from you acknowledging that you had
received our first communication, Hopefully, we will hear some response from this one SOON.
We did have a conversation with Rev. Dr. H Leon Williams Sr. on Sunday, December 10,2017
with reference to the our first communication but he said he was not answering any questions nor was
he of the MINDSET to call any meetings.
The members of Reeves Temple are educated people and trained in their specific disciplines.
There is so much talent here that we are admired or envied by many churches. Please help us move
forward in the manner of what CMEs should be doing.
Yours in christ,
Thank you for your leadership and attention to this matter.
Esther D. Vincent, Treasurer
(337)95s-8331
Clyde Lawrence, Chairman of The Steward Board
(337) 802-0270

July 8,2018
To: Bishop Charles J. King, Jr.
Presiding prelate ofthe Fourth Episcopal District
CC: Rev. Dr. H. Leon Williams, Sr.
From: Concemed Members of Reeves Temple C.M.E Church
Dear Bishop King:
We, the concemed members of Reeves Temple C.M.E. Church, are requesting a few minutes of
your time on Wednesday moming (July I l) to discuss the issues that we are having at our
church. It has been six (6) months since our last meeting with Rev. Dr. H. Leon Williams, Sr.
He did call a meeting after the General Conference but most of the members were very
dissatisfied. This did not mean that our church members have not been meeting because we
needed to continue with the operation of the church which included fi.rndraising. We did not get
any help from him. We are truly afraid that the membership will decline even more under his
leadership.
This meeting will be represented by a small group of concemed leaders. Please respond to this
request with a time and place of your choosing.
Thank you for your leadership and attention to this matter.
Yours in Christ,
Esther D. Vincent, Treasurer
(337) e6s-8331
Clyde Lawrence, Chairman of the Steward Board
(337) 802-0270
Attachments: Letterdated 1210412017
Letter dated 12/ 1212017

Dat-e:.
REEVES TEMPLE CHR|STIAN METHODi.ST EPISCOPA.L Ci.IURCH
f ttOO Winterhaltsr Si
Laka Chatles, La. 70601
The Reverend Or. H. Leon wi!;iat'ns, Sr.. Pastor
Vouche r/Requisition Fcri:-'
i''/-iu^ 2'tr'
DaG Neede

October 1, 2018
Larry Thomas
Steward Board Member
Reeves Temple C,M.E. Church
lmmediately following service on Sunday, November 26, 201, I was asked by Reverend Williams
to show him and other ministers the process of counting and depositing monies received during
collections at Reeves. The Pastor told me that things were going to be done differently.
The following Sunday when it was time fo.tithes and offering, I was told by the Pastor to sit
down because the ministers present would pick up the money and they did. Later the ministers
were present in the finance office while the Stewards counted the money but did not
participate in the process.
I was surprised by the Pastor's actions and could not understand why he felt we were not
trusted to do ourjob as Stewards in the church.
+/z:

To: Judicial Council
From: Clyde Lawrence - Steward Board Chairman
Re: Charges against Reverend Dr. H. Leon williams
Date: October 15, 2018
At the end of service on December 70,2077 , as I approached the alter to gather the collection trays with
the money to be counted by the Stewards; I noticed Reverend Williams racing ahead of me to get it.
After he picked it up I asked him if he was handling the money now, he said "yes" and carried it to his
office. lfollowed him into his office and asked if I could talk to him about what he was doing, he said
"no" he didn't want to talk about it.
I then told him that what he's doing is wron& and it's the Steward's duty to handle and count the
money; he told me that I wasn't a "Steward"; I asked him what is he talking about? He stated that "you
have not been confirmed so you are not a Steward".
(Reverend Williams uses this response whenever he feels it's convenient for him to dismiss or not
respond to any Officer of the Church that questions his actions or inquires about matters of Church.
We are considered Officers if we are doing something that benefits him.)
cfu
I told him that we as Officers of the Church have been performing our duties in the official capacities
since 2015, and until there is another Quarterly Conference to confirm Officers, we are still actively
doing our jobs.
He later sent the money into the finance office by Reverend Rose Mingo to be counted by the Stewards.

August 28,2018
Lake Charles,La.7060l
Bishop C. James King, Jr.
Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District
5417 Robinson Rd. Extension
Jackson, Ms. 39204
Dear Bishop King,
My name is Jason Daniels, I am a Tlustee at Reeves Temple. I am extremely
concerned about my church. This is a problem that's been going on for a few years.
Bishop Brown did nothing !! I pray that you will do something. Our Church is in a
CRISIS!!!!! I don't write on preachers, but I feel if Rev. Williams stay at Reeves' It
will bring the Church I love down further than it is now.
How can someone tell you to follow the Discipline, and they don't follow the
Discipline. f'm not trying to shame Rev. Williams, I just don't want my church of
one hundred fifty-two (152) years to go down like this. Thirty-five (35) members in
church on Sunday is sad. He does not see most sick members, he doesn't want to
have meetings to find out what we can do to smooth things over, he says one thing,
and then say something else, etc.
Bishop, we need younger, new leadership to represent and reach the youth ofour
church and get them to stay. It will be a shame to let the oldest church in the South
Louisiana Region go down to nothing because of the pastor. Bishop Brown failed
the members of Reeves Temple. I hope, I pray you do not! I pray thatyou can
rectiff our church, our annual conference.
Action speaks louder that words Bishop. I pray that you would respect our church
and our wishes. I pray that you are Legit and not counterfeit. May God and you
Bishop hear our cry.
Your in Christ & with a heavy heart,
Mr. Jason Daniels
Tiustee of Reeves Temple

October 2, 2018
My encounter with Rev. & Mrs. Williams...
I had an unfortunate confrontation with Rev. Dr. H. Leon Williams, Sr. and First tady Frankie
Handy-williams on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at Reeves Temple C.M.E. Church. Addie
Geyen and I had gone to the church to pick up a voucher when I encountered Mrs. Williams in
the sanctuary. After exchanging a few common pleasantries I asked Mrs. Williams if her family
was still living in the church parsonage. My hope was to put to rest rumors that the first family
had moved into another home. Mrs. Williams refused to answer the question and in no
uncertain terms stated it was none of my business. Her tone of voice, demeanor and
subsequent behavior was very antagonistic and unbecoming of a First Lady or any lady. She
intentionally shoved up against me as she made her way out of the sanctuary. Mrs. Williams
then stormed into the Secretary's office where the Pastor was working and brought him into
the conversation. I quickly asked the Pastor the same question and in turn he asked me why did
I need to know? My response was that as a Trustee, I believe the church should take action to
do something with the parsonage, if it is vacant. The Pastor then stated I was not a Trustee and
that all officers in the church are vacant. He too refused to answer the question, basically
saying it was none of my business. His demeanor during our conversation was similar to that of
his wife.
To sav that this encounter was shocking and disappointing is an understatementl The behavior
of Rev. & Mrs. Williams was not what I expected and certainly not what I ever hope to see again
from the Shepherd of our church and his wife. As I stated to Rev. Williams on Saturday, I have
lost all respect for him, which coincidentally didn't seem to bother him at all, as his reply was,
Oh welll
It's time for a change at Reeves...it's time for a new Shepherd, a new Pastor.
Ue(il;
CarolCollins
Trustee Board

Date: October 25,2018
To: Judicial Council
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Headquarters
From: Concerned Members of
Reeves Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Re: Charges against Reverend Dr. H Leon Williams, Sr.
List of Charges
Failure to follow discipline-Preacher-in-Charge
1. Article 422.1 - To preach the Gospel, administers the Holy Communion, to administer Baptism, to
solemnize the Rite of Matrimony, to visit the sick and bury the dead.
Reverend Williams failed to visit the sick. During 2018, on several occasions, he was aware that
members Andrew Smith, Addie Geyen and Margaret Guillory were sick and failed to visit and pray with
them. He was not speaking to several members of the church and they were at the top of his "no-speaklist".
Reverend Williams stopped speaking to them because of their vocal disagreement with him on
several issues concerning the church.
. Andrew Smith was hospitalized with cancer for several weeks and later died. However, he never
received a visit from Reverend Williams to pray with him and his family. Andrew was the
Chairman of the Trustee Board.
o Addie Geyen is currently undergoing treatment for cancer and has not received a call or visit
from Reverend Williams. Addie is the Vice-Chairman of the Trustee Board.
. Margaret Guillory was off work several months during 2018 due to a serious leg injury. Reverend
Williams never called or visited her. Margaret works as the Cafeteria Manager at the school
where Reverend Williams' children attend. He recently saw her at the head of the serving line
and ignored her by passing by without speaking.
o Reverend Williams failed to administer the Holy Communion. There are complaints that
Reverend Williams is not giving Holy Communion to several homebound members. Reverend
Williams changed the method of administering the Holy Communion by eliminating all
Stewardesses that would accompany him except his Wife, Frankie Handy- Williams.
Margaret Guillory and Gloria Clement never received Holy Communion during the time they
were homebound due to injury and illness.
2. Article # 422.2b- However, in no event shall the Preacher-in-Charge obligate the church financially
without the consent of the Church Conference and Quarterly Conference.
Reverend Williams financially obligated the church without the consent of the Church Conference and
Quarterly Conference. On Novembe r lL,2Ol7 , Reverend Williams signed a contract with KinBdom Alarm
Company to install security cameras at the Church and parsonage. This was never discussed with the

proper boards or conferences at the church. He submitted a check voucher for 5571.80 to the finance
secretary for the down payment. His signature is clearly visible on the voucher. (See attached voucher)
When questioned by the Steward Board Chairperson, Clyde Lawrence, Reverend Williams said that it did
not have to go through the proper channels, i.e., church and quarterly conferences. Brother Lawrence
was able to contact the security company to stop the process.
3, Article f422.5- To nominate members to the quarterly Conference fo. positions :n keeping with the
Discipline and to provide for the training classes in keeping with positions for which they will be
nominated.
Reverend Williams failed to nominate members to the Quarterly conference.
Two conference years have passed since the last nominations were held. Church officers have been
working in the same capacity since 2016, the last official nominations and confirmations. We are now in
the month of October and still no Church Conference, Quarterly Conference or Official Board meetings
have been held. Whenever an officer of the church questions, or acts within their official duties,
Reverend Williams states that there are no officers in the church because none have confirmed. (See
attached letter from Sis. Carol Collins- Trustee Board Secretary)
This church has become dysfunctional because there is so much confusion about organizational
structure. The discipline is not being followed by Reverend Willlams on all accounts.
4. Article f 511- Elections and accountability of Stewards
511.1 - The Stewards shall be nominated by the Preacher in CharSe to the Quarterly Conference,
which reserves the authority to reiect the nominees.
Reverend Williams has not nominated Stewards or any officers since conference year 2015.
511.2.2- To keep an accurate account of the money collected or other provisions made for the support
of the ministry.
On November 26, 2017, Reverend Williams instructed the Stewards on duty to remain seated when it
was time to collect tithes and offerings. He proceeded to order the two preachers Rev. Rose Mingo and
Rev. Dr. Ernest Davis to come down to assist him in collecting the offerings. This is clearly not the duties
of the Clergy when there are Stewards present and willing to fulfill their duties.
Later that same morning, Reverend williams entered the finance office and instructed the stewards to
teach the two Preachers to count and record the collection money. This is clearly a violation of the
Discipline.
5U.13- To solicit and receive money quartetly, if necessary and as a means for encouraging members
to contribute, the Stewards may write letters to the members.
Reverend Williams engaged in soliciting money (tithes and offerings) on 17176, t2/3 and 72/1Ol2Ot7.
Reverend Williams continued with his established violation of the Discipline with Reverend Mingo minus
Rev. Dr. Ernest Davis. (Dr. Davis never returned to Reeves Temple after the second time). A video
recording his actions showing his blatant disregard for proper procedure was taken on December 10,
?077 .

Reverend Williams continued with his established violation of the Discipline with Reverend Mingo minus
Rev. Dr. Ernest Davis. (Rev. Dr. Davis never returned to Reeves Temple after the second time). A video
recording his actions showing his blatant disregard for proper procedure was taken on December 10,
20t7 .
5U.8 - To give advice in planning the work of the church.
Reverend Williams disbanded the Financial Planning Ministry/Committee which consisted of three
members ofthe Steward Board, one member ofthe Trustee Board, one member ofthe Stewardess
Board, the Treasurer and The Pastor. lt was voted on and confirmed at the Quarterly Conference.
On December 3, 2016, Reverend Williams sent a text message to all members of the ministry/committee
stating the ministry/committee no longer exist; without any valid explanation, reason or discussion
regarding his action. This came after a recent meeting with the ministry/committee that ended with a
vote (6 to 1) to use money to repair the leaking roof of the church.(Reeves Temple is 152 years old)
Reverend Williams was the lone vote" against".
Reverend Williams wanted to send the money to pay the annual conference assessment which is
important. However, there was rain coming into the sanctuary and the roof over the Fellowship Hall
had been damaged by a recent storm. We felt the repairs to the church were much more urgent.
Keep in mind this was in December 2017 , we had time to pay the assessment before the conference
year ended; which we did pay it in full by April 2017.
There are enclosed pictures of the water damage inside and outside of the church.
The Financial Ministry/Committee is a vital and necessary part of the planning of the temporal business
of the local church. lt was voted into existence by the Quarterly Conference and should be given the
same consideration if the church feels there is no longer a need for it. The church members didn't get
the opportunity to vote. Reverend williams said and I quote 'THls ls NoT A DEMocRAcY".
5. 515,1 - The pastor shall nominate persons to the Quarterly Conference fo, office of Trustee.
Reverend Williams failed to nominate Trustees or any other officers to the Quarterly Conference.
The Trustee Board is a very important part of the Local Church, it is necessary for the planning of
maintenance and constant upkeep of the properties of the church.
15.14 - The trustees shall elect their own Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.
Recently the Chairman of the Ttustee Board (Andrew Smith) passed on.
Reverend Williams failed to follow the natural progression of order to fill the position of Chairman when
he appointed a current member to the office instead of filling that position with the Vlce-Chairman or
calling for a vote as stated in this article.
515,5 - To seek out the sick and to inform the pastor of those who are sick,
Reverend Williams fails to make himself accessible to the members that have matters regarding their
family's need for prayer during times of medical crisis. He does not answer his phone and when a
message is left, he does not return the call. There are occasions when members had to contact pastors

Please note that Reverend Williams is the PresidlnS Elder and the Pastor of our church, so there is no
one else to appeal to for a resolution. We submitted two letters to Bishop Thomas L. Brown
requesting an audience with him, but he didn't respond. We sent both letters to the incoming Bishop;
Bishop James KinS in July 2018. Bishop King said that he would be in Lake Charles within 30- 45 days
(lt has been more than 90 days now). However, there has not been any further contact with us.
we, the concerned Members of Reeves Temple c.M,E. Church, have met and voted to request that
Rev. Dr. H Leon Wllliams, Sr. be removed as Pastor of Reeves Temples C.M.E. Church. The violations
are stated above. Reverend Williams has been totally disrespectable, uncooperative and uncaring to
the needs of the Church and its Membership. lt has been shown by his actions and inactions, i.e., not
having a Church Conference, Official Board Meetint or Quarterly Conference and not confirming
Officers. The Membership deserves and needs better leadership. We hope that this may be resolved
as quickly as possible. We are in need of a SHEPHERD that will lead and help us to support the
church's mission.
So as you can see, proper protocol and the chain of command have been followed'
Yours in christ,
0-^^