CDMC

This short report highlights the work of the Christian Debutante Master Commission (CDMC) for 2016-2021

THEME: “Magnifying Christ as we reflect on the past, experience the present and focus on the future”

SCRIPTURE: “Oh magnify the Lord with me, let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:3

CDMC LITURGICAL COLORS: Red and White
Red symbolizes excitement, energy, and power.
White symbolizes celebration, joy, and peace.

The CDMC focuses on the period of transition from adolescence to adulthood that many cultures consider a “rites of passage”. Young people desire to celebrate and symbolize their new adult status. The CDMC channels this desire that enhances the mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Christian Debutante-Master Ceremony is the official activity under the auspices of the CDMC, a solemn religious service whereby the young honorees in their period of transition celebrate their new adult status in the church. It pays tribute to the rites of passage from youth to adulthood. The Debutante-Master Ceremony, the flagship of the CDMC, affords young people, ages sixteen through twenty-two, the opportunity to be introduced to the church society and to dedicate their lives to greater Christian service.

Divisions of the Christian Debutante-Master Commission

Sub Debutantes / Sub-Master | Ages 13 – 15

Junior Allenites | Ages 9 – 12

Pre-Junior Allenites | Ages 5-8

Marital Status:
Single only (no children) may participate in the dedication ceremony.

Christian Belief:
To acquaint young people with the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His ministry. To believe that Christ Is the Son of God, that He lived, and died for our sins, was resurrected, and is now in heaven as our Redeemer.

Personal Desire:
The personal desires of young people should be respected, however young people should be encouraged and motivated to participate in church and community activities and remain active until they have completed the requirements to participate in the dedication ceremony.

HISTORICAL OVERVIEW:

What is now a popular activity, the introduction of young people to society under church auspices, and their dedication to continued Christian service, was inaugurated as a Christian rite of passage by the A.M.E. Church in 1952 and is denoted by the phrase, “The Christian Debutante Master Dedication Commission”.

The CDMC originated by Dr. Julma Crawford under the division of Christian Education. The first Debutante-Master Dedication was held May 18, 1952 in Chicago, Illinois at the seat of the 34th General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The DMC became an official commission by elected legislation enacted at the 39th session of the A.M.E. General Conference held in June, 1972 in Dallas, Texas.

The CDMC is a commission of adults comprising a new supportive and supplemental service to youth groups of the Christian Education at each level of the A.M.E. Church.

On July 1, 1972, Mrs. Crawford was elected Administrator of this commission with the rank of General Officer. In 1976, Mrs. Crawford became a connectional officer as the administrator of the newly legislated Debutante Master Commission.

Dr. Julma Crawford retired in 1992. In July 1992 Mrs. Loretta Fields Hill of Austin, Texas was elected the 2nd Connectional General Administrator of the Christian Debutante-Master Dedication Commission. During Mrs. Hill’s 16 years of leadership she created the CDMC Manual and handbook. She also established the Julma Crawford Scholarship as well as the current organizational structure for the program. She is a retired public health educator and an active lifetime member of Grant AME Worship Center, Austin, TX.

In July 2008 during the General Board meeting at the General Conference in St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Gloria Massey Ward of Memphis, TN was appointed to serve as the 3rd Connectional General Administrator of the Christian Debutante-Master Commission. She is a retired teacher and an active lifetime member at St. Andrew AMEC in Memphis, TN. Mrs. Ward is no stranger to the CDMC Commission. She has served as chairperson of the Julma Crawford Scholarship Committee, coordinator of the Christian Debutante-Master Dedication Ceremony held at the General Conference in 2008 as well as having held the positions of conference and district commissioner in her district (13th).

In July 2016 during the General Board meeting at the General Conference in Philadelphia, PA, Mrs. Lyndajo Watson of Little rock, AR was appointed to serve as the 4th Connectional General Administrator of the Christian Debutante-Master Commission. She is employed by the Secretary of State’s Office of the state of Arkansas and an active member at Union AMEC in Little Rock for over 50 years.  Mrs. Watson is no stranger to the CDMC Commission. She was the commissioner for the 12^th District from 1994-2016, served as chairperson of the CDMC scholarship banquet in 2012 and 2016, and coordinator of the Christian Debutante-Master Dedication Ceremony held at the General Conference in 2002 and 2016. She also served as 1^st Vice President during Mrs. Gloria Ward’s tenure.