First Lady Jennifer and I are excited about the privilege of serving as the spiritual leaders of this remarkable congregation here at Christ Our Redeemer. The borders of COR have extended far beyond its walls. You have a rich history in the city of Irvine and throughout Orange County. You are socially and politically engaged and connected to the community's pulse through serving and making a difference in so many ways.

COR church is more than a household name in the city of Irvine. Your name represents the finest that God requires integrity, respect, stability, and trust. As children of Richard Allen, a great liberator and civil rights leader of his time, you have lived up to what it means to be a part of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where God is our Father, Christ is our Redeemer, and Humankind is our brother.

As your Pastor and First Lady, while we have a long way to go in building the kind of relationships that are needed to continue to embrace COR and what the AME Church represents, we are committed to upholding COR's legacy and honoring our past, embracing our present, and working and planning together for our future.