The Reverend Clyde A. Anderson

Let us remember Rev. Dr. Clyde A. Anderson who died on August 13, 2015.  Rev. Anderson was the former executive director of the United Methodist City Society.

Rev. Anderson was born July 26, 1955 in Sumter, South Carolina and grew up in the village of Mayesville, South Carolina. He graduated from Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina. He later received a master of divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center/Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia, a doctor of ministry from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio and an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Claflin University. In May 2015 he received an honorary doctorate degree from Anointed by God Ministry Seminary in Brooklyn, New York.

Between 1972 and 1986 Rev. Anderson served churches in the South Carolina Annual Conference, where he received his deacon’s orders in 1978 and his elder’s orders in 1980. A humanitarian and world traveler, between 1987 and 2003 he served as executive secretary for the General Board of Global Ministries in both the National and World Program Divisions with specific mission responsibilities throughout the United States, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. He traveled abroad extensively for more than a decade building bridges and strengthening partnerships between ecumenical and tribal groups under the leadership of GBGM. In his relationship with religious and government leaders, he led The United Methodist Church in analyzing and evaluating the context in which the church is called to Christian ministry in Sub-Saharan Africa. His work to challenge and empower oppressed people was widely recognized.

In 2003 Rev. Anderson became a member of the New York Annual Conference when he was appointed executive director of the United Methodist City Society of New York. In his 2004 report to the New York Annual Conference, the City Society’s president, James W. Perkins, reported that Rev. Anderson had “reinvigorated the Society’s leadership to…provide answers to the most basic question the City Society faces: how can we bring the greatest good to the greatest number of people…?” Rev. Anderson served the City Society until September 2008.

Over the years Rev. Anderson maintained many church, community and professional relationships. During his time in the New York Annual Conference, he served as president of the Ministerial Interfaith Association of New York City, president and charter member of the Rainbow Push New York City Chapter, program coordinator of the Commission of Religious Leaders of New York City, and chaplain of the New York Alumni Chapter of Claflin University. He was a member of the National Council of Churches and the Federation of Protestant Churches of New York. He was a lifetime member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, a member of the NAACP, and a member of the Harlem Community Interfaith Association. 

Rev. Anderson is survived by his wife, Loretta Martino Anderson, six sisters, five brothers and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

A funeral will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church, 131-29 Farmers Blvd., Springfield Gardens, NY 11434. Clergy are asked to wear black robes with white stoles. Viewing will be from 5:00-7:00pm prior to the service. Committal will be in his hometown, Mayesville, South Carolina.