There were all round mutual feelings of elation at Mt Zion AME Church in Southampton West on Thursday night when the Rt Rev Gregory GM Ingram took charge of a Bermuda pulpit for the first time since his appointment in July as the Prelate of the First Episcopal District of the AME Church.Bermuda is part of the First District that embraces Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut among other influential areas.Members from all eleven of the AME Churches that make up the Bermuda East-West District under Presiding Elder Betty L. Furbert-Woolridge, packed Mt Zion to overflowing for the Advent Worship Experience at which Bishop Ingram was the preacher. They quickly got into the spirit of the service, as the Bishop preached on the Theme, “Breaking the Rules”, based on verses from the Book of Isiah.He was introduced by the Presiding Elder as a visionary, financier, prolific preacher, teacher, sought-after internationally with his witty manner to speak at churches, colleges, universities and civic functions.She lauded his aims at partnering with stakeholders to take Bermuda and other parts of the First District to higher heights.He was accompanied by his wife, the Rev Dr Jessica Ingram, who the Presiding Elder said, likes to refer to her husband of 35 years as the “handsome-est” on the AME Bench of Bishops.Elected as the 118th Bishop of the AME Church in the year 2000, his first appointment as a Bishop was to the 15th Episcopal District, which comprises Angola, Namibia and most of South Africa. At the time of his appointment to the 1st District in July, Bishop Ingram was serving as President of the Council of Bishops and Episcopal leader of the Tenth Episcopal District, which covers the entire State of Texas. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and is a Thirty-Third Degree Mason-Prince Hall Affiliation.Bishop Ingram said he wanted to share a secret with the people of Bermuda. During the previous five days he and his wife had been participating in Advent Services in various parts of the District.But, he added, wittingly, none was more exciting and vibrant than what he had experienced in Bermuda. The choirs were outstanding; the liturgical dancing of the young people had a spontaneity and excitement that reflected the presence of the Lord. The hospitality was warm. The Brightly robed Bethel Choir; Allen Temple Choir and the Male Voice Choir of Mt. Zion participated in the Ministry in Song.Rev Dr Jessica Ingram showed her appreciation for the hospitality extended during their visit, by presenting special gifts to the leader of the Bermuda Conference Missionaries, Sis. Valerie Smith; and the host pastor of Mt Zion, the Rev Jahkimmo Smith.