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Religion Forum Index » Christian Methodist Forum » UMNS: African Americans who stayed
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 Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 7:21 am |
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United Methodists pay homage to African Americans who stayed
Apr. 1, 2004
A UMNS Report
By Linda Green*
Delegates to the 2004 General Conference will both celebrate the African
American witness and presence within the United Methodist Church today
and recognize "those who stayed" in spite of racism.
On April 30, the nearly 1,000 delegates to the denomination's top
legislative assembly in Pittsburgh will participate in a "Service of
Appreciation" recognizing, honoring and celebrating those African
Americans who remained as members of the former Methodist Episcopal
Church and other predecessor Methodist bodies in spite of the racial
indignities that occurred in a segregated structure.
The service will celebrate God's presence in the life of the church,
recognize wounds and encourage healing, according to a purpose
statement. It will be one of many activities for delegates attending
the April 27-May 7 assembly.
In 2000, General Conference delegates participated in an "acts of
repentance" service, acknowledging the racism that caused blacks to
leave the denomination in the 18th and 19th century. But no mention was
made of the African Americans who stayed, said Black Methodists for
Church Renewal, a 37-year-old national caucus that promotes advocacy and
leadership development.
The caucus expressed its concern about the omission to the United
Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns,
which organized the 2000 service and related resources for annual
(regional) conferences.
It also created a document, "The Problem with Repentance," with four
recommendations, including the idea of the service of appreciation.
"While we (the church) recognized the injustice done toward those who
left, we did not recognize the injustice done to those who stayed in the
acts of repentance service," said the Rev. Renita Thomas, associate
director for church development for the North Georgia Annual (regional)
Conference and a caucus member. "If we are going to get our house in
order, then we ought to start in the house."
"The purpose of this service is an appreciation of the gifts and
contributions that blacks have made since the beginning of our church
because blacks were there at the beginning," added Bishop Melvin
Talbert, interim chief executive for the Commission on Christian Unity
and Interreligious Concerns.
Organizers call the service of appreciation an opportunity for the
church to repent of its racism and move toward community and
reconciliation as it works to eradicate isolation and oppression.
Another goal is to add to the church's history. "There is nothing that
talks about the blacks who remained and continued to give leadership in
the church," Talbert explained. "We are hoping to collect information
on those who stayed that will be added to the history of blacks in
Methodism."
The Rev. Vincent Harris, president of Black Methodists for Church
Renewal, noted that those who stayed "were led by faith that God would
not leave or forsake them as they fought for inclusion, equality and
justice. They deserve all the honor, respect and gratitude we can offer
for their tumultuous journey."
Harris said the service should serve as a "clarion call for a spiritual
transformation and conversion" in all the church, but especially in the
black church.
Jerry Ruth Williams of Columbia, Mo., a member of the Commission on
Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, said it is hoped that
holding the service during a high-level meeting would make more United
Methodists aware of the contributions African Americans have made to the
church.
"The goal is to show appreciation and honor to people who have provided
leadership and staying power under some very unpleasant circumstances,"
she said.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.
********************
United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org |
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