Ten Churches Gather for African-American CELEBRATION
By Annette Bender
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – When 10 African-American pastors in the Chattanooga District began praying together every Thursday, they did not know where God would lead them.
On Feb. 16 at Wiley Memorial United Methodist Church, about 200 people took part in what some of the pastors believe is the fruit of their prayers. Ten churches gathered to present "When God's People Dream," a two-hour service of music, dance, drama and preaching from the participating congregations.
The Black History Month event included an energetic dance and drama presentation by youth from Bethlehem UMC; a flugel horn solo by Erskine Peoples of St. John UMC; and preaching by the Rev. Walter Cross of Washington Hills UMC. An offering introduced by the Rev. Lurone Jennings, Bethlehem pastor, reaped $378 for leadership development and scholarship funds for African-American congregations in Chattanooga District.
The 10 pastors organizing the event were united at the third Convocation for Pastors of African-American Churches in Houston in early January, according to the Rev. Sandra Johnson, pastor at Hurst UMC.
The convocation's theme was "Rooted, Reaching, Transforming" and was designed to inform and encourage clergy of African-American United Methodist congregations. About 500 pastors representing 450 congregations attended the convocation in Texas.
"We were inspired by what we could do with the presence of the Holy Spirit," Johnson said recently. "It felt like a kick in the gut, but it also felt like we were lifted up."
The pastors were still in the airport, returning home from the convocation, when the Rev. Angela Hardy made an observation. "I said, ÔI feel led for us to come together to pray,'" said Hardy, pastor at St. Marks UMC. "If we pray together, I believe the Lord will tell us what to do next."
The pastors were soon inspired to organize a special service involving the gifts of Chattanooga's African-American congregations. Of 12 districts in Holston, Chattanooga has the highest number of African-American pastors: 10 out of 28 black ministers in the conference. Holston has 930 total clergy members.
The event on Feb. 16 was considered to be so successful that the congregations are gearing up for other gatherings and programs to unite and strengthen African-American United Methodist churches in Chattanooga, according to Hardy. The $378 offering will provide seed money for future gatherings, she said.
"There was a lot of excitement. The choir especially said they wanted to get together again," said Hardy, referring to 20 choir members from different congregations who sang on Feb. 16. "It really sparked a fire."
The Chattanooga initiative could lead to "mini conferences" for black churches in Holston Conference, Cross said. Non-African- American parishioners are encouraged to participate.
"It is inclusive," Cross said. "We want to make this a tool for our Caucasian brothers and sisters to come and witness how the African-American culture worships.
"The more we find out about each other, the more we have to love," he added. "It's kind of like our children – the more you find out about them, the more you have to love. I think that is a way we can have racial reconciliation within the body of Christ. We're not there yet."
The Feb. 16 service at Wiley Memorial also included an original poem, "The Theme of Dreams," recited by poet Charlotte Williams, daughter of the Rev. Stanley Williams, pastor at Eastdale Village UMC.
Other participating pastors and churches included the Rev. Alberta Clark-Johnson, Wiley Memorial; the Rev. Aldana Allen, St. Andrews and St. Elmo; the Rev. Mike Ogle, St. Andrews; the Rev. Donald Swift, Stanley; and the Rev. Phynis Hall, Randolph/Wells Chapel
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