OMAHA – The annual fall meeting of Black Methodists for Church Renewal was part celebration and part truths about where African Americans stand in the denomination today.
About 30 people from the eight-state South Central Jurisdiction met Oct. 16-18 at the Cambria Hotel in Omaha.
Blacks in the church have faced “poor treatment, misunderstandings, lies, mistruths and distortion,” BMCR coordinator Yvette Richards said at the beginning of the meeting.
In 2022, noting that the South Central Jurisdiction was the only region of the five in the United States without a Black female bishop, the BMCR lobbied to help Kansas native Delores Williamston make history. She now is the episcopal leader of the Louisiana Conference.
“We had to decide whether we’re going to sit or whether we’re going to take action,” Richards said, adding that the group also backed Bishop David Wilson of the Great Plains as the first Native American episcopal leader.
“History was made on the first ballot,” Richards said, with Bishops Williamson and Wilson elected, as well as Bishop Laura Merrill, who serves Arkansas and Oklahoma, including the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference.
“When we stand on being steadfast and immovable,” she added, “change happens.”
“Family Reunion: Steadfast & Immovable” was the theme of the meeting.
Rev. Dr. Kalaba Chali, South Central Kansas District superintendent, gave a report on Africa University, one of the beneficiaries of BMCR, which has had an impact on conferences in the United States.
“It’s much bigger than what may be led to believe,” Chali said.
Rev. Dr. Andrew Finch, pastor of Omaha TRI Community, Living Hope and Union Memorial UMCs and the caucus chair for the Great Plains, led Bible study each day.
“Black ministers have been tired, overlooked and overrun,” Finch said, “but the world is still our parish, and there’s still work to be done.”
Richards paid tribute to Rev. Cynthia Smart, pastor of Halstead UMC in Kansas, whose U-Haul truck was stolen last year during the move from her previous appointment.
“Normal people would call 911 and ask the police to get the van,” Richards said. “She got her Black Panther outfit on and found the van,” and dubbed Smart “Wakanda Queen,” after the Marvel movie.
Smart finished her term as secretary of the jurisdictional BMCR, and will be succeeded by Karelle Leeper, an Omaha laity who served as coordinator for the meeting. Rev. Gwendolyn Collins-Derrick, from the Center for Black Faith, Leadership and Transformation in the Oklahoma Conference, will succeed Richards as coordinator.
Toska Medlock Lee, representing Black Church for the 21st Century, reported there were 1,831 Black churches in America, 2,610 Black clergy and 47 Black district superintendents, and fewer than 2% of the churches that disaffiliated from the denomination were Black churches.
“When the Black church is driven the denomination is stronger,” she said.
Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III, pastor of St. James UMC in Kansas City, Mo., was in charge of the learning time sessions during the three days.
“I define myself as a revolutionary, because the person I follow was a revolutionary,” he said.
Cleaver listed the change the government had made since the beginning of the year that were offensive to Blacks and Christians.
“It’s hard for me to believe the Lord is against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” he said.
Cleaver also compared the current political situation to the 1960s and said he saw a “second Civil Rights Era” on the horizon.
“If men and women of faith do not get involved, we will not make the gains we have in the past,” said Cleaver, son of U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II.
Bishop Wilson gave the sermon on the first night and presided over communion. He compared the struggles of Blacks in America to those of Native Americans, where both had incredible obstacles to overcome.
“They knew what it was to be steadfast,” the bishop said.
The bishop reiterated his frequent sermon theme about ensuring the next seven generations would live in peace and prosperity.
“You know that your labor isn’t going to be for nothing,” he said.
Rev. Portia Cavitt, pastor of Clair Memorial UMC, delivered the sermon at the Gospel brunch that closed the meeting.
She talked about a mission of affirmation, action, advocacy and agitation.
“When we come together, we receive what we need to go back to our places and do what we need to do,” Cavitt said.
Contact David Burke, content specialist, at [email protected].