Important points:
- The Black Clergy Caucus of the United Methodist Church met in New Orleans for its national convention from July 29 to 31.
- The group emerged from the Black Methodists for Church Renewal movement to encourage, support and empower black clergy of all denominations.
- The presence of several black women clergy in prominent leadership positions allowed participants to see that the ceiling of stained glass bricks is increasingly being broken.
The Reverend Dr. Tori Butler.
Photo by Dominque J. Allan, Create It Photography, LLC.
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“Oh, freedom, oh, freedom, oh, freedom upon me.
And before I would be a slave, I will be buried in my grave,
and go home to my master and be free.
No more crying, no more wailing,
Do not weep for me anymore, my Lord.
And before I would be a slave. I will be buried in my grave,
and go home to my master and be free.”
This song is known as a call to action. This song is a call to be. This song is a reminder of the liberating power of God: that we do not allow ourselves to be bound by all the difficulties and conflicts we face in this life.
Rev. Danita Waller-Paige belted out the lyrics and invited the black clergy of the United Methodist Church to sing with her at the opening service of their annual national convention. This freedom song embodied this year’s theme: “Freedom: Dance. Act. Manifest.”
More than 100 black clergy gathered in New Orleans from July 29 to 31 to fellowship, pray, grow, recharge and recharge.
The week began with a service at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, after which 100 meals were distributed to those in need in the French Quarter and surrounding areas. The group was so moved by the experience that they initially raised $700, but with a little persistence, $3,000 was raised to donate to this ministry that embodies the hands, feet and love of Christ in the community.
The workshops were led by Rev. Dr. Gennifer Brooks, Rev. Dr. April Bristow and Rev. Towanda NT Connelly. Brooks made the connection between dance and preaching, challenging the women to be free in their bodies so they could be free with their words.
Bristow transformed her workshop space into an emergency center. She challenged participants to take the time to assess where they are in their lives and perform “ectomies” – that is, to remove unhealthy growths in their lives, form a care team, and watch for signs of distress in their lives. Connelly challenged workshop participants to remember that in order to accomplish God’s purpose, one must praise, pray, resolve on God’s promises, and use the power of God.
Rev. Jasmine Smothers led the morning devotions as well as being the keynote speaker at the Social Justice Luncheon. She reminded us not to forget who we were when God called us. She suggested that “we want the freedom to be comfortable,” but God calls us to be curious. God calls us to resist the urge to control things. God calls us to have an expectation that God will knock us out.
Thanks to the presence of many leading black clergy, we as black clergy were able to gain insight into how God can “work beyond our imagination and in vast areas”:
• Reverend Romonica Malone-Wardley, the first African American woman to serve as assistant to the bishop of the Texas Annual Conference;
• Bishop Delores “Dee” Williamston, the first African American woman elected bishop in the South Central Jurisdiction;
• Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, the first BIPOC person elected general secretary of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church; and
• Bishop Tracy Smith Malone, the first African American to serve as president of the Council of Bishops.
In the presence of these women, other women could see that the stained glass ceiling was breaking. The doors of opportunity were open. There are opportunities for growth and advancement within the United Methodist Church.
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It was a celebration of the achievements of black clergy, with one of the highlights being a second line in New Orleans to honor the accomplishments of Fulbright and Bishop Malone. On the campus of Dillard University, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, black clergy sang, danced, clapped, and waved handkerchiefs in the air, along with a band of drums and brass. They were having fun. They had a chance to let go of any pain or burdens they might have been carrying and just enjoy the moment. They were free!
The freedom of that space allowed them to dream for each other. Smothers said her hope for black clergy is “that we see ourselves as a full part of the whole.” Waller-Paige said her hope is that there will continue to be “a group of strong black women supporting black women who feel marginalized.” The Rev. Karli Pidgeon, superintendent of the Southeast District of the Louisiana Conference, said she hopes black clergy will “reclaim our power and boldly stand up for what God created us to do.”
When the black clergy gathered in the space we created, we had the freedom to dance, act and manifest.
For more information about Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church, visit https://www.blackclergywomenumc.org.
Butler is senior pastor of Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church in Severna Park, Maryland.
Press contact: Tim Tanton or Joey Butler at (615) 742-5470 or (email protected)To read more news from the United Methodist Church, Subscribe to the free daily or weekly digests.
