| | | Highlights from the 2024 General Conference
of the UMC | | From left: Bishop Ivan Abrahams, World Methodist Council, Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, World Council of Churches, and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, National Council of Churches. | The 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) brought together delegates from around the world from April 23 to May 3, to deliberate on important issues impacting the life and structure of the denomination.
As the church grappled with legislative issues, the Charlotte community was rocked by the deaths of four law enforcement officers killed trying to serve an arrest warrant in an East Charlotte community. The entire convention paused to pray, and later the next day a prayer vigil was held at one of the NCC communion churches, Little Rock AME Zion Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Dwayne Anthony Walker.
During Ecumenical Day, the Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), delivered a sermon urging attendees to consider what God is calling the church to do and emphasizing the significance of Christian unity. The event was attended by more than 70 individuals representing various ecumenical and inter-religious groups, including Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the World Methodist Council (WMC), and Bishop Vashti McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary.
Bishop Sally Dyck, the Ecumenical Officer of the UMC Council of Bishops and NCC Governing Board Member, led the morning worship service on Tuesday, April 30. The day's highlights included a luncheon and a celebration marking the full communion between the Moravian and the Episcopal churches. The conference concludes its sessions on May 3, with discussions and decisions rendered that are expected to shape the church's future direction. A celebration of the various expressions of the Methodist Family took place on May 1. | | Governing Board Members and Ecumenical Officers attending Ecumenical Day included (l-r) Ms. Kathryn Lohre, Executive for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations and Theological Discernment of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and former NCC President; Rev. Dr. Paul Tché, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Dr. Monica Schaap Pierce, Christian Churches Together in the USA; Rev. Mark Pettis, United Church of Christ; Rev. Mariclair Partee Carlsen and Rev. Margaret Rose, The Episcopal Church. | | Interfaith Prayer Vigil Held at Charlotte's Little Rock AME Zion Church | | Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles delivering remarks at prayer vigil at Little Rock AME Zion Church on April 30, 2024. Photo: Logan Cyrus | Submitted by Dr. Dwayne A. Walker, Pastor Little Rock AME Zion Church, Charlotte, NC
The entire city of Charlotte, N.C. was shocked this past Monday when four police officers — Sam Poloche, William Elliott, Joshua Eyer, and Thomas Weeks — were killed in the line of duty. They were serving an arrest warrant when they, along with four other officers, were shot.
Ms. Aisha Dew, Co-chairperson of Charlotte Clergy for Justice, called to ask if Little Rock AME Zion Church would host an Interfaith Prayer Vigil in support of the fallen and wounded officers and their families. We were pleased to do so. As pastor of Little Rock, I believe it is our responsibility to open our doors to the community. Whenever there is hurt, pain, social injustice, or simply a need for space to share information, we make ourselves available to serve.
Little Rock is located in uptown Charlotte; our space as well as our parking facilities are convenient for persons to gather and has served as a hub for the community. Some have even called Little Rock, “Freedom Central.” We are proud of that designation.
The Prayer Vigil was attended by Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams, and other elected officials. It was a beautiful service that included prayers and songs by clergy of different faith traditions. It is our sincere hope that those in attendance and the families of those officers will find healing and strength from the impact of our efforts. | | National Action Network Seeks to Play
Key Civil Rights Role | | Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, with Rev. Stephen A. Green, NCC’s Civic Engagement and Outreach Consultant, after she received the William A. Jones Award. | The National Action Network's 2024 Convention, led by Rev. Al Sharpton and Board Chair Dr. W. Franklin Richardson, was held in New York City on April 10–13, and focused on civil rights, voter empowerment, and strategic planning to protect the essential rights of Americans.
The event featured live video presentations of speakers, including President Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, EGOT Award Winning Entertainer, Stacey Abrams, former Georgia State Representative, GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Alicia Keys, Sybrina Fulton, author, activist, and founder of the Trayvon Martin Foundation, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Vanderbilt University Distinguished Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies, University Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Society in the Divinity School, and Centennial Chair in African American and Diaspora Studies, and Joy-Ann Reid MSNBC National Correspondent, and others.
Award presentations were also a key part of the event, with the Rev. Dr. William A. Augustus Jones Award being bestowed upon Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, and Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Bethel Church.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to stand before you today to accept this prestigious award in the name of this powerful and prolific prophet, preacher, pastor, and icon of icons in the preaching world and civil rights movement. Dr. Jones boldly went into the margins with Jesus for the underserved and the overlooked,” said Bishop McKenzie in her acceptance remarks. | | Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, and Joy-Ann Reid, National Correspondent for MSNBC, at National Active Network's (NAN) 2024 Convention. Reid shared pearls of wisdom during a fireside chat with NAN’s founder, Rev. Al Sharpton. | | NCC Unites with Faith Leaders at Ecumenical Prayer Service for Gaza | | Matt Markay, NCC Project Coordinator, with NCC Governing Board Member Rev. Nathan Hosler, Church of the Brethren, at Christian prayer service for Gaza on May 3. | Matt Markay, NCC Project Coordinator, joined Pax Christi USA and other ecumenical faith leaders on Friday, May 3, for a Christian prayer service for Gaza in front of the White House. The attendees collectively prayed for peace in Gaza and increased humanitarian aid to the region. | | NCC Supports Poor People's and Low Wage Workers' Assembly and Moral March | | Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and Co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Executive Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, and Co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, NCC Governing Board Member, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary, and others gathered at the “Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly & Moral March on Washington, D.C. and to the Polls” press conference on April 29, 2024. | Anchor partner NCC attended the “Mass Poor People’s and Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly and Moral March on Washington, D.C. and to the Polls” press conference at the National Press Club on April 29. This event brought together faith leaders and activists from around the country, both online and in-person, to announce plans for the upcoming Mass Assembly and Moral March on June 29. This initiative seeks to advocate for voter engagement and push for public policy changes on issues such as poverty, racism, and other societal ills, with the goal of a moral revival across the nation.
Guest speakers included Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, President and Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach and Co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Executive Director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice and Co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens, NCC Governing Board Member, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, NCC President, and General Secretary, and many more leaders and anchor organizations.
"Our legislators, our political leaders have a moral obligation to use their power and influence in state houses, in Congress, and in communities across the country to address urgent issues and work toward solutions that promote economic justice and wealth-being for all Americans," said Bishop McKenzie, NCC President and General Secretary. "So, we call on our elected officials to prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable among us and to champion policies that uplift and support those who are marginalized and disenfranchised. We will not go silently into the night."
Watch the press conference and learn more about this critical movement here. | | Participate in Commemorative “NCC Freedom Summer 2024” | | | | Reserve Your Spot for the 2024 Spring Governing Board Meeting | | | | | Watch 'A Case for Love' Film with Bishop Michael Curry on May 16 | | | | North Carolina Council of Churches to Host Online Discussion on Christian Nationalism | | | | Registration Still Open for EAD
Spring Summit | | | | |
|
|
