Eastern PA Conference of the UMCAfrican American Ministries
Northeastern Jurisdiction Call to Action Resolution & Response
Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops
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Delaware Annual Conference Anniversary Celebration
Nearly 200 people gathered at historic Tindley Temple UMC in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 30, to celebrate “A Century of Commitment, A Legacy of Love.”
With that theme, they fondly remembered the old Delaware Annual Conference, which from 1864 to 1965 nurtured the faith, fellowship and fortitude of African Americans in the former Methodist and Methodist Episcopal churches. This was a special occasion–both joyful and poignant–that recalled struggles to overcome racism, heroic leaders, faithful disciples and the relentless arc of social transformation that by God’s grace, “bends toward justice.” Read more
View the full Delaware Annual Conference Celebration Photo Gallery.
A Brief History of the Former Delaware Annual Conference
Organized officially in 1784, the Methodist Episcopal Church flourished in the early 1800s, as small societies and full churches emerged, even among black U.S. populations. Black local preachers were recruited to serve their congregations, supervised by white elders and annual conferences. Eventually, an ongoing Conference of Colored Local Preachers was organized at Zoar M.E. Church in Philadelphia in 1857 under Bishop Levi Scott. They met annually until 1863, drawing growing numbers of African American clergy members from New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the northern tip of Virginia. Read more
Delaware Conference history chronicled in ‘A Methodist Trail’
A Methodist Trail is a just-published, long-awaited history of the former Delaware Annual Conference, the historic African American Methodist conference that was the first to form in 1864 and the first to merge in 1965. The extraordinarily detailed, two-volume book was researched and written by William C. Jason Jr., a pastor’s son born in 1898 and a venerable leader, historian and secretary of the conference. Learn more
Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR)
- Chair: Rev. Shayla Johnson
Philadelphia BMCR represents important interests and concerns of Black United Methodist members and churches of the Eastern PA Conference (located primarily in the Philadelphia region). We are an official, affiliated body of the Eastern PA Annual Conference and a conference affiliate of the National BMCR caucus. Learn more…
Black United Methodist Pastors (BUMP)
- Chair: The Rev. Herbert W. Coe
On Countless Acts of Violence: “Enough is Enough”
GCORR General Secretary Erin Hawkins shares a deeply personal reflection that offers each one of us ideas and actions for how we can counter and ultimately dismantle systemic, longstanding racism in both our Church and society. Read her article on GCORR.org
African-American Ministries News & Information
- BMCR, BUMP award annual scholarships to 3 new collegians
Leaders of BMCR and BUMP (Black Methodists for Church Renewal and Black UM Preachers) held their annual scholarship awards luncheon at the Conference Office in June. They awarded scholarships to... Read more - BMCR has a new webpage
Bishop speaks to caucus concerns BY JOHN W. COLEMAN Philadelphia Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) has a new Web presence at www.epaumc.org/bmcr, hosted by the Eastern PA Conference website.... Read more - Reflections on BMCR’s 51st General Meeting
By the Rev. Shayla Johnson
BMCR Philadelphia Coordinator
The 51st General Meeting of National Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), March 13-17, in Sacramento, Calif., drew a smaller attendance than the 500 who came to the 2017, 50th anniversary meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio. About 162 registered persons attended this year’s meeting, where there was less pomp and circumstance but nonetheless, important matters and decisions to consider, along with celebrative worship and fellowship. Read more
