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Urban Notebook

 

 

Welcome to the Urban Notebook. In this space we will share ideas, stories and information that we hope will be helpful, encouraging, and even inspiring to you as you engage in ministry in the city!

Dorothy Watson Tatem

Director

 

    

 

SBC-21 in Philadelphia

Dorothy Watson Tatem

On September 8th-10th, the Strengthening the Black Church Coordinating Committee held its meeting in Philadelphia. Sunday, September 8th was a day of worship and historical exploration. The Eastwick United Methodist Church, a Congregational Resource Center of the SBC-21 initiative, served as the host congregation for the EPA. A group of its youth served as hosts to greet the members of the Committee as they traveled from the hotel to the church. Worship was vibrant with the singing of several choirs and grace of dance groups. The Reverend Helen Stafford Fleming brought forth an empowering sermon of unity and work for the Kingdom of God.

Immediately, following the service, a luncheon was held at the Sharon Hill Christian Center, the second campus for Eastwick. The Fairless Hills congregation partnered with Eastwick to serve as hosts. The Rev. Herbert Palmer shared about the Fishes and Loaves training in the EPA which is a SBC-21 initiative in the conference. Words of greeting were brought on behalf of the Sharon Hill township by the president of the town council, Ms. Terry Wiseley. Bishop Keaton, the chair of the SBC-21, was traveling through Africa, thus the vice chair, Dr. Caroline Johnson spoke about the initiative to those present. Last words of appreciation and enthusiasm were brought by Ms. Cheryl Stevenson, the Executive Director of the SBC-21.

After the luncheon, the Coordinating Committee was taken on a tour of three historic United Methodist churches in Philadelphia. These were the Tindley Temple, Mother African Zoar and St. George’s United Methodist Churches. Historical presentations were given by Levan Gordon, Rev. Anthony Arrington and members of Zoar and Robert Powell respectively.

The day was filled with inspiring worship, warm fellowship and dynamic history.

On Monday morning, Bishop Weaver opened the SBC-21 meeting with a stirring message in which he posited,"There is something of a gift in the black church that addresses the issue of strength in a way that the whole church and the whole world need to learn." The bishop’s message inspired the work of the Committee at every subsequent session.

Ms. Cheryl Stevens later described the time in Philadelphia as "joyous!."

 

Thought for the Day: Jesus was born in the city!  Luke 2:4

Copyright 2002. Dorothy Watson Tatem. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference

The United Methodist Church

Office of Urban Ministries

Bishop Peter D. Weaver, Resident Bishop, Philadelphia Area

Rev. Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem, Director

Mrs. Evangeline Johnson, Administrative Assistant

 

Located at:

Simpson House

2101 Belmont Avenue

Philadelphia, PA     19131-1628

 

Phone: 215-878-8054

Toll Free: 800-866-6855

Fax: 215-878-8342

E-mail: dorothy@epaumc.org

 

Home     Annual Conference Report     Grants     Kim Jefferson Award     Good Schools Pennsylvania    Urban Scholarships     Project 6:15     Strengthening the Black Church     Shalom Zones     Links     News      

Copyright 2002, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference UMC, Office of Urban Ministries.  All Rights Reserved. The space for this web site has been provided courtesy of the General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church . The content of these home pages is the responsibility of The Office of Urban Ministries.   Please send feedback to dorothy@epaumc.org .

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