Dec. 9: BCI Event To Focus On Hope In Midst Of Pandemics
Clergy and laity across the North Texas Conference are invited to attend “The Importance of the Black Church During Two Pandemics: Racism and Coronavirus,” a free event that will take place virtually from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9.
“Many people, including pastors, are suffering during these hard times,” said S Dianna Masters, the NTC’s Black Church Initiative coordinator. “During this time of political unrest and racism being alive and well, we are suffering emotionally and spiritually. We need a word of hope. We have chosen to not let 2020 end on a sad note.
“We cannot yet do worship in our buildings. This means that we cannot worship in person where we give and receive hugs, where we do ministry and hear a word of hope from our clergy and our choirs. How do we end this hard year in these two pandemics? This is the question to be answered at our BCI Conference.
Two speakers will offer keynote remarks and lead breakout discussions:
- Rev. Melvin Amerson is a member of the Texas Annual Conference and serves as a Resource Specialist/Area Representative at Texas Methodist Foundation. His experience and passion lie in encouraging and developing generous, faithful leaders and congregations.
- Rev. Dr. Dwight Radcliff is the senior pastor at The Message Center in Gardena, Calif., and is assistant provost for the William E. Pannell Center for African American Church Studies at Fuller Seminary.
"The need for a strong Black Church in the fabric of our society, denomination and conference is as needed today as ever," said Rev. Dr. Owen Ross, director of the NTC's Center for Church Development. "Dr. Radcliff and Rev. Amerson stay on the cutting edge of ministry and will be a blessing to all who attend, no matter the context of one's ministry."
Published: Wednesday, December 2, 2020