St. George's, the oldest Methodist building in continuous use (1769) is located in Philadelphia's historic district. In addition to this historical distinction, it is also unfortunately known for a sad chapter in Methodism, the sin of racism.
It was at St. George's in the 1790s that the congregation began the practice of segregated seating which prompted two African American Methodist preachers, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones to leave the church to form the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. The African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination was formed as a result of this break.
This past Sunday, October 25, as I was preaching here at First United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Ohio, an historic moment was taking place in the city of brotherly love. St. George's UMC and Mother Bethel AME worshipped for the first time together at St. George's.
On the 240th anniversary of St. George's, the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME, preached from the St. George's pulpit and called for people of every generation to continue to work together to end the sin of racism and discrimination.
This just goes to show that it's never too late for Christians and for churches to be open to God's reconciling work through Jesus Christ. With God, all things are possible.
The Phillies might be in the World Series but the real championship was held this past Sunday, October 25 at St. George's United Methodist Church.
Congratulations Mother Bethel AME and St. George's UMC! You are both world champions!
No comments:
Post a Comment