wfn.org | Denver congregations take steps to bridge racial gap

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98-3007
Denver congregations take steps to bridge racial gap
By Tim Ross
	(ENS) In a city scarred by recent outbursts of racial violence, two Denver churches are taking steps to effect racial reconciliation. Christ Church vestry member Quinn Wilhelm is a detective with the Lakewood Police Department. Assigned to cover auto theft, late last year Wilhelm interviewed Lawrence Lee, a man whose van had been stolen. Afterwards, Lee and Wilhelm began talking about their Christian faith and their churches. Lee invited Wilhelm to his church, Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist, where he serves as a deacon, and Wilhelm accepted the invitation.
	Mt. Carmel has faithfully served the northeast Denver community for more than 40 years. Under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. Harold Hicks, the church has recently constructed their first building. During his visit to the church, Wilhelm learned that the congregation was in financial difficulties because of problems with contractors and was facing an enormous loan payment due at the end of December that it did not have funds to pay.
	Wilhelm was deeply moved and, sensing a great opportunity for outreach, approached the Rev. Sandy Greene, rector of Christ Church.	In the meantime, another member of Christ Church, Kit Jenkins, had become convinced during his prayers that Christ Church was to take a special offering for another church. Not knowing about the Mt. Carmel situation, Jenkins shared his vision with Greene, who simply told him, "You need to see Quinn Wilhelm." 
	On Sunday, December 7, Wilhelm attended all services at Christ Church and told the congregation about Mt. Carmel's need. The response was dramatic. During December, the church raised nearly $30,000. Contributions of about $32,000 have already been received.	Wilhelm presented an initial check to the Mt. Carmel congregation on December 21, and the church erupted into a spontaneous outpouring of worship and praise at God's provision. 
Fellowship opportunities
	Both congregations realized that Wilhelm's and Lee's initial meeting was the beginning of a great opportunity. Greene subsequently invited Hicks to preach at Christ Church, and on Sunday, January 18, Hicks and the entire Mt. Carmel congregation of several hundred, choir included, came to worship. The parish may never be the same. 
	Within the context of a traditional Episcopal liturgy, the Mt. Carmel choir introduced the congregation to the African-American Gospel tradition of call-and-response singing. They also demonstrated the tradition of talking back to the preacher. The Episcopalians seemed to like the experience, joining with gusto in shouting encouragement to Hicks during his sermon, as well as rising to their feet numerous times for extended ovations.	Hick's message was simple, but one with profound implications for both communities. We must go deeper, he said, alluding to the efforts to bridge the racial gap being take by both communities. We must forgive each other for things that happened one hundred, two hundred, years ago.	Greene echoed the sentiment. "I thank God," he said emotionally, "that Quinn Wilhelm and Lawrence Lee had the courage to listen to God. The worship was one of the high points of my life."	The shared church service, coming as it did on the eve of the Martin Luther King ho!
liday, held special significance for both Mt. Carmel and Christ Church members. Hicks alluded to Martin Luther King's 1963 I have a dream speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in his sermon, noting that this is precisely what Martin hoped and prayed for.	"I pray," he continued, "that we will go beyond the surface of smiling at each other, that phone numbers will be exchanged, that we can begin to forge deeper relationships."	At Christ Church, the foundation for the dialogue was laid in part by a series of Racial Reconciliation Committee meetings held last year. This committee, led in part by local attorney John Meininger, had two primary objectives: to become conscious of the sin of racism and express repentance; and seek out and develop a relationship with a minority church. 	Commenting later on the service, Hicks said, "It's something that I haven't seen before. It's great worship, and it's irrespective of our ethnic persuasion ... (think of) what it will d!
o for our kids. This is how you break down those (racial) strongholds from generation to generation."
	Since January 18, members of Christ Church have visited Mt. Carmel for Sunday services as well as a celebration of Hicks' eighth anniversary as pastor. Additional joint activities are also being planned.	Hicks concluded, "I see the fostering of a great relationship which will be an example. And it's happening naturally. Let the baby grow."

-Tim Ross is a parishioner at Christ Church. The Colorado Diocesan News Service contributed to this article.