wfn.org | Vital Washington congregations show leadership in outreach

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept. 23 1998      Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
{544}

NOTE: The following story may be used as a sidebar to UMNS #543. 

By Shanta M. Bryant*

WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- Vital congregations are leading the way in the
Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, coordinating committee members
of the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Initiative
discovered during site visits on Sept.19.

Committee members visited John Wesley United Methodist Church in
Baltimore and Emory United Methodist Church in Washington during a Sept.
18-20 meeting to learn more about their ministries and outreach to the
community.  

During each meeting, the committee visits black churches as part of its
mission to coordinate the General Conference-approved initiative, which
partners 25 vital, growing congregations from the United Methodist
Church's five jurisdictions with struggling congregations. 

Under the leadership of the Rev. Alfreda L. Wiggins, John Wesley United
Methodist Church 
has moved beyond its walls to reach out to those whom some may consider
the unreachable, such as drug dealers and addicts.  

Church members, Wiggins said, take to the streets in an area plagued
with drugs to pray, sing and
give sermonettes in hopes of reaching the unchurched. 

"We took the roughest two corners in the city," Wiggins told committee
members. "This is the hood, y'all, the real hood." Once the drug dealers
see church members approaching, they scatter, she said. The church also
holds Narcotics Anonymous meetings during the week.

The 185-year-old inner-city church, with a membership of more than 600,
serves children in
the community by conducting reading programs, tutoring once a week and
working in
conjunction with a neighborhood library for computer training.

Through a spirited, Pentecostal style of worship, the church empowers
members in a steward ministry. They become involved in a wide range of
activities, such as visiting the sick and needy, assisting the pastor
with funeral preparations and participating in revivals.

Wiggins said she tries to involve all members in ministry. "We have to
take the risk to get everyone involved, if you want this church to go on
for another 185 years. We have to have people in place."  

At Emory United Methodist Church, a black church in the northwest
section of the city, committee members saw firsthand how a congregation
came back from the brink of closing. 

The Rev. Joseph Daniels, Emory's pastor, said the church almost closed
its doors after the membership substantially dwindled. When the church
began its turnaround in 1992, attendance was averaging only 70 people.
Today, 170 people are in the pews on any given Sunday. "We are growing
and are boldly active," Daniels said.

The church formed "A Beacon of Light," a nonprofit organization, to
serve the community, and it also is actively involved in community
organizing on a congregational and ecumenical level. Members also have
assisted in providing transitional care to homeless families. 

A Saturday Academy helps children with their school work and provides
test preparation classes
and musical training on Saturdays. For spiritual growth, Daniels noted
that Disciple Bible study
sessions are held each week.

# # #

*Bryant is program director of communications and associate editor of
Christian Social Action, the magazine of the United Methodist Board of
Church and Society.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/