Many ways to celebrate Black History Month

Chestnut Hill UM Church in Philadelphia, Pa., hosts a musical theater performance of “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me ‘Round."

How will your Commission on Religion and Race or inclusiveness ministry team and congregations in your conference celebrate Black History Month in February? It is an occasion and opportunity to recognize and teach audiences about the important and still largely unknown contributions of black people to our nation and our denomination.

United Methodist churches across the country are hosting or collaborating in lectures, concerts, film showings, ecumenical worship services, and theater and dance performances. Some are sponsoring or participating in parades, community service projects, festivals, museum exhibits and tours of important black history sites.

For its annual celebration Eden Prairie (Minn.) UM Church hosts “Daughters of Africa” and “Dr. King’s Dream,” two plays performed by a local theater company and sponsored by the local Human Rights Commission. Chestnut Hill UM Church in Philadelphia, Pa., hosts a musical theater performance of “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me ‘Round,” about ordinary people who made courageous sacrifices during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.

Meanwhile, Central UM Church in downtown Detroit will celebrate with a multi-faceted Ujoma Karamu service (Swahili for “Unity Feast”), featuring African American music, dance, readings and specially prepared foods. And churches in Abilene, Texas, will participate in a lecture series and a community parade that passes sites of black historical places and events.

Black History Month was first promoted as Negro History Week in 1926 by prominent African American historian Carter G. Woodson, who authored the influential book about racial exploitation, The Miseducation of the Negro. Woodson founded and directed the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, which has announced its 2009 theme for Black History Month as “The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas.”

We encourage you to help plan and promote celebrations of Black History Month in churches and communities throughout your conference. Research black history—including Methodist history—in your area, and share what you learn with your conference communications staff to add to the conference Web site or news publication. Write a letter to the editor or a short article about the importance of Black History Month, especially in this year when we have just inaugurated the nation’s first African American president.

Promote and sponsor a showing of Black Methodism: Legacy of Faith—Revival, the popular video that celebrates the vibrant history, faith and contributions of black people in The United Methodist Church. You can order the DVD from GCORR. Use the order form on our Web site.

Be sure to let us know what you and your conference do to celebrate this month, so we can share your news with other CORRs. You can find more information and ideas on our Web site. And you can find some great historical information and videos on the History Channel’s Web site. Also visit the Web site of United Methodist Global Ministries (www.gbgm-umc.org) for a special feature that includes writings and resources on Black History from faith and mission perspectives. Moreover, worship resources and suggestions for Black History Month are available on GBOD’s Web site.

Watch for future CORR Connection articles promoting national observances of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in May, Hispanic/Latino American Heritage Month in September (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15) and Native American Heritage Month in November.