NEJ Multi-Ethnic Center The Northeastern Jurisdiction and the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry established the Multi-Ethnic Center for Ministry at Drew University in 1978 to promote dialogue, training and enlistment in the ministry among racial-ethnic minority people. Its work includes leading consultations and seminars for conferences and regional and national church bodies, and providing funding support for leadership development initiatives among the various racial-ethnic groups. The center also relates to the three United Methodist seminaries in the jurisdiction Drew, Wesley and Boston University School of Theology and has cooperated with Wesley since 2000 to develop a unique doctoral program focusing on Race, Ethnicity and Ministry in Wesleyan Perspective. More than 15 ministry professionals are in the program. The center and Wesley also co-sponsor a biannual, regional leadership academy for youth and young adults, ages 15-25, who are considering careers in ministry. The 2003 academy, Total Praise III: Gods Radical Call, is scheduled for June 27-28 at Wesley. | Multi-Ethnic Center to celebrate 25 years By John Coleman UMCONNECTION Staff  The Multi-Ethnic Center for Ministry of The United Methodist Churchs Northeastern Jurisdiction, will celebrate its 25th anniversary and host a convocation on multicultural ministry Feb. 28 to March 1, at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C. Bishop Woodie W. White of the Indiana Episcopal Area will address the celebrations theme, Crossing Boundaries into the 21st Century, during a banquet on Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. Bishop White was the first general secretary of the denominations Commission on Religion and Race before being elected an episcopal leader. The centers annual multicultural convocation will also explore the Crossing Boundaries theme in worship, plenary sessions and workshops. Bishop Felton Edwin May of the Washington, D.C. Area, Bishop Hae-Jong Kim of the Pittsburgh, Pa., Area, and Bishop Alfred Johnson of the New Jersey Area will preach during the event. Discussions on race, ethnicity and the churchs theology and mission will feature presentations by the Rev. Traci West, an author and associate professor at Drew University Theological School in Madison, N.J., and the Rev. James Shopshire and the Rev. HiRho Park, both faculty members at Wesley Seminary in Washington, D.C. The Rev. Aida Fernandez, a district superintendent in Boston, and the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, the Finger Lakes South District superintendent of the North Central New York Conference, and former general secretary of the General Board of Church and Society, will also make presentations. Workshops will explore multicultural relationships and leadership; cross-racial and cross-cultural pastoral appointments; and evangelism, congregational development and communications in multicultural settings. Leadership will include more than a dozen clergy and laity from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, which houses the Multi-Ethnic Center in its conference offices. This will be an opportunity for church leaders to gather from across the jurisdiction to celebrate our diversity and common heritage in Christ, said the Rev. C. Anthony Hunt, director of the center. Through our multicultural fellowship, worship and training, I hope we will envision, model and strategize what the Body of Christ is to become as we look to the future. The price for the entire convocation is $100. Tickets for the banquet only are $50. Hotel reservations can be made with the hotel directly by calling (202) 898-9000. For more information, contact Hunt at
or call (410) 309-3454. |
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