Online Archives

February 17, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This February, I am remembering Rev. Charles Johnson, a great pastor in our conference who passed away on February 11. I am also remembering a church at Tackawanna and Margaret Streets. Early in my ministry, it was the St. Thomas United Methodist Church, an African-American Church in Philadelphia that shaped my thinking and understanding of ministry and the Church. St. Thomas was one of the churches in a cooperative ministry that I directed. They welcomed me and my family with open arms, taught me about vibrant life changing worship and about the importance of ministering to the whole person – mind, body and soul.

The black church in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, and throughout the country, has a rich history of serving as a beacon of hope and faith for all people. The black church has demonstrated its faith by providing social services, working for justice, and providing a voice when the white majority sought to silence African American voices.

During Black History Month, we celebrate the past, present and future of the black church—which continues to proclaim, in an unending hymn, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

Today the entire Church stands at a crossroads and we can learn from the black church, which has blended evangelism and social action by being evangelists for Christ and drum majors for justice. We can embrace a vibrant active faith, taking a step even when we don’t see the entire staircase. We can step out in faith, knowing God is found along the way.

We also take the step with others who took courageous steps that has shaped who we are today and the multicultural church that we continue to become. Along the way, great Methodists worked for an integrated denomination. John Wesley our founder preached against slavery. Harry Hosier, one of Methodism’s first great preachers, got his start in the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Today we also remember Rev. Charles Johnson, a courageous pioneering pastor of the Baltimore-Washington Conference whose home going was celebrated today. He will be remembered for his preaching, strong leadership and the building of congregations.

I share with you three United Methodist resources as we together celebrate black history.

Timeline: Methodism in Black and White

Harry Hosier, Great Methodist Preacher

Please also visit the following link, which will take you to an award-winning documentary titled “We’ve Come This Far by Faith".

This video chronicles the dramatic story of the former Washington Conference which later merged with the Baltimore Conference to form the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,… plans to give you a future with hope.” I know that God has great plans for making us a better Church that continues to overcome racism and creates a stronger church by working together for the glory of Christ..

Keep the faith!

John R. Schol, Bishop
The United Methodist Church
The Washington Area
Baltimore-Washington Conference