(Published June 10, 2020)
In the wake of global protests that have made headlines across all media platforms, for many who have been unable to attend, one can understand how the inability to take part can be disheartening. I recall having several conversations with individuals, who expressed great sadness and guilt for not being able to be present, and even one who felt they were useless because of physical circumstances outside of their control.
The truth of the matter is, not everyone will be able to take part in protesting. However, inability to be bodily present in one arena of this fight against injustice, does not equate with one's uselessness.
The book of Romans teaches us that the body of Christ is filled with diversity that comes together to be present (figuratively) through a vast array of gifts. "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us." (Rom 12:4-6 NIV). Just as the forerunners of the church did, the present body of Christ will also present itself through manifold gifts and talents that are all needed for the fight against injustice.
Take for example Wesley alum Rev. Gary A. Marcelin, who used his platform as a pastor to discuss his own experiences with racism as a Black man in this country, and how the church can address and combat this in an article entitled "The Threat of Blackness: Four Black FLUMC Pastors Speak Out". Or take for example another Wesley alum, Rev. Dr. Joseph W. Daniels Jr., pastor of Emory Fellowship United Methodist Church in Washington, DC. Unable to be present at the larger protest gatherings, Dr. Daniels called his congregation together (while actively practicing social distancing protocol) to pray for our world from across Georgia Avenue - the street in front of his church that leads to downtown Washington DC.
Whatever your platform, whatever your gift, use that and be in solidarity! There is no limit to who the Holy Spirit can use. Hold your ground however you can, and continue to fight the good fight as one collective body beloved!
Peace and blessings,
Elijah S. Ferebee
PS. Join us for a conversation on responding to the call to ministry, pastoral care, and/or justice. Register here for our virtual Window on Wesley, Wednesday, June 17th, 7:00-8:30pm EST. Experience a virtual tour of campus, learn about our degree programs and speak with a member of the faculty.
Angela M. Norris, 2nd Year Master of Divinity student and Wesley Community Engagement Fellow, was the lead organizer mobilizing Wesley students and faculty for the June 6, 2020 protest in Washington that marched for justice for George Floyd and an end to current policing practices, in support of Black Lives Matter and an end to racism in America. She shares her reflection, entitled "Toll the Moment of Change." {Read more here}
WTS graduate Rev. Gary A. Marcelin contributed an essay 'Brave Leaders are Never Silent' in article from the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church titled "The Threat of Blackness: Four Black Pastors Speak Out". In his essay in "The Threat of Blackness: Four Black FLUMC Pastors Speak Out" Rev. Marcelin writes:
" The wealth in our country has been amassed by force and oppression of the other. In the book, Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, the author writes, "We don't want to hear that at its root, the economic growth depends to a large extent on slavery." {Read more}
The Baltimore - Washington conference of the United Methodist Church recently published a collection of statements by faith leaders on the death of George Floyd. We invite you to explore the page which includes a statement from Wesley Theological Seminary President, Rev. Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, as well as a number of Wesley graduates and adjunct faculty Dr. C. Anthony Hunt (instructor of the summer 2020 course, "ST-247-OL Howard Thurman, Mystic, Prophetic, & Theologian"). View the response here
Why the Church's Mission Really Matters in this Time of Crisis
Rev. Dr. C. Anthony Hunt says crisis reveals the strength of the church's ministries of connection and message of hope. Even with changing patterns of interaction, we need ministries of prayer, community support, and missional engagement more than ever.
{Read More}
Choosing the seminary that is best for you includes taking a look at the community it fosters.
Join us as we discuss life on campus with representatives from each facet of community life here at Wesley!
6:00 p.m.-6:45 p.m.
Study at Wesley in Baltimore MD
Join us for an information session: Study at Wesley in Baltimore MD and learn about how Wesley Theological Seminary will begin offering master's-level courses at Morning Star Baptist Church in Baltimore this fall!
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
07:00 pm - 08:00 pm EST
Fall 2020 Course Highlights (*Recommended courses for first-year students, †fulfills requirements for UM students)
ONLINE & HYBRID _______________________________________
- *†BI-171-HB Intro New Testament: Gospels (Hybrid-Washington, DC and Online)
- *†BI-101-OL Introduction to Hebrew Bible 1 (Online)
- CF-290-HB Cultivating Mental Health through Spiritual Practice (Hybrid: Online/Weekends)
- CH-101-OL The Church in History: Early Church To Reformation (Online)
- *†CM-273-OL Evangelism + Emerging Generations (Online)
- CM -247-OL On Visiting the Sick: Methodist Responses to Disease and Pandemic (Online)
- PC-111-OL Pastoral Care + Counseling in Context (Online)
- PW-125-B Foundations of Preaching (Baltimore)
- RA-144-HB Scripture in Literature (Hybrid-Washington, DC and Online)
- RA-260-OL Jewish Art From the Bible to Today Culture (Online)
- ST-229-HB Theologies of Resistance & Liberation: Martin Luther King, Jr. & Mohandas K. Gandhi (Hybrid-Baltimore and Online)
EVENINGS _______________________________________
- BI-485-0 Grounded in the Living Word: Pastoral Practices and the Hebrew Bible (prereq: Intro to Hebrew Bible) (Tuesday evenings)
- CF-205-0 Spiritual Gifts for the Contemporary Church (Tuesday evenings)
- CM-130-0 Reviving Dying Churches & Communities (Thursday evenings)
- *†PW-125-0 Foundations of Preaching (Thursday evenings)
- ST-242-0 The Black Theology of James Cone (Monday evenings)
- RA-176-0 The Rest of the Story: Parables and Parallel Stories (Thursday evenings)
- RA-196-0 Liturgical Dance Theory and Practice (Wednesday evenings)
Sample UMC Course Requirements__________________________________
- *†CM-248-0 United Methodism: History, Doctrine And Polity I (Tuesdays)
- *†WR-201-0 World Religions As Resource for Christian Theology & Church Ministry (Thursdays)
- *†CM-273-OL Evangelism + Emerging Generations (Online)
Visit our Try a Class page or email us to learn how to begin your studies: admissions@wesleyseminary.edu
From the Henry Luce Center for Religion and the Arts at Wesley Theological Seminary:
HOME ALONE TOGETHER Online Exhibition
A Discussion about Parenting and Creativity during the Pandemic. Featuring artists Janna Ireland (LA) and Leni Dothan (London) with curators Dr. Aaron Rosen and S. Billie Mandle.
Your pathway to a degree by way of Baltimore, MD
Avoid a move or commute! Students can combine weeknight hybrid courses in Baltimore with online classes, or weekend hybrid online courses on our main campus in Washington, D.C. to move toward a degree program at Wesley.
Please pray with us: Oxnam Resources
Within our Oxnam Resources exists a Prayer Wall where you can pray for others and request prayer. Please join us in prayer this and everyday as we seek God for wisdom, comfort, healing, and the blessedness of God's kingdom and will to be done.
Please remember that during this time, We are praying for you and with you. Be safe and healthy, Beloved Community.
Want To Try A Class At Wesley?
Join us for a class and experience studying at Wesley! View the summer 2020 course preview and more...
