Report of The

Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs

To

The 50th Quadrennial Session

General Conference

African Methodist Episcopal Church

July 6 to 13, 2016

The Rt. Rev. Reginald T. Jackson

Ecumenical Officer

May 2, 2016

Bishops, Supervisors, General and Conneconal Officers, College Presidents and Deans, Delegates, Alternates, Observers, 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church:

I greet you in the name of our risen, ruling and reigning Lord, Jesus the Christ.

It has been It has been my joy and honor to serve as the Ecumenical Officer of our Zion this Quadrennium, providing me the opportunity to represent the African Methodist Episcopal Church in partnership with the ecumenical organizaons around the world, to promote God’s kingdom in the world. The reality is that no one communion can advance God’s kingdom by itself, we must join and work with other communions. Working in partnership with ecumenical organizaons, we have been able to address in God’s name many of the challenging and controversial issues of our me, speak truth to power and ororganize our communions for acon.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a place of leadership among other communions, due to members of the AME Church who represent us on the Execuve Boards in ecumenical organizaons. I want to especially thank my predecessor, Bishop John F. White for his assistance and for the leadership he is providing on the Board of the World Council of Churches. Thanks are also given to members of this Zion who serve as delegates to the various ecumenical organizaons, who have represented us very well.

I have been immeasurably blessed to get to know and work with ecumenical leaders around the world. It has allowed me to grow and mature in my faith and study and learn about other naons and cultures.

Finally, I salute two of my predecessors who were giants in Ecumenism, Bishops Vinton Randolph Anderson and Sarah Francis Davis. They moved African Methodism to leadership in Ecumenism and set a standard we are challenged to uphold.

I thank God I thank God for opening the door for me, and African Methodism for the opportunity to serve.

All God’s best.

Yours and His,

Reginald T. JacksonBishop

World Council of Churches

The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches met is Busan, South Korea, October 30 to

November 8, 2013. The theme was “God of Life, Lead Us to Justice and Peace.” Delegates from

the African Methodist Episcopal Church were Bishops Reginald T. Jackson, John Franklin White,

Connectional YPD Director, Mr. Jon Ingraham, and Dr. Jennifer Leath. It was a very good

meeting which addressed issues of justice and peace around the world, including the Middle

East, Asia and Europe. The issue of poverty and justice was addressed as poverty is increasing

around the world.

Each of the delegates played a leadership role at the conference. Dr. Jennifer Leath and Mr. Jon

Ingraham lead small groups, as well as Bishop Jackson who was a Bible Study Leader. Bishop

John White was elected to the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.

The World Council of Churches has taken an interest in the problem of racism in the United

States, and sent a delegation to the United States, April 19th to 25th of this year. One of the

goals of the visit is to see what role churches can play in combating racism. The delegation

visited Ferguson, Missouri, Charleston, South Carolina and Chicago, Illinois. They were stunned

by what they found. Dr. Agnes Abuom, Moderator of the Central Committee said, “we heard

that racism continues to be an issue in the United States, but we did not expect to find it so

deep, so wide and so pervasive.” The delegation will submit a report on its experiences and

findings, along with recommendations for next steps at the World Council of Churches Central

Committee meeting in June in Trondheim, Norway.

World Methodist Council

The 20th Session of the World Methodist Council met in London, England September 9 to 13,

2013. The meeting was held at historic Wesley Chapel, built by John Wesley, the founder of

Methodism. There were fourteen members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

delegation in attendance. It was a very moving experience. The conference addressed the

violence in Syria and the Middle East. It also presented the Methodist Peace Award to Marion

and Anita Way who are missionaries in Angola.

During this Quadrennium the World Methodist Council has reached out to assist the families of

the young women kidnapped in Nigeria and poverty in countries in Africa. It has also

condemned and addressed the problem of gun violence in the United States and called upon

the Congress to act upon gun reform legislation.

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The 21st Session of the World Methodist Council will meet August 31 to September 4, 2016 in

Houston, Texas. The theme is, “One, One People, One Faith, One Table, One Lord Jesus.”

National Council of Churches

The National Council of the Churches of Christ composed of thirty eight communions is a

leading force for ecumenical cooperation among Christians in the United States. During this

Quadrennium the African Methodist Episcopal Church has played a leading role in the NCC in

advocating on issues which impact the nation and African Americans in particular.

The NCC took leadership in advocating for reform of gun laws in the United States. In 2015

there were 372 mass shootings in the US killing 475 people, and wounding 1, 870. Gun reform is

desperately needed as it is so easy to get guns, especially illegal guns. Yet, Congress has refused

to take action on gun reform legislation supported by the Obama Administration. An

overwhelming majority of the American people support background checks, still Congress won’t

act. The NCC continues to call for and advocate passage of gun reform legislation.

In addition to gun reform legislation, the NCC has also championed reform of the criminal

justice system. It has deplored the continued killing of unarmed blacks by law enforcement, the

appointment of a special or independent prosecutor in controversial law enforcement

incidents, end to mass incarceration, and reform of drug laws.

The NCC supported the effort of the AME Church and other Methodist communions in raising

the issue of racism before the nation and calling on Congress to act. Through the NCC many of

the member communions of the organization attended.

Fighting poverty has also been a priority of the NCC this Quadrennium.

Bishop Reginald Jackson was the preacher for the Governing Board meeting in November of

2015 in Philadelphia, PA.

Pan Methodist Commission

The Pan Methodist Commission observed its 30th year of existence in 2015 and renewed its

commitment to working to fulfill its calling of bringing Methodist closer together and finding

ways to be cooperatively involved in ministry. The obstacle of not really knowing one another is

slowly disappearing as comradery is fostered and ministry opportunities beckon for the

attention of Methodist.

Pan Methodist communions have joined in solidarity to speak to injustice as it has revealed

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itself in many of our American cities. It was especially clear in Charleston, South Carolina in June

of 2015 when the pastor and eight members were shot and killed by a white racist at Mother

Emanuel AME Church. Methodist communions were visible and unified in our presence at the

service for Rev. Clementa Pinckney and our resolve to fight against racism. Pan Methodist also

sponsored a summit in Washington, DC in September of last year, against racism calling on

Congress to act.

The Pan Methodist Commission also issued a call to combat increasing poverty in America and

continued its “Campaign Against Children in Poverty” which is a national effort seeking the

support of every Methodist Annual Conference.

Additionally, the Pan Methodist Commission also this Quadrennium sponsored the Consultation

of Methodist Bishops held in 2013 and 2015, where bishops of all Methodist communions met

for prayer, study and to collaborate on issues which impact Methodism. Bishop Reginald

Jackson just concluded his tenure as chair of the Pan Methodist Commission.

The next Consultation of Methodist Bishops will be held March 22-24, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Churches Uniting in Christ

Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) are a covenant relationship among eleven Christian

communions, who have pledged to live more closely together in expressing their unity in Christ

and combating racism. The CUIC replaces the former Consultation on Church Union. In the

midst of war, terrorism, disasters, income inequality, polarization, increasing poverty and

racism, these church bodies are deepening their relationships and extending their common life.

They look forward to a greater public witness of reconciling the baptized and seeking unity with

justice.

The marks of commitment for these communions are:

1. Receive each other as Church’s church

2. Mutually recognize baptisms and members

3. Affirm apostolic creeds

4. Celebrate Eucharist together

5. Engage in mission and anti-racism

6. Promote wholeness and inclusion

7. Structure accountability, consultation and decision making

8. Support ongoing theological dialogue

At its annual meeting in January of this year the CUIC committed itself to working together on

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justice and reconciliation.

Chaplains

It has also been my honor this Quadrennium to serve as the Endorsing Officer for the African

Methodist Episcopal Church. Over these years I have had the opportunity to meet and interact

with some of the finest servants in our Zion. They serve not only African Methodism, but our

nation. Visiting some of the bases where they serve has been an inspirational experience. Few

know the sacrifice and devotion of these servants.

On behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal Church I both salute and thank them for their

faithfulness and commitment to God, African Methodism and this country. You are a credit to

this Zion.

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