Celebrating Black History Month

2/15/2016

In honor of Black History Month, NYAC Commission on Archives and History (CAH) would like to highlight the biographies of some African-American luminaries in our conference. Throughout 2016 we will celebrate 250 years of United Methodism in the New York area. In the autumn of 1766 Philip Embury preached to a small group of five in his New York City home. From this first small group would come Wesley Chapel (later John Street Church) in 1768.

Below are biographies formatted as posters and bulletin inserts that we hope you will consider reading and then sharing in your sermon, classes or other group this month.

These provide information about each person's life and accomplishments, and the discussion questions provided on the posters can be used for:

Bible study
Discussion groups
Confirmation classes
Sermon preparation

We hope you will find this information useful! Please contact Beth Patkus, Conference Archivist, at 914-615-2241 or archives@nyac.com with any questions.

PLEASE NOTE: When printing the bulletin inserts, choose "Print on both sides of paper" and "Flip on short edge." Then print, photocopy, and cut each sheet in half.

1750-1827	James Varick Civil Rights Pioneer and First Bishop of AME Zion Church 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert
1797-1883	Sojourner Truth Abolitionist and Social Activist 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert
1868-1946	Frederick Asbury Cullen Community Activist and Pastor of Salem Church 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert
1878-1946	Lorenzo King First African-American Bishop Elected from the New York Conference 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert
1915-2013	William M. James Teacher, Mentor and Community Leader 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert
1918-2002	Roy C. Nichols Advocate for Social Justice and the First African-American Bishop in the UMC 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert
1933-2010	Shirley I. Parris First Woman District and Conference Lay Leader 8.5x11 poster Bulletin insert