How to go
What: National Convocation of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ
Where: Crowne Plaza Columbus North, 6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus
When: July 24-27
Cost: $200 adults, $100 youth, $60 ages 3-12 years
More info: 317-713-2406 or www.nationalconvocation.org
The Academy Award winning movie “12 Years a Slave,” released in 2013, is based upon a true story about Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is abducted, transported to New Orleans and sold into slavery. This pre-Civil War story depicts the degradation, cruelty and hard labor he endured as “Platt” the slave. He’s finally able to convince a sympathetic Canadian abolitionist to send word to friends about his plight.
More than a decade after his ordeal started, he is rescued by a New York shopkeeper and has a tearful reunion with his family.
The National Convocation of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, was established close to that pre-Civil War period. It is scheduled for July 24-27 in Columbus. This African-American Convention movement began around 1830 in Northern states, “free” states to oppose slavery and the forced relocation of free African-Americans back to Africa.
The theme for this year’s convocation is “Be Still and Know” from Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God. I will am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth.”
There are a number of Disciples of Christ churches located in the Dayton area, including: Summit Christian Church and the Living Faith Community Christian Church in Dayton; Light of the Community Christian Church in Englewood; Central Christian Church in Kettering; First Christian Church in Middletown; Tylersville Road Christian Church in Mason, and First United Christian Church in Xenia.
“My husband and I are planning on attending this year,” said Chrystal Walker, associate pastor of Summit Christian, where her husband, Shelby Walker, is the lead pastor. “What we gain there is we get to know the other African-American pastors around the country, and we have great fellowship and leadership development.”
This 23rd Biennial Session includes an opening night message by the Rev. Cynthia L. Hale, who gave the invocation at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Also featured is a Bible lecture by the Rev. Rick Lowery, and a “Follow-up Status on Black Disciples” by the Rev. Timothy James. Courtney Clayton Jenkins of UCC in Cleveland will preach on Friday morning. Julian DeShazier, a senior pastor of University Church Chicago, will lead the Friday evening Worship Service.
Saturday events include a message by Hilary O. Shelton of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Washington bureau on “Status of Black America: Health, Education & Violence.” The closing worship service on Sunday morning will be led by the Rev. Irie L. Session of Dallas, Texas.
There is a Pre-Institute scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, for clergy or lay leaders. The additional cost is $50. The guest lecturer will be the Rev. Bill Lee. In addition, a $35 Black Heritage Tour, “Footsteps in Our Struggle,” will be presented early Wednesday, July 23.
“This tour is designed to connect us with our recorded past for this particular area of the country,” said the Rev. Timothy James, associate general minister and administrative secretary of the National Convocation. “This tour also includes visits to the historically black campuses of Central State and Wilberforce University.”
The stated vision of the National Convocation includes: leader development, modeled oneness, faithful congregations, ministerial recruitment, ministerial nurture and transformational ministry.
Today, the Disciples of Christ participate in the racial and cultural diversity of North America, with European Americans, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Pacific Island/Asian Americans counted as members.
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