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Africana Worship Book Meets Long-Standing Need

(October 5, 2006, GBOD) –– The General Board of Discipleship has released a new worship resource called The Africana Worship Book.

This rich resource contains calls to worship, liturgies, prayers, litanies, offertory prayers, doxologies, choral readings, creeds, chants, and benedictions. The resources are based on Year A of the Revised Common Lectionary, yet organized by worship element for ease in use.

A 2004 consultation exploring the liturgy needs of African-American United Methodist congregations revealed that these congregations could no longer think of themselves as being solely African American.

When African Americans gather for worship, worshipers of African descent come from places such as the continent of Africa, the Caribbean Islands, or the Americas.

Clearly there was a need for twenty-first century Africana liturgy that addresses the ethos, traditions, and innovations of United Methodist worshipers of African descent.

The term “Africana” embraces and affirms this rich diversity and heritage of African Americian people attending worship each week.

Published by GBOD’s Discipleship Resources, The Africana Worship Book and CD-ROM were birthed as a result of a needs assessment and discernment process.

Congregations may use the CD-ROM, which is included with the book, in the preparation of printed orders of worship. All the worship resources in the book are available in a cut-and-paste format for ease of use.

“We use a lot of the liturgies, calls to worship, and prayers of confession. It’s important for us to have this wonderful resource,” said the Rev. Gloria Roach-Thomas, pastor of Camphor United Methodist Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

“We’re the only African American United Methodist Church in the state of Minnesota. It’s a wonderful way for my congregation to connect with the greater United Methodist Africana liturgies and people. We’re not working in isolation,” she said.

The liturgies are presented in language that resonates with worshipers. Roach-Thomas has found “Sin Don’ Lost its Grip” and “Feed Me ‘til I Want No More” particularly popular with her congregation during worship, Communion services, and Bible studies.

"They almost get down in our bones! It’s wonderful! We love it and we use it," she exclaimed.

"They [the liturgies] connect us to our daily lives. All of us can relate. I don’t care who you are—African, African American and other groups—they are so real and practical and authentic. It’s truly a wonderful resource!"

Worship resources for special days such as Black History Month, Martin Luther King Day, and Watchnight are also included.

"The Africana Worship Book offers high quality resources that help revitalize and renew Africana congregations and, indeed, all faith communities,” said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, GBOD general secretary.

The General Editor of the Africana Worship Book, the Rev. Dr. Valerie Bridgemen Davis, teaches preaching and worship and Hebrew Bible at Memphis Theological Seminary. The Associate Editor, the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, is the director of invitational preaching ministries at the General Board of Discipleship.

William B. McClain of Wesley Theological Seminary wrote the foreword. In addition to the editors, contributors to this collection are Eugene Blair, Carolyn Dandridge, Joseph Daniels, Junius Dotson, Catrina Harrison, Sherrie Dobbs Johnson, Kwasi Kena, Toni Payne, Tony Peterson, Ciona Rouse, Lillian Smith, Marilyn Thornton, Tim Warner, and Stacey Cole Wilson.

To order The Africana Worship Book, visit the Discipleship Resources Online Bookstore. To learn more about Africana worship, see www.africanaworship.org or contact Safiyah Fosua at 877-899-2780, ext. 7084.

This article was written by Jeanette Pinkston, Media Relations Director for the General Board of Discipleship.