We are invited by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church to join with them in petitioning the US Postal Service to issue a stamp honoring Richard Allen.

 

Richard Allen was a minister, educator, writer and founder of the AME Church.  He joined the Methodists at the age of 17 and was ordained by Bishop Asbury in 1795.  

 

When the white members of the St. George Methodist Episcopal Church forced the black members to sit in the balcony, Richard Allen led the black members to form a new church where all would be welcomed.  

 

Mother Bethel AME Church is the oldest parcel of real estate in the United States continually owned by African Americans.  

 

Our history is intertwined with the AME Church, and this is a way to embrace one another in heritage, ministry and mission. Vicki Sizemore-Baldwin, pastor of Court Street UMC in Hattiesburg is a member of the Pan-Methodist Commission and will assist you in any way with this effort. She may be reached as by email at vsbaldwin@courtstreetchurch.org  or by phone at 601-573-1711. 

I signed the petition along with the others in the Executive Committee meeting of the Council of Bishops last week.  I hope you will print out the petition, garner signatures in your church and community, and send the petition to Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry who has honored us with participation in our service of ordination at annual conference. All signed petitions should be sent to Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, 5450 Executive Place, Jackson, MS 39206. Petitions must be received in Bishop Guidry's office by November 1, 2011. To download the petition link here.

 Thank you for your participation in this effort to shine light on the heritage of the Methodist Church in America.  

 

With gratitude for your ministry,

Hope Morgan Ward