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When they gather in Greensboro next weekend, these black members of the United Methodist Church will discuss getting young adults more involved in their denomination. But they’ll also talk about such issues as clergy assignments across racial lines.

During the past four decades Black Methodists for Church Renewal has worked for unity within the denomination, one of the world’s largest Protestant organizations.

“Even though progress has been made in every way, there’s still work to be done,” said Doris Ferree, coordinator for the Southeastern Jurisdiction of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, which covers nine states including North Carolina.

As members of the Southeastern Jurisdiction gather for their 41st annual meeting, they say the work of their caucus, which represents 2,400 African American congregations and more than 400,000 African Americans in the U.S., is still relevant.

The United Methodist Church is perhaps best known for its “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors” marketing campaign, seeking to be a spiritual refuge for all who walk through the doors. In 1968, the advocacy group wanted to be sure there was a place in the United Methodist Church for African Americans and that they would be treated fairly. That’s not to say they don’t support their church, say leaders in the United Methodist Church.

“Down through the years they have worked to try to be a conscience of the church, to make sure that the voice of the African American constituency was heard, and they have been the catalyst for several groups within the denomination to make these issues known and dealt with,” said James Graves, who oversees ethnic and justice ministries of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, which covers Greensboro.

That includes making sure minorities are represented on all the church’s  boards and agencies. “We would hope for the day that this would not be needed,” Ferree said.

The group has led discussions on the understanding and elimination of racism and injustice. Its members also started spiritual enrichment and leadership programs for young people to help strengthen the church’s outreach and ministry.

A public communion service will be held Oct. 29 at Celia Phelps United Methodist Church on Groometown Road, with the night’s speaker, the Rev. Jacqueline Rose-Tucker of Atlanta.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com