Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-12-07

hh'ANANA 'AfHNNiA W wv HNf'lA
Glenwood redevelopment program
and had already started new
building rund program.
border Is one of the few Negro
Methodist churches IN the eoun'
try which Is member of tho
Methodist conference OF the AREA
in which the church IN located
Most Negro churches affiliated
with that denomination ARE mem
hcra OF a national conference de-
atgnated 49, the Central conference
1T which all Negro churches Of the
denomination are theoretically
members,
III ier was invited IN Join the
then all white Minnesota confer
enre several years ago and ac-
,epted the invitation
Sundays invitation to Border
members 10 join Iicnnopin Ave
nue. Methodist was delivered by the
Rev III Chester Pennington, min.
iater al ilennepln, WIN was ac-
companied by Bishop u stanley
Coofs, presiding pfelate of the
MethadiatA of Minnesota,
The two appeared AT BORDER
church Sunday, following the reg
ular church services, A group 0f
100 members ~ Hnfder heard the
invitation They heard Bishop
Coora say, This is u proposal OF
Christian love and fellowship, !
believe this December z will be re-
mambsrsd as one oI the most aiR'
nlficant days IN the history Of
Minnesota Methodism
Or Pennington, speaking fot
llaunapin Methodiat said
We believe that Our invitation
Ia simply n peraanaliEing Of the
policy OF Christian love Ia which
we are committed We extend ths
invitation with tho utmost sinner
Ity. We do not wish "a compel your
decision. but We invite you with
Rineere warmth, believing that
such an action would contribute
most TO you and 10 US"
lie alao told the Border mem.
bera that In the event Of aocrpts
ance. their minister. Rev Mr. Eek
ton. would be given larger minis
try on the district OF conference
level. and would be assigned for
the interim period 10 the Hsnns
pin Border merger.
with HIS leadership, We can
make q genuine contribution Ia
the whole matter Of racial fellow
ship In the churches ~ the city,
and even Throughout, the state a"
Dr Pennington concluded.
Tho announcement of the invita-
ton was front page news IN the
daily papers In this region and
most of the daiiies in the northern
and western cities carried the
press association reports
The interest was due 10 the
prestige ~ Hsnnspin Avenue
Methodist IN which many ~ the
rttys leading and most promin'
crt families have their member
ship
4, was important news that such
. church would actually invite
members ~ struggling Negro
congregation 10 join ~
Public approval was heard on
buses, on the streets ana among
the Christmas shoppers In the
Twin CitY loops There was S1ms
ilasppfoval expressed and acme
Jpubt that the invitation was gen
tuns.
one white woman chatting In
the lobhy ~ bank said she
thought the race liked 90 worship
by Themselves Another young
adycrtialnR agency head walking
alDrg 8eronh Az y IN the way
~ his club. hallocd a reporter ~
nus paper sayng Wasn't the
news from HsBn"pin Avenue
Methodist grand ?"
\ Lutheran minister remarked
mat hIH church haa had three Ne.
grp families IN the congregation
r.0ro 1919
A whit" member ~ Lake Har-
net Methods, church was plea ssd
by tho mpye made by Hsnnspip
A veuuc Methodist but remarked
that SEVERAL Negro families have
teen members 81 Lake Harriet
FOR several years
4 leading Minneapolis Negro
pastor sppIsudei the action. but
ndd"d. = hope tho members Of
rDrfsr make their own decision.
our congregation has about IS
white members already and sever.
a. children attend our Sunday
zchDsI
Another ooiored minister said he
feIi that Negroes should not desert
tho Negro church" When re.
minded tina, the two churches con.
E.fering the merger were Of this
s1ms denomination he said, Wen,
! supp"-s that's night"
Dr 'harlea NJ. sexton. minis,e,