CONTACT: Linda Green (Release # 298) June 13, 1996
The United Methodist Church of Oklahoma has offered money and a building in response to a predawn fire at an African-American Baptist Church in Enid June 13.
At 4 a.m. the 200-member church, located 65-miles from Oklahoma City, was engulfed in flames. The Enid Fire Department and Oklahoma Federal Bureau of Investigations have not ruled arson as the cause of the fire but it increases the number of burned African-American churches in the South over the last 18 months to approximately 30.
Before 7:45 a.m. on the morning of the fire, United Methodist Bishop Dan Solomon spoke to the Rev. Al Baldwin Jr., pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, to assure him of United Methodist prayers and assistance.
The United Methodist Church, through the bishop's office offered the pastor Volunteers-in-Mission teams and money to help rebuild. The Baptist church was also offered the temporary use of a vacant United Methodist Church facility.
"Our solidarity in Christ leaves us no alternative but to respond to the full range of human concerns and needs," Solomon said. "It is imperative that Christians of all persuasion reflect a united stance against injustice, hatred and racism."
Solomon said that hate crimes must be addressed vigorously for the common good. Calling racism a sin against God and neighbor, he declared that United Methodists "will work diligently to identify and eliminate racism."
United Methodist response to these actions has been intense and officials have joined with other churches and governmental agencies to find the guilty party.
The city of Enid already has responded to the congregation. A city-wide worship service was held the night of June 13 at the burned church to show unity and concern, said the Rev. Lucinda Holmes, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Enid.
Area ministers and local church officials have held meetings to determine how to offer long-term support to the people of First Missionary Baptist Church.
On June 11, the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 and forwarded it to the full House for consideration. Passage of that act would make it easier for federal authorities to become involved in the investigations.
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.
For general information about The United Methodist Church, call InfoServ at 1-800/251-8140.
United Methodist Response to Church Burnings and Advance Special Information
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