Release #064 {2928} April 26, 1996
DENVER -- Two black United Methodist bishops were honored recently for their dedication to United Methodists in the African diaspora, at an event held, here, during the 1996 General Conference.
Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), the church's unofficial black caucus, honored retiring Bishops F. Herbert Skeete (Boston Area) and Forrest Stith, New York Area, during a banquet April 21.
Approximately 200 United Methodist delegates attended the celebration at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church here. Participants also paid special tribute to 30 active and retired African and African-American episcopal leaders, who are known fondly as "The Ebony Bishops."
In presenting special gifts to the retiring bishops and their spouses, Jackye Waiters-Lee, BMCR president, noted that both men have worn "a badge of love" continuously throughout their tenure as bishops of the church.
"We realize that as we forge ahead in 'Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century,' love must prevail -- not for ourselves and immediate friends, but love must prevail for the ones we have yet to meet," said Waiters-Lee, a member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church, Dallas.
"For you, our ebony bishops, your presence and support to BMCR -- if I can use the words of the Rev. [Walter] Kimbrough -- have been a blessing beyond measure."
Following her remarks, gifts of appreciation were presented to the Skeetes and the Stiths, including framed prints of an eagle in flight.
Earlier that evening, a check in honor of Skeete and Stith was presented to African Bishop Emilio J. M. de Carvalho (West Angola Area), chancellor of the church's Africa University, for the school's endowment fund.
Stith said, he was grateful for the prayers of the members of the ethnic caucus after he took health leave from his episcopal duties because of stress and a grievance that was filed against him. "That was one of the things that kept the Stith family going," he said.
He is taking early retirement.
"We want to share with the people of BMCR, this very special evening," he said. "We are grateful for the gifts, and for the honor of being remembered by you at this special point in our own journeys and life together.
-- Denise Johnson Stovall
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