The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church was an important part of the historic freedom struggles of African Americans from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights movement. This fight for equality and freedom can be seen clearly in the denomination's evolving social and ecumenical consciousness. The denomination's very name changed from "Colored" to "Christian" in 1954, but the denomination did not join the struggle late. Rather, the CME was a critical participant from the days following the Civil War. At times, the Church was at odds with their white Methodist counterparts and in solidarity with other African-American denominations on issues of racial desegregation and the role of social protest in religion.Raymond Sommerville's important book discusses the relationship between Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the CME. While King and others received most of the headlines during the Civil Rights Era, the CME proved to be involved at all levels and equally important in all they did. With its strategic location in the South and its long history of ecumenical involvement, the CME Church emerged as a leading advocate of ecumenical civil rights activism. Previous interpretations asserted that the CME was apolitical and accomodationist or that it was more progressive than it was. Sommerville presents a more nuanced account of how a church of largely former slaves emancipated itself from the constraints of white Methodist paternalism and Jim Crow racism to emerge as a progressive force of racial justice and ecumenism in the South and beyond. Sommerville examines major centers of the CME -- Nashville, Birmingham, Memphis, Atlanta -- and selected leaders inthe South in charting the gradual metamorphosis of the former CME as a largely nonpolitical body of former slaves in 1870 to a more politically active denomination at the apex of the modern Civil Rights movement in the 1960s.

First published in the year 1912, 'The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man' by James Weldon Johnson is the fictional account of a young biracial man, referred to as the "Ex-Colored Man", living in post-Reconstruction era America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Norton Critical Edition of this influential Harlem Renaissance novel includes related materials available in no other edition. Known only as the “Ex-Colored Man,” the protagonist in Johnson’s novel is forced to choose between celebrating his African American heritage or “passing” as an average white man in a post-Reconstruction America that is rapidly changing. This Norton Critical Edition is based on the 1912 text. It is accompanied by a detailed introduction, explanatory footnotes, and a note on the text. The appendices that follow the novel include materials available in no other edition: manuscript drafts of the final chapters, including the original lynching scene (chapter 10, ca. 1910) and the original ending (chapter 11, ca. 1908). An unusually rich selection of “Backgrounds and Sources” focuses on Johnson’s life; the autobiographical inspirations for The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man; the cultural history of the era in which Johnson lived and wrote; the noteworthy reception history for the 1912, 1927, and 1948 editions; and related writings by Johnson. In addition to Johnson, contributors include Eugene Levy, W. E. B. Du Bois, Carl Van Vechten, Blanche W. Knopf, and Victor Weybright among others. The four critical essays and interpretations in this volume speak to The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man’s major themes, among them irony, authorship, passing, and parody. Assessments are provided by Robert B. Stepto, M. Giulia Fabi, Siobhan B. Somerville, and Christina L. Ruotolo. A chronology of Johnson’s life and work and a selected bibliography are also included, as well as six images.

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man (1912/1927) by James Weldon Johnson is the fictional account of a young biracial man, referred to only as the "Ex-Colored Man," living in post-Reconstruction era America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. He lives through a variety of experiences, including witnessing a lynching, that convince him to "pass" as white to secure his safety and advancement, but he feels as if he has given up his dream of "glorifying" the black race by composing ragtime music. Johnson originally published The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man anonymously in 1912, via the small Boston publisher Sherman, French, & Company. He decided to publish it anonymously because he was uncertain how the potentially controversial book would affect his diplomatic career. He wrote openly about issues of race and discrimination that were not common then in literature. The book's initial public reception was poor. It was republished in 1927, with some minor wording changes, by Alfred A. Knopf, an influential firm that published many Harlem Renaissance writers, and Johnson was credited as the author. Despite the title, the book is a novel. It is drawn from the lives of people Johnson knew and from events in his life. Johnson's text is an example of a roman à clef The novel begins with a frame tale in which the unnamed narrator describes the narrative that follows as "the great secret of my life." The narrator notes that he is taking a substantial risk by composing the narrative, but that it is one he feels compelled to record, regardless. The narrator also chooses to withhold the name of the small Georgia town where his narrative begins, as there are still living residents of the town who might be able to connect him to the narrative. Throughout the novel, the adult narrator from the frame interjects into the text to offer reflective commentary into the events of the narrative. Born shortly after the Civil War in a small Georgia town, the narrator's African-American mother protected him as a child and teenager. The narrator's father, a wealthy white member of the Southern aristocracy, is absent throughout the narrator's childhood but, nevertheless, continues to provide financial support for the narrator and his mother. Because of that financial support, she had the means to raise her son in an environment more middle-class than many blacks could enjoy at the time. The narrator describes learning to love music at a young age as well as attending an integrated school. It is through his attendance at this school that the narrator first realizes he is African-American and thus subject to ridicule and mistreatment for his racial heritage. This "discovery" occurs when he is publicly corrected by his teacher and the headmaster when he stands when "the white scholars" (schoolchildren) are asked to stand. Returning from school, the distraught narrator confronts his mother, asking her if he is a "nigger." His mother reassures him, however, noting that while she is not white, "your father is one of the greatest men in the country--the best blood of the South is in you." The narrator notes that this event became a racial awakening and loss of innocence that caused him to suddenly begin searching for--and finding--faults in himself and his mother, setting the stage for his eventual decision (though far in the future) to "pass" as a white man.

Explore the intricacies of identity and society through the lens of James Weldon Johnson's 'An Autobiography Of An Ex-Colored Man,' a powerful exploration of race, culture, and self-discovery. Embark on a profound exploration of identity with James Weldon Johnson's compelling autobiography, "The Autobiography Of An Ex-Colored Man: James Weldon Johnson's Identity Quest." Join Johnson on a transformative journey as he grapples with the complexities of race, culture, and personal identity in a society marked by prejudice and injustice. As Johnson's narrative unfolds, witness the internal struggles and external challenges that shape his quest for self-discovery. His autobiography becomes a mirror reflecting the universal quest for identity and belonging, inviting readers to confront the issues of race and identity that persist in our society. But here's the twist that will challenge your perceptions: What if the identity quest Johnson undertakes is not just his own but a reflection of the broader human experience? Could his autobiography be a catalyst for conversations about race, belonging, and the pursuit of selfhood? Engage with short, thought-provoking paragraphs that navigate the intricate terrain of identity. Johnson's words beckon you to reflect on the multifaceted aspects of personal identity and the societal forces that shape it. Are you prepared to confront the complexities of identity and join James Weldon Johnson on a transformative quest? Immerse yourself in paragraphs that bridge the gap between individual and collective identity. Johnson's narrative is not just an autobiography; it's a call to examine and understand the shared journey towards selfhood. Will you heed the call to explore the intricacies of identity in our society? Here's your chance to not just read but to engage with a narrative that delves deep into the heart of personal and societal identity. Acquire "The Autobiography Of An Ex-Colored Man: James Weldon Johnson's Identity Quest" now, and let Johnson's words guide you through the profound exploration of self.

Authors Christine Colón and Bonnie Field thought that by a certain age they would each be married. But they watched that age come and go--and still no walks down the aisle. In Singled Out, they reflect on their experience--and that of an increasing number of Christians. Rejecting overly simplistic messages from the church about "waiting for marriage," they explore a deeper understanding of celibacy that affirms singles' decision to be sexually pure, acknowledges their struggles, and recognizes their importance in the church community. Thoughtful and accessible, Singled Out is an invaluable voice of realistic encouragement for any single as well as an important tool for church leaders and others concerned with mission and ministry for singles.

Consider for a moment that single mothers have become a formidable, sizeable demographic in the US. To neglect to minister to them biblically is to neglect a broad segment of our society, and ministering to single mothers is a way to help reshape and reform society for the better. Single mothers are often locked in poverty and toiling under tremendous stress and responsibility. How to Start a Single Mothers’ Ministry in Your Church examines the steps required to better serve this group in practical, emotional, and spiritual ways. About the Author Dr. Gwenevere Bullard-Swift is a licensed ordain pastor in the Christian Methodist Episcopal church. She is a 2019 graduate of South University with a Doctor of Ministry Degree. She received a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theology Center in Atlanta, Georgia (Phillips School of Theology). She has been pastoring for more than forty years. Bullard-Swift’s special interests are spending time with her husband, reading, writing books, attending bible study, and watching TV. She has been married to a devoted and loving husband for nineteen years. He is supportive and always encouraging her to go further. Bullard-Swift has one son, Johnny.