By Brett Hetherington*

Cory United Methodist Church (Northern Waters District) welcomed people from across the region as far away as Detroit and Chicago in celebration of a local leader in the Civil Rights Movement, Rev. Dr. Bishop E.T. Caviness. The event was organized by the National Action Network, a non-profit civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Al Sharpton which works in the spirit and tradition of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Caviness has served as pastor of The Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church for over 60 years, and in that time, he has built a ministry relationship with Cory UMC. He and King shared the stage together when the latter visited Cory UMC.

One highlight of this year’s celebration was the intergenerational nature of the gathered crowd. One speaker remarked from the stage that, “There are people here from teen to 96.” Students from multiple schools in and around Cleveland were present, including the marching band that set the mood kicking off the event. Before the ceremony was complete, all students were invited to fill the stage for a photograph with Caviness.

Northern Waters District Superintendent Rev. Bruce Hitchcock was in attendance, and he remarked on the collaboration that Cory UMC showed. “I was proud of how the Cory congregation came together to host the National Action Network, host the celebration, and see that the witness of their faithfulness to Jesus Christ was seen and recognized by the Greater Church of Jesus Christ. It’s always good to be faithful in the struggle and be acknowledged by others. Faith in Christ and fidelity to the dream of freedom, civil rights, and the beloved community comes with a cost. That was celebrated for the people of Cory UMC.”

For those gathered who were unfamiliar a brief history of Cory UMC being one of three historically Black congregations in Northeast Ohio was shared. Caviness himself presented Cory UMC with a plaque from the National Action Network recognizing the church for its work in social justice.

Throughout the ceremony many speakers were given the opportunity to share accounts of Caviness and his work in the community. Many also spoke of the importance of remembering that the fight for equality is not a completed task, but an ongoing battle.

Multicultural Ministries Director Will Fenton-Jones was moved by what was shared. “I think the most striking thing about events like this is that the gathering is a living reminder that the Civil Rights Movement is still recent history. Heroes still walk among us who challenged the injustices that they faced at the time and still challenge the injustices that still exist today. As we sang ‘We Shall Overcome,’ one of the hymns of the Civil Rights Movement, it was a reminder that we are on a journey and our journey is linked to everyone else’s journey,” he said.

Before presenting him with a symbolic key to the county, Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne shared about some of Caviness’ accomplishments. “He was on the frontlines to desegregate the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and he succeeded! Dr. Caviness supported voter registration efforts in Cleveland to elect Carl B. Stokes as mayor of the city. Dr. Caviness was the city of Cleveland’s first Board of Zoning chair as a person of color appointed under Mayor Stokes. He was a city councilman for six years representing Ward 25. He was a special assistant to Mayor George Voinovich, and later was appointed to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission appointed by Governor George Voinovich. The thing about Dr. E.T. Caviness, we all know, is that he works with everybody. He listens to everybody. He works across the aisle with everybody because he only has one pursuit and that is the pursuit of progress,” he said. Caviness is one of only five individuals from Cuyahoga County to receive the honor of being presented with the key to the county.

Hitchcock drew some parallels between the events of the day and the ministry of Cory UMC. “Those of us invested in God’s Kingdom must take up truth-telling. Those of us who experience the Risen Christ as the way, truth, and life must preach the primacy of love for all being marginalized, dehumanized, and cast aside by a culture rife with fear and hatred. I cannot fathom how this nation lost its way. As the new fight for civil rights and decency rages, the church seems to be strangely silent,” he shared. “But not at Cory UMC! The marching band marched and played boldly. They led the celebration and praise of God and the honoring of faithful witnesses for God! For those of us who have been saved and called by Jesus Christ the time for silence is long past. The experience of God’s grace in Christ that we know must be shared with all. What is evangelism but a sharing of the grace and love poured into us and overflowing out of us to our neighbors.”

The Conference Communications team would like to share other stories that highlight ways that each of us is answering the call to reach out to our communities in creative ways. Please e-mail your ministry story to EOC Executive Director of Communications Rick Wolcott at wolcott@eocumc.com.

* Brett Hetherington is the Communications specialist for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.