Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC)
at
Memphis , Tennessee

Worshipping together since January 2002,
when we took the first step in this journey toward unity.

Links to CUIC information:

History

CUIC and Memphis

Clergy Coordinating Council & Laity Council

Local Participating Churches

CUIC Memphis Photos

Annual Memphis
CUIC Worship events:

CUIC hosts two annual services – each in April and October.

October World Communion Worship

“Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service" is held in April each year

Each year this CUIC event is held at one of the participating nine denominations’ member churches in Memphis.  See pictures below of our previous services.
MLK 2007       MLK2006

Communion shared by all, big and small….

2007 CUIC

Chair: Rev. Bill White D. Min.
Vice Chair: Rev. Tyronne Davis
Treasurer: Dr. Roy Stauffer
Worship Committee: Dr. Dave Hilliard

Current Memphis Events

CUIC 5th Annual World Communion Worship Service

October 7, 2007 at 3:00 pm
Guest Speaker:  Bishop William H. Willimon
Host Church: 
First Presbyterian Church
166 Poplar Ave
Memphis , TN 38103
901.525.5619
Rev.C. V. "Bo" Scarborough, presiding
www.1stpresmemphis.org

Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) will host an exciting World Communion Worship Service on October 7, with the guest speaker,  Bishop William H. Willimon, currently with the United Methodist North Alabama Conference,
and for twenty years, was formerly Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Bishop Willimon is author of more than 50 published books, many which have been translated into eight languages.  Willimon isalso an internationally acclaimed lecturer, with published audio and video tapes. 

Monthly Meetings: an Ecumenical, combined Clergy & Laity meeting will be held during 2007 on the second (2nd) Thursday of each month, at 6:00 pm, at Lindenwood Christian Church.

Call 901-458-8506 for additional information and schedule updates.

The Rev. Tony Burton (on the left), of Bethel Presbyterian, holds the communion chalice at an accessible height for a young lady from
Central Christian Church.
Guest speaker Dr. James Forbes, from NY’s Riverside Church (on the right), holds the bread platter for worshippers to partake of the “body of Christ.”

Drew Woodruff,
CUIC Memphis Verger,
leads the procession
at joint worship services,
and coordinates clergy
participation during
the service.

Brief History

Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) is a national effort that involves nine Christian denominations that have “pledged to live more closely together in expressing their unity in Christ and to combat racism.” These denominations are:

• African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
• African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
• Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church
• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• Episcopal Church
• International Council of Community Churches
• Presbyterian Church ( USA)
• United Church of Christ
• United Methodist Church

We appeal to you,
to join us as participants
in Churches Uniting in Christ,
as sojourners toward the
Beloved Community.

The inaugural CUIC procession along Main Street in Memphis to the National Civil Rights Museum. The Very Rev. C. B. Baker of St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral carries the cross at the front of the procession.

Dave Hilliard, former dean at Memphis Seminary College, talks about the United Methodist Church at a CUIC laity meeting.

CUIC in Memphis

The first formal inaugural ecumenical worship service in Memphis was held in 2002, at Mt. Olive Cathedral C.M.E. Church, where Rev. Dr. Stevey M. Wilburn is currently presiding. A historical march took place from City Hall to the National Civil Rights Museum, which included clergy dressed in their finest robes, and carrying six-foot tall banners and gleaming crosses. Behind the clergy were church members and interested onlookers, a mix of ethnic groups, marching down Main Street in Memphis. The clergy was led to the balcony of the Civil Rights Museum, housed in the former Loraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood before his assassination. The first informal ecumenical joint worship service was presented from that historical balcony by the representatives from each CUIC denomination.

Since that time, several joint worship services and other ecumenical activities have been held in Memphis and other cities across the U.S. The grassroots effort is growing within the nine committed denominations, steadily adding new committed churches. In 2004, the Roman Catholic Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America denomination also became official Observers.

Each new year brings new challenges and new leaders to guide us as we endeavor to meet those challenges.

CUIC Laity meeting attendees from St. Luke's UMC , St. John's UMC & Idlewild Presbyterian.

Rev. Tyronne Davis - CUIC 2007 Vice Chair, Dr. Bill White - CUIC 2007 Chair, Dr. Calvin Sydnor - Guest Speaker, Dr. Sonny Davis - former CUIC 2006 Chair.

Previous Co-Chairs Rev. Dr. Elvernice "Sonny" Davis and wife, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis, led the joint Clergy / Laity committee during 2006.

(l to r)
Dr. Roy Stauffer
of Lindenwood Christian Church
and
The Former CUIC Memphis Area Facilitators,
Dr. Ray and Mrs. Julia Allen

Clergy Coordinating Council and Laity Committee

We have many new leaders and an exciting new year of challenges for CUIC churches.  Numerous clergy and laypersons from Memphis CUIC churches have participated in joint worship services held in Memphis since 2002.  In addition, other CUIC activities at individual churches, through community ministries, are decided upon and organized by the CUIC Committees.

Previous Co-Chairs Rev. Dr. Elvernice "Sonny" Davis and wife, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis, led the joint Clergy / Laity committee during 2006. 

From Sonny,  "John 12:32 (TEV) quotes Jesus as saying, ‘When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.’  Our vision and goal of togetherness for Churches Uniting in Christ is accomplished by intentionally lifting Jesus above race, politics and/or culture. All in all, Jesus is our vision and goal as we go forward with the spirit of CUIC."

The former CUIC Memphis area facilitators, Dr. Ray and Mrs. Julia Allen, discovered in the first few years where churches involved had an interest. Julia said, “Each denomination was asked to appoint one person as a denominational representative to provide continuity at the monthly meetings. Now we have people who know each other, and look forward to working together with a sense of friendship and unity - they are living the CUIC vision.”

“We are One in The Spirit”

By Peter Scholte, F.E.L.
Copyright 1966 (licensed)

We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.

Chorus
And they'll know we are Christians by our love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride.

We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that God is in our land.

The national office of CUIC is located in Cleveland, Ohio and the national director is The Rev. Patrice L. Rosner, Associate General Secretary for the Education and Leadership Ministries Commission of the National Council of Churches in the USA, was elected as the new Director of CUIC, to begin work on June 5, 2006.

As Director, she will serve as the primary staff to CUIC, with responsibilities to help the CUIC community members across the U.S. in seeking full communion in mission, service, worship and ministry. interpret its vision,and give leadership to shaping opportunities for a visible witness of the churches, especially in relation to overcoming racism.
The Rev. Rosner brings a strong background of ecumenical experience to this new position, especially in the areas of Christian education and leadership development.  In her work with the National Council of Churches these past six years, she has coordinated thirteen program committees involving more than 22 communions and agencies.  She has given leadership in the areas of dismantling systemic institutional racism, preparing Bible study curriculum, developing programs for a variety of age levels and settings and continuing education for pastors and lay leaders, and ecumenical formation of youth and young adults.
In accepting her call to this position, the Rev. Rosner, an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) said,  “It both humbles me and excites me to be called to give leadership to CUIC, an initiative so rich with possibilities for living into the vision of seeking full visible unity in Christ.  With these communions I hold a fervent hope that in this next year, through prayer, discernment, and dialogue with one another, the CUIC partners will come to consensus in their proposal for the mutual recognition and mutual reconciliation of ordained ministries.  The communions have so many gifts to give to and receive from one another.”

“At the same time, I firmly believe it is critical for the future of CUIC for its vision to be manifested in the life of congregations and in regional contexts and to be directed toward fulfilling its mission-mandate of overcoming racism and white privilege both within its own structure, in the life of the churches

Additional information on the national history of CUIC, its beginnings and future can be found at the official national CUIC website: www.cuicinfo.org

Bill Jones
Laity Council member
from
Liberation Community Church

Local Participating Churches

The following is a contact list of the participating denominations, with the primary participating churches of the Clergy and Laity Coordinating Councils in Memphis, and their national and/or local websites, for additional information.

Other churches that are listed under “observers” who review individual CUIC church events in the community and are considering their involvement in the national CUIC efforts.

We hope you will contact a church nearest you and become involved in this historical effort to promote unity in our community.

Participating
CUIC Denominations
and websites

CUIC
Clergy Council Members
Coordinating in Memphis

North Memphis District of the AME Church
Rev. C. Robert Finch - Presiding Elder
(901) 794-7025

Avery Chapel AME Church
Rev. Kirk Ridley  
882 East Trigg Ave. 
Memphis, TN 38106
(901) 948-9581

Greater Payne Chapel AME Church 
Rev. Quinten Smith
1087 N. Watkins
Memphis , TN 38107
901.725.7611

St. Andrews AME Church
The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Robinson
867 S. Parkway East
Memphis , TN 38106
901.946.9216

The Christian Recorder
The Official Newspaper of the A.M.E. Church
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III ,  Editor
www.the-christian-recorder.org 

African Methodist Episcopal Zion
(AMEZ) Church
www.amezchurch.org

The First Episcopal District of the C.M.E. Church
Bishop William R. Graves, Sr.
901.345.0580
www.cmesonline.org/first.htm

Coleman Chapel, C.M.E. Church
Rev. Tyrone Davis
964 Kney Street 
Memphis, TN 38107
901.525.1869
colemanchapel@bellsouth.net

Greenwood C.M.E. Church
Dr. Travis Robinson
3311 Kimball Ave.
Memphis , TN 38111
901.744.7531
fm2.forministry.com/Church/Church.asp

Mt. Olive Cathedral, C.M.E. Church
Dr. Stevey Wilburn Jr.
538 Linden
Memphis , TN 38126
901.527.8292
www.forministry.com/25

Trinity C.M.E. Church
Rev. Edward McKelvy
650 Wells Ave.
Memphis , TN 38107
901.523.1024

Central Christian Church
Rev. Charles Woodall
531 S. McLean Blvd.
Memphis , TN 38104
901.276.2708
www.cccmemphis.org

Collierville Christian Church
740 Gunnison Drive
Collierville , TN 38017
901.853.4176
www.colliervillechristian.org

Graceland Christian Church
Rev. Rachel Woodall
2126 East State Line Road
Southaven , MS 38671
662.342.6098
www.gracelandchristian.org

Lindenwood Christian Church
2400 Union Ave.
Memphis , TN 38104
901.458.8506
www.lindenwoodcc.com

Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church
Dr. Frank A. Thomas
70 North Bellevue
Memphis , TN 38104
901.729.6222
www.mbccmemphis.org

Episcopal Church

www.ecusa.anglican.org
 www.episcopalchurch.org

The Diocese of West Tennessee
The Episcopal Church
Bishop Don E. Johnson
901.526.0023
www.episwtn.org/happenin.html

Calvary Episcopal Church
Rev. Bonnie Malone, Associate to the Rector 102 N. 2nd Street
Memphis, TN 38103
901.525.6602 x106
www.calvarymemphis.org

Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Rev. Joe Porter
1720 Peabody
Memphis , TN 38104
901.272.7425
www.gslparish.org

Holy Communion Episcopal Church
Rev. Thomas Momberg
4645 Walnut Grove Rd.
Memphis , TN 38104
901.767.6987
www.holycommunion.org

St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
692 Poplar Ave
Memphis , TN 38104
901.527.3361
www.stmarysmemphis.org

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

www.elca.org

Lord of Life Evangelical Lutheran Church
Rev. Bill White
6865 Poplar Pike
Memphis , TN 38119
901.754.0669
www.lordoflifememphis.com

Peace Lutheran Church
1548 Jackson Ave.
Memphis , TN 38107
901.274.3677

International Council of Community Churches

www.icccusa.com

No Memphis churches
participating at this time.

Presbyterian Church ( USA)

www.pcusa.org

The Presbytery of the Mid-South (PCUSA)
Rev. Jimmie Lancaster
901.324.7701
www.midsouthpresbytery.org

Celebration of Life
Rev. William A. Jones
3171 Signal St
Memphis , TN 38127
901.354.8200

Evergreen Presbyterian Church
Dr. Kenneth S. Letterman
613 University
Memphis , TN 38107
901.274.3740

First Presbyterian Church
Rev. Bo Scarborough
166 Poplar Ave
Memphis , TN 38103
901.525.5619
www.1stpresmemphis.org

Idlewild Presbyterian Church
Dr. Steve Montgomery
1750 Union Ave.
Memphis , TN 38104
901.726.4681
www.idlewildchurch.org

Liberation Community Church
Dr. J. Herbert Nelson
694 S. Bellevue Blvd
Memphis , TN 38104
901.274.5004
www.lccmemphis.com

Church Women United
c/o Buntyn Presbyterian Church
561 Prescott Street at Southern
Memphis , TN 38111
901.458.8271
www.churchwomen.org

United Church of Christ (UCC)

www.ucc.org

First Congregational Church UCC
Rev. Cheryl Cornish
1000 S. Cooper
Memphis , TN 38104
901.278.6786
www.firstcongo.com

United Methodist Church

www.umc.org

The Asbury District of the United Methodist Church
Rev. John A. Holt, Superintendent
901.685.6266
www.memphis-umc.org/asbury_district.html

The McKendree District of the United Methodist Church
Rev. Sharon Karamoko, Superintendent
901.685.6246
www.memphis-umc.org/mckendree_district.html

Emmanuel United Methodist Church
Dr. Dave Hilliard
2404 Kirby Road
Memphis TN 38119
901.754.6548

Friendship United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Cynthia Davis
6220 Highway 51 North
Millington, TN 38053
901.354.7184

Germantown United Methodist Church
2331 S. Germantown Rd.
Germantown , TN 38138
901.754.7216
www.germantownumc.org

Grace United Methodist Church
Rev. Martin McCain
1619 E. Raines Rd.
Memphis , TN 38116
901.396.5123

Scenic Hills United Methodist Church
Rev. Renee Dillard
2847 Pembroke Road
Memphis, TN 38128
901.358.1470

St. John’s United Methodist Church
Rev. Jonathan Jeffords
Rev. Scott Morris
1207 Peabody
Memphis , TN 38104
901.725.4104

St Matthews United Methodist Church
Rev John Meeks
1362 South Prescott Street
Memphis, TN 38111
901.327.7238

Trinity United Methodist Church
Rev. Roger Penn
1738 Galloway
Memphis , TN 38112
901.274.6895
www.trinotes.net

Official Observers

The Roman Catholic Church
www.catholic.org/

Immaculate Conception Cathedral
Rev. Valentine Handwerker
1695 Central Ave.
Memphis , TN 38104
901.725.2700
www.massintransit.com/tn/cathedimac/

Graduate School of Religion

Memphis Theological Seminary
The Rev. Dr. Jay Earheart-Brown
168 E. Parkway S.
Memphis , TN 38104
901.458.8232
www.mtscampus.edu