The Uniting Conference of 1968 and the Birth of the United Methodist Church

Title

The Uniting Conference of 1968 and the Birth of the United Methodist Church

Description

This collection celebrates the creation of the United Methodist Church in 1968 by internally merging the Black and White Methodists and the external merger of The Methodist Church with The Evangelical United Brethren. The official Uniting Conference took place in Dallas, TX from April 21 to May 4 in 1968.

Creator

Bridwell Library Special Collections

Publisher

SMU Libraries

Date

Originally exhibited August 24–December 7, 2018

Collection Items

Central Jurisdiction Speaks
Report on the findings of a 1962 study conference attended by two hundred leaders of the Central Jurisdiction, the Black administrative judicatory created in the Methodist Church. The findings shows that the Central Jurisdiction was ready to "achieve…

Elimination Report
Following the 1962 publication of Central Jurisdiction Speaks, a plan to eliminate the Central Jurisdiction was adopted by the 1964 General Conference of The Methodist Church.

Getting Acquainted
In preparation for the merger between The Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, this pamphlet was created to suggest ways for the church members and leaders to get to know each other.

Letter of Transmittal and Report
In preparation for the merger between The Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Church, this report outlines the steps to officially merge the two churches.

Welcome
A booklet by Southwestern Bell Telephone Company containing history, points of interest, a map, and long distance calling rates.

Program
Program booklet that provided attendees with greetings from the conference planning committee, conference schedule, delegate seating chart, and historical highlights of Texas Methodists and Evangelical United Brethren.

Handbook
Reference work that provided details on meeting spaces, personnel, delegates, standing committee asssignments, and policies and procedures to be followed during the Uniting Conference.

Constitution
This booklet contains several essential documents establishing The United Methodist Church: its constitution, doctrinal statements, general rules, social principles, and enabling legislation.

Methodist Advocate
This issue of South Carolina Methodist Advocate contains articles about the Uniting Conference.

Hymnal
This hymnal was created for use during the conference with 62 hymns from The Methodist Hymnal, 1964.

Episcopal Address
In the Uniting Conference episcopal address, Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke (1901-1997) reflected on the history, vocation, witness, and possibilities of the new denomination.

Order of Service
An outline of events describing the order of the service during which the Episcopal Address would be given.

Delegates
This photograph shows the delegates to the Uniting Conference.

Business
This photograph shows a business session during the Uniting Conference.

General Conference
This photograph shows attendees during the General Conference

Order of Worship
This booklet shows the order of events during the offical ceremony in which the churches were united. The booklet includes names of those who participated in the ceremony inclduing musicians.

Outler notes
Albert C. Outler's sermon notes for "Visions and Dreams", presented during the official ceremony at the Uniting Conference.

Daily Christian Advocate
During the conference, Daily Christian Advocate published agendas, announcements, reports, petitions, and proceeding of the conference.

Climbing
This program is for one of two stage shows that took place during the Uniting Conference. This show was a musical pageant celebrating the centennial of the founding of Methodist educational institutions for African Americans.

Wilderness
This program is for one of two stage shows that took place during the Uniting Conference. This show was a musical dance-drama about the history of the Methodist Church from 17th century to late 20th century.

Methodist History
Video showing footage filmed at the Uniting Conference of 1968.

Fifty
Video created for the fiftieth anniversary of the Uniting Conference.

Uniting Conference Thumbnail
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