Posted: January 19th, 2012 Ken Garfield

At first glance, it looked like any other Sunday morning in the pews at Providence United Methodist Church: A largely white congregation gathered to worship God – very friendly and slightly older, which is typical now for mainstream, moderate congregations in Charlotte and beyond.   

But what was different on the pulpit on this Sunday (Jan. 15) told the story of Xchange Sermons, and the story of anything-but-average houses of worship willing to take a stand for reconciliation. On this weekend honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Providence United Methodist welcomed the pastor and choir from St. Mark’s United Methodist, an African American congregation on Clanton Road. At the start of this third season of clergy of different beliefs, color and cultures swapping pulpits, the message of Rev. Paul Milton rang out in an extraordinary way: “Have you heard the voice of God?” he preached to 650 at the two morning services. “When God calls you by name, He will say, ‘Yes, you can.’ ”   

Providence and St. Mark’s United Methodist are among the season’s first pairings for Xchange Sermons, which continues through May. Clergy and congregations eager to get involved can visit www.crossroadscharlotte.org. While Rev. John Fitzgerald and the Providence choir led worship at St. Mark’s, their peers from St. Mark’s filled Providence United Methodist’s sanctuary with warmth and wisdom.   

Milton quietly implored the congregation to heed God’s call, not to run away but to stand fast and do His work. The St. Mark’s Inspirational Mass Choir – is that a great name or what? – inspired applause with its offertory anthem, “Let Us All Say Amen.” When they were done singing, choir members returned to their seats, some of them shouting “Jesus!” and “Hallelujah!” to the delight of the congregation.   

On this morning in the heart of Charlotte, the prayer said aloud by Providence Associate Pastor Teresa Dunn seemed more attainable than ever:   “Help us both to love our neighbor and see the whole world as our neighborhood.”

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