Fort Smith Times

Central Presbyterian Church issued the following announcement on Jan. 10.

James Foster Reese looks back at GA-commissioned history of African American mid councils

January 2021 marked the 25th anniversary of "All-Black Governing Bodies," a groundbreaking work of denominational history that grew out of a General Assembly overture. At the end of 2021, the Rev. Dr. James Foster Reese, chairperson of the task force that researched and wrote the book, remembered the project during a Zoom interview.

Reese, who is 97 and lives in West Hartford, Connecticut, spoke with impressive recall about the six General Assembly cycles it took to complete the book. Dr. Darius Swann, who joined the effort in 1991, provided research assistance to Reese and six other task force members. Staff at the Presbyterian Historical Society (PHS) helped gather research materials, including church records, photographs and maps. Other Office of the General Assembly staff coordinated task force meetings and publication details.

Reese spoke for more than an hour about the project, its many helpers, the history detailed inside "All-Black Governing Bodies" and some ways today’s church can further support racial ethnic ministries.

As he answered questions, Reese’s face moved in and out of focus on the Zoom screen even as his preacher’s voice remained measured and clear, summoning conversations and organizational milestones from decades before as if they had happened last week. He mentioned being the last living member of the task force and appreciated the renewed attention "All-Black Governing Bodies" was receiving.

Original source can be found here.

Source: Central Presbyterian Church