Black churches' 'Great Gathering' to work on social solutions - Faith & Reason: In times of crisis, illness, or uncertainty, many people seek solace in religion. But next week, leaders from the largest black Methodist churches will come together to seek not just solace, but solutions to the problems plaguing many young African Americans.
The event, which is being called the Great Gathering, is the first time these three denominations will jointly meet.
Participating churches are:
* African Methodist Episcopal (AME)
* African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ)
* Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME)
The bishops organizing the summit, which takes place Monday through Wednesday (March 1-3) at the Carolina Coliseum in Columbia, S.C., say they will address issues including incarceration, drug abuse, unemployment and high school dropout rates that disproportionately affect blacks.
