I think Maya Angelou is the most beautiful person who ever lived. Rachel and I were discussing our rich white Methodist church. We decided that a black person could be accepted at our church, but only if he or she had something to compensate for their blackness. If they were wealthy or brilliant that would compensate enough. People would accept them in our church.

I can't find it right now, but I have a favorite picture. It was taken in the 60s, a time when racial segregation was still the norm in the United Methodist church. The picture is of a group of "radicals" holding picket signs that say "Segregation doesn't equal Christian Love." I see these people fighting for something so honorable. I'm sure that many conservatives thought that it would split the church or at the very least undermind the very essence of what United Methodists believe. How silly we are when we try and interpret God's word to fit our own hatred.

Maya Angelou would be welcome at Toccoa First United Methodist. She's rich and brilliant. It would more than compensate for her skin color. But, she wouldn't. She wouldn't go to a church (at least on any on going basis) that wouldn't accept the poor and underprivileged. I don't blame her. Bishop Leontine Kelly's brother wanted to leave the Methodist Church over segregation. Her father said, "You don't win the battle by leaving the battle field."

I'm praying for some heart change - and who knows? Maybe the people at TFUMC will start to have a heart and love for black people.