Beating Plowshares into Swords - Martin Luther King, Jr. Lecture

Speaker(s): Joseph Lowery, Bobbie McClain

Description: Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery (1921-2020) the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and pastor of Central UMC in Atlanta. A good biographical introduction precedes the sermon (believed to be by Rev. Bobby McClain.) Lowery speaks about justice involving a holistic perspective including the issues of jobs, freedom, and peace. The tape includes "Lift Every Voice and Sing," scripture from Isaiah 52 and Luke 4, the introduction, and the sermon. The audio dropout at 16:13 is on the original tape and the break at 33:42 is where the original cassette tape was turned over.

Length: 58:32
Recording Date: 1/22/1985
Recorded at: Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

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Remembrances of the Central Jurisdiction

Speaker(s): Joseph Lowery

Description: The Rev. Joseph E. Lowery (1921-2020) talks about his personal experience in the Central Jurisdiction of the Methodist Church, and his civil rights work. This recording is from a series of interviews conducted by Pamela Crosby at a 2004 reunion of persons who were part of the Central Jurisdiction. Lowery, a preacher and civil rights advocate, said the Central Jurisdiction was mysterious and had its own mystique. The Central Jurisdiction was a "micro-microcosm" of life in the United States, where minorities have lived in a system dominated by a white majority. The Central Jurisdiction era represented a journey for black Methodists to achieve dignity and justice in a white-controlled institution. Lowery was a founder and chief executive officer of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He retired from active United Methodist ministry in 1997 and from the SCLC in 1998 but still remains active. He works to encourage African Americans to vote, and recently recorded a rap with artist NATE the Great to help spread this message. (UMNS photo by Mike DuBose)

Length: 4:47
Recording Date: 8/28/2004
Recorded at: College Park, Georgia

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Response to Burned Black Churches

Speaker(s): Joseph Lowery, Mike Hickcox (reporter)

Description: In the previous eighteen months, 25-30 black churches across the American South had been bombed and burned. In this news report, a response comes from Dr. Joseph Lowery (1921-2020) president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Length: 2:29
Recording Date: 6/8/1996
Recorded at: Spectrum Radio Religion News Studio, Rochester, New Hampshire

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Sing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land

Speaker(s): Joseph Lowery, Woodie White

Description: Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery (1921-2020) speaks to the 25th anniversary meeting of BMCR (Black Methodists for Church Renewal) in 1993. He is introduced by Bishop Woodie White. The subtitle of this presentation could be, "Everything Has Changed, Nothing Has Changed" as he looks at changes over the decades, and where that has not succeeded in making fundamental changes.

Length: 46:37
Recording Date: 1993
Recorded at: Unknown

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