African Methodist—episcopal Zion Churches

Although A. M. E. Zion churches do not widely observe the Christian year, some congregations have made attempts to include some of its features in worship. This article describes the efforts of one pastor to revitalize worship, particularly through Advent and Epiphany traditions. The Christian church year presents the cyclical events in the life of Christ. Its perennial use is a vehicle of recall association, much like one's favorite hymn, continually reassuring the believer of Christ's activity in the cycles of their own lives. Zion Methodism has struggled with its identity as a liturgical church. Vested and stoled clergy and the use of paraments were not the norm until the 1950s. The increased number of seminary-trained clergy and the acceptance of Christian education as a ministry of Zion fostered a greater use of liturgy and the church year. In 1968, the General Conference adopted a resolution to observe the Christian church year as a denomination, but in general the resolution…