In Sympathy: Erma Bryan
Mrs. Erma Bryan, the surviving spouse of deceased member Rev. Bill Bryan of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Posted: January 8 2019 at 07:51 AM
Bishop Sally Dyck invites you to this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. annual celebration on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. at Faith UMC, 15101 S 80th Ave., Orland Park, IL. Distinguished author Timothy B. Tyson is our special guest and will speak on “Emmett Till: The Chicago Connection then and now.”
Author Timothy Tyson
Tyson is a Duke University scholar, professor, and historian from North Carolina who specializes in the issues of culture, religion and race associated with the Civil Rights Movement of the twentieth century. He’s the son of United Methodist pastor and civil rights activist the Rev. Vernon Tyson, who passed away Dec. 29, 2018.
Tyson’s written several award-winning books including The Blood of Emmett Till and Blood Done Sign My Name, which is a true story of the 1970 murder of a black Vietnam vet in Tyson’s hometown in North Carolina and his father’s efforts to bring racial reconciliation to the community. The book was adapted into a movie in 2010. Watch the trailer here.
The event will include prayers from clergy, laity, and youth for our community and the world around issues of gun violence, anti-racism, and connecting the civil rights moment to today’s society. Bishop Sally Dyck will introduce our speaker, Rev. Myron McCoy will serve as the Master of Ceremonies, and Rev. Pamela Pirtle will lead music with a special choir (see below).
This event is open to everyone and we invite you to bring youth and confirmation students to come and hear this important message of racial equality and justice.
You won’t want to miss this special evening as we remember and honor the legacy and life of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
P.S. Calling All Singers! The Northern Illinois Conference will commemorate the birthday of Rev. Martin L. King on Monday, January 20, 2019. All interested singers are invited to participate in this great chorus of singers who will join our voices in harmony for this service. Rehearsals will be held on Saturday, January 12 and 19 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at St. Mark UMC, 8441 S. St. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL. For further information, please contact Pamela Pirtle at pirtle.pamela@gmail.com.