During the Montgomery Bus Boycott Rev. Robert Graetz (a white minister) was pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church (a black congregation) and I was pastor of the Bell Street Baptist Church in Montgomery. Below is my response to an article written by Rev. Graetz that appeared in the "Montgomery Advertiser" on December 24, 2007

While visiting my native state of Alabama, my brother Rev. Jonathan E. Fields, in Montgomery, attending family reunion in Mobile and delivering a sermon at the Mt. Zion AME Zion Church, Rev. Claude A. Shuford, pastor, in Montgomery, I read an article in the "Montgomery Advertiser" (Dec. 24), by Rev. Robert Graetz titled, "Embrace Our Diversity." It was insightful and fit to be Americans' 2008 New Year's resolution.

During the Montgomery Bus Boycott I, Uriah J. Fields, was pastor of the Bell Street Baptist Church, one of four churches and two parsonages, including Rev. Graetz's parsonage, that were bombed on January 10, 1957 by die-hard segregationists bent on stopping desegregation of Montgomery buses. Rev. Graetz  (a white minister) was pastor of the Trinity Lutheran Church (a black congregation).

On December 5, 1955, Rosa Parks was found guilty of having violated Alabama's segregation laws by refusing to give her bus seat to a white man. That afternoon, a group of eighteen ministers and other black leaders met at the Mt.  Zion AME Zion Church and organized the Montgomery Improvement Assoication (MIA). Elected at that founding meeting were:  Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., president, Rev. Uriah J. Fields, secretary and  E. D. Nixon, treasuerer. Rev Ralph David Abernathy was selected to draw up the resolution that would be presented later that evening at the first bus boycott mass meeting held at the Holt Street Baptist Church, Rev. A. W. Wilson, pastor, and to the Montgomery City and Bus Lines officials.

During the sixteen months when Bell Street Baptist Church was under construction the congregation held worship services at the old Trininty Lutheran Church school where Rev. Graetz was the pastor. Let me say again, "Thank you Rev. Graetz." At this time, Carrie B. Cooper, a member of the Bell Street Baptist Church, was operating a private elementary school at the old Trinity Lutheran Church School.

In his article "Embrace Our Diversity," Rev. Graetz emphasizes with clarity and compassion that richness comes with differences and that those who embrace diversity are winners. Facing increasing multiculturalism in Montgomery and elsewhere, Rev. Graetz offers this advice: "So let us not fall into the trap; of trying to make us into one uniform body where we are all alike. Instead, let us celebrate our differences and allow them to bring a new richness into the society that we are beocming." To that I say "Amen!"

It is in  the spirit of this article that white voters of  Iowa gave Senator Barack Obama, a black American, a greater percentage of her votes than any other candidate seeking the nomination for the 2008 presidential election.

I salute Rev. Robert Graetz for writing this inspiring, encouaging and challenging message. It will bless not only Montgomerians but all who read it. Bravo!

-----------------------

Uriah J. Fields, former pastor of the Bell Street Baptist Church in Montgomery and original secretary of the Montgomery Improvement Association, is author of "Inside the Montgomery Bus Boycott - My Personal Story" and "The Saint Troubadour - Speaking and Singing Truth and Love."

Copyright 2008 by Uriah J. Fields