UNION, New Jersey—Members past, present and future gathered together to mark Union’s sixth annual Unity in Diversity celebration. Born out of a desire to recognize Black History Month, the event has evolved into a celebration of the congregation’s diverse membership.

The day began with the call to worship presented by the combined choirs of the Newark 24-7 and Union churches, followed by an inspiring praise and worship service. The combined dance ensembles of Umoja and Nsombi blessed the congregation with dances of praise, and then the choirs from the two congregations delivered the offertory piece.

The service continued with a reading of Max Lucado’s "Do That Again Lord," and the Joyful Praise Singers and Children of a Greater God filled the auditorium with God’s praise with their rendition of Kirk Franklin’s "Always."

HUMANITARIAN PRESENTATION—
Joudon Ford (far right) receives Humanitarian
award from Pastor John Adams. Looking on,
from left, are James H. Winston, Eleanor
Holder-Elcock, Sandra Delmonte and
Thomas Ackerman. [Photo by Mary Malcolm]

Each year on this special day the Union congregation honors specially selected individuals who have clearly personified the examples Christ set. This year Vilma Sidotti was honored with the WCG-Union Pillar award, and Joudon Ford was the recipient of the WCG-Union Humanitarian award.

The Pillar award is given to an individual who offers service that uplifts and supports others and is generally done so from behind the scenes.

The Humanitarian award is bestowed upon the person who exemplifies the words of Matthew 25:35-36, to that person who looks into the eyes of the lesser members of society and sees a child of God there, and in turn that person looks into their eyes and sees Jesus.

JOYFUL PRAISE SINGERS & CHILDREN
OF A GREATER GOD [Photo by Mary Malcolm]

Mr. Ford was also presented with an award of excellence from Jacqueline Young, superintendent of the Essex County Educational Services Commission, for his dedicated and tireless service to the youths of Sojourn High School at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.

After the presentations Mr. Ford gave voice to the expressive dance movements of Eleanor Holder-Elcock in a presentation of "In Return."

Jeff Broadnax, pastor of the Clarkstown, New Jersey, and Middleton, New York, churches, gave a sermon titled "Lift Every Voice and Sing." Mr. Broadnax said that we each have a song to sing, a story to share, an experience that will at some point become an inspiration to someone else, an incentive that will be a source of comfort, strength and encouragement.

Union had more than 35 guests for the day. For those attending a Worldwide Church of God service for the first time, this was a wonderfully rewarding experience. Brenda Moretti said that Mr. Broadnax was a "dynamic speaker with a thought-provoking message." Carl Williams shared that the entire day was inspirational, and that the sermon held a real message from which he could reap vital knowledge.

Jackie Burke said that Mr. Broadnax’s message inspired her, and she was ready to go share his message. An agnostic in attendance was impressed with the praise and worship portion of the service and felt that Mr. Broadnax’s sermon brought out life lessons that people should strive to live by.

The day was capped off with a potluck supper and hours of warm fellowship between all attending. Janelle Winston.

MERIDEN, Connecticut—Carlton and Judy Green came from California Feb. 8 to help the Meriden congregation celebrate Black History Month. They shared in a wonderful celebration with a worship service in the morning, followed by a social and a praise service in the afternoon.

Many from the surrounding communities came. Larry Wooldridge.

MUSKEGON, Michigan—In honor of Black History Month, on the first Sunday in February, Arlene Beckem gave a reconciliation program along with her family. Seventeen members of her family attended. Arlene said that for reconciliation to take place in our church we must remember Christ and the woman caught in adultery. Christ did not condone the woman’s sin, neither did he ignore it.

Thus, she said, we cannot condone or ignore the sins of our white ancestors and how they mistreated and enslaved African Americans. She said we as sisters and brothers in Christ need to come together and talk about injustices so that we do not unwittingly continue to do them. This would help the world know that we are Christians.

Then, Arlene’s niece and nephew, Kela Hubbard and Demarkus Nelson sang, "They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love." Arlene’s sister, Sefonia Beckem-Hubbard, said that although she is not a WCG member, she appreciated how the members, as well as the pastor, Mr. Butler, and the assistant pastor, Norm David, have always been so helpful to their family.

She and her daughter, Kela Hubbard, presented Mr. Butler and Mr. David with flowers. She sang "His Eyes Are on the Sparrow." Arlene’s brother, Anthony Beckem, said that although he is not a member, he feels so welcome each time he visits Arlene’s church. He sang, "I Keep Running Back to You" and "Show Me (Lord) How to Love."

Mr. Butler concluded the program by giving a sermon titled "Reconciliation Is a God Thing." He talked about how God reconciled humanity to himself while we were yet sinners, thus we need to extend that same kindness and love to others.

The second Sunday, Arlene’s brother John, an evangelist who lives in Detroit, visited the congregation and gave a sermon titled "United for Spiritual War." He reminded the congregation that it did not matter what church or denomination we are in, the only way we as Christians can fight Satan is by uniting.

The third Sunday, a black group sang different types of Gospel and praise songs.

PHOENIX, Arizona—The Community of Hope Church and the Office of Reconciliation Ministries sponsored a Healing Racism Workshop on Feb. 8, during Black History Month, at Grand Canyon University, in the Ethington Theatre.

Pastor Phillip Rice of the Community of Hope Church, a WCG congregation, gave the invocation. Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County sheriff, commented about his experience with ethnic prejudice as a leading law enforcement official.

Jesse McGuire, a trumpet soloist, performed the national anthem and told about his experience at Ground Zero in New York City. T.J. Gies, a Community of Hope Church youth, led workshop attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Curtis May, ORM director and a WCG district superintendent, defined racism, prejudice and stereotyping in his plenary address. An experienced workshop leader, Mr. May and his wife, Jannice, have traveled extensively in the United States and abroad to promote reconciliation in the WCG and to provide sensitivity training in areas of racism, genderism and denominationalism.

In a video presentation, John Dawson of the International Reconciliation Coalition explained the process of reconciliation between individuals and people groups, and the necessity for confession, repentance, restoration and restitution to help people heal from wounds caused by oppression.

Ethnic Notions, another videotaped presentation, showed the harm that is done on a national scale when stereotyping is perpetuated. Afterward, six panelists shared their personal experiences of how racism and prejudice affected them. A few members of the audience also shared their stories of broken relationships caused by racism.

In the afternoon, Tom Wiles, chaplain of Grand Canyon University, emphasized the need for forgiveness within the Christian community, to bring people together who have been harmed by racist attitudes.

The workshop included a third video, which presented little-known facts about important inventions by African Americans, who made a significant difference in American history.

Mr. Rice concluded the workshop by acknowledging some of the ways that past teachings of the Worldwide Church of God perpetuated racism and the many positive cultural changes that have occurred in the WCG, which have promoted healing and a spirit of community in our denomination.

It was evident from the positive comments made by attendees during the workshop and in surveys turned in afterward that this event brought a deeper appreciation of the need for greater public awareness of what racism is and how it can be healed.

Planning team members who worked together to promote and provide the workshop are Diane Bungert, Larry and Blanche Marshall, Art Mathis, Mary and George Nemecek, Phillip Rice and Carol Swiney. Marilyn Fall, Phoenix ORM chapter leader.

DALLAS, Texas—Curtis May, director of the Office of Reconciliation Ministries (ORM), spoke at Grace Family Church on April 27.

"I pray daily for unity in the Body of Christ," Mr. May said. "What we do should be a reflection of God. We need to defend the character of God."

Citing 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, he said all Christians have been called to the ministry of reconciliation.

The minister addressed the church’s discipleship class and served as speaker for the main service.

In one video Mr. May showed, an ABC News film crew followed two everyday people, one white and one black, as they each tried to rent an apartment, get a job and buy a car. The white man was frequently treated much better than the black man. Whenever the news crew confronted one of the perpetrators, he or she would deny they had done anything wrong.

DALLAS VISIT—From left: Curtis and Jannice
May and Sherry and Lynn Hebert.

Mr. May said he has personally experienced incidents of harassment, such as police, with lights flashing, making him get out of his car following his counseling a white person in a white neighborhood. A similar incident occurred to Mr. May and his son, Brad, a policeman, when they were outside the home of a disabled member they had come to serve.

Mr. May cited many other examples of racism in our society, such as the practice several decades ago of removing Indian children from their reservations and sending them to boarding school for 12 years in attempt to eradicate from them all knowledge of Indian culture.

He also condemned sexual discrimination committed by those seeking to abuse or harm women and those who want to hold them back from their full potential.

Mr. May said the Office of Reconciliation Ministries conducts workshops that explore the issues of racism and racial conditioning. "Kids have already internalized oppression by the ages of five or six," he said. "We’re not blaming white people. It just happens to you."

"We’re all broken at the cross of Christ," he said. He outlined steps to reconciliation: be honest with the past and acknowledge the present, repent of the wrong, reach out to former enemies and become friends, and make restitution by showing love and respect for one another; treating one another as equals.

Mr. May quoted Thomas Jefferson, "The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing." He also cited evangelist Billy Graham as saying: "It’s not up to the government to solve racism. It’s a spiritual issue."

Said Mr. May: "This does impact people’s lives very deeply. The Christian thing to do is to help others to heal. Jesus is our Healer." Frank Lewandowski.

FORT WORTH, Texas—New Hope Christian Fellowship, the Fort Worth WCG congregation, invited Sonset Baptist Church to come and worship with them Feb. 8.

Tom Pickett, WCG pastor, had prayed with Pastor Ron O’Guinn and had come to know his heart for reconciliation. Since Mr. O’Guinn and his praise team are black, it was fitting that the service was during Black History Month. The New Hope members had been prepared by Mr. Pickett to receive the reconciliation message as God inspired Mr. O’Guinn to give it to them.

The Sonset praise team brought members near to God through the inspiring praise songs they led them to sing. Then Mr. O’Guinn gave four points from 2 Corinthians 5:18 on what it means to be involved in the ministry of reconciliation.

1) Increase one’s value: Matthew 25:14-30. We are all given at least one talent by Jesus to exchange, reconcile or increase the value of it in the lives of people around us.

2) Make an adjustment to the differences: Romans 15:1-3. The mature Christian makes the adjustment.

3) Restore a brother: Galatians 6:1-2. We should carry one another’s burdens as we restore a brother.

4) Be a covering: 1 John 2:2 Cover the mistakes of others.

Mr. O’Guinn has spoken on behalf of Promise Keepers in the past, and is now helping out with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the area of reconciliation. He concluded by saying that to effectively be involved in the ministry of reconciliation we need to be consecrated by Jesus Christ, be separated by coming out of this world and dedicated to the ministry so that we will not give up when times are tough.

The members from both New Hope Christian Fellowship and Sonset Baptist felt blessed and inspired by our sharing our faith and the Word concerning the ministry of reconciliation.

 

Joyful Singers help Lufkin
celebrate Black History Month

LUFKIN, Texas—The Lufkin church began its celebration of Black History Month Feb. 23 with the Joyful Singers, a musical group from Houston.

Members relived the lives of three black women as they fought for their rights as human beings. The lives of Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks and Sojourner Truth were portrayed by Bettie Kennedy, a black minister from the area. Her portrayals helped members to deeply appreciate the courage and strength of these three women.

The stage was decorated with items of black culture from Africa and America.

A question and answer session about black history took place afterward. Snacks and fellowship followed the service. Andrew Quattlebaum.

       
       JOYFUL SINGERS—A musical group
       from Houston, Texas.

Copyright © Grace Communion International, 2003