By Luren Dickinson
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania--Several hundred people gathered for a racial reconciliation weekend Aug. 22 and 23.
The event, coordinated by pastor Tom Pickett, was sponsored by several WCG congregations, as well as some from other denominations. It combined praise and worship with presentations on racism and its possible solutions.
Mayor Stephen Reed declared the weekend Unity Days, and renamed Division Street as Unity Street for the weekend.
Ann Van Dyke, assistant to the director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, made introductory remarks and later made comments on Saturday.
Ms. Van Dyke said it is the duty of the commission to "monitor the state of hate" within Pennsylvania. She noted "a marked increase in hate groups and acts of intolerance" since the 1980s.
Most of the presentations were conducted by Cherry Steinwender of the Center for the Healing of Racism in Houston, Texas, and Chris Beam, a presenter for the center and a WCG pastor in Houston.
Mrs. Steinwender introduced a video produced by KQED-TV in San Francisco, titled "Ethnic Notions," which documented how African-Americans have been ridiculed and how this prejudice continues today.
Afterward, whites, Latinos, African-Americans and Native Americans made comments. Peggy Grove, a Harrisburg council member, commented on the ill treatment she received as a child because she was of mixed race.
Mr. Beam spoke of his involvement with racism as a young man, including association with neo-Nazis. He has since repented and now helps others see such errors.
Curtis May, Pasadena pastor, spoke of his experiences with segregation and violence growing up as a black man in pre-Civil Rights Alabama. He also addressed the effect of the WCG's former doctrines promoting British-Israelism.
Mr. Albrecht said, "We cannot solve the problem of racism politically or by saying it is someone else's problem." Each person has to confront it personally. Mr. Albrecht apologized for the problems his color group had caused Curtis May and other African-Americans.
Mr. May accepted the apology while admitting that no group is perfect and commended Mr. Albrecht for his efforts to heal racism past and present.
Mark Hardway, a member from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, led praise and worship. Alonzo Piper sang "Move in This Place" in the morning and led a group of adults and children in "Allelujah, Praise Jehovah" during the afternoon.
Day two featured additional sections moderated by Mrs. Steinwender and Mr. Beam, including a panel discussion and a lecture on institutionalized racism.
PARTICIPANTS--From left: Mr. Albrecht, Ann Van Dyke, Tom Pickett,
Cherry Steinwender, Chris Beam and Curtis May. [Photos by Ron Robinson]
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998