Check Out My Article in Christian Standard! (I Interviewed My Dad!)

Me and my family….

Hello World,

Since Black History Month, the shortest month of the year, is not over yet, check out an article I wrote about my personal Black History LOL for Christian Standard this month. I was blessed to be able to write about the ministry of my father Dr. Denzil D. Holness, who recently retired after 38 years serving as pastor of Central Christian Church in Southwest Atlanta. Although I lived with my father as I grew up and again for a few years after I graduated from college, I still discovered some things about him that I didn’t know. In fact, I think everyone should interview their parents beyond the day-to-day interactions because I’m sure you will gain a new perspective on the people whose genes you share…

Pastor Denzil Holness Spreads a Message of Racial Reconcilation…

Had Denzil D. Holness been hired as a pastor in Coward, South Carolina, or Peculiar, Missouri, or any other out-of-the-way American town or city, he may not have been led to take on racial reconciliation in the Christian church. However, since Holness was hired as the first black pastor at Central Christian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, “The City Too Busy to Hate,” it would seem tackling racial reconciliation was God’s plan for him all along.

Committed to Christian Church Principles

Holness became CCC’s pastor in September 1979 and in December 2017, he retired from ministry after 38 years serving that church. Holness began his journey with the Christian church when he was a teenager in his homeland of Jamaica, which boasts the motto, “Out of Many, One People.” Originally a member of the Anglican church, Holness was persuaded by a friend to join the Christian church because of its principles.

“The more I learned about the Christian church, the more I became committed,” Holness said. “For example, we believe that all Christians should be one. We don’t use denominational labels or names. If the world is to be won to Christ, then believers should bear witness to a visible unity in accordance with the Lord’s prayer in John 17.”

Just before Holness graduated from high school, Fred Kratt, a missionary from the United States, visited Jamaica one summer and was instrumental in arranging for the young man to receive a full scholarship to attend Minnesota Bible College, Kratt’s alma mater.

“Prior to receiving that scholarship, I had been under the conviction that the Lord was calling me to the ministry,” Holness said. Although he received a catalog about the school before he started there, he did not realize Minnesota was much colder than sunny Jamaica. “That first winter, it was so cold, I almost cried,” Holness said with a smile.

Fast forward from the 1960s to April 1979. By then, Holness was married to fellow Jamaican Alice May Holness, and they had a daughter, me, and a son, Delvall.

Read the rest of the story at christianstandard.com.

Any thoughts?

 

The Top 10 Blog Posts and or Articles for Black Christian Women in February 2016

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Hello World,

Well, Black History Month 2016 is a wrap, but I’m still doing my monthly post in which I list interesting blog posts and or articles for black Christian women from last month that intrigued me as a black Christian woman ( but you don’t have be a black Christian woman to to check them out:) ! ) As usual, let me know if you like my list! Enjoy and share!

1. “Dancing 106-year-old Describes the Day She Charmed the Obamas: ‘I Can Die Smiling Now’” by

Excerpt: Deeply faithful, McLaurin attends a weekly Bible study, and she said it’s helped her stay upbeat and healthy. That, she said, and a diet of fried beans and peas. Other than a back surgery about 50 years ago, she hasn’t had any major health issues. See more at: washingtonpost.com.

2. “DeVon Franklin to Suggestion in Church That Wife Meagan Good Should Cover Up: ‘She’s Going to Wear What She Wants to Wear in the Name of Jesus’” by Yesha Callahan

Excerpt: “This is not offensive, but I was at the grocery store and I looked at a newsstand and I saw you, and you had your breast showing,” one woman in the audience said. “So, so, I wasn’t gonna come here, I wasn’t, but the Lord brought me here to see you. You’re beautiful. You are a beautiful young woman, and your testimony is awesome. It’s awesome. Amen. Amen! And the Lord let me come and push past the judgment … because you have to make sure what you say and what you do match up, you understand? So we gonna cover up, right?” See more at: theroot.com.

3. “Too Sexy for Church Appeal: When Does Cleavage Become Sinful?” by Charlene Aaron

Excerpt:  Ayesha Curry, wife of NBA player Stephen Curry, received a ton of backlash from people who said she was shaming women who dress less modestly. Actress Meagan Good, who is also a Christian, has often been criticized for wearing clothing viewed as too sexy. See more at: cbn.com.

4. “They Lost Trayvon, Eric, Sandra, Jordan, Dontre. Now These Mothers are With Hillary” by Juana Summers

Excerpt: As rain pelted the rooftop of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist church on Monday afternoon, five mothers — united both in their grief and their purpose — came to share their stories. The women, from five different cities, had each lost a child to a high-profile case of violence. And each had thrown her support behind Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. See more at: mashable.com.

5. “The Legacy of Women in the Black Church” by Pastor Tiffany Thomas

Excerpt: Black women have a long and intricate history with the church. Women, making up 70 to 90 percent of black congregations, have always found the institution of the church a place of refuge, of solace and hope. As far back as African American history begins, during a time when their bodies were bound by the violence of slavery, black women gathered to worship communally a God who gave freedom and liberation in the salvific power of Christ. See more  at: christianitytoday.com.

6. “Black Women and the Imago Dei” by Austin Channing Brown

Excerpt: In the late ’80s and early ’90s when I grew up attending a predominantly white private school, words like diversity and multiculturalism had not yet been popularized. So schools were still developing curriculum and experiences largely devoid of cultural depth. In my experience, all of my teachers were white, as were the principal, librarian, and other staff members. We regularly used illustrated Bibles, storybooks, and movies in which all the characters were also white. When teachers posted pictures of Jesus in the room, Jesus was always depicted as white. See more at: todayschristianwoman.com.

7. “Meet the Incredible Woman Chosen to Lead Mother Emanuel Church After Last Year’s Shooting” by

Excerpt: Clark is unabashed about being a woman at the pulpit. During a part of service where visitors to the church introduce themselves, one particular gentleman calls out, “I’m going to ask, like I do every year.” She begins to fan herself. “Will you be my valentine?” The church erupts into laughter and cheers. “The answer is yes,” she says to her husband. More laughter and clapping. See more at: fusion.net.

8. “Charleston Shooting Survivor Jennifer Pinckney: ‘I Want to Carry on (Clementa’s) Work’” by Jesse James DeConto

Excerpt: The first lady of Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church offered two enduring images: her late husband’s smiling face lying in a casket, and the bullet holes that riddled the church walls when she went to clean out his office a week later. See more at: religionnews.com.

9. “Professor Who Donned Hijab in Solidarity Announces Exit from Christian College” by Women in the World Staff

Excerpt: A college professor at a Christian college in Illinois has agreed to leave her position at the university after she posted a photo of herself wearing a hijab in solidarity with Muslims on social media. Larycia Hawkins drew ire from the administration at Wheaton College over the photo and her remarks on Facebook, where she wrote that Christians and Muslims “worship the same God.” See more at: nytlive.nytimes.com.

10. “First Female African-American General in the Army National Guard Visits Windsor Church” by Jenna DeAngelis

Excerpt: “I’ve had many people, both black and white, tell me that, ‘C’mon you can’t do that.  You’re never going any further than this.’ and to me that was always a challenge,” Cleckley said. Every challenge became an opportunity and every opportunity became another page in her book, A Promise Fulfilled. See more at: fox61.com.

Any thoughts?

7 Ways Churches, Celebrities & More Are Celebrating Black History Month in 2016 Despite Stacey Dash…

black history month 2016

Hello World,

I’m so glad churches and other worthy organizations aren’t paying attention to the notion that Black History Month is no longer needed, an inane idea proposed by FOX commentator Stacey Dash…

Below are 10 activities that churches and more around the country are hosting to celebrate Black History Month, the one month of the year that the accomplishments of black people are consistently celebrated…

1. Alabama Music Hall of Fame Celebrates Black Gospel Music for Black History Month

Excerpt:  On Sunday, Jan. 31, The “Amen To That” event is set to honor and revive black gospel music which served as a focal point for many songs and artists who left their mark in musical history of Muscle Shoals. Performing during the show will be St. Paul Choir, Russellville, Howell Sledge of Leighton, Rev. Jerry Reeves and The Galilee Missionary Baptist Church of Leighton, James Brown Gospel Choir of Tuscaloosa, and The Gospel Imperials of Huntsville. See more at: wbrc.com

2.First Baptist Church of Williamsburg, Virginia Restores Bell for Black History Month

Excerpt: On Monday, Feb. 1 through Feb. 29, First Baptist Church is allowing visitors to reserve a time to go to the church and ring its historic bell. The church, which was founded by slaves 240 years ago, acquired the massive steel bell in the late 19th century, but it has been inoperable since the days of racial segregation. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has returned the bell to working condition so it can be rung every day in February. Also, celebrities including hip hop mogul Russell Simmons and legendary vocalist Aretha Franklin will be a part of this church’s effort, according wtop.com. See more at: wtvr.com

3. Rice University in Houston, Texas to Host Discussion of ‘The Black Church and Politics’

Excerpt: On Monday,  Feb. 1, Rice University’s Religion and Public Life Program will host “The Black Church and Politics,” a panel discussion featuring commentary from Marcus D. Cosby, senior pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church; Korie Edwards, associate professor of sociology at Ohio State University; and Omar McRoberts, associate professor of sociology at University of Chicago. See more at: news.rice.edu

4. Stamp Will Honor Philadelphia’s Richard Allen, a Founding Father of America

Excerpt: On Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the church Allen opened in 1794 and the first home of the A.M.E. denomination he founded in 1816, the U.S. Postal Service will formally unveil its Richard Allen Black Heritage stamp, the 39th stamp in a series honoring African American leaders and “culture-shapers whose lives changed history.” The ceremony is timed to kick off the A.M.E. church’s bicentennial year and, by coincidence, comes less than two weeks before Allen’s 256th birthday, Feb. 14. See more at: philly.com

5. Jennifer Pinckney, Charleston Church Shooting Survivor, to Speak at Duke University in North Carolina

Excerpt: On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Jennifer Pinckney, widow of the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, who was among nine killed last year in the shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, will take part in a roundtable conversation at Duke University. The event, “Reflections on Charleston: A Conversation on Faith and Race,” takes place at the Page Auditorium.  See more at: today.duke.edu

6. CEO of Greening Forward to speak at Black History Event at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Greenville, South Carolina

Excerpt: On Saturday, Feb. 13, Charles Orgbon III, who is studying environmental economics management at the University of Georgia, will be the featured speaker during St. Philip’s Episcopal Church’s Black History Month celebration. In addition to being a college student, Orgbon is also the CEO of Greening Forward, a nonprofit organization that “establishes, engages and empowers a diverse environmental movement powered by young people.” Greening Forward was founded in 2008 by Orgbon when he was 12. See more at: greenvilleonline.com

7. Church, Faith and the New Hampshire Community: A Black Woman’s Perspective

Excerpt: On Sunday, Feb. 14, Discover Portsmouth is hosting a “Tea Talk” panel discussion featuring: Rev. Lillian Buckley, Rev. Lauren Smith, Minister Olga Tines, Mrs. Florine Hilson and Mrs. Nadine Thompson. The black church has historically been seen as the backbone of the black community and the center of political and social life for African Americans. These church leaders will discuss the role of the church in their lives. Through their experiences in ministering and serving in a predominantly white state we will learn about the role of faith as a strong guiding force in their lives. What they give and receive from their spiritual communities and why church life continues to be so important to so many black women will be highlighted. See more at: portsmouthhistory.org

Any thoughts?