The Amen Chronicle The Newsletter of New Sardis April 2017 www.newsardischurch.com Living Legends/Trailblazers 2017 1st Row (L-R) Dr. Beverly J. Williams-Cleaves, Attorney Teresa Jones, Tonya Pinkett, Dr. Gina Stewart, Robbie Montgomery. Ruby Bright, First Lady Mary Gray, Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray, Jr. ; 2nd Row (L-R) Rev. Charles Hodges, Calvin Anderson, Arveal Turner, Winston Stewart, Dr. Ethelyn J. Williams-Neal, Williams, Judge John Donald, Rev. Norma Cole-Meadows, Sidney Chism, Calvin Taylor, Mary Mitchell, Coby Smith Photo by Tyrone Easley “Life Focused, Bible Based, And Christ Centered With A Mission And Message” Page 2 April 2017 Amen Chronicle FROM PASTOR’S PEN Dearly Beloved, The Bible says, To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We are now in the season of spring, but before you turn the page and get into Spring Cleaning, let us have a moment of thanksgiving for a marvelous thing that has happened in our city. An historic marker, (the first honoring an African-American on Main Street) honoring the legendary Lee Sisters of Memphis has been unveiled downtown. It was placed at a site, Main Street and Gayoso, where, 45 years ago, they would have been arrested for attempting to shop. Forty-five years ago, they were arrested, there and many other places and many other times. So many times that, at one time, Jet Magazine called the Lees of Memphis the most arrested family in America. Only the Lees and the Lord know how much they sacrificed and suffered in their unrelenting demand for the rights that are guaranteed in a document that this nation professes to hold dear. Like the late, The Amen Chronicle Published quarterly by great, Fannie Lou Hammer, they were often called troublemakers by their own hue, who had not a New Sardis Baptist Church clue. We cannot repay them, but we can 7739 E. Holmes Road Memphis, TN 38125 thank God for them. In all of their (901) 754-3979 demonstrations: their walking, talking, [email protected] sitting, standing, singing, marching, going to Editorial Staff jail, demanding justice; not only in Rev. John Glaze Memphis, but justice everywhere. Dr. Rev. Stephanie Yates Sister Kathy Cohran Martin Luther King has reminded us all that, Sister M. Joyce Spight Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice Sister Tracye White everywhere. We welcome comments, letters to the editor and articles for consideration. Ours is not to reward these seven sisters. Mission Statement In the words of Lincoln, it is ‘beyond our God the Father, Jesus the Son and we, the poor power to do so.’ But we can thank God for them. Their ultimate reward, is yet to come is from members of New Sardis M.B. Church, reaffirm our faith in the Holy Spirit. Within the Church the One who says, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things; Universal, we subscribe to the priesthood of all believers and to the autonomy of the local I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Matthew 25:21). congregation of baptized believers in matters of church organization and governance. We acknowledge that we have a mission What we can do is strive to be good soldiers, as diligent for Christ as they were for the cause. to preach, to teach, and to bear witness to the faith to all people throughout the world and to urge all to be reconciled to God through L. LaSimba Gray, Jr. Christ. We accept the testimony of the Apos- tle Paul who wrote, “...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, PREAMBLE behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to We the members of New Sardis M.B. Church, Memphis, Tennessee, reaffirm our faith in the fatherhood empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Himself and gave us the ministry of reconcili- ation: that is, God was in Christ reconciling Within the church universal, we subscribe to the priesthood of all believers and to the autonomy of the local congregation of baptized believers in matters the world to Himself, not counting their tres- passes against them, and entrusting to us the of church organization and governance. Thus we commit ourselves to the Christian way as that is understood and practiced by Baptists. message of reconciliation. So we are am- We acknowledge that the church has a mission to preach, to teach, and to bear witness to the faith to all people throughout the world bassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:17-20). and to urge all to be reconciled to God through Christ. We accept the testimony of the Apostle which he wrote to the Corinthians (11,5:17-20), "...if We shall strive to be Christ Centered, anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled Bible Based and Life Focused to the glory and the edification of humanity. us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us." Page 3 April 2017 Amen Chronicle CHANGES AT NEW SARDIS 2017 Rev. Darell Harrington, Rev. Norma Meadows, Dr. Freddie Everson, Sister Dorothy Sinclair, Assistant Pastor Evangelism Chair Trustee Board Church Historian Sister Ollie Johnson, Sister Rochelle Cox, Sister Felecia Steverson, Dr. Charlotte Harper, Church Archivist Events Coordinator Church Clerk Sunday School Superintendent Page 4 April 2017 Amen Chronicle SPRING CLEANING ANYONE? Submitted by Ulanda J. Crivens Spring is here. March the 20th marked the beginning of spring; cold weather gone, longer sunnier days, more time for us to be “outdoors”. Spring! Nature renewing all that has lain dormant during the winter months: trees, plants, flora, bloom- ing. Creatures coming out of hibernation reveling in the warmth of sunshine; birds singing. Just the smell of honeysuckle awakens in us a feeling of excitement in the promises of the new season. Many of us will perform our annual cleaning - vacuuming, sweeping, dusting, cleaning out closets etc. But what about our spiritual cleaning which has eternal influence? I’d like to share with you some tips on Spiritual Spring Cleaning given by Mary Fairchild from Your Guide to Christianity. I encourage you to read the scriptures given as you follow each step to refreshment. So dust off that Bible and get ready for a spiritual spring cleaning. Step 1. Cleanse Your Heart – Get Spiritually Healthy The Bible encourages us to draw close to God and allow our hearts and bodies to be cleansed. We can’t clean ourselves. Instead we must draw near to God and ask Him to do the cleansing. (PSALM 51:10 AND HEBREW 10:220 Step 2. Clean Out Your Mouth – Deep clean Inside and Out Spiritual cleansing requires deep cleaning. It is housekeeping that goes beyond what others see and hear. As your heart gets clean, your language should follow. This is not just talking about bad language, but also negative talk and pessimistic thoughts that contradicts the Word of God and faith. This includes the challenge to stop complaining. (LUKE 6:45 AND PHILLIPPIANS 2:14) Step 3. Renew Your Mind – Take Out the Garbage This is an area of struggle for most of us – removing the garbage from our minds. Garbage in equals garbage out. We must feed our minds and spirit the Word of God instead of the garbage of this world. (ROMANS 12:2 AND II CORINTHIANS 10:5) Step 4. Repent from Hidden Sin – Clean Out Your Spiritual Closet Hidden sin will destroy your life, your peace and even your health. The Bible says to confess your sins – tell someone, reach out for help. When your spiritual closets are clean, the heaviness from hidden sin will lift. (PSALM 32:3-5) Step 5. Release Unforgiveness and Bitterness – Get Rid of Old Baggage Any sin will weigh you own, but long kept unforgiveness and bitterness is like old baggage in the attic you just can’t seem to part with. You are so familiar with it; you don’t even realize how it is hindering your life. (HEBREWS 12:1 AND EPHESIANS 4:31-32) Step 6. Invoke Jesus in your Daily Life – Let the Son Shine In What God wants most from you is relationship – friendship. He wants to be involved in the big and small moments of your life. Open your life, let the light of God’s presence shine into every part, and you’ll have no need for a yearly spiritual cleaning. Instead experience daily, moment to moment refreshing of your spirit. (I CORINTHIANS 1:9 AND PSALM 56:13) Step 7. Learn to Laugh at Yourself and at Life Some of us take life too seriously. Jesus wants you to enjoy yourself, and learn to have some fun. God made you for His pleasure. (PSALM 28:7 AND PSALM 126:2) Page 5 April 2017 Amen Chronicle GOLDEN CIRCLE MEMBER’S REACTION TO THE MOVIE, HIDDEN FIGURES By M. Joyce Spight The movie, Hidden Figures, which is based on a non-fiction book written by Margot Lee Chatterley, evoked numerous emotions in me. As I sat there in the crowded theater clutching my popcorn, I could sometimes feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. I could feel the heat of anger from a scene depicted on the screen that took me back to a time when I was very young. Or, there was that glowing feeling of pride and that inward expression of gratitude from what was being accomplished in telling this story. Hidden Figures tells the story of three African American women mathematicians who, against so many obstacles, were major players in the success of the United States space program. The themes that were weaved into this movie took me through a time span in my own life. Watching this movie was also a humbling experience, because I saw through these characters, women who stood the test of time and found ways to maneuver road blocks and accomplish their established goals. The real-life African American women that were portrayed in this film are the backbones for many young women who have chosen to enter the Scientific Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs now being offered in specialty schools and universities. Culture, and the historical period, along with the geographic location, in the movie, Hidden Figures, showed that Jim Crow was standing tall. Unequal salaries based on gender, racial segregation, sexual segregation, and educational segregation, and educational segregation raised their ugly heads through- out the film. However, through the actresses’ depiction of the real-life women, one could see there was a joy in the careers they had chosen, and they would complete them. Another aspect of Hidden Figures that was so smoothly and elegantly shown was the different types and stages of love in the African American culture. Dorothy Vaughan Katherine Johnson Mary Jackson There was the love between a man and a woman, the love between husband and wife, family love, sisterly love, and the love of a career other than the domestic engineer. This movie is an inspiration, and should be used as a teaching tool in segments of today’s educational curriculum. Page 6 April 2017 Amen Chronicle LIVING LEGENDS - A GLORIOUS CELEBRATION! By John Glaze Living Legends 2017 was an historic success. Members, visitors and honorees seemed equally moved and impressed. From the call to worship to the benediction and banquet that followed; the day was a sumptuous feast for the heart, mind, body and spirit. After the procession of the honorees and African royalty, Brother Cliff Henderson’s devotion took the congregation on a spiritual journey to the land of our ancestors with a “lined out” singing/moaning/chanting form of religious expression that came to this country in chains. Calling this ancient African form of call and response “Dr. Watts” is akin to calling Kunta Kinte “Toby”. Another highlight was a Black History tribute to special guest, James Meredith, the living legend who, in 1962, integrated the den of racism that was the University of Mississippi. T.C. Sharpe, a professional actor (Hustle and Flow, Black Snake Moan), gave an award winning rendition of James Weldon Johnson’s The Prodigal Son. It was one of two great sermons that day. The other was from Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart, Senior Pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church and the first African American female to be elected pastor of an African American Baptist Church in Memphis. She was also one of the legends/trailblazers honored. Joining Dr. Stewart were Calvin Anderson, Ruby Bright, Rev. Norma Taylor Cole-Meadows, Rev. Charles and Leroy Hodges, Attorney Teresa Jones, Mary E. Jones-Mitchell, Robbie Montgomery, Dr. Charles Pinkston, D.D.S.; Dr. Coby Smith, Winston A. Stewart, Calvin Turner, Arveal Turner, Dr. Beverly J. Williams-Cleaves, and Dr. Ethelyn J. William Neal. Each of these individuals is a living legend or, like Robbie Montgomery of Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s, a trailblazer. This year’s program saw the initiation of a new award. New Sardis Baptist Church collaborated with the African American Museum to establish the Francis (Fannie) Wright Award. Ms. Wright was a Scottish born freethinking abolitionist who, in 1825, founded The Neshoba Community in Memphis for the purpose of educating and emancipating slaves. Her goal was to build a self-sustaining multiracial community. The basis of the Francis Wright Award is, she did not have to do anything. Racially and economically insulated from the rise and fall of slavery she insisted on doing what was morally right. Gayle S. Rose, named one of Tennessee’s 100 most powerful people by Business Tennessee Magazine, has a proven record of philan- thropic intervention for freedom and justice for all. She does not have to do anything to improve the quality of life for all people of all races but she does, quietly and with little fanfare. Gayle Rose is the inaugural recipi- ent of the Francis Wright Award. The New Sardis Living Legends celebration was the brainchild of Dr. Erma Clanton, a living legend in her own right. She brought the concept to Dr. La Simba Gray 14 years ago, and it is now a Sardis staple. It always falls on the last Sunday of February. It is always the highlight of our Black History Celebration. And we always look forward to saying “Thank you” to the outstanding men and women who are inspirations to us all. Page 7 April 2017 Amen Chronicle LIVING LEGENDS CELEBRATION Page 8 April 2017 Amen Chronicle SENIOR PROM By Tracye White This year, the Seniors (adults) of our church came out in rare form to support our youth at the Senior Prom. The prom is a fund raiser for our youth to assist them in their summer trip. This year’s theme was Mardi Gras and the décor, food, and masque were proof of that. We are so thankful to the youth and millennials of the church who came out to assist with the decorations. It is a blessing that we have professionals in our congregations who will support our youth. A special thank you goes to Sister Connie Spruell (All Around Affairs) and Sister Janice Weir (In Any Event) for their expertise and dedication to making this a first class affair. We were blessed to enjoy the good eats from the Lil Chef, Sister Shannon White and her staff. The music, by our very own Leon Gray, was off the chain. Brother Anthony and Rev. Stephanie Yates were crowned the “King and Queen” of the prom. We could not have had a more loving couple to be the king and queen with thirty years of marriage. Thank you, New Sardis, for your support of our youth. Page 9 April 2017 Amen Chronicle OUR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS Marquis Dorsey - Sinatra Dunlap - Karema Al-Hallaf - Sara Henderson - Southwind High School Freedom Preparatory Academy White Station High School Germantown High School High School Essence Davis Joshua Gray Kevin Gibson Dearius Smith Saint George’s Independent Memphis University School Cordova High School High School School Page 10 April 2017 Amen Chronicle LIVING VALENTINES - WHAT MAKES HIM/HER SPECIAL Sister Joann Smith He is a good father and provider for our family and just supportive. He is patient and listens when I have problems and we read the Bible together a lot. WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO HIM? He was just different, just being himself. He was not trying to be more than .. you know .. a lot of guys try to so macho and he was just a normal guy that I was attracted to Brother Randy Smith - Well, we actually knew each other from high school, lived in same neighborhood. I knew her and grew up with her. She was active in church and I knew her mom. We kind of connected of connected, having the same kind of needs and beliefs and things like that. WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO HER? We started out as friends. She would talk me to death and I would listen. I was interested in getting more romantic but she wanted to talk. So we spent a lot of time talking and getting to understand each other and I really think one of the keys to why we are still together is because we started out as friends, understanding each other’s situations. Rev. Lorann Robinson - We pray together. We know each other’s likes and dislikes and, being a woman of God, I know that one of my first ministries is to please my husband and to try to be a faithful and good help meet to him. He is kind and generous and thoughtful and I just thank God for him. He is one of the best things that ever happened to me outside of my faith in God. Deacon Jeffrey Robinson - Well what makes her special is because of her faith and her strength in God. What makes her special to me. Her beauty, I’ve always admired her beauty but once I got to know her as a person and saw how she reaches out to people and cares about all of the things that God cares about, that’s what makes her special to me.