The Word: February 22, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for…
February 22, 2015
(1st Sunday in Lent)
Color: Purple
SCRIPTURES:
Genesis 9:8-17
“Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you” [continue reading]
Psalm 25:1-10
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” [continue reading]
1 Peter 3:18-22
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” [continue reading]
Mark 1:9-15
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” [continue reading]
(View the scriptures for the entire year by visting www.shilohbaptist.org/lectionary.)
The New Jim Crow
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
Book Author Michelle Alexander
I first came to Washington, DC in 1996 to work as the Senior Field Organizer for the Children’s Defense Fund’s Black Community Crusade for Children. That same year I was invited to a meeting at the White House with then President Bill Clinton. When I told my mom, she asked me what I planned on saying to the President. I told her that I did not know but it would begin with these words, “With all due respect, Mr. President.”I was told by my bosses at the Children’s Defense Fund that the meeting should be more than a photo opportunity for the President and that I should have a question ready for him. I decided that the question I would raise would be about the “3 Strikes and You’re Out” laws that had popped up in many states in an attempt to be “tough” on crime. Those policies and others which were a part of our nation’s failed war on crime led to the disproportionate number of young African American males being locked up.
Our families, communities, churches and society have been robbed of millions of African American men in the process, but there is a prophet in our land and her name is Michelle Alexander.
I decided to read “The New Jim Crow” because I wanted my faith to matter. Someone called the New Jim Crow “the bible of a social movement.” It is a book not only to be read, but to be studied, not only to be studied, but to be lived. In this regard, I agree. It is the bible of a social movement and its gospel deserves to be spread.
(Contributing Writer: Thomas L. Bowen)
The Word: February 15, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for…
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015
(6th Sunday after the Epiphany | Transfiguration/Heritage Sunday)
Color: White
SCRIPTURES:
2 Kings 5:1-14
“Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.” [continue reading]
Psalm 30
“I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.” [continue reading]
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” [continue reading]
Mark 1:40-45
“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, ‘If you are willing, you can make me clean.’” [continue reading]
2 Kings 2:1-12
“When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal.” [continue reading]
Psalm 50:1-6
“The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.” [continue reading]
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.” [continue reading]
Mark 9:2-9
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.” [continue reading]
(View the scriptures for the entire year by visting www.shilohbaptist.org/lectionary.)
Discover Shiloh Mobile: Home
ShilohMobile.org is the new mobile site of Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington. This site is packed full of information and features for you to explore. So much so, that we’ve decided to give you a guided tour by way of our “Tech Talk” blog posts.This week we’ll take a look at the HOME page of the Shiloh Mobile site.
The HOME page is where every website begins. It’s the introduction of sorts to what viewers can expect from the site. The most prominent feature of the Shiloh Mobile home page is the rotating banner. It currently contains graphics with scriptures, event reminders, and of course our Shiloh Mobile DC app announcement (shameless plug). This content will change on occasion so make sure you don’t rush by it too fast. Just a side note, the banner will not take the place of, or function in the same manner as Shiloh’s Dashboard (available under the “Events” tab on shilohmobile.org). The Dashboard is totally different.
Immediately under the rotating banner is the “Verse of the Day”. This section displays a new bible verse every day. After all, we want to “Spread the Word” every chance we get. Feel free to come back every day to see the new scripture.
As you scroll further down the page you’ll see our “New App for Shiloh” intro. If you’ve read our previous Tech Talk posts, this text will seem familiar to you. We thought it was so appropriate that we’d begin our site with it too. This text will eventually change, because the app won’t be new forever.
The final feature on the Shiloh Mobile homepage is a list of ALL the ways you can “Stay Connected” with Shiloh online! Whew! That’s a long list. What does this mean for you? Well, if you’re not on Twitter, then you can follow us on Facebook. If you’re not on Google+, then you can follow us on Instagram. And if you’re not on any social networking sites, then you can always find us on shilohbaptist.org, shilohmobile.org, or download our Shiloh Mobile DC app from Google Play or The App Store (last shameless plug).
That’s all for now. Have fun discovering SHILOH MOBILE!
Mary’s “Did You Know?”: Dick Gregory
RICHARD CLAXTON GREGORY, was born October 12, 1932 in St. Louis, MO. We know him as DICK GREGORY, the comedian, activist, and now he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.Dick Gregory has at last been recognized for his sacrifices, hunger strikes, activism, and his comedic talents. He has used his celebrity status to advance social causes in which he so strongly believes. He’s always a willing listener, is generous in sharing his knowledge, and is an overall a great guy.
I have met Mr. Gregory on several occasions, and he’s always been open and friendly. He even shared some of his vegetarian lunch with me on a flight from Chicago once.
The first Black comedian to earn more than $1 million a year, in the early 1970’s Dick Gregory left that lucrative career to focus his efforts on such social justice issues as race relations, world hunger, drug abuse, health care, and more. He uniquely used his comedic background to convey his messages on the issues for which he continues to fight today.
SOURCES: Wikipedia, Variety.com, Biography.com
(Contributing Writer: Mary Bates-Washington)
The Word: February 8, 2015
Lectionary Scripture readings for…
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015
(5th Sunday after the Epiphany)
Color: Green
SCRIPTURES:
Isaiah 40:21-31
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?” [continue reading]
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c
“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” [continue reading]
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
“For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” [continue reading]
Mark 1:29-39
“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.” [continue reading]
(View the scriptures for the entire year by visting www.shilohbaptist.org/lectionary.)
“Did You Know?”: Mikaila Ulmer
Did you know that MIKAILA ULMER was only 4 years old when she began making lemonade? Now, at age 10, she’s CEO of a thriving business, BeeSweet Lemonade. This is no run of the mill, stand on the sidewalk in the summertime with handmade signs and paper cups lemonade stand. No. Mikaila’s BeeSweet Lemonade is sold in a variety of restaurants local to the Austin, TX area, and in Whole Foods Markets throughout Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.What began as a project, quickly turned into a passion; not only for lemonade, but bees. During the same time Mikaila was deciding to make lemonade, she was twice stung by bees. Those unpleasant encounters peeked her curiosity about bees, and now she’s on a mission to save them. Mikaila donates a percentage of her BeeSweet Lemonade profits to organizations whose mission is to save honeybees. She’s even adopted the slogan “Buy a Bottle…Save a Bee”.
In addition to her granny’s 1940’s Flaxseed Lemonade recipe and honey from bees, this young entrepreneur has three other ingredients that’s made her business such a success. “Courage, Passion, and Perseverance.”
You can learn more about Mikaila Ulmer and BeeSweet Lemonade online at www.beesweetlemonade.com.
Mary’s “Did You Know?”: Mary Church Terrell
My husband attended Terrell Junior High on First & K Streets, NW, not far from the Capitol, and I’ve often wondered for whom it was named. Well, now I know: an educator named MARY CHURCH TERRELL, who said:“I cannot help wondering sometimes what I might have become and might have done if I had lived in a country which had not circumscribed and handicapped me on account of my race, that had allowed me to reach any height I was able to attain.”
Born Mary Eliza Church on September 23, 1863, in Memphis, Tennessee, she was the daughter of small-business owners Robert Reed Church and his wife, Louisa Ayers, former slaves who taught her the value of a good education. They sent her to Antioch College Model School in Yellow Springs, OH, for early and secondary education. She became one of the first African-American women to earn a college degree, with a bachelor’s degree in 1884 and in 1888, a master’s degree in education, both at Oberlin College. She studied in Europe for two years, where she became fluent in French, German, and Italian.
Shortly after receiving her second degree, in Washington, she met Robert Heberton Terrell, a talented attorney, and they were married in Tennessee in 1891. They lived in Washington, where she became an influential educator, and he eventually became Washington’s first black municipal judge. In 1949, she was the first African American to be admitted to the Washington chapter of the American Association of University Women.
At DC’s M Street High School, she was teacher and later principal of this top academic high school. She taught also at historically black Wilberforce College in Ohio. Founded by Methodists, it was eventually owned and operated by the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
In addition to her outstanding career in education, Terrell was an activist and suffragist. In 1896, she founded the National Association of Colored Women and became its first president. At W.E.B. DuBois’ suggestion, she was also a charter member of the NAACP.
In 1950, at age 86, Mrs. Terrell was refused service by a whites-only restaurant. She and other activists filed a lawsuit which eventually led to a ruling that all segregation in restaurants in the city were unconstitutional. Her activism also earned her a place on a committee that investigated alleged police mistreatment of African Americans.
On July 24, 1954, in Annapolis, MD, Mrs. Terrell died after witnessing and being a part of some life major civil rights changes, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling on May 17, 1954, which ended segregation in schools.
Today, Mary Church Terrell’s home located at 326 T Street in LeDroit Park, has been named a National Historic Landmark.
And now you know: Mary Church Terrell — outstanding educator/activist/suffragist.
Sources: SPARTACUS-EDUCATIONAL.COM; Wikipedia
(Contributing Writer: Mary Bates-Washington)
Mary’s “Did You Know?”: Rosa Parks
Yesterday was the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Rosa Louise McCauley, born February 4, 1913, in Tuskegee, AL. We know her as famed civil rights activist, ROSA PARKS, whose refusal to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a public bus in Montgomery, AL spurred a citywide boycott, and helped launch nationwide efforts to end the segregation of public facilities.Mrs. Parks was a delightful, quiet-spoken, well groomed lady who insisted that she was not trying to be an activist, she was simply tired after a long day’s work. On a number of occasions, I was blessed to sit with [Mrs. Parks] and hear stories of significant events in her life.
In her memory, Metro DC [WMATA] dedicated a bus which is reminiscent of the one on which she was arrested (The Rosa Parks Metrobus). I have had the privilege to portray Mrs. Parks seated on that bus. For me, it was a surreal event as people boarded and thanked my character for the determination that led to a major change in the transportation industry in Montgomery, AL and around the country.
Speaking about that day in 1955, President Barack Obama said: “In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures, she helped change America and change the world.”
Rosa Parks was a woman whose character led her to take a stand, to sit down, so that we may walk in pride with our heads held high. We thank you, God, for placing Rosa McCauley Parks in our midst.
SOURCES: Academy of Achievement; Organizing for Action, barackobama.com; goodreads.com (For more information on Rosa Parks, check out CBN.com)
(Contributing Writer: Mary Bates-Washington)
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(iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac Computers)
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ANDROID DEVICES
(Smart Phones and Tablets that use Google Play Store for apps)
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NEED HELP?
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