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Page B6-The Chronicle, Thursday, May 3, 1984
Focus On Religion
Preaching and ]
By ROBIN ADAMS
Chronicle Staff Writer
When other young boys were busy shooting marbles or
playing cowboys and Indians, Dr. Jerry Drayton was in
the neighborhood cemetery preaching to the tombstones.
t4l have always felt that I was born for that
(preaching)," Drayton says. "I knew I was born to be a
preacher."
Almost a half a century later, Drayton, 65, is still
hut, tr> thf, Tn?rnhprc rtf
Bethef Baptist Cfttncfr.
But Drayton didn't move smoothly from the cemetery
in his hometown of Savannah, Ga., to his church on
t? N
Trade Street. First, he had to "con" his way into getting
an education.
"I left Savannah, Ga., with 50 cents in my pocket,"
* Drayton says. "I conned the president of Moorehouse
(College) into letting me enroll with the understanding
that I would pay so much per month.
"At the end of most months I couldn't pay my bill,"
he says. "I never took my final exams on time because
my bill wasn't paid up. But somehow I managed to finish
and when I left there my luck changed. I went to Howard
(University) on a scholarship and maintained an A
average."
During his second quarter at Howard, Drayton, at the
insistence of a friend, visited Winston-Salem, spoke at
New Bethel as a visiting speaker, and subsequently was
asked to become the church's Dastor.
- r
He accepted, and on the second Sunday in June,
Drayton will be celebrating his 40th year as New BethePs
pastor.
As he leans back in his corner desk, barely able to be
seen behind stacks of books, Drayton says it has been a
good 40 years. Many of those years have been spent tending
to his pastoral duties and fulfilling the spiritual
needs of his congregation, but many others have been
spent gaining a reputation as one of the state's most vocal
and active citizens.
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CALENDAR
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Compiled by Lucille Douthit
FRIDAY. MAY,44^14* h
.v " . . ? " ;*
Saint Fauls Episcopal Church at 520 Summit St.
will celebrate May Fellowship Day at the church
from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event is to observe and
celebrate the customs of Spanish-speaking families in
the community.
SUNDAY, MAY 6
The Nurse's Board of Zion Mmeorial Baptist
Church at 101 N. Dunleith Ave, will present its annual
Fellowship Tea at the church at 4 pan.
i
| on File Street at 3 p.m. The Rev. J. Donald .Ballard,
[guest speaker. AU missionariesfare urged to Vear
white for the occasion. K1
$ - " * - ffm.
^TtlESDAY, MAY 8
The Winston-Salem\Day Chapter of the Women's
Aglow Fellowship wilKmeet at the Central YMCA
from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The guest speaker wi|l be4
Blaine Berryhill, a teacher of God's word.
the Chronicle welcomes church calendar notices.
A nnouncements should be concise and typed or neatly
printed. They should also include the day, time,
place and sponsors of the event, plus a number to call
for additional information. Announcements should
be addressed to the Winston-Salem Chronicle
- -
Founder's Day to begin
On Sunday, May 6, Zion Hill Baptist Church will begin
a week of services in observance of their fifth annual
Founder's Day at the church at 2920 N. Greenway Ave.
at 7:30 p.m.
The initial service will feature the Rev. Joseph R.
Samuels and members of St. Stephens Baptist Church as
guests.
Zion Hill was first organized in April 1979.
The founders and charter members of the church are
the Rev. Oscar B. and Mrs. Pansy Cook, Deacon Troy
and Mrs. Queen Bradley, Deacon E.T. and Mrs. Leola
Fowler, Deacon Theodore and Mrs. Ruby Welch,
Deacon Lara W. Browning, Mrs. Elaine S. Grant and
Mr. James Watlington.
Guest churches and pastors for the remainder of the
week will be the Rev. J.T. Miller of Beulah Baptist
^ Church on Monday, the Rev. W.F. Sheppard of the
Community Baptist Church on Tuesday, the Rev. John
L. Adams of St. John CME Church on Wednesday, the
f Rev. Kenneth Davis of Spencer Memorial Church of
Christ on Thursday and the Rev. E.L. Clark Jr. of Second
New Bethel Baptist Church.
The final service will be held Sunday, May 13, at the 11
a.m. worship service.
The Rev. Oscar B. Cook is host pastor.
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Reil$
Church Calendar, Focus On Relij
politics do mix
Although he has not been personally criticized,
Drayton says many people assume that a minister belongs
in the pulpit and should not concern himself with wordly
matters.
"My job as a minister is to save the whole man,"
Drayton says. "Man is more than spirit. You can be
spiritually saved and socially and economically lost.
There is no way you can serve the whole man and not get
involved in politics.
"As blacks, it's stupid to just talk about spirit and ser
here art earth. 1 want to go to heaven, just like everybody
else, and I'm working on going to heaven. But I'm in no
hurry to get there. I want to enjoy myself down here."
And he practices what he preaches. For example, every
Monday, Drayton delivers food gathered the previous
Sunday to the Crisis Control Ministries. He daily en"Man
is more than spirit. You can be spiritually
saved and socially and economically lost. "
? Dr. Jerry Drayton
courages people to register and vote and his church built
a low-income housing project.
"I also try to teach people to learn self-help," Drayton
says, "and not to be completely dependent on anybody."
Drayton's formula for becoming a successful minister {
and a civil rights activist has worked for him. He has *
weathered three mayors in Winston-Salem, has the 1
distinction of holding the title of many firsts, is a member
of numerous boards of directors, including Wachovia >
Bank and Trust Co., serves as chairman of the Political (
Action Committee of the General Baptist State Conven- <
tion and was appointed by Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. to
head the state's Human Relation* fnmmiccinn
"What I have accomplished is due to the philosophy of t
Moorehouse," says Drayton as he lights one of the many f
cigarettes he smokes. "They taught the graduates to go j
into a community and to never be second, but to always 1
Church Notes
First Lady honored
The Hospitality Club of Macedonia True Vine
Penecostal Holiness Church Inc. honored their First
Lady, Mrs. Gwendolyn M. Johnson, at a First Lady's
Brunch in the fellowship hall of the church Saturday,
April 28.
The decor consisted of a spring theme.
First ladies Mrs. John Adams, Mrs. H.L. Moore, Mrs.
J. Ray Butler and Evangelist Lois Moore paid tribute to
the honoree.
The club also presented Mrs. Johnson with an arrangement
of spring flowers and a monetary gift.
Mrs. Melinee Lytle is president of the club.
Choir to mark 25 years
The Young Adult Choir of the Mt. Calvary Holy
Church at 930 E. 14th St., where Bishop H.I. Williams
and Evangelist Shirley Ceaser are co-pastors, will
celebrate its 25th year of service Friday, May 4, at 7:30
p.m. at the church.
The program will feature the Celestial Singers, the New
Day Ensemble, C.C. Turner Calvary Hill Church Choir (
and the Mt. Calavary Youth Choir.
The anniversary will continue Sunday, May 6, beginning
at 4 p.m. Featured guests will include the Gospel ^
Stylistics. j
Ceasar will also take part in the anniversary celebra- <
tion.
The choir is under the leadership of Lenora Eldridge.
Hazel Archie serves as the director. <;
v.
The Chancel Choir of Wentz Memorial United Church of s
Christ at 3435 Carver Road will present a concert Sun- I
day, May 6, at 4 p.m. to culminate the church's Rejicand c
Blue Pew Rally. v
The concert, which is dedicated to Mrs. Qliyia^B.
Brown, will include music by composers Undine S. ^
Moore, John W. Work, Tallis, Mendelhessohn, 2
Lovelace, Katherine Davis, Ron Nelson, Virgil Thomp- F
son and Leonard Bernstein.
Maryma Holmes of Chillum Heights, Md., will be the v
guest soloist. Guest accompanist will be James Kinchen. *
John Newman is choir director and organist. Dr. ^
Marion Blair serves as pastor.
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Rev. Leak to speak
t
Fellowship services will begin Friday, April 4, at 7:30 c
p.m. at the City of God in Prayer Fellowship at 2201 23rd t
St. N.E.
The Rev. Gwat Leak will be the guest speaker at the c
Friday evening service. \
On Saturday, May 5, evangelists Barbara Nash and }
Annette Thompson will be the guest speakers. c
The Rev. Charlie Clemmons will be the guest speaker f
at the 11 a.m. worship service and on Sunday night, the c
Revs. Lewis Hunter, Larry Gordon and Larry Butler will
be the guest speakers. t
All nightly services will begin at 7:30 p.m. h
The Rev. Anna Carter Lester is pastor. n
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jion, Church Notes, Obituaries
^ *"'*?*' v ' fl
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. 9K
\t age 65, Dr. Jerry Drayton, pastor of New Bethc
if the state's most politically active citizens. Wh
lames Parker).
ie in the forefront."
Like all other movers and shakers, Drayton is not
-vithout his critics. To today's organizers, Drayton's way
if advocating changes for black and poor people is outdated
and ineffective.
44 You can't force those in power to do what they don't
vant to do," says Drayton. 44If you do, it will only be
emporary. Going in and negotiating is the best method,
vty way is the most effective and the most stable. You
ust note us (negotiators) and see how much is achieved.
Then see how much is achieved through demanding."
m*:- . *
Bishop J.C. Richardson
Council to convene
The United Council of the Apostle Church of Christ in
}od will convene today through Sunday, May 6, at St.
ohn Apostle Church of God in Christ at 1131 East 21st
>t., where Elder Harry E. Millner serves as pastor.
n. T r- r>;-t ? o ?? ? " " ?
vj\ . j .\_. ivitnaruson 01 iviarunsviiie, va., is the
>residing bishop and Dr. W.J., Jackson of Winston>alem
serves as the vice-bishop.
This year's convention theme is^'Bless The Lord O My
>oul And All That Is Within Me, Bless His Holy Name."
fnrhwdgfl at ilira irrnwwJiaiii viB W ant inh ^nii afcttrtwit
ioui\, business ses&iom, .seminars, a Jailtion show, a misionary
program on Friday night and panel discussions.
)r. Lelia Vickers, professor of education and coorlinator
of reading at Winston-Salem State University,
vill be the guest seminar leader.
On Saturday from 1-2 p.m., Mrs. Nancy Carree
Wilson will be the gospel concert soloist and beginning at
1:15 p.m. The youth program will include singing and
reaching.
The Saturday night program beginning at 7:30 p.m.
vill be held at Christ Rescue Apostolic Church at 1500 N.
)unleith Ave., where Bishop Willie Davis Jr. is pastor.
W\ other services will be held at St. John's.
The presiding bishop, James Collins Richardson, is a
lative of Newberry County, S.C. He and his wife,
:rances, are the parents of five children.
He attended Piedmont Bible College, Aneon Bible Colege
in Columbus, Ohio, and earned his bachelor of
heology degree at Virginia Seminary and College in Lynhburg,
Va., where he also received an honorary docorate
degree.
Ordained in 1933, Richardson began his pastoral
areer at St. Peter's Church of God (Apostolic) in
Vinston-Salem in 1931 under the late Bishop Eli Neal.
Je presently serves as pastor at Mt. Sinai Apostle Church
>f Christ in God in Martinsville, Va., where he has been
or over 40 years. The bishop also hosts a radio ministry
?n WMVA-AM and FM radio at 10 a.m. Sundays.
He was co-founder and past vice president of the Marinsville
Christian Civic League, a member of the
Martinsville-Henry County NAACP and is a past board
tiember for the Community Hospital of Martinsville.
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Baptist Church, has earned a reputation as one
at's next? A "slowing down," he says (photo by
But as can easily be seen by the graying, thinning hair " ~
on the top of his head, the time is shortly approaching -i
when Drayton will have to slow dowm One look at his v:
calendar, crammed with at least three appointments a
day, the quickness of his tongue and his fleeing feet lets "~
one know that that time won't be too soon.
"In time, I will start winding down," he says. "I have
been involved in so many major changes that I don't ;?
know of anything now but winding down. I finally got in
the position where I could do officially some of the things
1 wanted to do."
3?A*
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Special events to begin
In observance of the National Week for Peace and
Justice, several events are scheduled in Winston-Salem
today through May 13.
The Winston-Salem Church Committee on South
Africa will sponsor a forum on South Africa tonight at *
7:30 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church at 916 E. 12th Street. ;
The speakers for the forum will be Dr. G. McLeod
Bryan, professor of religion at Wake Forest University ::
and author of several publications on Africa, and noted :
writer, poet, playwright and professor at Wake Forest,
Maya Angelou. :
Bryan will focus on the origins of apartheid, resistance w
to it and the current situation in South Africa. Angelou
will read some of her award-winning poetry and reflect r; on
the life and people of Africa. Introducing the two
educators will be Dr. Elwanda Ingram, professor of
English and communications at Winston-Salem State
University, and the Rev. William E. Gramley of the
Moravian Church.
The Revs. J. Ray Butler and Carlton A.G. Eversely,
rhairman r\f !/*/.?! ? ??* * * * '
?ntut muii \ji l11w tuwai cuiuiiiiucc un souin /\inca, will
also take part in the program.
Ministers of synagogues and churches in the WinstonSalem
community are urged to help their congregations
observe Peace Sabbath during the May 4-6 weekend by
including prayers and sermons on the topics of peace and
justice in their worship or study discussion times.
The Committee on South Africa aims to educate the
community about the oppression of blacks in that country
and offer solutions to Winston-Salem and Forsyth
County about what they can do as Americans to help.
On Monday, May 7, the Community Alliance for
Nuclear Disarmament (CAN-Disarm) will sponsor the
film "U.S. Versus U.S.S.R." at 7:30 p.m. at the Main
Library at 660 W. Fifth St.
Michael Landen, a represenative of CAN-Disarm and
Piwhwowt Phyjwwws for -Oww) Kispuimbitfty, will ^?
introduce the film and Dr.
professor of political science at Wake Forest, will discuss
the Soviet Union^and answer questions on the Russian
approach to foreign policy.
On Tuesday, May 8, Dr. and Mrs. James Clapper, who
chair the program committee for CAN-Disarm, will present
a "Beyond War Orientation" at First Christian
Church at 2430 Country Club Road at 7:30 p.m. They
will present the short film "Beyond War ? A New Way
of Thinking" and explain how technoloav has man* wor
obsolete. Dr. Clapper is the associate dean of the Babock
Graduate School of Management at Wake Forest.
Vern and Esther Mock will present slides and make a
presentation about their February trip to Nicarauga on
Friday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library. The
Mocks participated in the "Witness For Peace" project
along the Nicarauga-Honduras border that was coordinated
by the Carolina Inter faith Task Force on Central
America and other Protestant and Catholic orgnaizations
across the country. . /
The final event of the National Week for Peace will
take place on Mother's Day, May 13, at 4 p.m. in Grace
Park at the corner of Fourth and Glade streets. Dr.
Daniel Jungkuntz from the School of Pastoral Care of
Baptist Hospital will discuss hope and later involve par- ::
ticipants by having them give their own sense of hope.
Music will be part of the program. The Parenting for ^
Peace Committee of Winston-Salem, coordinated by the
Revs. Linda Kusse-Wolfe and Marilyn Taylor, is sponsoring
the event. :
For further information, contact the Rev. William E.
Gramley at 722-8126 or 748-8588.