THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1989 -
B5
North Forsyth Gospel Ensemble
sings strictly to please the Lord
By ROBIN BARKSDALE
Community Now
A group of North Forsyth students is saying "no"
to teen-age vices and "yes" to a lifestyle of Christian
values.
The members of the North Forsyth Gospel Ensem
ble sing at churches and other events around the city.
But, they insist, they are more than just a group of kids
_ who sing Christian songs. ? '
"This gives us a chance to minister to people
everywhere and tell them how we feel about God," said
Toni Hines. "We love the Lord and we want to tell
everybody about that We especially want other young
people to see how we feel and how happy it makes us."
"We're setting our lives toward God and Godly
things instead of sitting around on the corner," said
Cynthia Coleman. "Most young people have not
accepted Christ in their lives. I think we're setting a
99 We're not weird or anything. We just
enjoy singing gospel music. We're full of
energy. Mostly, everybody is in the church.
We get out and do things. It's just that now
most of our time is dedicated to the Lord. 99
~ Dwight LinviUe
good example."
The ensemble was formed in December when
Tomorris Home decided to pursue his dream of bring
ing young people together to sing about God. Mr.
Home said that he knew that there were other young
people who shared both his passion for singing and for
- using their talents to serve God.
"This was andream for me," said Mr Home, the
ensemble's pianist "Some people had asked me to do
this, and I just hadn't gotten to it before. I knew that
there were some talented people in this school, so 1
decided to start a group."
Since December, the ensemble has been invited to
appear throughout the city and in some out-of-town
areas. They quickly are gaining a word-of-mouth repu
tation and demand for their appearances is increasing.
But group members said that they are slightly disap
pointed that they have not had more of an opportunity
to share their songs with their peer group. The group
has appeared on the program at two of the school's
assemblies. They wish they had more opportunities.
"Some of the kids who have heard us before have
asked if we could be on the program at some assem
blies, but so far we have only been on two," said Ms.
Hines. "I don't know what it is, but hopefully they'll let
us be at more assemblies."
Dwight Linville, president of the ensemble and one
of the group's tenors, said that the group practices three
times each week. Anyone is invited to audition for
membership, with the major prerequisite being the abil
ity to sing. He said that group members put in a lot of
hours practicing and perfecting the songs that they sing,
but despite the opinions of some of their peers, they are
not "squares" or social misfits who are out of touch
with the things that teen-ager^ enjoy.
"Don't get me wrong. We like to go to movies and
do things like other kids," he said. "We're not weird or
anything. We just enjoy singing gospel music. We're
full of energy. Mostly, everybody is in the church. We
get out and do things. It's just that now most of our time
is dedicated to the Lord."
"We joke around a lot, but when it's time to prac
tice, we practice," said Ms. Coleman. We're serious
about what we do, but we do have fun, too. Sometimes
we argue but we're sort of like a family. We argue and
we have fun, just like in any other family."
Because they are a talented group of musicians, the
students could have chosen to become involved with
any number of musical pursuits. But they stress that
singing gospel music is a conscious decision for them
to spread their message among young people.
"This is a good way to inspire people in this school
to get into church, 11 said Terry Johnson, the drummer
for the ensemble. "It's better to be in church than in the
world. We sing gospel music because we can get more
into it than rap musiC7 Rapls everywhere but gospel is
inspirational. It makes you feel like going on to better
things in life. We're all drug-free and we're singing
about how we feel about the Lord."
Many members of the group are "PKs," or preach
ers' kids, but the members said that does not exempt
them from some of the usual teen-age rebellion about
church. The group said, too, that being in the ensemble
has changed some of their attitudes about church and
God and had major effects on their lives.
"Before I went out on Saturdays, my mother
always would tell me that no matter how late I came in,
I still had to get up and go to church on Sunday morn
ing," said Ms. Lockhart "When I got into this group, it
helped me understand why I was going to church. At
- -? > : I
photo by Sam Greenwood
The North Forsyth Gospel Ensemble was formed last December and members say that they
enjoy spending time just sharing their love of Christ with their peers and the community.
first, I wasn't really getting anything out of it. Now I
am.H
Another group member agreed.
"A lot of us are TOs.' I'm a PK.' I've always gone
to church. It used to be because someone
or because it was what was expected of me," said Jacin
ta Turner, an alto. "Since, I've been in this group I feel
that I understand better why I'm going to church and
what things mean, Now I get up on my own and I get
' ready to go. I'm anxious. This has inspired a whole
new spiritual outlook for me." -
Loretta Salter said that being in the group "gave
me a better outlook on life and encouraged me to stay
on the right track."
The ensemble is a sorted lot. Some of the members
are children of ministers, others are not. Some of them
are "saved" and some are not. There have been around
the church their entire lives and are just discovering life
within the church. Some of them socialize frequently
and others are more introverted. But they are bound by
their mutual interest in making Christ first in their lives
and by their desire to illustrate that in their music. ^
"We sing to the glory of God," said Tina Hauser, an
alto with the ensemble. "If we only touch one person
with our songs, then that person can touch somebody
else. But even if no one else responds to us, we can feel
good because we know that we're doing good. This also
tells the public how different denominations can work
together and be successful. We're from all different
denominations and we all work together."
The students are serious about what they do and
are quick to point out the- distinction between perform
ing and singing in concert
* "We don't perform," said Ms. Hauser. "We sing.
We don't consider what we do performing. We don't try
to fake anything in public. If we want to shout, we
shout. If we want to cry, we cry. But it's the same in
rehearsal. It's something that we feel, and it's not like
the feelings are just something we do to make the audi
ence react. Even if they don't respond at all, we know
how we feel about what we are doing."
Other group members are Camille Sprinkle, Janet.
Clyburn, Tracey Commodore, Amanda Harris,
DeShaunda Hampton, Yvette McCloud, Donsuella
Dykes, Von Clark, Nelson Little, Maurice LeGrant,
David LeGrant and Tonya Turner.
former H&ppy Hill Gcirdens
mKiriant pitches rlrug a hi ise preventing
. By RbBIN BARKSOALE
? Community News Editor
Like many young boys in
Happy Hill Gardens, Chris Barber
had to sidestep obstacles during his
childhood to avoid getting into seri
ous trouble. He found a way out
through athletics and now is a
member of the NFL's Cincinnati
Bengals. But he says he hasn't been
gone so long that he can't remember
how tough it is for kids to avoid
drugs and handle peer pressure.
Mr. Barber returned to his old
neighborhood last Friday to talk
with youngsters about staying free
of drugs and developing their minds
as well as their bodies. He appeared
as a guest of the STEP ONE Out
reach's Happy Hill Gardens com
munity program, coordinated by
Geraldine Winfield. Admitting that
a lecture was the last thing kids
wanted to hear, Mr. Barber said he
hoped simply to talk with them
about common sense.
"This is not a time for me to
come up here and preach. We all
know what we need to do," said the
Parkland High School graduate.
^Professional football was some
thing that I wanted to do, but I did
n't know if I'd be able to or not I
had to ask myself some important
questions, like was I willing to
work harder and was I satisfied with
myself."
Mr. Barber said he realized that
the answer to both questions was
"no" and that he needed to work
harder both on school and his ath
letics in order to achieve. His deter
mination, he said, was boosted by
the fact that he saw many of his
friends' lives destroyed by drugs.
"I saw a lot of my friends get
involved with drugs. It wasn't as big
a problem as it is now, but it was
problem enough to steer guys who
were great athletes the wrong way."
Mr. Barber's brother. Sterling,
was a standout high school athlete,
and those who knew him predicted
a virtually guaranteed professional
athletic career. But a 1985 accident
rendered Sterling a quadraplegic;
his athletic career was ended. Intro
ducing his brother, Sterling asked
his young audience to consider
what they would do if they sudden
CHURCH
CALENDAR
SATURDAY; JUNE 3
? White Rock Baptist Church will hold a yard, plate and sandwich salt
at 9 ajn. The Rev. J?. Mickens Is pastor.
? Registration for 10 weeks Shilohian-SL Peter's Summer Enrichment
Camp will be held June 3 and June 10 from 8:30 ajn. to 12:30 p.m. at
Shilohian-St. Peter's Day Care Center in the old Brown Elementary
School Building, 1125 NJL Highland Ave. Camp will begin June 12.
The program is for ages 5 and a half to 12. Special activities and field
trips have been organized. The program offers foreign language, sign
language and music/band as a special attraction. Registration will be on
a first come, first served basis* ft>r more information call 724-5013 or
724-5035;
? Bethlehem AME Zion Church's Trustee Board will hold a barbecue
plate dinner sale from noon to 7-p.m; Deep-fried fish dinners also will
Please see paoe BS
photos by Sam Greenwood
Chris Barber discusses the dangers of drug abuse with Happy Hill Gardens youngsters and
lends a helping hand to his brother, Sterling.
ly were unable to compete in sports, could play in the pros, but I'm the he saw how Sterling adjusted and
"When I was a kid, I had a reality of what can happen to was able to set goals and use his
dream to play professional football, plans." mind to accomplish those goals,
but that ended up not being possi- Mr. Barber said that his broth- "My brother really influenced
ble," said Sterling. "I thought I er's accident motivated him because me. He was gifted as an athlete," he
said. "His accident set him back --
as far as 46otbalk It may have
stopped him as far as his future in
football, but that's all. If .you want
to be doctors, lawyers or teachers,
you can do it But you have to pie
pare yourselves now and you can't
do that if you're involved with
drugs."
Mr. Barber said also that young
residents of Happy Hill Gardens, or
any other housing project, should
not be discouraged by the stigmas
other people place on them because
of where they live. "We all grew up
in Happy Hill Gardens, and we did
n't let that stop us," said Mr. Barber,
who attended A&T State Universi
ty. "A lot of people from this com
munity are making something of
themselves and you all can do the
same thing."
Mr. Barber said that sometimes
he finds himself getting all caught
up in the glitz and glamour that can
come with professional athletics.
His visit last week, he said, was one
of the those occasions which he sets
aside to give back to the community
that raised him.
International Gospel Fellowship to gather at Ambassadors Cathedral
The summer workshop session for the workshop will include, Elder A mass choir rehearsal session Other guests will include the
of the Interdenominational Gospel Robert Taylor of Philadelphia, will be held Monday through Rev. Charles Lyles, Peggy Britt,
Fellowship will convene June 5 to Monday, June 5; Evangelist Shirley Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and on Fri- Leo "Bubba" Taylor, the Rev. Fred
11 at Ambassadors Cathedral, 1500 Caesar-Williams, Tuesday, June 6; day at 7:30 p.m. Evening services die Washington, Rudy Brown,
Harriet Tubman Drive. Pastor Barbara Amos of Chesa- will be held Thursday through James McKay, Ezekiel Williams,
peake, Va.; Wednesday, June 7; the Thursday at 8. A "midnight special" Andrew Jones, John Kee and Daryi
The minister of music for the Rev. Richard "Mr. Clean" White of program is scheduled for 11 p.m. Coley.
week will be A. Jeffrey La Valley of Atlanta, Thursday, June 8, Friday, Friday and a "Saturday Night Live"
Flint, Mich. June 9, and Saturday, June 10. event is planned for Saturday at 8 Registration is $10 for adults
Guest activities and speakers - p.m. and $5 for children under 12.
Senior Services organization plans special session, 'Our Elders ~
Ourselves,' to assist area adults learning to care for family members
"Our Elders -- Ourselves," A panel of eight geriatric alternate living options and at the Senior Services main
a one dav workshop for adults specialists will address such psychological, physical and office conference center,
learnina about caring for topics as medical aspects of social changes in agmg. located on the third floor of
aging parents, will be held aging. Alzheimer's disease the Tobacco Square building,
Thursday, June 15, from 8:30 feelings and family issues and The registration fee, which 838 Oak St.
am to 3:30 p.m. at Senior communication includes a box lunch, is $20. ? -
c',vir?. Tnr The group also will dis- For more information, call
cuss community resources. The workshop will be held Val Forcier at 724-2155. * ?