Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / June 20, 1991, edition 1 / Page 23
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Religion B9 Playwright delivers message . * * * , . ? ? ? . ? , % -**?.' " ? ">..?> \ Deliver Me Up' makes its debut at Emmanuel Baotist By YVcTTfc n. freeman Chronicle Staff Writer . A local playwright has more than enter tainment on his mind when he sits down to write his plays. Nathan Ross Freeman wants to get the community involved; not just in the play itself, but what the play is about This is especiallytrue w i th h i s new product i o n "Deliver Me Up," which will make its stage debut June 22, 23, 29 and 30 at Emmanuel Baptist Church. The play focuses on a ten-year-old boy named Little Louie, who witnesses a drug related murder. Throughout the play, the issues of drug-related drive-by shootings, chil dren getting involved in drug rings and the role of the church in the war on drugs are explored. Freeman who wrote the play based on an idea conceived by producer Hayward Collins of Los Angeles, says "...What we wanted to do was write a play that would petition more involvement on the part of the church, in terms of being the vanguard in the communi ty; as a major participant in the war against cultural entertainment mediums that are, in fact, launching themes dealing with the war on drugs." Willette Thompson, who is the senior res ident actress with the Nathan Ross Freeman Playwrights' Showcase Ensemble and portrays "Esther" in the play believes it achieves that goal. "I think it's an incredible piece of work because it does just that. It does get the church involved. It makes a statement that I think a lot of people have wanted to hear or wanted to say, but for various reasons, may or may not have." Freeman also stated that, "the church has always been a force of resurgence for the African-American , historically in this coun try. It has been the vehicle in which we have risen fromtheashes, in trying id attempt hope ful lives, and where we actually made gains in improving the quality of life." Getting churches more involved in the social problems of the community is not the only effect Freeman hopes his production will have on the audience. He also says that he would like to see "A spiritual uplifting, in terms of attitudes towards all of the things that are happening with us. Because the play not only deals with the war on drugs, it (jeals with the family; it deals with marriage; it deals with the idea that miracles can happen. We're not talking about television evangelistic litage mir acles. We're talking about miracles as it relates to reeling and encouraging hope in a society where all the institutions; religious, political, social and otherwise, have been frus trating people in terms of positive hope ener tt - ? gy Thompson agrees saying, "One of the things I like most about it is that even though it covers kind of a tragic issue, it leaves a lot of room for hope. It makes people feel hope ful when they I6ave; hopeful enough to get involved." "Deliver Me Up" is based on events that have been happening throughout the country with young African Americans and drugs, but it is not an autobi ographical depiction based on any one per son or persons. "It's based on true life events only to the extent that if you look in your newspapers, in any given city, for any given week or month, we have statistics that resemble this situa tion," commented Freeman. He added that although it is a true-to-life depiction, "Deliver Me Up" and other artistic endeav orsJ>ased on current events, do not really make as powerful a statement as life itself. He said, HI think any thing projected; I don't care how real or how "prolific; is an under statement of actually what's going on in terms of what you call true to-life drama out there in the streets." One "true-to- life drama" currently going on in the community that seems to hit close to home as far as the theme of "Deliver Me Upt" is the Church Network Program, in which five area churches recently adopted the Cleve land Avenue Homes Community to help improve the quality of life in that area for the residents, who live in fear each day because of drugs in the community. Freeman says he is very glad to see that kind of interaction between the churches and the community, and that his play is by no means critical of church ^ ? - . . . Photo by Mike Cunningham -Pictured (left-right) are Larry Rice, the Rev. John Heath, and Margaret Tucker Johnson. wlth Aaron Salley (front, center). es that have not initiated involvement in the solutions to social problems affecting African Americans. "We're not only encouraging that something happen, because the play is not a critique, in terms of what the churches have not been doing but rather a celebration and endorsement of what is being done, and a statement of theme that there cannot be too much that can be done. So, the project out in Cleveland Avenue is a very beautiful thing that's happened. It's happened not only in this city, but it's happening in cities throughout the country. We're saving our own lives, and the church is probably the most powerful institu _tion thaU capable of doing that. The church and the arts, I think right now, are basically, the last bastion of defense and offense, when you talk destruction of our communities...," he stated. That is one reason the play is being pre sented at Emmanuel Baptist Church, where the Rev. John Mendez is pastor. Freeman says Mendez has always been interested in uniting the efforts of the arts and the church, and "Deliver Me Up" was the perfect opportunity to do so. "I sought him out because of my Please see page B10 ? CHURCH CALENDAR ? v s . - S. ___ -, , ss" --X^, ...... ^.< IMypii HN SATURDAY, JUNE 22 1 %g^be Church Network Program of p? Cleveland Avenue Homes will sponsor ?f *$5lbthes Giveeway*;%oday from to a.m, 10 Ipja. at the Cleveland Avenue Homes! ResourceCenteifiOw^bn 15th Stteet. Ftemore information, call (919) 785-1268,. ??Christ Rescue TtempleApostolic Church, 1500 R Ounleith Ave., will host Elder Joseph I^as and Community Tabernacle of Wendell, N.C. The Youth Department wilf have refreshments for sale in ?he church parking lot from 11am. -4 p.m. ? A "Ministers Song" will he the first in a series of activities sponsored by the Good Neighbor CJutfcheld at St?P80t United Methodist Church, 318 Church St., Kemersville, at| 7 p.m. Minsters are asked to call Mis. Dimple Warren at 722-8831 or Mrs. Sylvia Brooks at 993-3716 to offer their services in song. 1 # MM M ! SUNDAY, JUNE 23 - > The Emmanuel Baptist Church Christian Singles Club will presem "Ministers In Song, " today ac4pj^ lwtt?edmfte prolan will be the Rev. Walter Mack, Elder John:; Heath, Pastor Fftte&jincan Thomas and other ministers from the surrounding areas. Eman nuel is iocated at 1075 Shalimar Drive. Peggy Knox is president of the EBC Christian Sin gles Club. The Rev. John Mendez is pastor. For more information, contact Peggy Knox at (919)761-0826. ? St, Mark's Baptist Quitch Willing Workers will present their annual "12 TVibes of Israel" at 7 p.m. at 1100 Manley St ? Evangelist Joshua C.jHoskins will be speaking at the 4 pan. service at Scales Memo rial Chapel. - ? * * Jcthn Wesley AME SHon Church will observe their annual Homecoming Day. Dinner will follow the morning services and the Rev. James Conrad Sr. will be the guest speaker for the 3 p-m. service. : , ? ; ? Cleveland Ave. Ouistian Church will present a one-act play, "Hotel Heaven," at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend. . : ? The Steward Board of Wayside CUE Church, 3780 Carver School Rd? will sponsor an Olde F^shkmed Service at 4pJtL with the Rev. Marcus Durham as guest speaker. ? ? The deacorur and trustees of Rising Ebeoezer Baptist Church will celebrate their anniversary at 4 pjh. The fl|||^)iipeaker will be Dr. Robert D; Abort; pastor of Mt: Pleasant Baptist Church of Richburg, S.C. ? If ? The Adult Choir of Benbotf Chapel AME Zion Church. East Bend, will be in concert at 3 pjn, at New/TlMty fcaptist Church, located at the corner of 22nd St. and Claremont ) Ave. |i v * ? - - ' 1 H 1 1 1 1 ."s I ? TheSeniortfcher Board cfUnioaChapel Baptist Church will celebrate their anniver- ; ary at 4 p.m. The congregation of New Hope AME Zion Church in Lewisville will be the guests. / ' ?1 | llll | | ??; - 9MM Wmecomujg service of Pleasant Un.on Primitive JtmB. I0& St, will be Observed at 1 i aon., followed by dinner. Hie afters noon speaker will be Elder Progressive Baptist Church. ? St, Bendict's Catholic Church will host a Community Meeting at 6:30 pjn. to discuss nwghborhood improvements, safety and security, and beautification. Various members of the city staff will bepresent to give atxjwes on neighborhood projects. ? The Mmitfers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity will host its annual picnic for members at 6p.m. under the pavilion at Friendship Bapt.st Church, 1317 R Cherry St M REVIVALS , -^i^^MissionaryB^Hist Church. 3010 Carver School Rd.. will hold a revival fiTOTJune24 through^ 28 wth***ie*? ? p.m. nightly. The Rev. Christopher Young of FfebffeHi Baptist Own^ JIwdovltlev N.C., wilt be the evangelist for the week. PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS F : > Pin^yprove Baptist Church, 4715 Indiana Ave., will hold weekly prayer services and Bible #udy?lasse*wei? Wednesday sight ? 7 pan. - ' ~ ? On Sunday, June 2, Ooler Memorial A.ME. Zion Church, 630 N. Patterson Ave., began its "summer schedule." Sunday church school will begin at 9 a.m. and morning wor ship will start *tl0 mm. This achedule will be observed through Sunday, September 1 . 1 * Emmanuel Baptist ^Jturdi-; lOft-Shal imar Dr? will hold its annual Vacation Bible School June 6*8 pjn. nightly. If you are in need of transportation, call 788-7023. ? ' ? Ooler Metropolitan ChuK& will have a week of services June 24-28 to celebrate the :bii^*nmversar^lThe Saturday sight banquet speaker will be alderman Viigtnia The New Generation Chorale New Generation Chorale in concert David L. Allen and the Spirit of Life Community Choir will present "Ricky Dillard's New Generation Chorale of Chicago, 111., live in concert Sunday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ambassador Cathe dral, located at 1500 Harriet Tubman Drive. Bishop Frederick D. Patterson is the host pastor. Advance donations of $5 tickets may be purchased at the church. The event will be a DLA Music Min istry Production. -A The New Generation Chorale, often referred to as "New G," came about as the result of a fund raising benefit concert that assisted a local suburban church. After a tremendous amount of requests for other singing engagements, New Generation Chorale was officially * organized March 1, 1988 under the lead ership of Ricky Dillard. Bishop Marst The congregation of Christ Cathedral Church of Deliverance of the Greater Church of Deliverance, Inc., will host a Consecrational Banquet for their Presiding Pastor and Prelate, Bishop Freddie B. Mar shall, in celebration of his elevation to the Office of the Bishopric Saturday, June 22, at 6 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the The Stouffer Winston Plaza Hotel. Chief celebrant will be Bishop C. L. Johnson, D.D., and assisting celebrant will be Bishop T. R. Rice, D. D. Master of cere monies will be Bishop Lawrence S. Tate. Keynote speaker at the banquet will be Bishop L. V. Stennis, Ph.D. Bishop Marshall is the son of Fred and Geraldine Marshall and is a graduate of East Forsyth High School. He continued his academic studies at Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina Central Univer sity, and James W. Teamer School of Reli gion. He is married to the former Sheri T. all celebrates Bratcher. They have one son, Freddie Alexander III. Starting his ministry in the Old Ritz Theater building in February 1990, the 22 year-old bishop moved his congregation, which now numbers 200 active members, to the church's currcnt location on the corner of Dunleith Avenue and Second Street. His deliverance ministry, which emphasizes ministering to the total person, has attracted a congregation that has a growing number of young people. The new church location was pur chased by the members of the congregation from the tithes they contribute regularly to the church, something that Bishop Marshall stresses. At the lime of the church dedica tion last dimmer, he expressed confidence that the remaining church mortgage would be paid within a vcf> short period of time because of the commitment of the church's members. Bishop Freddie B. Marshall Bishop Marshall oversees churches in five districts. The first annual convocation will be held at Christ Cathedral September 10-15. \
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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June 20, 1991, edition 1
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