Newspapers / The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, … / Oct. 20, 2005, edition 1 / Page 14
Part of The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
6B RELIGION/a^e Clarlont $o«t Thursday, October 20, 2005 Catholic church celebrates its long integrated history THE ASSCKlATtJ) PRESS MEMPHIS—'Hiere weren’t many faces that looked like hers when Bettye Coe Don ahue started going to mass at St. Therese-Little Flower, Same for Helen Evans. But today these Afncan- American women are part of a congregation that includes black and white, Hispanic, Asian, Irish and Italian mem bers. “Black men cooking Irish stew!” Donahue, 68, shakes her head and laughs when she talks about the food at her church “That’s the kind of stuff you get at Little Flower, Barbecue sandwich es, soul food, Italian. That’s the kind of parish we are now, thanks to Monsignor Lep- pert." Monsignor Joseph Leppert was the rector at Little Flower when St. Anthony’s, a black Catholic church, closed its doors in 1968, and he’d started inviting members to his church prior to that. “He went to St. Anthony’s and invited the members of that church to join St. Therese parish,” said Rev, Richard Coy, the church’s cur rent pastor. So Little Flower became the first Catholic church in the city to integrate. Leppert, who died in 1976, and the congregation’s rich history are being remembered this month as the church observes its 75th anniversary, including the dedication of the Msgr. Joseph E. Leppert Hall. “Monsignor Leppert said that racism and s^regation of facilities was a moral issue, and that the Catholic church should not wait for the courts, that we should do the ri^t thing first,” Donahue recalled. Still, integration took its toll on the church, upsetting some longtime members. Donahue was one of the early St. Anthony’s members to attend St. Therese. “One or two (black) families was OK,” she said. “Nobody got too upset about that. But when St. Anthony’s closed, it was 50 families.” That was a different story “They raved and ranted, and Monsignor let them, and then he said. This church will be desegregated, and whoever wants to come fiom St. Antho- Please see CATHOLIC/5B California university is the first to host God blogging conference THEASS(KIATED PRESS than gay marriage and abor tion.” At one well-attended work- 8hop-”When Non-Christians Read Your Blog”—Biola Uni versity professor Timothy Muehlhoff gave instructions on writing about faith without alienating nonbelievers. He stressed that God blog ging has the potential to be a “train wreck” because done wrong it can reinforce stereo types of evangelical Chris tians as angry and close- minded “pit bulls of the cul ture wars.” “As Christians today we are embroiled in the ai^^ument culture and we have forgotten this one thing: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’,” he said. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could say we brou^t a level of civility back to the conver sation?” Jackson, who blogs at smartchristian.com, said he wasn’t as sure what long term influence blogging would have on evangelical Christians—but he knew it would be important. “We are just at the begin ning of what is going on,” he said. “We need to start think ing about how we can har ness and focus the Christian blogosphere for greater impact.” On the Net: GcxiBlogCon 2005: w’ww^’odblogcon x:om Biola University: ADVERTISEMENT Gay Episcopal bishop reaches out VIE ASSOCIATED PRFSS CONCORD,NH - At New York’s gay pride parade last spring, marchers and specta tors crowded around Bishop V Gene Robinson for more than three hours. They reached out to touch his hand, cheered, cried and thanked him. Wher. Robinson was elected the ninth Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire two years ago - the first openly gay man to hold such a position in the church - he knew that he and the diocese were making his tory But he didn’t know how completely it would change his fife. Tt sounds soap-operaish to say, but I’m the son of a tobac co sharecropper who didn’t five in a house with running water until I was 10 years old. I can’t believe I’m here, you know. So I find it very dif ficult to be anything but grateful,” he said in a recent interview. Robinson’s new role leaves him juggfing the needs of his diocese, which has 48 parish es and about 16,000 mem bers. with hundreds of invita tions to speak at national and international gatherings fixim people who see his election as a historic step for gays and lesbians. He’s spoken at colleges, churches and synagogues and received a national award fiom a gay ri^ts group in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the demands on Robinson in New Hamp- sliire are no fighter. For example, driving home fiom a late church meeting in a snowstorm last winter, Robinson got a call telling him a priest was suicidal. He quickly went back into the storm on a mission that last ed into the wee hours of the next morning. “The sheer pace of all this is the only really overwhelming thing,” Robinson told The Associated Press. At home, his responsibili ties include diocesan finances, church meetings and priests with personal and spiritual problems. His desire is to be known as a good bish op, not the gay bishop - even if it means small sacrifices, like having no time to lose a few pounds as he promised himself Decisions often require deli cate judgment calls. "What’s the best thing for this congre gation, for this priest? Those kind of decisions take a lot out of you," he said. Last month, Robinson drove north to Plymouth to talk about finances with parish leaders firom around the state. Parishes reported losing some long-term mem bers over the issue of Robin son’s homosexuality But many also reported growth as young families have joined the church. Diocesan officials estimate they're at least even on membership if not slightly ahead. “The spirit of the people is healthy Our participation is good. Our attendance has slowly been buildup back up," said the Rev. Chip Robin son (no relation), rector of the PARKWOOD INSTITUTIONAL Christian Methcxli.st Episcopal Church 802 Tom Hunter Road • Charlotte, NC 28213 7(M-92M9I5(Ph) • 704-921-4917 (Fax) Wedsite: ww w.parkwoQdcmc.com Sunday Worship 8:00 & 11:00 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Bible Studv Wednesday 12 Noon Thursday 6:30 PM TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE Roderick D. Lewi.s, Sr. Pastor I lis last commandment is our first wvnwstukernbcoig aSS^nmCUt. Missionary Baptist Church Bmnday Wortkly Sgirvkwg..,.^ • UiOOui WMlsMiUy. Day Wttrthip 8tudy.l4s90 i KvMklag Vortfaiy ! iter. Clifford Mallhtwt, Jr^ Ptutor • 375-9650 1600 Norris Ayr, > KC 26206 • FAX* 375-6307 Macedonia Baptist Church of CHARLOTTE, INC. "A Ministry of Love and Excellence" Dr. John H. VC^alker, Pastor dr Minister, Rosie talker Nfw Suruiay 10am Worship Experintct “Family First Worship” "As For Me and My Home We Shall Worship The Lord" SUNDAY • Physical Food - (serving hreakhut.}. ’ Spiritual Food • Christian Education School 9 am. * Main Course - "Family Fir« Worship" 10 a.m. "Hour of I\>wer" ..Midday Worship 12 Noon W.O.W. - 'JCbrd On Wednesday Bible 5«udy. 6:30 p.m. TVand RADIO BROADCAST MINISTRY: C.MPAC 21 • • Reioice Radio 1370am • Vt'ed. I0:45a 704-392-8496 •1300.Matteras Avc.,* w'ww.maccdoniaofcharlottc.org (Hiurch of Our Savior in Mil ford. Robinson listened care fully sometimes tilting his head to one side, sometimes joking gently with the group. In conversations afterward, few seemed to resent their bishop’s role on the interna tional stage. Much more evi dent was gratitude that Robinson held the meeting in a spot that shoi*tened the trip for those from northern parishes. “He’s doing his job and he’s doing it well,” said Joe Fluet, senior warden at St. John’s in Wakefield. "I’d never dream of telling another diocese how to pick their bishop, and Fm not much interested in what they think about how we chose our bishop.” Mai*k Andrew, a state health care administrator and Robinson’s partner of 16 years, fi*equently accompa nies Robinson on his visits to churches. "'There he is, he’s in a coat and tie, he looks like a decent enou^ person, he’s not in a dress and high heels carrying a purse,” Robinson jokes. “We look pretty normal. And people love him!” The Prophet’s Column, Inc. 9626 Feldbank Drive Charlotte. NC 28216-2131 October, 2005 Newsletter - Part I J.M. Little, Teacher My Dear Friends: We are glad to greet you again in the Name of our blessed Lord. The greatest thing in all this world is just to know Christ as your Lord and your Saviour. I man/el each day of my life over God saving me, the chief of sinners. How is it between you and the Lord? Do you know Him as a Living Reality to your heart? Or is it just church membership? Oh, may the God of all grace awaken you to the fact that you are a lost sinner. If the Holy Spirit has awakened you to the fact that you are a lost sinner, that is the greatest thing that has happened to you up to this point. Just this last week, I called a friend whom I had not talked to for several weeks. He said: “Jim, I thought you had died and gone to Heaven." I replied: “That would be the greatest thing that can happen to me now.” When God awakened me back there to my lost condition, after I had lived in all that.religion, it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me up to that point. And when God saved me by His grace, it was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Now the greatest thing that could happen to me is for the Lord to Come and take me Home to be with Him and my Heavenly Father. Do you ever think along those lines? I do daily. It means something to know the Lord, my friends. For more than three decades I've been telling you the same story. Christ is my salvation. My cousin said to me sometime back: “You are placing your name in the Word of God as if this is real to you!” Yes, Christ is real to me, and I’m praying He will be real to you! When we wrote to you in our September Newsletter, I had not talked to our Pastor Brother Pendarvis down in Louisiana. Later, I talked with him about the condition of our folks down there in the wake of the storm. I don’t know about you folks here, but I am looking to the Lord. The Lord dealt with my heart about the storm before it went ashore. He settled my heart that the Word of His would be protected. Now, the Lord’s people need our help as never before. I’ll also say: the Lord dealt with my heart, back there some five years ago (2000) when He was healing my body from a serious operation about things that are going on today! And you can wait on the Lord. You can wait on the Lord five years, ten years, twenty years and thirty years! You can wait on the Lord! JfiffiJt Jilt. Hton paptijit CliurtI) 1515 Remount Rd. * (Tel.)332-8335 (Fax)372-7548 28208 Sunday Morning Worehip Services... 8:30 - 9:30 - 11:00am Sunday School 9:45 - 10:45am Singles Ministries (Mon.) 6:30 - 7:30pm Senior Citizens (Mon.) 10:30 - 4:00pm Dr. C.V. Owens Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 4:00pm You are cordially invited to worship with us! Greater Gethsemane A.M.E. Zion Church "The Church with the Comnumity at Heart’ 531 Campus Street • Oiariotte, NC28216 (700375-3900 - Fax 372-0614 Worship Services: SAM Sr HAM Sunday School: 9:30AM Bible Study: Wed. 10:30AM Sr 7PM Daycare 6 Afterschoo! Available E-mail: 9amez531@bellsouth.net The Reverend CaMn L Miller - Pastor Reverend Karen Roberts Miller - Spouse Greater Myers Chapel PENTECOSTAL FFXLOWSHIP MINISTRIES - You're Invited to Worship With Us - Intercessory Prayer. 8:30am Victory in The Word 9:15am Worship 10:30am Sunday Evening Total Praise 7:00pm Hour of Power/Tutorial avail.Wed....7:00pm Visit our WebSite: www.greatermverschapeLorg 600 Jordan Place, Charlotte,'NC 28205 “WAR Fellowship Ministry Covenant Partner” For Van Ministry 704-377-1799 St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church if • loin Us For .Service - Sunday School and Morning Worship, Sunday 10:30 am 4228 Hovis Road • Charlotte, NC 28208 704-399-3151 Rev. Wendell Phillips, Pastor SIMPSON-GILLESPIE i. NITED METHODIST CHURCH M\ Ipen Hearts. Open .Minds. Open Doors” Jr I -Join Us For Service - 1^ iunday School, 9:30am • Sunday Worship. 11am ^ Wednesday: Bible Study, 'pm 1st & 3rd Saturday: "Contemporary Vi orship," 6pm...",leans .Mbwed Ret'. Walter Pegues, Pastor 3545 Beatties Fd Rd, Char. NC 28216 •’’04.399-2717 • Van .Mimstn ‘%'e Can Do .4// Things Through Christ tt6o Strengthens Vs” Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church “A Church Putting Love Into Action" 700 SUGAR CREEK ROAD. WEST CHARLOTTE. NORTH CAROLINA 28213 Sunday Church School 9:30a.m. Worship Service 11:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. Baptist Training Union 5:0(^.m. Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Wedne^ys 7:30{xn Office (704i596‘7935 • Far (704)596-1204 Residence (704)597-1249 Come Share the Vision and Share the Journey Sunday Worship Services 8:00 am and 10:45 am Sunday School 9:30 am Reeder Memorial Baptist Church 3725 Beatties Ford Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28216 www.reederchurch.org “The Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord” - Exodus 20:10 Northeast SDA Church 827 Tom Hunter Rd. • P.O. Box 560647 Charlotte. NC 28256 (704)394-5615 Office • (704)596-9767 Fax Frank L. Harrell, Sr. - Pastor Sabba^th School 9:15a.m. Sabbath Service 11:00a.m. Wed. Prayer Service 7:00p.m. St. Paul Baptist Church Our Purpose: ‘To convince the unconvinced to be convinced and make disciples” Sunday Worship at 7:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. Sunday Mcxning Breakfast 8:45 A.M. Sunday School at 9:25 A.M. - 10j25 A.M. Radio Broadcast Sunday 11:00 A.M. (1370 A.M. Dial) Bible Study Wed. 12 Noon - 6:45 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Youth CJturch 2nd & 3rd Sunday 10:30 A.M. 1401 North Allen Street. Charlotte, NC 28205 Office: 704-334-5309 Gr^ory K Moss Sr. F^stor
The Charlotte Post (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 20, 2005, edition 1
14
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75