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RELIGION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2006
Life IB
From the ashes, a new sanctuary
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PHOTO/CALVIN FERGUSON
Members of New Shiloh Baptist Church, led by Pastor C.M. Booker, march up to their sancuary after fire gutted the building more than
two years ago. Last Sunday was the first service at the church, located at 2600 Elmin St., since August 9, 2004. “We have struggled for
over two years since the fire, but finally victory has come,” said Booker. The church has 150 members who have stuck with New Shiloh
as they rebuilt and had to meet in other places for Sunday services. The church held two services to announce it’s return on Sunday.
Muslims
to urged to
take on
extremists
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COPENHAGEN, Denmark
— Moderate Muslims must
take a stand against extrem
ists, speakers said Saturday
at a conference marking a
year since the publication of
Prophet Muhammad cartoons
that led to violent demonstra
tions in Muslim coimtries.
The 12 drawings, first pub
lished in the Danish daily Jjd-
lands-Posten in September,
were reprinted in • several
European coimtries four
months later, prompting
angry mobs to attack Western
embassies in countries includ
ing Lebanon, Iran and
Indonesia.
The cartoons, which indud-
• ed a drawing of the prophet
with a bomb-shaped turban,
were seen as hi^y insultdr^
by many followers of Islam,
which is interpreted as bar
ring even respectful images of
Muhammad for fear of
prompting idolatry
Mona Eltahawy, an Egypt-
ian-bom journalist and com
mentator based in New York
City urged moderate Mus
lims to speak up against vio
lent reactions like the mas
sive protests and riots in late
January and February
Syrian-born psychologist
Wafa Sultan said moderate
Muslims have always strug
gled to make their voice heard
even within their own reli
gion, but that the cartoon
uproar gave them a platform.
Pulpit
Fashion
Plates
Area pastors
tookpart in the
100 Black Men
of Charlotte’s
Men of the
Cloth Fashion
show at Nord
strom’s in
South Park
Mall. The event
wap held Sun
day evening.
PHOTO/CURTIS WILSON
Virginia chapel built by newly freed slaves
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
KEEZLETOWN, Va.-Al
Jenkins propped a small lad
der against the crumbling
stone columns that hold up
Longs Chapel, stepped care
fully up the rungs and
climbed into the old wooden
structure.
Inside, Jenkins’ voice echoed
off the stark walls and barren
space that once served as a
church and a schoolhouse for
Zenda, a former community
in northern Rockingham
Cormty that was established
by newly fieed slaves in the
mid to late 1800s. He pointed
out markings on the walls
where the original pews once
stood, and he explained the
dignity of the building and the
people who constructed it.
“They went from being
property to ownir^ property,”
said Jenkins, talking about
the freed slaves who, with the
help of the United Brethren
Church and a contractor
named Jacob Long, built
Longs Chapel between 1869
and 1871. “And as soon as
they were able to, they biult
their own ch’rrch. That was a
m^jor accomplishment.”
Now, some 130 years after it
was built. Longs Chapel is a
shell. Sunhght shines
through holes in the church’s
Please see VIRGINIA/8B
Church News
LWitaaaa.i
Varner
sobd in
debut
Kevin Vasser
So Glad
Kevin Vasser,
producer
EMI Gospel
You could easily mistake
newcomer Kevin Vasser for
Marvin Sapp, which is not a
bad thir^ at aU.
Like Sapp, Vasser has an
elastic teuor that can twist,
turn and nearly jump
throTogh hoops. He got his
start with Youth Edition, a
Chicago group which includ
ed his brother and cousins.
Vasser makes his solo debut
with “So Glad,” an eclectic
mix of traditional gospel,
praise and worship and con
temporary styles. Such a
diverse mix can sometimes
cause a mess, but Vasser
keeps everything dean and
xmduttered. His voice comes
across as honest and true.
Vasser opens with “One
Tbuch,” a rousing testimony
of Christ’s heahi^ povVer. It’s
followed by the title song, an
R&B-soimding song of praise.
“Show Us The Way” and “My
Best Praise” are two of the
better praise and worship
songs of the last couple >
years.
Vasser proves his versatih
ty by getting chmchy on
“Pi-ay For Me,” a bluesy plea
to be included on .the Hps of
those who know the word of
prayer. It’s a simple song,
steeped in the tradition of the
old church that allows Vasser
to show his roots are deep in
gospel.
Vasser recorded this project
hve at Fellowship Baptist
Church in Chicago long
before he was signed to a
deal. He is a charismatic live
singer, one who knows who to
work crowd. It’s no wonder
EMI signed him to a deal.
Ratlngi
The deadline for announcements is noon on Fri
days. Fax your announcements to (704) 342-2160 or
e-mail cherisJiodges@thecharlottepostrom. Please
put “church news" in the subject line.
Ongoii^f
We Empower Women For Life At Women of
The Harvest Bible Study W.-diiesdays at 6
p.m. at 6636 Suite L Hickory Grove Business
Park.
•Steele Creek AME Zion Church, located at
1500 Shopton Road, will have noon day Bible
study finm 12 p.m. to 1 p.m,
October 7
University Memorial Baptist Churdi will
host a Fall Festival cookout from 11 a.m.-3
p.m. The event is fi:ee.
October 8
Myers Tabemade AME Zion Church, 509
Cherry St., will host homecoming This year’s
theme is “Building and Equippit^ a Conta
gious Church throTOgh Prayer, TOtnessing,
Authentic Praise and Worship, Steadfast Faith
and Christian Living.” Services run through
Oct. 12 and services begin nightly at 7 p.m.
October 9
University Memorial Baptist Church will
host its fall revival throu^ Friday Services
begin at 7:30 p.m.
October 15
Triistee Day at Greater Gethsemane A.M.E.
Zion Chmxh. 3 p.m. In Concert - The Perpetu
al Hope Gospel Choir of Our Lady of Consola
tion Catholic Church
O0O
October 20
Myers Park Baptist Church will host author
Harvey Cox through Oct. 22. Cox is author of
‘When Jesus Came to Harvard.”
• Women of New Horizons Morning Star
Baptist Church, 5623 Phillips St., will host a
conference titled “Running Your Race.” The
opening service begins at 7:30 p.m. with guest
•speaker Pastor Regina Fairey On Saturday,
the general session begins at 8:30 a.m., with
Please see STEELE CREEK/6B