Faith in the Bay - July/Aug (2009)

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July / august issueFAITH THE

BAYin

get in the spirit and dream deshawn snow

Visit us online: faithinthebay.com

100 Years laterrev. douglas demetrius prather

mY god, mY god whY rev. c.l. nash

one-on-one with

rev. osagYefo uhuru sekou

// faith in the bay | July/aug 2009 Lifestyle Digest for the Bay Area’s Urban Faith Community


Faith in the Bay is a lifestyle digest for the Bay area’s urban faith community.

Mailing address

Faith in the Bay® PO Box 2633, Berkeley, Ca 94702

Phone & Fax: (877) FaitH-08 [email protected] twitter: @faithinthebay

Faith in the Bay® is published monthly by the in Faith Media group, llC. © 2009 all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written

permission.

July/august 2009

contributors

Jeannine Anderson LaKeitha Daniels Aubrey Hooper Rev. C.L. Nash

Rev. Demetrius Prather DeShawn Snow

Nicholas Wiggins Rev. Byron Williams

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october issue

deadline: 9/14/09

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Sometimes you have to get away to pray in the spirit, worship, truly focus on Him and listen. Then, through

the Holy Spirit, we can see and hear God’s desires more clearly. God’s desires become our desires when we are walking closely with Him.

Sometimes, we expect a loud voice to speak directly to us from Heaven. Or perhaps we really are waiting for a vision, a dream, or something. Believe it or not, God will give them to us! When we are in intimacy with God and seeking Him, the desires we begin to feel, and the words we hear, are God given! That is what our father does.

He will begin to whisper and birth desires in our spirit. Sometimes we think we came up with the idea, but it was from Him! And, when He provides the idea, all we have to do is ask! The Bible says you have not because you ask not.

There are many spiritual principals listed all throughout the scriptures, from the Old Testament to New, regarding speaking out loud in faith. If God were to ask you today, “What do you want from me?” what would you tell him?

Remember that God makes the largest, most outrageous things come to pass. When you receive a revelation from Him, you need to write it down, believe through faith what God has told you, and go after it – no matter how outrageous it may seem.Habakkuk 2:2 says, “Then the LORD

answered me and said, ‘Record the vision and inscribe it on talents, that the one who read it may run.” Do you see how powerful that instruction is? To write it down then RUN. Part of running is to keep going, even when you face obstacles. Don’t let one, 10 or 100 small things keep you from running after your destiny. God is faithful!

Genesis 18:14 says, “there is nothing too hard for the Lord! When God told Abraham he would have a child with his wife, Sara, he laughed.” Genesis 17:17 says, “Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, shall

a child be born to man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear a child?” Romans 4:3 says “God credited Abraham’s unwavering faith as righteousness.”

That is the type of God we serve – a God who wants to make the desires and

dreams in our hearts come true. We need to dream big! When you become intimate with the Lord, you must remember to:

Listen for His voice.Act upon His leading.Don’t let obstacles stop you.

-- A motivational speaker, television personality, and philanthropist, DeShawn Snow lives in the metro Atlanta area with her husband-NBA player Eric Snow and three adored sons. A socialite-turned-servant, Deshawn is studying to earn her Master of Divinity degree.

get in the spirit & dream


Wednesday Worship in The Word (7-8:15pm, Weekly) A 75-minute ultimate worship experience that is bound to change your life. Beebe Memorial Cathedral, Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr., Pastor, 3900 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland [510] 655-6114 | www.experiencebmc.org

90 MinuTe Worship experience (7 - 8:30 pm, Weekly) Join us for a mid-week worship experience. Berkeley Mt. Zion MBC, Rev. Brian Hunter, Pastor/Teacher, 1800 8th Street, Berkeley, CA [510] 524-1204 | berkeleymtzionmbc.org

healing our losses: creaTing coMpassionaTe coMMuniTy (Saturday, August 1 2009, 10am - 3pm )Creating a circle of compassionate community to allow participants the opportunity to complete the healing of personal losses and come to a deeper peace. Organized by WCRC, 5741 Telegraph Ave – Oakland, CA 94609 [510] 898 - 0548 | www.wcrc.org

arT & soul FesTiVal (August 15 - August 16 11:00 am - 6:00pm) NEW DATEOakland’s premier art and music festival, featuring multiple stages of live, diverse, music, crafts of over 150 artisans, and an eclectic selection of tempting foods.Downtown Oakland [510] 238-7402 www.artandsouloakland.com

5Th annual FaiTh Fancher BreasT cancer challenge (Saturday, August 22, 2009) Join hundreds of women, men and children for a 5K Walk/Run around Lake Merritt to raise money to support underinsured and unisured women with breast cancer. Featuring, Bay Area’s own Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. Register today! Volunteering,

sponsorship or vendors welcome. Lake Merritt Gazebo, Oakland, CA[510] 834-4142 | [email protected] www.faithfancher.org

2009 dreaM2dare conFerence: sTand ouT! (Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30, 2009) This conference shall be a vehicle that equips our young people with biblical principles and practical methods of life application that inform, inspire, incites and impacts their ways of living. Special Guest: Myron Butler. Berkeley Mt. Zion MBC, Rev. Brian Hunter, Pastor/Teacher [510] 524-1204 | berkeleymtzionmbc.org

experience on The green (Saturday, August 29, 2009, 2pm - 6pm) Unforgettable day of music, art and wine featuring Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds along with Chante Moore and Kenny Lattimore, Chico DeBarge, Everyday People, and Sylvester Burks. Presented by Codeblack Entertainment & The Erroll Jackson Company Inc. Oakland Museum of California’s Great Court Garden. www.experienceonthegreen.com

VicTory Back-To-school coMMuniTy youTh explosion (Saturday, August 29, 2009, 11:00am - 7:00pm ) The Youth explosion will have games, food, dancers, a talent show, spoken word, basketball and more. Backpacks, school supplies, and household items will be given away. Presented Victory Baptist Church, Rev. Martin Peters, Pastor along with the East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club, and Waste Management. East Lake YMCA,

calendar of events


out & about

The NAACP celebrated its 100 year anniversary in New York, NY (July 11-July 16th). Highlighting a century of Bold Dreams, Big Victories with a visit from President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder and many icons of the civil rights movement - the convention drew thousands from across the nation.

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communi-ties, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

JOIN TODAYwww.naacp.org


In a modest room of a New York apartment one hundred years ago a group of like minded progressive

people met to form what would become the nations largest most influential civil rights and social justice organizations. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as it would come to be known has remained true to its founding principles. As stated in the mission statement, “to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.”

Throughout this year of celebrating, one would do good to reflect upon the last one hundred years and all of the changes and progress that has been made. Conversely, one also must look and reflect on the changes that must be made to move us in the direction of the beloved community. I can not even conceptualize the racial climate that existed early in the 1900’s. African American’s were still relatively fresh out of legal slavery and were trying to carve our rightful place in American society. It was a bold thing and took a tremendous amount of courage to challenge the status quo during such a time. Nevertheless it was progressive thinking change agents who recognized the need and sought to provide the solution.

In that the NAACP is a grass-roots organization it continues to give birth to some of America’s brightest and most forward thinking leaders. With a commitment to intergenerational interaction it has served as a preparation ground for an immeasurable amount young people since its dawn. In comparison to 1909 these likewise are the best of times

100 Years lateryet they remain the worst of times. Being the case the need for such an august civil rights organization is warranted as much in 2009 as it was in 1909. While we cannot be lynched legally from a tree, we continue to be lynched politically, educationally, socially and economically. I am sure that they never imagined that one hundred years later almost to the date of its February founding that a black man would take an oath of office to the highest elected office in the land because of their efforts.

The remarkable thing about time and its relationship to history is that they are panoramic in nature and by design allows us to simultaneously reflect upon the past and look and plan strategically towards the future. As the NAACP and the country together celebrate the centennial anniversary, I for one continue to be inspired, encouraged and challenged by the historical precedence set and future that is promised.

I am forever proud to be affiliated one hundred years later as an active life member of an organization that continues to find hurt’s that need healing and problems that need solving. Perhaps the poet Robert Frost encompasses my sentiments best as he stopped by woods one evening, “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But there are promises to keep, and miles to go, before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.” -- Rev. Douglas Demetrius Prather is a former member to the NAACP National Board of Directors, and native of Atlanta, GA.


The Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou is the author of the forthcoming, Gods,

Gays, and Guns: Religion and the Future of Democracy (Ig Publishing, 2009), has just written a controversial essay that explores the relationship between our understanding of the bible and its relationship to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Rev. Sekou is a fellow-in-residence at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture. He studied continental philosophy at the New School and systematic theology at Union Theological Seminary. He has also served asa fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies-the nation’s oldest multi-issue progressive think tank in Washington, D.C. appointed Rev. Sekou as the first Associate Fellow in Religion and Justice in July 2006.

Below is our recent interview.

BW: Two things come to mind after having read your piece is the unintended contradiction when African Americans become upset when they feel the gaycommunity has appropriated the Civil Rights Movement for their own purposes. Second the interrelation between the civil rights struggle and the gay struggle in the being of Bayard Rustin.

an interview with rev. osagyefo sekou

By rev. byron williamsous: Yes, yes! Well I think also the Declaration of Independence and theConstitution and the Bible as we receive them, we appropriate. And that’s what I’m trying to raise in my piece. The question of appropriation and religion, which is the argument black people use the most consistently against the gay marriage, forgetting we’ve appropriated what has beengiven to us. The Bible wasn’t for us when it was given to us; we had to appropriate it in order for it to have meaning.

BW: Going down that path, there is a strong argument that the Roman Emperor Constantine appropriated his own stand of Christianity, would you agree?

ous: Exactly, so the question of appropriation is essentially and irrelevant question and it predicates itself around the false notion that black people have a monopoly on the discourse around civil rights.

BW: So you’re debunking the notion of appropriation because everyone is appropriating something.

ous: Exactly, and but the broader question for me, and the argument that I’m putting forth is black people have always historically read the Constitution in one hand and the bible in the other and that has served to expand democracy. If religion does not serve democracy then it has no place in the public discourse?

--Pastor & Syndicated Columnist, Rev. Byron Williams can be reached at byronspeaks.com


Dearest Father, there is a prayer in my heart. I’m worried and unsure, I stretch my hands to You! I’m a link in Your Chain of Souls, a weak but precious part of the whole. Your Kingdom is protected by a Chain of Souls. This chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. I believe a link in this chain is broken, and I think that link may be me!

Gracious Father, this Chain of Souls surrounds Your Kingdom, protecting Your gates! We sing praises to You, and want to know You better. But there’s a broken link in the Chain of Souls, and I think that link may be me!

Life passes by and beats at the links of the chain. Doubt enters in and disintegrates the steel. Pains increase and weakens the chain. There is a broken link in the Chain of Souls, and I think it may be me!

Holy Father, I have a responsibility in this Chain of Souls. I look to my left and my hand is tightly clasped to my sister. I

look to my right and my hand is strongly gripping my brother. If I shake, they shake; what infects me, infects them. There is a broken link in this Chain of Souls,and I think that link may be me!Fix me, Lord! Fix me, so I can, in turn, help fix the links of the hands I am holding.Change me, Lord, so I can, in turn, change a life! As this chain gets stronger, we tighten around Your Kingdom! There’s a broken link in this Chain of Souls, and I think that link may be me!

As I become stronger, my hand will clasp tighter around my brother. As I tighten around Your Kingdom, and step closer to Your Glory, my sister must follow. We are all linked by Your Grace. There are broken links in this Chain of Souls! Fix me, Lord! Start with me...

-- -- Jeannine Anderson is a Bay Area resident, and active member of Beebe Memorial Cathedral CME Church, Oakland, CA.

chain of souls

...calendar of events, continued

have an event or program coming up? To add your program and events to our

calendar, send material to: calendar editor, Faith in the Bay,

P.O. Box 2633, Berkeley, CA 94702 or via e-mail to [email protected]

Sleep Train Pavilion, Concord, CA faithhopeandloveproductions.vpweb.com

1612 45th Ave, Oakland, CA www.victoryoakland.com | [510] 261-2008

The nor cal gospel and praise concerT (Saturday, September 12, 2009 from 12PM – 6:00PM) Featuring Marvin Sapp, Martha Munizzi and Kyle Bynoe. Presented by Faith Hope and Love Productions. Live Nation’s


a safe place 8th annual walk against domestic violence

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

A Safe Place, in collaboration with other supporting community agencies will sponsor its 8th Annual Walk against Domestic and Dating Violence. The event will be held on October 3, 2009 at the Lake Merritt Boathouse. Entertainment, speakers, children activities will enhance this event as we bring attention to this grave issue that affects the lives of many. Each day, someone in our family or community suffers from some level of domestic or dating violence and most often, they suffer in silence. These acts of cruelty happen in the lives of our greatest resource, our children. This violence affects not only the victim but the entire family and the cost to the community is huge.

This walk against domestic violence will

convene family. Friends and battered women advocates, who will mourn, honor and remember the many victims who have lost their lives at the hands of someone, whom they once loved and trusted. We will acknowledge those who work daily to prevent this epidemic from increasing. This year you can make a difference by joining a safe place in its efforts to increase awareness and show your support through participation.

We need walkers and volunteers. The 2009 walk will be held october 3, 2009 @ lake Merritt Boathouse. Registration begins 8:00 am, speakers, entertainment; children activities will be included in our program. This is a family affair. For more information visit our website @ www.asafeplacedvs.org or call our business office @ 510-986-8600.

2009 Funders & Faith Summit

FAITH THEBAY

insaVe The daTeNovember 13 - 14, 2009

Panel Discussions•Informative Workshops•Exhibitors •and More!•

For details and sponsorship packages contact: [email protected]


mY god, my god...why?

Faith and justice meet together because we dare to ask the question in our darkest hours, “My God,

My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” In this fourth saying of Jesus on the cross, we are acutely aware of unjust suffering and unparalleled injustice.

My God, My God, why?

Faith and justice meet when we realize that, despite the stirring rhetoric of Pres. Obama, we are not yet in a post-race world. Perhaps this is why so many people began to identify with the tragic shooting of Oscar Grant. Could it be that Grant became the embodiment of the evil unfairly associated with Black skin? It seemed as though God himself turned his back on Grant, and the hundreds of Black youths who are murdered on the streets of Berkeley, Richmond and Oakland, year after year.

Why is it that Black officers never seem to accidentally shoot White citizens? Yet our own complacency has made us complicit with such crimes. Our silence infers that Black life has little validity, and shooting us is not worthy of more than a raised eyebrow. Instead, like Jesus, we must begin to cry out, “My God, My God, why?”

The theodical word here is instructive for faith and justice to become partners in communal wholeness. For theodicy is that branch of theology which asks how a good God can allow such evil to exist?

Faith and justice stand together as God has proven a steadfastness which does not forsake us, but is right here with us. God was there for a young James Meredith, an unfairly assassinated Medgar Evers, a worn out Fannie Lou Hammer, and a steadfast Rosa Parks. Each of them endured

unspeakable pain and humiliation but God was there.

God was there and God is here – moving through our social programs and volunteers, our church

communities and our neighborhoods, and through the NAACP.

It is through this momentous strength that we are able to rise with dignity and run the race for justice – a justice which embraces us all. -- Rev. C.L. Nash, activly serves as a Pulpit Associate at McGee Avenue Baptist Church, Berkeley, CA


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Faith in the Bay - July/Aug (2009)

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