Post by admin on Feb 25, 2008 5:54:04 GMT -5
www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080225/NEWS01/802250323/1285/LOCAL09
FREEHOLD — In honor of Black History Month, the congregants of Freehold Church of God celebrated their own way: through song, dance and praising God, honoring not only historical black figures, but their own families as well.
On Sunday, the church's Black History Month service also was marked with plenty of energy. The small building quaked with the voices of its congregants, with the sounds of the celebration spilling out onto the street.
Brother Leo Reason, president and coordinator, gave a message of progress and thankfulness for the congregation: "We are blessed that we are not enslaved. We are free, but we have a long way to go."
The congregation praised the names and accomplishments of such historical figures as Langston Hughes, Rosa Parks, Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson.
Also during the service, Candice Tucker, 15, of Jackson donned blue and gold robes and did a hip-hop-influenced dance routine to a song by gospel artist KiKi Sheard. Sabrina Cruz, 20, of Lakewood and Erica Rodriguez, 26, of Jackson, visiting from Howell Restoration Family Worship Center, did a mime interpretation of other gospel songs.
Other visitors to the program included members of the Freehold chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Lisette Rodriguez, the youth pastor of Howell Restoration Family Worship Center.
Bishop Gerald Cobbs, the church's pastor and administrator, showed photos of his relatives to the congregation, speaking fondly of their journeys through life, their positive effects on him and their cooking skills. Cobbs made a point of instilling pride in his role in society.
"Unlike some people, I didn't just become proud of being an American," he said. "I've been proud of being an American all my life."
After the program, the group then feasted on a soul food lunch provided by many of the church's congregants.
NAACP President Julius Ramsey stressed to the congregation to be proud of their accomplishments as a people.
"Just really look how far we've come," Ramsey said. "1865 (the end of the Civil War) is only 143 years ago. No group in history has come as far as we have in 143 years."
ON THE WEB: Visit our Web site, www.app.com, and click on this story on the Monmouth page for a photo gallery of Freehold Church of God's Black History Month celebration.
Jennifer Bradshaw: (732) 888-2621 or jbradshaw@app.com
FREEHOLD — In honor of Black History Month, the congregants of Freehold Church of God celebrated their own way: through song, dance and praising God, honoring not only historical black figures, but their own families as well.
On Sunday, the church's Black History Month service also was marked with plenty of energy. The small building quaked with the voices of its congregants, with the sounds of the celebration spilling out onto the street.
Brother Leo Reason, president and coordinator, gave a message of progress and thankfulness for the congregation: "We are blessed that we are not enslaved. We are free, but we have a long way to go."
The congregation praised the names and accomplishments of such historical figures as Langston Hughes, Rosa Parks, Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson.
Also during the service, Candice Tucker, 15, of Jackson donned blue and gold robes and did a hip-hop-influenced dance routine to a song by gospel artist KiKi Sheard. Sabrina Cruz, 20, of Lakewood and Erica Rodriguez, 26, of Jackson, visiting from Howell Restoration Family Worship Center, did a mime interpretation of other gospel songs.
Other visitors to the program included members of the Freehold chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Lisette Rodriguez, the youth pastor of Howell Restoration Family Worship Center.
Bishop Gerald Cobbs, the church's pastor and administrator, showed photos of his relatives to the congregation, speaking fondly of their journeys through life, their positive effects on him and their cooking skills. Cobbs made a point of instilling pride in his role in society.
"Unlike some people, I didn't just become proud of being an American," he said. "I've been proud of being an American all my life."
After the program, the group then feasted on a soul food lunch provided by many of the church's congregants.
NAACP President Julius Ramsey stressed to the congregation to be proud of their accomplishments as a people.
"Just really look how far we've come," Ramsey said. "1865 (the end of the Civil War) is only 143 years ago. No group in history has come as far as we have in 143 years."
ON THE WEB: Visit our Web site, www.app.com, and click on this story on the Monmouth page for a photo gallery of Freehold Church of God's Black History Month celebration.
Jennifer Bradshaw: (732) 888-2621 or jbradshaw@app.com