Augusta focus. ([Augusta, Ga.) 198?-current, July 11, 1996, Image 14

Augusta focus., July 11, 1996, Page 14, Image 14

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Newspaper Page Text14 July 11, 1996 Black churches face insurance woes By Patricia Lamiell ASSOCIATED PRESS Writer When arson severely damaged the Salem Baptist Church in Humbeldt, Tenn. on Dec. 30, wor shipers thought life couldn’t get any worse. The sole saving grace, in hindsight, was the flames’mer ciful swiftness — because what followed was a protracted struggle by the church to collect on its insurance policy and rebuild. It took five months to get the final installment of the $185,000 insurance payment. Then,a week later, the insurer canceled cover age. Insurance problems have emerged as secondary grief for many of the more than 40 black churchesthat have been damaged or destrnyed by fire across the South in the last 18 months. Some black ministers say in surers have interrogated them as arson suspects and routinely pro crastinated on paying claims. Ina number of cases, insurers have refused to renew policies. Anaddedinsulttoblacksistheir Mrs. Ruth Pickens-Whitted, educator, community worker remembered NEW YORK CITY Mrs. Ruth Pickens-Whitted died on May 20, 1996 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, New York after a lengthy illness. Her me morial service was held on May 26,1996. Mrs. Whitted, nee Ruth Vivian Wallace, was born in St. Louis, Missouri on September 29, 1910. She was one of six children born to the late Rev. Samuel B. Wallace and Henrietta “Etta” Vivienne Wallace. In 1937, Ruth’s father founded the first black library, Wallace Branch, inAugusta. Ruth graduated with honors from Spellman College in Atlanta in 1933. Ruth met her husband James Gadson Pickens in Augusta. His family helped to found the Trin ity C.M.E. Church where her fa ther pastored. Ruth served as the first Afri can-American social worker with the Georgia Department of Pub lic Welfare. Later, she worked with Sheltering Arms Children’s Service, a foster care agency, and with the U. 5.00. Travelers Aid. Her devotion to the intellectu Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church - 623 Crawford Avenue Augusta, Georgia 30904 Rev. Larry W. Hudson, Sr. Pastor Office: (706) 736-4060 Sunday 9:30 Sunday School 11:00 Worship Service I[ &]}D € ]l"]l’]lcﬁLC]l@ Baptist Church Dr. C.S. Hamilton, Minister 1223 Laney-Walker Bivd. Augusta, Ga. 30901 Church School 9:30 A.M. * Morning Worship 11 AM. Broadcast Hour gWT HB 155912 * Nursery, Kindergarten Open ¢ Bible Study-Tues. 6 P.M. Prayer Nfecting Tflcs. 7P.M.- Dai?;' Kindergarten Services 7 AM. to 5 P.M. AUGUSTA FOCUS Of 10 burned black churches and eight white churches contacted by the AP, five had had their insurance dropped — all of them black. perception that the many white churches burned over the same period are receiving kid-glove treatment from insurers. A spot check by The Associated Press lends credence to the complaints, indicatingthat after white church arsons, insurers paid claims promptly and earned high marks from pastors for courtesy and efficiency. Of 10 burned black churches and eight white churches con tacted by the AP, five had had their insurance dropped — all of them black. “It just goes with everything else as far as black people are concerned,” said Joseph Gatewood, a black insurance bro ker in Charlotte, N.C. “Our prop erty is undervalued, our homes al and spiritual upliftment of children led her to a long and distinguished career as an En glish, Latin and drama teacher in Augusta, Georgia and ended with her retirement in 1976 in New York City. Among her stu dents was Augusta’s noted opera singer Ms. Jessye Norman, with whom Ruth maintained a life long friendship. Ruth also wrote the poem “I Believe,” used as the teacher’s creed in many schools. During her career, she touched the lives of numerous students and colleagues through her love of music, drama, plays, poetry and the fine arts. In Georgia, during the 19505, Mrs. Whitted organized the State Department of Classroom Teach ers and served as president for seven years. Concurrently, she served on the Advisory Board of the National Education Associa tion (NEA) and National Depart ment of Classroom Teachers. She was a past president of the Harlem Inter-agency Council for the Aging and president of the Dorrence Brooks Tenants Asso Wednesday 7:00 Bible Study Spirit Church News are undervalued — our lives, for that matter, are undervalued.” Insurance complaints havebeen serious enough to draw an inves tigation by Robert George,a mem ber of the U.S. Civil Rights Com mission. George says he will refer any evidence ofimpropriety tothe Justice Department. George said insurers that handle the claims of black churches differently than those from white parishes are exhibit ingracial bias; ifthey treat church claims differently than those for other kinds of property, it’s reli gious discrimination. Insurance professionals deny discrimination. They express ea gerness to write church policies and sayit’sunlikely any church— black or white— would be denied. Butthe AP’s check of victimized ciation. Mrs. Whitted was a member of the board of directors of State- Wide Task Force on Aging and served on numerous other com mittees. She never wavered in her tireless commitment to civil and human rights, up until her demise. She is survived by her daugh Green Grove presents Women’s Day Program The Green Grove Mission ary Baptist Church, 1692 Old Savannah Road, will cele brate its Annu al Women’s Day Program, Sun day, July 14, at 11 a.m. Guest speaker will be Sister Teresa Daniel, first lady of the Bottsford Spring Baptist Church, Waynesboro, Georgia, where her Every memory cherished forever G G e b o aan . r: Bl L W Can e R P f e L v SR ey e e *‘é%% 8 /} e o R é" i ”("m ,- :E; i f%&; T . e e T b e L Po g s G B Goodbye my beloved Michael Bryant Feb. 7, 1962-July 10, 1993 ~ We Invite You To BEULAH GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Sam Davis, pastor 1434 POPLAR STREET AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30901 TELEPHONE: (706) 724-1086 || Sunday Services at 7:45a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 7:30 p.m. Baptist Training Union (8.T.U.) at 6:00 p.m. Sunday Sunday School at 9:30 Sunday morning Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday Prayer Service at 11:00 Saturday morning Thirty-five Christian Ministries All Services Are Bible-based and Holy Spirit-led churches indicates otherwise: I Salem Baptist, Humboldt, Tenn.: Policy canceled by Pre ferred Risk Mutual Insurance Co. of Des Moines, lowa. I Mount Calvary Baptist Church, Bolivar, Tenn.: Policy can celed by Preferred Risk. I Glorious Church of God in Christ, Richmond, Va.: Six days after a Feb. 21 arson fire gutted the 1811 granite-block sanctuary, Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. announced it would not renew the church’s policy, which was due to expire April 15. The policy was reinstated June 21 after public condemnation by the state attor ney general. In its February notice, Aetna, since acquired by the Travelers Group, cited an “adverse claims history,” but church elder Morris Mahoney said the church had made just one prior claim, for sß,oooin autumn 1995, after light ning struck the chimney. I Inner City Church, Knoxville, Tenn.: Policy will not be renewed when it expires July 25. ter Claire Pickens Castro; two grandsons Salim Castro and Rashan Castro; her beloved sis ter Mrs. Frances Tyler and her children Phillip Tyler, Kenneth Tyler, Joy Tyler-Hill and their children; her companion Mr. Eugene Cooper and a loyal host of loving family and friends too numerous to mention. husband serves as pastor. Mrs. Daniel is a native of Athens, Georgia and a born-again believ er, and has been speaking to church congregaticns and other related groups for the past seven years. She serves as a Sunday school teacher and as youth ad visor in her church. She also has a great love for both the elderly and for youth. The public is cordially invited to attend. The Reverend Lessel Leonard, pastor. % -%& ;?,,/% e Ll : ~ e ‘:ié 'f{::‘:..: ‘ Daniel You wonder why I went away and didn’t say gecdbye: I couldn’t bear to tell you, for it hurt to see you cry. My ship came in the morning time and beautiful to see, For the captain was King Jesus, and he safely beckoned me. I ran across the freeway and fell down at his feet; He gently took me in his arms. My rest is now complete. Mrs. Shelvia Bush (a dear friend) and children Mrs. Amanda O'Bryant (mother) Mr. Allen (brother) and Claudia O'Bryant and children Mrs. Clarissa (sister) and Theodore Blackshear and children Mrs. Eva Jean Garnett (sister) and children Mr. Keory Kenta' O'Bryant (brother) We will always remember you. THE AMEN CORNER B Macedonia Baptist Church, 1828 Wrightsboro Rd., has free clothing for those in need. The Clothes Closet hours of operation gre 11 am. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information, please contact Ms. Candy Katz at 737-6834 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). B Greater Young Zion Housing Rehab Program can assist homeowners in making costly home repairs. Give them a call }‘or more information at (706) 724-1720. | B Adams Grove Baptist Church in Gracewood, Ga. will be holding its annual revival through July 12, at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Guest minister for the week will be the Rev. Willie J. Jackson, pastor of Piney Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Alvin Lewis Jr. is pastor. . B Christ Presbyterian Church, 1316 Laney-Walker Blvd., will hold its annual Daily Vacation Bible School during the week of July 8- 12, from 6 - 8 p.m. Enjoy bible stories, music, crafts, recreatign, refreshments and Christian fellowship. Children ranging from pge kindergarten through 10th grade are encouraged and welcomeito participate. Rev. Otis A. Smith, pastor, will greet each student eath camp day. g . 4 B AM.E.N. (AUGUSTA MINISTERS ENGAGED IN - TURING) will host a Citywide Super Summer Revival on Thugs day,July 18, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 1286 Marks Church Road. Come and hear some of the top preacherstin the CSRA. Dressiscasual. For more information, call Rev. Regindld Copeland at (706) 733-3194. B Christ Church Unity, 2301 Central Ave., will sponsor a cldss on fear on Wednesday, July 17, 7- 9 p.m. Dan Ogden will teach the course which will be a combination of lecture, group discussions and fun exercises designed to help you understand your emotions. A supportive offering of $5 per person will be accepted at the door. glo registration required. Cool refreshments and childcare will be provided. For more information or for a program of classes to be seft, call the office at (706) 738-2458. ; B Moses Baptist Church, 112 Walker St., will hold its ﬁist annual Razz Matazz Carnival on Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.in. until. Rev. Dr. Milton Key is pastor. For more information, call 7§:- 9502. 3 4 B Spirit Creek Baptist Church will celebrate its 196th anniveér sary on Sunday, July 21, 1996, at 2 p.m. The Rev. Dr. Robert Turngr Jr. and the Good Samaritan Baptist Church will be the guest. Rév. Vernon King is pastor. § B The Good Shepherd Baptist Church will be celebratigg their 13th choir anniversary of the E.M. Mclntyre Male Chorus §n Sunday, July 21, at 4 p.m. Rev. Clarence Moore is the pastor. % B Thankful Baptist Church, 302 Walker St., will hold §s annual Men and Women’s Day Celebration during the 11 a.f. Sunday service on July 14. The Honorable Judge Carl C. Brown dJr. will conduct the program with renowned author and educator . Julius A Scipio Jr. serving as keynote speaker. Raoul J. Daggettiof the Washington Opera Association will appear as the guest soloi§t. Rev. Gregory A. Young is pastor. : : % B White Rock Baptist Church, White Rock Rd. in Lincolntéh, will celebrate its 122nd church anniversary on Sunday, July 21,%at 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Herman Bing and the Carpentersville Baptist Church of North Augusta, S,C. will be in charge of the service%s. Dinner will be served and the public is invited to come and sharefin this historical occasion with the White Rock family. Rev. Ray A. Pilgrim is pastor. g b_ Williams Memorial % vgv A\ l) g C.M.E. Church Rev. Alex R. King 1630 Fifteenth St. Augusta, GA 30901 (706) 733-9430 Sunday: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m. Ist Sunday Evening 6:30 p.m. Wed: Praise Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Thurs: Senior Services 10:00 a.m. Day Care , Center: 6:45 a.m.-5:30 p.n. EBRTEL ST e, ST g B IR R R R R I A S MR s e RO SRR T S g 26 v 'i MEAL DEALS! - aab | OO | 9 SELECTIONS! : Served 5:00 am to 8:00 am & 4:00 to 1:00 am g (AVAILABLE 8:00 AM TO 4:00 PM MONDAY THRU FRIDAY, EXCLUDING HOLIDAYS, AT $1.99g (706) 738-0554 2525 Washington Road, Augusta, Georgiag