Augusta focus. ([Augusta, Ga.) 198?-current, December 26, 1996, Image 14

Augusta focus., December 26, 1996, Page 14, Image 14

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Newspaper Page Text14 December 26, 1996 AUGUSTA FOCUS Rev. Dr. Carolyn A. Knight to speak at Lincoiln League New Year’s Day Service The Rev. Dr. Carolyn A. Knight will speak at the Jan. 1 Emanci pation Proclamation Service at the Tabernacle Baptist Church. A preacher/pastor with scholar ly interests, Rev. Knight has served as adjunct professor at both LaGuardia Community College and New York Theologi cal Seminary. From 1989t0 1993, she served as the permanent part-time professor of preaching at her alma mater, Union Theo logical Seminary in New York City. Dr. Knight serves on nu merous boards and committees, among them Harlem Congrega tions for Community Improve ment, The Breast Examination Center of Harlem, The Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and the Black Community Cru sade for Children of the Chil dren’s Defense Fund. Power struggle spoils Xmas at rural church By Jesse J. Holland ASSOCIATED PRESS Writer REMBERT, S.C. There is no Christmas at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church this year. S The sandy brown brick build ing has no wreath on its doors; no baby Jesus in a manger out side. The sign is defaced, the pastor’s name scratched out. A 133-year-old rural black church that withstood Recon struction, Jim Crow and segre gation, Mount Pisgahis now torn by infighting so severe that the pastor gets heckled during ser mons, and competing collection plates are passed around. Police once had to shut the place down when the arguing got out of hand. “I'venever seen such a mess,” said 75-year-old Coleman Den nis, a deacon at Mount Pisgah, which proudly counts county council members and law en forcement officers amongits 300- plus mostly middle-class mem bers. “We need to fall down on our knees and pray to God for a solution, because right now, I don’t know what we’re going to do.” Marvin Hodge was Mount Pisgah’s minister for two years Bethel African Methodist .1.. Episcopal Church T 623 Crawford Avenue Augusta, Georgia 30904 Rev. Larry W. Hudson, Sr. Pastor Office: (706) 736-4060 Sunday Wednesday 9:30 Sunday School 7:00 Bible Study 11:00 Worship Service ][ &]}D ernac ]]. e Baptist Church Dr. C.S. Hamilton, Minister 1223 Laney-Walker Blvd. Augusta, Ga. 30901 Church School 9:30 A.M. * Morning Worship 11 A.M. Broadcast Hour ﬁWT HB 155912 * Nursery, Kindergarten Open « Bible Study-Tues. 6 P.M. Prayer Nfecting Tscs. 7P.M.- Dai{;' Kindergarten Services 7 A.M. to 5 P.M. ' In constant demand as a preacher, speaker and evange list, Ms. Knight travels exten sively throughout the nation speaking at churches, conferenc es and on college campuses. The singular theme of her message and ministry is a better quality of life for the poor and oppressed, particularly women and children. A voracious reader, Ms. Knight enjoys reading the classics; as well as books on history, medi cine, law, philosophy and Afri can-American- history. At present, Ms. Knight is busy pre paring three manuscripts for publication. They are “Never a Man Spoke Like This: African- American Women in Today’s Ministry,” “Sermons That Em power the People,” and “From the Inside In: How I See the Church.” In May of 1985, a ser until the deacons and trustees _on Oct. 5 voted 17-6 to fire him. ~They accused him of failing to report church tithes and offer ings, raising money in the church’s name without turning in the proceeds and divulging private conversations. The deacons then sued to keep - Hodge from stepping onto church property. And an organization of Baptist churches in South Caro lina revoked Hodge’s ordination after he demanded the deacons be stripped of their power. Last week, Hodge and his sup porters countered with a lawsuit of their own. They argued that, while the deacons nominated Hodge, they have no right to fire him because the congregation hired him by a majority vote and has confirmed him every year. The church has no written bylaws. Duringthe furor, thelocks have been changed several times to keep peopleout. There have been shouting matches and spitting, booing, heckling and yelling dur ing worship services. Members have passed around two different collection plates, one for those who support the minister and another — during the sermon — for those who want him gone. The church has not had a regu Spil‘it Church News mon by Ms. Knight entitled “The Survival of the Unfit,” was re leased in a volume entitled Those Preachin’ Women, published by the Judson Press. In addition to her activities and responsibilities as a preach er, Dr. Knight has been honored for her outstanding career achievements. These achieve ments include Outstanding Young Women of America; The Dunlevy-Milbank Youth Coun cil’s Community Service Award; The Mary McLeod Bethune Award of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; The Com munity Service Award from the Laurelton Chapter of the Negro Professional Business Women'’s Council and the 1993 United Ne gro College Fund Alumni Award. In March 1996, Rev. Knight was inducted into the prestigious Col lar service for three straight Sundays. On Dec. 1, more than 20 law enforcement officers quelled a shouting match between sup porters trying to escort Hodge to the pulpit and detractors block ing the front door. The next Sunday, when the children were to present their Christmas play, Circuit Judge Howard King closed the church, citing a “real threat and danger to the individuals involved” and to the community. King dissolved his order last week, but police shut the church when members started arguing outside before the Dec. 15 service. Hodge and his lawyer refused repeated requests for comment. The deacons “are power struck. They’'ve been controlling things Treat your place of worship to a unique gift; buy it a subscription to Augusta Focus for only $24.95 per year. Call 724- 7855 to arrange your purchase. We Invite You To BAPTIST CHURCH Dr. Sam Davis, pastor 1434 POPLAR STREET AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30901 TELEPHONE: (706) 724-1086 Baptist Training Union (BTU) 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 Williams Memorial L C.MLE; 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.m. ' lege of Preachers by Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. Ms. Knight is an avid animal lover and champion of the fight for animal rights. She is the proud owner of two active canines, Yuri and Goliath. A former amateur athletic track and field champion, Ms. Knight has a variety of inter ests and hobbies, which include reading, working on the comput er, writing, music, travel, powerwalking, step training and philosophical and political discus sions. Rev. Knight is a member of the Light of the World Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis, Ind. T. Garrott Ben jamin Jr. is the senior pastor. She is a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The annual celebration is spon sored by the Lincoln League of Augusta. for years,” said Maggie Lane, a Hodge supporter. “This pastor wants younger people to come in. He wants to give other people a chance.” Naomi Sanders, spokeswoman for the church members who want to get rid of Hodge, coun tered: “Traditionally, the deacon board has been the highest power in the church. Plus, his ordina tion has beenrevoked. Evenifhe came back here, he couldn’t preach anyway.” King has ordered both sides to meet in his courtroom Jan. 2 to work out their problems. “Will we be back together be fore Christmas?” Mrs. Sanders said. “To be honest, I don’t know. It doesn’t look likely, but you never know. It is the Christmas season, after all.” THE AMEN CORNER - 1 B The Everfaithful Missionary Baptist Church is proud to, announce that the Overcoming Outreach School of Religion has, awarded their pastor, the Rev. Rosa L. Williams, her Doctor of; Divinity degree on August 3, 1996, from the Spirit of Truth Institute, of Richmond, Va. 9 8 The Family Enrichment Ministries at the Greater Young, Zion Baptist Church, 516 Forsythe St., will be holding FEM, Family Emphasis Month during January 1997. The following is the;, Sunday sermon schedule for the month: “The Family Covenant” will; be held on Jan. 5; “A Godly Husband” will be held on Jan. 12; “A, Godly Wife” will be held Jan. 19; and “Christian Parenting” will be, held on Jan. 26. There will be two morning worship times: 7:30 and, 10 a.m. Each Sunday, Bible Study/Workshops will be conducted; each Thursday at the church after each Sunday sermon based on its; title at 7 p.m. Rev. William B. Blount is director of FEM. 7 B Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 710 East Cedar St. ,j will have its Annual Candlelight Communion Service on Sunday,; Jan. 5, at 7 p.m. The Rev. Willie White and the Hosanna Newberry, Baptist Churches will be their guests. Dr. Johnny R. Hatney is pastor. 1 1 B Historic Springfield Baptist Church will hold its Annual; Men’s Day worship on Sunday, Dec. 29, at 11:15 a.m. The message, will be delivered by Rev. Larry Fryer. Watch Night Worship will be:, held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 10:30 p.m. Rev. James Hogan, pastor; of New Zion Hill Baptist Church will bring the message. Rev. E.T. Martin is pastor. : B Christ Church Unity, 2301 Central Ave., is sponsoring Hatha Yoga classes. Beginner classes are taught Tuesday evenings at the, YWCA and Thursday mornings at the Unity Church. Call 733-6494 for more information. Intermediate yoga classes are held Monday, evenings at the church. Please call Donna Calhoun, church secre-: tary, at 738-2458. : @ Macedonia Baptist Church, 1828 Wrightsboro Rd., has free’ clothing for those in need. The Clothes Closet hours of operation are’, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For additional information, please contact Ms. Candy Katz at 737-6834 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday). : i FOCUS your church luncheons or dinners in a fine restaurant. Visit BL’s Restaurant at 1117 Laney-Walker Blvd. or call (706) 828-7799 to arrange your church celebrations. Family Enrichment Ministries January is FEM Family Emphasis Month at the Greater Young Zion Baptist Church SUNDAY, Jan. 5,1997 “The Family Covenant” SUNDAY, Jan. 12,1997 “A Godly Husband” SUNDAY, Jan. 19,1997 “A Godly Wife” SUNDAY, Jan. 26,1997 “Christian Parenting” Two Morning Worship Times: 7:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Each Sunday Bible Study/Workshop will be conducted each Thursday at the church after each Sunday sermon based on its title at 7:00 p.m. COME JOIN US FOR OUR STATEWIDE WORKSHOPS! SINGLES (Albany) Jan. 10-11, 1997 MARRIAGES (Savannah) Jan. 24-25. 1997 Registration is FREE! i)’ SINGLES-S4O-includes transportation, motel room, continental breakfast and lunch. *DEADLINE: January 6, 1996 MARRIAGE-SBO-includes all of the above. *DEADLINE: January 20, 1996 CALL 724-1720 FOR MORE DETAILS