Manna Newspaper Spring 2009 by New Life

MANNA sPrinG 2009

NEWS

Feeding Our COmmunities With manna FrOm heaven

The American Christian

Does PATRIOTISM Have a Double Standard?

ALITA HALL & NACEC;

Making a Difference in Our Community

A PublicAtion of the MinisteriAl AlliAnce of north AMityville And vicinity (MAnA)

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Vol. 02 • No. 02 SPRING 2009 www.mannanews.org

MANNA neWspaper staFF Pastor Roy Kirton MANA President Dr. David Robinson Executive Editor Bishop Andy C. Lewter Managing Editor Pastor Elena L. Mayﬁeld Dynamic Creative Solutions Design & Layout Deacon Calvin Watt Distribution

Editorial From the President’s Desk: Pastor Roy Kirton As we embark on the Spring issue of our paper there are many challenges facing our communities because of the economic meltdown. Huge layoffs and company downsizing, along with record foreclosures, have created a new dynamic for ministry for the church. In the Apostle Paul’s discourse on gifting, in 1st Corinthians 12:28, he mentions the “gift of helps.” Some have taken the gift to mean service, giving to the needs of others or doing acts of mercy. If you are involved in a ministry of Helps, I am sure that you are being overwhelmed with the needs of the people in our region. I see this on a weekly basis on the increased lines of people who wait to be helped by our food pantry. In light of this, I thought it would be appropriate to provide a listing of services that could assist in your ministry.

Emergency Housing • Nassau County 516-867-7727 • Suffolk County 631-854-9100 • Long Island Council of Churches Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program • Nassau County 516-565-0290 • Suffolk County 631-727-2210

Contributors Pastor John Davis Nadine Johnson

Heap Program (Utilities) • Nassau County 516-565-4327 • Suffolk County 631-853-8326 • NYS Heap Hotline 800-342-3009

Utility Assistance Program • St. Martin of Tours Outreach Program 631-264-4840 • Our Lady of Assumption Outreach Program 631-842-5264

Soup Kitchen • Trinity Lutheran Church, Wyandanch 631-643-8454 • Senior Centers - Breakfast and Lunch served 5 days a week to seniors 60 and over. Transportation provided. Donation $1.00 Breakfast $2.00 Lunch • Wyandanch Nutrition Center 631-4914089 Centenia Beard-Hendricks • North Babylon Senior Center 631-4227610 Rosemarie Prossmo • North Amityville Senior Center 631789-3524 Tanya Gilliard • Rainbow Senior Center (Lindenhurst) 631-957-7526 Barbara Poldino • Tanner Park Senior Center (Copiague) 631-842-7773 Diane Harrington • Babylon Meals on Wheels 631-842-4123 Isabella Sliwowska

Message from the Executive Editor

MANNA Newspaper is a publication sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and Vicinity (MANA) and is currently published on a quarterly basis.

Editorials and articles are welcome and should be sent to the managing oﬃce of the newspaper:

Please be advised that all submissions become the intellectual property of MANNA Newspaper who reserves the right to edit and modify submissions as may be necessary.

In addition, we welcome ﬁnancial support from the business and church

The President’s Budget President Barrack Obama laid out his first budget plan on Thursday, 2/26/09 predicting a stunning federal deficit of 1.75 trillion dollars this year, in addition, he asked Congress to raise taxes on the wealthy to stem the flood of red ink while moving the country toward guaranteed healthcare for all. Other areas addressed in his budget include Environment, War, Education, Defense, Transportation, Bank Bail-out, Energy, Taxes, and Homeland Security. While our nation is currently in a recession, it is also predicted that a

huge battle will ensue in Congress over the President’s proposed budget. I am reminded of the song that says: Be not dismayed what e’er betide, God will take care of you. All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you. Through everyday, all of the way, God will take care of you. God’s stimulus plan can be found in Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Be encouraged, and stand on the promises of God.

community. Interested persons should call or contact our marketing agent at: 2 Monroe Street Amityville, NY 11701

(631) 842-7091

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Devotions The American Christian 1 Samuel 8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, 20. that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” BY PASTOR JOHN C. DAvIS Amityville Community Church

The above passage clearly indicates that God has poignantly pointed out the problem, and just as powerfully provided the solution. We are the problem and we are the solution. The key phrase is “my people”. God does not blame a king, a government, a political party or a racial group. God does rebuke and point out that His people are involved in pride, prayerlessness, and wickedness. God does promise that when His people rectify their own lives and conduct then the land will be restored. Some may want to argue the context of the passage and limit the promise to Israel proper. I would simply submit that we have never be so righteous in our land as Christians as to say we have truly tested the promise. The gossip, backbiting, greed, sexual immorality, pride and other sins that often exist within the hallowed halls provide more than enough guilt on our part without having to assign blame to any political party. The fact that professing believers are more ready to entertain themselves as opposed to engage in religious duty is a sad comment on our spiritual mindset. There is much that can be said about this matter. Are we looking to McCain and Republicans, Obama and Democrats or are we relying on Jesus? Do we believe that our help comes from earthly litigation or divine intervention? The fact that God has provided different human agencies to bring about change is a fact that cannot be ignored. However, like the Israelites we can begin to focus more on the temple and forget the God of the temple. May God grant us true awakening and revival so that we can demonstrate to the world, that our deliverance comes from the hand of God and not from the arm of flesh. The Amityville Community Church is a place where Christ crucified, risen and coming again is preached.

You may wonder why the word American appears before Christian in the title. Unfortunately, in many ways the professing church is more American than Christian. This was clearly demonstrated during the last presidential election. Sadly, the American church was divided along lines that delineate their political ideologies and not their religious conviction. No doubt each person is fully convinced that their particular thinking is accurate and biblical. Therefore this article will not try to persuade or address any specific or particular ideologies. What the article will do is demonstrate that the American church has the same carnal and ungodly thinking as the Israelites did centuries before. The passage above depicts an incident where the Israelites confront Samuel and declare their desire for a king. God declares that their request for a king is really a rejection of His own Divine, Sovereign, and Lawful leadership over His own people. Without going into a full exposition of the text and scenario, allow me to draw some very striking and disturbing parallels between the Israelites of old, and the current Christian community. The Israelites believed that having an earthly king would help deliver them from their enemies, difficulties and overall hardships in the world. The American Christian is convinced that having the “right” candidate in office will deliver them from their difficulties, hardships, and that the “right” candidate will rectify the injustices that exist in the world. One can only wonder if we as students of the Bible are forgetting the answer to the injustice, wickedness, and injustice that exist in our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, Opening The Book - A closed Bible and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will leads to a closed mind. Pastor John C. Davis - Amityville hear from heaven, and will forgive Community Church their sin and heal their land.

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Holiday The Commercialization of

Easter

BY BISHOP ANDY C. LEWTER D. MIN. Hollowood Full Gospel Catherdral

In the month of April this year, members of the Christian community worldwide will recall the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, his subsequent trials before Pontus Pilate and Herod, his crucifixion on a cross at Calvary and his victorious rise from the grave on Resurrection Sunday. However, to walk the aisles of Walmart, Walgreen or other stores there is no direct reference to the events just mentioned in the preceding paragraph. Instead shoppers will be treated to images of bunnies, chocolate eggs and baskets filled with candy. Watching such products disappear from store shelves causes one to wonder how and when a holy day with such supreme significance became such an annual opportunity for mercantilism. Most historians agree that the celebration of Easter as a stand alone event and

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festival was not a part of the original calendar that was observed by the first generation of Christians. It should be remembered that many of the early years of Christianity was marked by persecution and any activity that would have attracted attention to newly organized religion would have caused harm and injury to the movement. Consequently it would have been disastrous for early Christians to attempt to observe holy days that did not coincide with existing observances and holiday traditions. In order for the church and church members to survive it was thought best to allow the populations they came in contact with to continue to celebrate pagan festivals but in a “Christian” way. Scholars suggest that Easter as a holy celebration of the church did not take root in the church until some time in the second century. This would have been during a time when the church was attempting to integrate itself into the

mainstream of Roman culture and society. In actuality, the celebration that we call Easter had its origin as a pagan festival. Many societies such as the ancient Saxon annually celebrated the return of the Spring season each year by paying homage to the goddess named “Eastre” and when Christian missionaries visited tribal communities in what is now Europe their attempts to convert them included redefining their festivals with Christian themes. Eastre for the Saxons coincided with the celebration for the Resurrection of Christ and so the spelling was eventually changed and a greater emphasis placed on Christ than the Spring season. By 325 AD the Easter Debate produced the Quartodeciman Controversy with the

Church in the East and West deciding to calculate Easter in different ways. Strongly associated with the vernal equinox, the day is now celebrated between March 22nd and April 25th.

The Easter Bunny and Egg The Easter Bunny was originally a part of the ancient Saxon celebration that used the rabbit as the earthly symbol of the celebration. The bunny was brought to America by German immigrants and was largely ignored by the Christian community until just after the Civil War. As with the bunny, the Easter Egg has its roots in several ancient societies where the egg Please see EASTER, Page 6

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Does Patriotism Have a Double Standard? I readily confess that I was not a supporter of George W. Bush. I actively campaigned for his rival, Al Gore because I believed that he was what was best for the country and his political philosophical views were most compatible with my own. However, when terrorist piloted planes plowed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, I was one of the first to rush to my pulpit and declare to all who would listen that George W. Bush was the president to all of us now and that in the face of attack the new president deserved all of our support and backing. I so well remember the national tragedy that faced us as a country and how we rallied as a people both around altars and microphones to pledge a renewed allegiance to the country and the individuals that America had selected to lead it. In the Fall of 2001, party labels were set aside and the noble cause of common interest and values were embraced as the highest priority we had as members of the United States of America. It did not matter that we did not agree with the president on the specifics of civil rights. It did not matter that in the midst of the moment more Black males were being sent to jail than to college. It did not matter that a disproportionate number of minorities were victims of a justice system that made it twice as likely for people of color to be arrested than their counterparts in the same age groups. Grandmothers making daily decisions between eating and pharmaceuticals, high school students graduating without the ability to read, the unavailability of jobs despite having college and graduate degrees. None of these social inequities could rival the swelling feeling of patriotism and compulsion that we felt to act as one. You see, the assumption that we made was that regardless of political differences, if President Bush did not have the total support of country, both in public and the media, then those who intended our country harm would be encouraged in their efforts to wreak havoc on American soil. On September 11, 2001 three thousand

lives were lost in lower Manhattan and every media outlet in the country announced that we were in a crisis that deserved our unswerving support. Since the beginning of Bishop this year unemployAndy C. Lewter ment has arisen to 8.1% with over 12 million people out of work. Millions of dollars have been spent in the name of “bailout and stimulus”, all of which was inherited by the current administration. In light of such realities, we are in as much a crisis with our economy as we were in 2001. And yet the support and patriotism that was the order of the day is seemingly absent in this current ordeal. Politicians, radio personalities, cable correspondents, political analyst even the former vice President feel entitled to criticize and second guess the decisions that’s being made in White House. I am convinced that in the midst of the chaos and crisis that we are currently going through we have an obligation to practice patriotism on a level playing field. Patriotism is not an item that is operated by a double standard. While I am not arguing that any public official is above the scrutiny of a well meaning media, but I also believe that the new administration, which did not produce the current state of affairs, deserves, at a minimum ,the same level of allegiance that was manifest eight years ago. This is not an issue of one administration being of the majority while the other administration is headed by a person of color, this is about the enthusiasm and passion that America demonstrated last November, when citizens went to the polls in record numbers, and cast their ballots in pursuit of a change of policy and a change of direction. If that change is indeed going to come, it can not take place if we have a double standard for patriotism.

EASTER from page 5 was a symbol for the earth and its ability to bring forth new life. This new life was associated with Spring and so it was natural for the imagery of the egg to find its way into social circles celebrating Easter as a Christian event.

As the 20th century approached and the need to stimulate the economy of America as a new world power, it was the merchant community that saw Easter as an opportunity to sell merchandise and market products to the

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general public. As a result, bunnies, baskets, brightly decorated eggs and the purchase of new clothes became a common practice for Americans. Today, Easter sales are second only to Christmas and constitutes a major sell-

ing season for merchants. In recent years churches and church leaders have led a campaign to keep Easter a spiritual event and take back, to some degree, the Christo-centric nature of the holiday.

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Holiday Should Christians Have Celebrated Valentine’s Day? Last February, millions sent cards, ate candy, received gifts and went to dinner as part of the annual ritual that is associated with valentine’s Day. Among the millions are Christians who freely participate in the annual day, but in light of the pagan origins of the day and its inclusion of symbols from “Roman Mythology”, the question has been raised as to whether it is appropriate for Christians to observe the day. The day undeniably has its roots in the ancient practice of fertility rites associated with “Lupercalia”. According to Wikopedia, “In Ancient Rome, Lupercalia, observed February 13 through 15, was an archaic rite connected to fertility, without overtones of romance. Lupercalia was a festival local to the city of Rome. The more general Festival of Juno Februa, meaning “Juno the Purifier” “or “the chaste Juno,” was celebrated on February 13-14” Most scholars agree that Pope

Gelaius in the 5th century attempted to Christianize the Roman festival by placing it upon the church’s calendar and re-naming it after a popular bishop who was martyred and elevated to sainthood, St valentine. The most popular story of valentine (valentinius) seems to be associated with the Roman Emperor Claudius II who forbade his young men in the army to marry to keep them strong for battle. A priest by the name valentine oppossed the emperor by secretly marrying young couples. The priest was jailed and on the day of his execution, February 14th, he sent a note to his jailer’s daughter, that he had fallen in love with, and signed it “Love, Your valentine”. In light of its pagan roots, do you think that Christians should celebrate valentine’s day? Is the participation of Christians cultural or a commentary on their Christianity. We look forward to reading what you think.

Wall Street Project Initiative

Rev. Al Sharpton The National Action Network

Rev. Jesse Jackson Rainbow/PUSH Coalition

Amidst the chaos that is taking place on Wall Street it is no wonder the concern and interest that occurred when the Rev. Jesse Jackson convened his 2009 Wall Street Project held at the New York Hilton in mid-Manhattan on Seventh Avenue. For the last twelve years, Rev. Jesse L. Jackson has convened a major economic summit named the Wall Street Project. The event brings together members of the minority and business community to discuss ways for there to be equity and fairness in the marketplace.

As apart of the general effort to bring about economic justice, Jesse Jackson hosted a “One Thousand Churches Connected Minister’s Luncheon” on Thursday, January 15, 2009, the actual birthday of Dr. King. “The Church”, heart of America, is moving forward past the crossroads

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Dr. Hohnny Ray Youngblood St. Paul Baptist Church & Academy

Sheila C. Bair Chairman of FDIC

Please see PROJECT, Page 16 Clergy Caucas luncheon at New York Hilton Hotel.

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Ecumenical Felloship MANA Changes Tradition for Annual Martin Luther King Worship Service

Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and Vicinity

For several years, the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville and vicinity held its annual Martin Luther King service on the Monday of the holiday during the evening at one of the member churches of the alliance. This year, under the leadership of our new president, Pastor Roy Kirton, MANA changed its two decade long tradition and altered its service from Monday evening to Saturday morning. On Saturday, January 17, 2009, ministers and lay persons from the member churches of the alliance assembled at the Prayer Tabernacle Church of God in Christ in North Amityville, hosted by Dr. Walter Wille.

Dr. Barbara Lucus guest speaker.

Town Council member Tony Martinez

Mime dance ministry from Amityville Full Gospel Tabernacle.

Please see king wORShiP, Page 17

Manna Executive Editor Honored with MLK Leadership Award Dr. David Robinson, pastor of the Shaw Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Executive Editor of the Manna Newspaper was one of several persons who were honored at the Martin Luther King Leadership Awards Breakfast held on January 19, 2009 at the Long Island Hilton Hotel. The award was presented by Pastor Robert Burgess, pastor of the Grace Community Church in Amityville, New York and the 2008 award recipient in the area of church leadership. Each year a number of individuals whose lives reflect the ideals and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King are honored. These awards are in several different areas such as ministry, politics, community activism, youth accomplishment, business and com-

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munity service. The keynote speaker for the event this year was Hazel Dukes, president of the New York State Conference of NAACP Chapters. The awards breakfast took place on the day before the inauguration of the new president and a good deal of attention was placed upon the coincidence that the country was celebrating the birthday of Dr. King on the day before the first American president who is an African American was to be sworn in.

Dr. David Robinson Pastor of Shaw Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

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Outreach Motivation for Missions & Evangelism

Nick Savoca

If we truly have a love relationship with God we will want to identify with His heart and pray “Lord break my heart with the things that break yours”.

God is more concerned with why we do what we do than what we do! People serve God out of different types of motivation. Some out of guilt, others out of fear of what God might do if we do not obey His commands, and still others out of a sense of pride desiring the world know what they have done and the results of their efforts. I believe there is only one motivation that God desires of us and that is to serve Him out of love relationship with Jesus. Because we love Him so much we want to please Him and do what will bring joy and happiness to His heart. We were all created in the image of God. I believe that means that we are like Him, we were created in God’s image with the same Intelligence, Free Will, and Emotions. We are different in that God’s intelligence is infinite and ours finite, but nevertheless we have intelligence unlike the plant and animal world and more like our creator. God has the power of self determination and we have been given a free will to choose what we will do and the responsibility of the consequences of our actions as well. Emotion is also God given and God like. He is not just a supreme being sitting on

his throne untouched with what we choose to do with our lives and our societies. God is capable of experiencing both happiness and sorrow. Our greatest privilege as Christians is to bring joy each day to the heart of God by what we choose to do with our lives. Salvation is not a one way street where we are on the receiving end of God’s blessings, but rather one where we demonstrate toward God the same love and commitment that he lives out toward us each day. I heard a missions’ speaker explain this once by equating our way of relating with God as Dog & Cat Theology. Some Christians are like dogs in the way we look at God. You love a dog, feed a dog, lovingly take care of a dog and he looks up at you as if to say “you must be God”. In the same way you care for a cat and the cat looks up at you as if to say “I must be God”. It is said that dogs have masters, but cats have staff. What is your relationship with God all about? You or Him? When our attitude is that we want to bring joy and happiness to the heart of God then we are willing to do whatever it takes to make Him happy. Nothing He asks us

to do is too great or too hard, because of our love relationship with the Father and our desire to please Him. It’s all about Him! Because God is the author of emotion He can not only experience happiness, but also sorrow. God is not calloused to sin like we often tend to be. When people sin it breaks His heart. We see the picture of the heart of God when Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem and cried ““O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. (Matthew 23:37 NIv). If we truly have a love relationship with God we will want to identify with His heart and pray “Lord break my heart with the things that break yours”. Do you want to have a heart for Missions & Evangelism? The foundation of it all must be your heart of love for your heavenly Father and your desire to bring happiness and joy to His heart through your service. Winning souls is not a matter of statistics to boast about in a newsletter, but a loving service to Father God to bring healing to His broken heart over a lost world.

Manna Newspaper Partners with Online Social Community Over the last few years there has been a movement in the computer industry that has produced what is commonly called “web 2.0” This latest expression of computer technology differs from the first generation of internet web activity in that the first generation of web allowed content provider to create material that would be posted to a website that the surfer would consume. The limitations of this technology was that the content was under the total control of the webmaster and allowed no opportunity for the consumer of the website to alter or customize the website in any way. With the arrival of the “web 2.0” collaboration and interactivity became the key and operative terms to describe the functionality of emerging new technology. With “web 2.0” there is an innate ability for the consumer of the online activity to change, and better yet, contribute to material that is available on a given website. This results in what the technology prefers to call “dynamic content”. Interesting enough one of the leading companies to explore this exciting new

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technology is a company called “ning” founded by Marc Andressen. Mark Andressen has been associated with the internet community for several years actually functioning as one of its pioneers with the invention of Netscape one of the first internet browsers to allow computer users to explore cyberspace. Managing Editor, Bishop Andy C.

Lewter, has created two “ning” websites that allows users to post blogs, chat with other members, upload videos, contribute pictures, start forums and establish online groups. The first of the two sites was created in connection with its creator’s association with the leading gospel magazine in the country. The website is “Gospel Today

Online” and is available by pointing your browser to http://gospeltoday.ning.com. The second website with a more local flavor and is a partner in being of service to the reading community of the Manna Newspaper is “Practicing Theologians” and is available by pointing your browser to http://practicingtheologians.com” In both instances membership to the social online communities is free and signing up is a breeze. Both sites offer members an opportunity to connect with other people with common interests and values and encourages them to create online relationships that can be valuable and enhancing. Readers of Manna Newspaper are encouraged to visit http://practicingtheologians.com and add your own customized content to the site and social network. Each quarter we here at Manna Newspaper review the blog entries and determine which items to include in future issues of the newspaper. So find an item that you are passionate about, post it online, and who knows, you just may find what you have written in the next issue of the Manna Newspaper.

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Church & Politics Long Island Church Members Travel To Washington, DC for Presidential Inauguration

While America has been treated to a smorgasbord of pictures and videos relating to the recent inauguration of President Barack Obama, members of the Christian community can be proud that members of the church community had a pronounced visible role during the proceedings. While there is a good deal of debate over the participation of several of the Christian leaders who took part in the festivities because of their political opinions and stances on certain issues, what is clear and undeniable is the serious

level that the new administration considers the importance of faith and religion. Some of those who shared in this historic event included Pastor Rick Warren, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Bishop T. D. Jakes, Dr. Suzan D. Johnson, Bishop Gene Robinson, Wintley Phipps and so many others. Participation ranged from delivering prayers at the National Cathedral to providing a religious commentary on the event to cable news outlets. Those participating represented a cross-section of ideologies and political opinions. “Inclusiveness is key for us” said a high

ranking official in the new administration. The question becomes how included will the new administration keep Christian personalities in the dialogue on public policy in the future? Apart from the notable names that took part in the celebration, several church members from Long Island were part of these festivities. At 2:00 AM a busload of persons from Long Island boarded a charter at the Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral in Amityville and arrived in Washington, DC around 7:00 AM. The group was hosted by the

Greater New Hope Baptist Church who accommodated the group with a large screen and projector set up in the sanctuary so that those in attendance could watch all of the inauguration festivities apart from the cold and freezing temperature outside. Those from Long Island were delighted to be apart of history and be able to say, in years to come, that they were there when the first African American president was given the oath of office and sworn in.

over stimulation packages filled with pork and false promises of renewed prosperity. At the root of this dilemma is a love of money, greed. America is amongst the richest nations on earth. Money is our true god. Money is what we live for. Money makes our world go round. We feel safe or scared based on our savings. Our attitude is determined by how our investments are doing. Our moods swing with the mortgage rates. Our heart beats to the rise and

fall of the dollar. We are running after riches. And what really exposes our human bankruptcy is that these things are too often found in the Church. When we run after riches we run away from God (1 John 2:15-17). Money and the things of this world pose a great temptation. The Christian is called to trust God and invest in heavenly wealth (Matthew 6).

Running after Riches The economies of the world are in shambles and on life support. An age of sought after ease is bringing us to our economic knees. Citizens regardless of economic status have been caught up in an evil spirit of entitlement. We are in a national debate over stimulation packages filled with pork and false promises of renewed prosperity.

BY PAST CLAUDE STAUFFER Cavary Chaple of Hope Jesus watched a widow make a two cents donation and said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (Luke 21:3-4). What caught the Savior’s eye about this widow? What separated her from the crowd? She expressed her faith with her money. She gave not on the basis of what she had, but on the basis of what she knew God had. The rich gave larger offerings. They may even have tithed to fulfill their obligation. But their giving required no faith. Their giving cost them nothing. Their giving was safe. Her giving cost her everything. Her giving was risky. The widow gave her meager best and trusted the Lord for the rest. She gave in faith trusting God to support her. Finances tell us a lot about a person’s faith. The economies of the world are in shambles and on life support. An age of sought after ease is bringing us to our economic knees. Citizens regardless of economic status have been caught up in an evil spirit of entitlement. We are in a national debate

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Please see RiChES, Page 11

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Community Activism A Lion’s Voice on Central Long Island When one studies the life of the jungle, they discover that one of the reasons that the creatures of the jungle remain in right relationship with each other is because of the fear and respect that they have for the presence and roar of the lion. In the community of North Amityville and Copiague, there is a lion’s voice that has helped to maintain order and consistently speaks truth to power on the behalf of those whose voices are muted for one reason or another. That voice belongs to Brother Lenny Canton who serves as the President of the Board for the North Amityville Community Economic Council and for the last several years he has been one of the leading social activists of the community. Recently, the Manna Newspaper spoke with Lenny Canton to secure from him what were some of the major items that continues to confront a community like North Amityville and vicinity. “One of my major concerns is that there is a shortage of men working in our community. I have nothing against women leadership, but we need men to step up” says a resolute Lenny Canton. A Native of Harlem, New York, Lenny Canton came to Long Island with his family as a youngster and completed his secondary education graduating from Copiague High School. After high school he attended Morgan State University

in Baltimore, MD where he was introduced to civil rights and activism by a Baptist preacher who challenged him to be strong enough to fight for civil rights with the weapon of non-violence. Returning to North Amityille and Copiague after college, Lenny Canton became active as a local committee-man and later ran for the position of County Legislator. Over the last several years, he has given sterling leadership to the NACEC organization where he has served as president of the board. One of the items that Mr. Canton is passionate about is the role of ministers in leading the community in crying out for justice in community affairs. “Ministers speak to a whole lot of people, if we put all of our numbers together we can not Currently, the be stopped” says Canton. NACEC organization offers a number of programs to the community under his leadership. “I would like to be a griot who could sit back and let the younger generation take over”, wishes Canton, but until that time comes, all of us in central Long Island are blessed to have a lion’s voice like Lenny Canton’s speaking and roaring on our behalf. We invite you to view our interview with Lenny Canton by visiting us online at: http://practicingtheologians.com/viedo.”

Lenny Canton who serves as the President of the Board for the North Amityville Community Economic Council.

“Ministers speak to a whole lot of people, if we put all of our numbers together we can not be stopped” says Canton.

RiChES from page 10 Money is a means to an end. But it often becomes the end (pun intended). Money is a powerful tool in ministry but not the aim of ministry. The great danger is being compromised by currency. Biblical accounts help us avoid the pitfalls and sins of our predecessors (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:6). Abraham and Lot give us a good example of the dangers of running after riches. In Genesis it states, “And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere . . . . And he [Abram] gave him a tithe of all” (Genesis 13:10; 14:20). The context here is that Abraham, (the uncle of Lot) and Lot had to part ways because of the growth of their flocks. These two verses contrast how Lot and Abraham determined to move. Lot lusted after wealth while Abraham walked in faith. Lot moved according to the wealth he saw before him. Lot walked by sight not by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7; Genesis 13:10). He made decisions without consulting

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God (Genesis 13:11). He pitched his tent near Sodom (Genesis 13:12-13). Then he actually dwelt in Sodom, an exceedingly wicked place of sin (Genesis 13:13:14:12). His race for riches resulted in being caught in a war and captivity (Genesis 14:11-16). Even after this dangerous encounter Lot never took sin seriously. His preoccupation with wealth led him to a prominent part in the sinful city of Sodom. When Sodom was judged by God Lot barely escaped with his family. His children had lost respect for him. His wife was turned to a pillar of salt because of her lust for luxury in Sodom. After his escape Lot got drunk, committed incest and impregnated his two daughters (Genesis 19). He had run after riches and run down his faith. This is an ugly story. Lot shows us the ragged end of running after riches. What are you running after? Abraham ran God’s course. He acted in faith and based his life decisions on his relationship with God (Genesis 14:17-24). He wasn’t perfect (Genesis 16). But Abraham

was a man of faith. He trusted the Lord to provide as He guided him (Genesis 15; 17; Romans 4). Abraham knew all that he had was from the Lord. Evidence of this is seen by his tithing to the Lord after victory (Genesis 14:20). Notice this act of tithing (“tithe” means giving a tenth or 10%) was before the Law was given. Those who excuse themselves from giving a tenth of their income to God based on a supposed imposition of the Law are mistaken according to Abraham’s example. Jesus encouraged tithing (Matthew 23:23). Abram demonstrated his faith by living the motto where God guides God provides. We can guard against running after riches by keeping a few things in mind. Running after riches will make you forget God (Deuteronomy 8:13-14; 1 John 2:1517). Running after riches hinders your spiritual growth and journey to heaven (Matthew 19:23; Mark 4:19; 2 Timothy 2:4). Running after riches leads to many temptations (1 Timothy 6:9). Running after riches leads to disappointment (Matthew

6:19; Mark 10:17-27; James 5:3). Realize everything is from God (Deuteronomy 8:18; 1 Chronicles 29:12; Ecclesiastes 5:19; Hosea 2:8; James 1:17). Realize what we have belongs to God; we are merely stewards of it (Genesis 14:20-24; Psalm 50:10-12; Malachi 3:7-12; Luke 16:1-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Revelation 3:1718).Rely on God to provide for your needs (Psalm 34:10; 37:25; 84:11; 105:40-41; 145:16; Matthew 6:19-34; Philippians 4:10-19). Jesus commended the widow. She wasn’t compromised by currency. She knew what she had was from God. She trusted God to provide for her even when she was down to nothing. Her giving was an act of faith. She ran with God. Abraham honored God with his wealth. Abraham ran with God. Don’t run after riches; they have a way of getting away from you. In these precarious economic times run with Jesus. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Claude

Spring 2009 • Manna News • 11

Congratulations Copiague Girls Basketball Team The Manna Newspaper is happy to congratulate the Copiague High School Girls varsity Basketball Team who recently won the New York State AA Basketball Championship in Glen Falls, New York. The girls team, who has relationships with several of the churches in the MANA organization, travelled to the state championship game by beating their cross county rivals Syosset and then went on to defeat Canandaigua which set up the championship game with Bethlehem. The Copiague Girls Basketball team captured the state crown by beating Bethlehem High School with a score of 74-58. We all are proud of the Copiague team and wish all of the players much success in their future.

Powell

Funeral Home, Inc. 1908 - 2009

Proud to be Celebrating Over 100 Years of Service to the Community Wesley C. Powell Wesley A. (Andy) Powell (631) 691-0172 12 â&#x20AC;˘ Manna News â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2009

67 Broadway Amityville, New York 11701 www.manna

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Welcome Bishop Rose

The Manna staff would like to welcome to our community Bishop and Lady Raymond Rose. Bishop Rose is the pastor of the New Life Church of God located in Lindenhurst, New York. We are certain that Bishop Rose will be a great asset to our community and we are excited over his arrival and what we know will be a great addition to Central Long Island.

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Lead Story Alita Hall and NACEC; Making a Difference in Our Community Nestled in the heart of North Amityville is a thirty year old building that has been a resource and refuge for the residents of the community from the time of its construction. As a teenager growing up in Amityville, I well remember the one story building where activities would go on and in whose basement I would look forward to going to on the weekends for parties and other social gatherings. It was there I would listen to local bands like, Silk, Satin and Soul or hear the melodies of “The Fellas” or “Sam and Deborah”. Wedding receptions would take place on the main floor of the building and on the other side of the building were offices where I would find my first real job as a community administrator for a free lunch program during the summer months while I was college. Today, the woods that surrounded the building have been replaced with newly built homes and the pebbled street now is paved and the building that used to house the Amityville, Copiague, East Farmingdale Community Action Center (ACE Center) is now the home to the North Amityville Community Economic Center (NACEC) and is being operated by Alita Hall who took the position of Executive Director this past year.

Alita Hall, “Home Girl” Alita Hall is a native of Long Island having graduated from Copiague High School in 1976. She started a family soon after and spent most of the years between 1985 and 1995, in her own words, “living the street life inclusive of drugs and alcohol.” It was in 1996 that Alita came to herself and decided to change her life for the better. She enrolled in the Audrey Cohen College and in 1998 graduated with a bachelors degree in Human Services. She would then go on to C. W. Post and earn a Masters of Science degree in Guidance Counseling. She has post graduate credits in Elementary Education and Special Education and anticipates graduating with a Doctorate of Education in May of this year from Dowling College. Over the years Ms. Hall has served as an Adjunct Professor at Touro College, at the Harlem Branch and has served for

the last several years on the board of NACEC.

NACEC History NACEC was founded in 1988 and was organized in part to respond to the community blight located on the corners of Great Neck Road and Albany Avenue. At the time, “the block” as it was known, was identified as the most drug infested area on Long Island with lives littered from the human debris that is caused from dysfunctional behaviour. Out of that chaos came a community based program that made its chief focus educational and economic development. The educational component of the program was primarily vocational and aimed at giving individuals a trade to use to better and support themselves. Currently the NACEC program works in partnership with the Town of Babylon and as its managing partner operates the very same corner that brought the organization into existence in the first place. On the one corner is a franchised Rite Aide Store and Pharmacy. On the opposite corner is a strip mall that includes a Tutor Time Day Care Center, police substation and local bank. On the third corner operated by NACEC are plans for a business incubator and office building that will allow local entreprenuers to operate and build a business, bringing additional commerce to North Amityville. When asked how the local church community could work in stronger partnership with the NACEC program Ms. Hall lists five items for local churches and the faith community to consider:

How the Church Community Can Help NACEC 1. NACEC, as a community based organization is dependent upon local groups to communicate their story to the neighborhoods that they serve. They are asking churches to help distribute information about their programs to those persons to whom the programs are intended to help. 1. Funding for the NACEC program is limited and restricted to grants from the government and other local municipalities. Therefore, NACEC would like churches and the faith com-

14 • Manna News • Spring 2009

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Lead Story

munity to assist them with local fundraising initiatives so that the organization can expand their program offerings. 1. As in the past, the NACEC building includes facilities for group activities. The organization still makes its facilities available for social and community based programs. The organization continues to encourage the faith community to see them as an asset and resource for programs that they may want to have off-site from their churches.

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1. Currently NACEC is looking for persons to populate their board and help give directions to the organization. The board meets monthly on a Monday night and interested persons are encouraged to meet with the board on a consistent basis in order to determine the commitment of the candidate to the organization. 1. NACEC offers a variety of program from a Certified Nursing Assistants program, a GED program, ESL

program and a computer program that includes keyboarding and computer concepts. Therefore, NACEC needs the faith community to help them identify and recruit individuals for the various programs that they offer.

The NACEC building on Commerce Avenue still lies in the heart of the North Amityville, Copiage and East Farmingdale community and is striving

to live up to its mission and objective to be a community resource and a place for personal improvement. The programs of NACEC seeks to be an arena where community voices can be heard and action can be taken to make a difference in the lives of people. There are currently partnerships with the State University of New York at Farmingdale and Opportunities Industrial Council and the NACEC program is open to others.

Spring 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ Manna News â&#x20AC;˘ 15

A Little

Advice From Tyler Perry Last month my lawyer, veronica Lewis of Dallas, asked me a question that I had never thought about. She asked me, “Where do my Christian messages come from in my work?” Well, I thought about it and then it hit me, I ended up sharing this?I have spoken many times about the kind of man that my father was, and don’t get me wrong I don‘t want to beat a dead horse, but I can’t tell you how I got to my answer without explaining this to you. When I was very young, about 5 or 6 years old, Monday through Thursday was pretty uneventful in my house most of the time. But on Friday and Saturday he would go out and get drunk and come home and all hell would break loose. And as a little boy I would feel so helpless watching this man beat my mother. I would sit in the corner covering my ears wanting the madness to stop. Most times, after it was over, I would lay next to her trying to comfort her as we would both cry ourselves to sleep.... that’s still hard to think about. Anyway, early Sunday morning she would wake me up and take me to church. Most of the time it would just be the two of us. We’d get there and my uncle, Rev. D. J. Campbell, would be up preaching. I would look over the pews and see my mother smiling. Then she would sing in the choir and she would be happy. When she smiled I smiled wider, when she laughed I laughed harder, when she sang I sang louder. So, when my lawyer asked me that question all I could say was, “I wanted to know the God that made my mother smile. I wanted to know this Jesus that my uncle preached about. I get a chill even think-

ing about it now. My uncle would preach and say things like, “Pray, and if you have faith and believe, God will do it for you. Just believe.” Now, while most of the kids my age were playing or asleep, I was listening. You would be surprised what a 6-year-old will listen to. Even though I was very young, I heard that. Not only did I hear it, I wanted to see for myself. So, I put this “pray, believe, and have faith” thing to the test. Now at that age, I had a vivid imagination and I thought that the people on the Tv were little people trapped inside the Tv, and that if I could get inside of it, I could take them out and have my own little family that would talk to me and that I could love and take care of. I wouldn’t dare go behind that old floor model color Zenith and unscrew something—I would have been murdered for sure...LOL. But, I remembered my uncle’s words and I prayed and asked God to send me some little people to take care of. Now this sounds like an impossible prayer for God to answer, but one day while I was at school, a lady who lived across the street was moving away and she had asked my mother if she could leave something for me. My mother said yes and when I got home there it was, a three-story bamboo house with two living creatures that spoke to me! They said, “Hello!” There were two parakeets. I thought God had answered my prayer. Listen to me when I tell you, something got born in me that day. I had prayed, believed, and had faith and it had come to pass. From that day to this one it is that process

that I have used to see all my dreams come true. Pray, Believe, and have Faith. It started with something as simple and small as two parakeets for me. If you start believing for little things, it will allow you to grow into believing for all things BIG THINGS. That’s the way to see all your dreams come true. If you’ve been trying the same thing over

and over and aren’t getting any results then how about in 2009 trying something else? It doesn’t matter if a million people tell you what you can’t do, or if ten million tell you no. If you get one yes from God that’s all you need. This year PRAY, BELIEvE, and have FAITH for your one YES!

nected Ministers’ Luncheon of the 12th Annual Wall Street Project Economic Summit celebrated a dynamic year of progress and accomplishment for the Church and spoke to best practices for continued economic empowerment through education and collective approaches to community stability and growth.” says the official website of the Wall Street Project. Keynote speaker for the event included Sheila C. Bair, Chairman of the  FDIC. The luncheon also included a

panel discussion that featured: Rev. Dr. Clyde Anderson, World Council of Churches; Rev. Lawrence Aker, III, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY; Rev. Dr. Brad R. Braxton, The Riverside Church of New York; Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning, Ebenezer A.M.E. Church,MD; Rev. Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, Believers Christian Fellowship, NY; Rev. Dr. James Herbert Cooper, Rector, Trinity Church-St. Paul’s Chapel, NY; Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake, The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral; Nilda Cid Gumbs, Senior Director, National Cable

and Telecommunications Association; Rev. Charles Jenkins, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, IL; K. Michelle Sourie Johnson, Director, Supplier Diversity, The Home Depot; Stephanie Meads, Secure Horizons by United Healthcare; Rev. Dr. Luonne Rouse, Metropolitan Community UMC, NY; Rabbi Marc Schneier, President and Founder, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding (FFEU); Rev. Al Sharpton, President, National Action Network; John Taylor, President and CEO, National Community Reinvestment.

PROJECT from page 7 and roadblocks that would separate the spirit and the truth of its legacy, diversity, strength and rudimentary insistence that it must be relevant and responsive to the lives and circumstances of the people it is charged to serve. Emerging is a revitalized and savvy Church that is saving souls and redeeming the family through its collective civic, social and financial re-investments in urban and rural communities in America and throughout the world. The One Thousand Churches Con-

16 • Manna News • Spring 2009

Tyler Perry

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the

Book shelf

New Book on Dr. Joseph H. Jackson On Wednesday, January 21, 2009, the Sunday School Publishing Board released the newly published Townsend Press release of Images of a Preacher: A Study of the Life of Reverend Joseph Harrison Jackson. The book is an examination of the rise and fall of one of the nation’s most dynamic orators of the Gospel, the Reverend Joseph Harrison Jackson. Dr. Jackson is best known as the former president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. His tenure extended from 1953 to 1982. People interested in the history of the African- American church, the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., the civil rights move-ment, black self-empowerment, black

preaching, or one of the most compelling figures in the twentieth-century black church, need to read this book. Tribble explores the contours of Jackson’s life and exposes his genius to a new generation of leaders. The book’s Foreword was written by the current president of the National Baptist Convention, Dr. William J. Shaw. This book should easily find a home both in the theological academy, personal library or the church. Dr. Sherman R. Tribble is the organizing pastor of New visions Baptist Church of Nashville, Tennessee. He has the privilege of serving as the Director of Book Publishing of the SSPB of the

NBCUSA, Inc. He has also enjoyed serving in several academic institutions, such as American Baptist College, Fisk University, vanderbilt University, United Theological Seminary, and Apex School of Theology—where he currently serves as Director of the Doctoral Studies Program. This minister, historian, and musician has an avid interest in understanding the nuances of the African-American religious heritage, and this book reflects that abiding interest. Images of a Preacher is now available to order via catalog orders, customer service, and online at . The book was published by Townsend Press and retails for $19.95.

Honors From Prairie View University, Town of Hempstead and Nassau County Each Year the Prairie view A & M University convenes a national minister’s conference on the campus of its institution. In February, Prairie view University honored Manna’s Managing Editor, Bishop Andy C. Lewter with an award recognizing his community service and contributions to the art of preaching in the Black Church tradition. As part of the week long celebration, Bishop Lewter served as one of the keynote speakers for the event and made a stirring presentation to the ministers and students who were in attendance. This award by Prairie view was one of several bestowed upon Bishop Lewter during the Martin Luther King and Black History Month celebrations in 2009. Others included an award

Bishop Lewter pictured with Dean of Chaple, school administrators and homecoming queen.

from Kate Murray and the Town of Hempstead’s Annual Black History

king wORShiP from page 8 While the service followed the general format of the past, several innovations made this year’s service a unique coming together of the body of Christ in central Long Island. The innovations of this year included a mime ministry presentation from the

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Program, County Executive Tom Suozzi and the Nassau County Annual

Amityville Full Gospel Tabernacle in North Amityville and an amazing music presentation from a special choir made up from various members of several local congregations. The featured speaker for the occasion was Dr. Barbara Lucas who serves on the faculty of the Al-

Martin Luther King Program and the Gospel Heritage Foundation.

liance Bible College in Nyack, New York. Dr. Lucas challenged those in attendance to dedicate their lives to living out the dream of Dr. King and working to help the church fulfill its mission to serve man and produce the beloved community that Dr. King so eloquently spoke about during his life.

Spring 2009 • Manna News • 17

events

Calendar Copiague, NY 11726 631-789-4552 Thursday, May 7th: 7:30pm Service will be in English & Spanish

Community Bulletin Board

Grace & Truth Church 26 Westfield Road Coram, New York 11727 631-732-3223 www.gracentruth.org Tuesday, May 5th: 1:00pm - 9:00pm

•June 13-14, 2009 Jones Beach Theatre: harvest 09 with Greg Laurie • May 2, 2009 The Witness Walk: Raising Awareness for Breast Cancer, Remembering Margaret N. Bell •May 20, 2009 Community Town Hall Meeting: Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral

May 3-8, 2009 Long Island Event Sites

Sea Cliff Gospel Assembly 162 Sea Cliff Avenue Sea Cliff, NY 11578 516-759-2840 www.seacliffchapel.org seacliffchapel.htm Thursday, May 7th: 7:30pm

Circle of Love Ministry Worldwide 20 Reith Street

New Jerusalem Christian Academy A Christian school ministry Serving families since 1981 Grades 1-12 Farmingdale, NY 11735 516-249-0955 !

Pastor Alan Brandenburg- Principal Accepting applications for September 2009 Mission Statement: To assist parents in training up their children by providing the optimum environment conducive to building both spiritual and academic excellence into the lives of each student for the purpose of impacting this world for Jesus Christ. - A charter member of Association of Christian Schools Int.-

18 • Manna News • Spring 2009

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Madelyn Bayton Appointed as Director of Human Services for Town of Babylon Bayton, Continuing a Tradition of Service to the Community

Bishop’s Roundtable: New Weekly Radio Magazine Talk Show Starting on Thursday, March 5, 2009 a new weekly radio program came to Long Island entitled “The Bishop’s Roundtable”. The radio program is a joint effort and is co-sponsored by the Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral of Amityville, New York and the Joshua Baptist Cathedral of Greenlawn, New York. The program is co-hosted by Bishop Andy C. Lewter and Bishop Stephanie Riddle-Green and is intended to be an informative, educational and entertaining format that tackles a number of current event topics that are of particular interest to the church community. A variety of guests have been invited and the list of topics to be discussed include politics, community activism, women in ministry, gospel artists, education and much much more. The program can be heard every Thursday evening from 11 PM to 12 midnight on radio station WGBB 1240 AM whose signal originates from Freeport, New York. The radio station also streams their signal via the internet and it is available at The program also offers a live video stream of the program which is available at . The program encourages listeners to call in and raise questions and make comments. The call in number is (631) 8888811 and the co-host and their guests are available to answer questions. Churches and ministries are encouraged to share their church and ministry announcements with the co-hosts who are available to promote their events on the weekly bulletin board portion of the program. For more information please contact (631) 842-7091 and ask for Sandi Morgan who serves as one of two producers for the program.

20 • Manna News • Spring 2009

Madelyn Quintyne Bayton

We take great delight in congratulating Madelyn Quintyne Bayton on her recent appointment as Director of Human Services for the Town of Babylon. Mrs. Bayton replaces Pastor Connie Davis who recently retired from the Town of Babylon. Mrs. Bayton continues a legendary tradition of service to the community. Her father, the late Irwin Quintyne was a leading voice of the community and always at the forefront of change and progress in the early and mid 1970’s. Her mother served as the Director of the Amityville, Copiague and East Farmingdale (ACE) Community Action Program, a satellite program of the EOC of Suffolk

program, for many years. Her aunt, Rosemarie Dearing headed the NACEC program for years and recently moved to the Community Development Corporation of the Town of Babylon. Mrs. Bayton has distinguished herself for several years as the genius behind the Annual Amityville Day Parade of North Amityville. For those of us with a little age and an equal amount of memory, Mrs Bayton is well remembered as the 1971-72 Home Coming Queen of Amityville Memorial High School. We in the community are certainly excited about the exceptional job that we know that she will do in this capacity. We wish her well and all of the best.

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These are the answers to puzzles that appeared in the last edition. Place these lists in order of the appearance in the Scripture. 1. Abraham, Noah, Cain, Adam, Enoch, Judah Ans. Adam – Cain – Enoch – Noah – Abraham - Judah 2. Sarah, Eve, Rebecca, Rachel, Tamar, Dinah Ans. Eve – Sarah – Rebecca – Rachel – Dinah - Tamar 3. David, Saul, Josiah, Hezekiah, Asa, Rehoboam Ans. Saul – David – Rehoboam - Asa - Hezekiah - Josiah 4. Paul, Peter, Timothy, Silas, Barnabas, John the Baptist. Ans. John The Baptist – Peter – Barnabas - Paul – Silas - Timothy

Unscramble the following words. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

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sanctify follow disciple pastor prophet

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Fight and Win! B Y PASTOR E LENA M AYFIELD Tabernacle of Praise Ministries “2nd Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Many Christians like yourself are fighting a battle and the question is are you winning? Are you one of those who is tired of being defeated? Are you tired of going through the same dilemma over and over again? If you are; I exhort you to change the way you are training. It is time to train yourself to win. You have to follow the trainer ’s instructions which come from the Word of God. You have to start eating the word of God for nutrition. You have to discipline your flesh with prayer which will strengthen you.. In order to win you must not be complacent with practice and you must “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11), so you will be

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able to withstand every fiery dot that is thrown your way. If you read your word daily, you will build up every muscle in your body. If you pray you will be strengthened when you are weak. Whatever you feed the most will be the most powerful. David won many battles because he trusted God even when there were giants in the land. Even when it seemed like his enemy was going to conquer him, he called on his God and God answered. Paul also praised God in his distress. This is why he said he fought a good fight, and he finished his course. What he was saying was he did not allow anything or anyone to stop him from having faith and trust in his God. The enemy could not stop Paul from fulfilling his call. Lets strive to win the fight. The key is a closer relationship with God. It time to be a winner, you can “Fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.” 1st Timothy 6:12

Spring 2009 • Manna News • 21

Christian Education Theological Intensive Held on the Campus of Rutgers University With the country celebrating the arrival of an African American to the White House, the New Life School of Theology continued its Theological Intensive Series by studying the topic of “Christianity and Politics”. This intensive discussed social politics, the development of the American party system and an analysis of those leading African American figures of the historic Black Church community who have been active in politics over the course of American History. During the second week of January approximately 50 bishops and pastors from

primarily Long Island but literally from around the country, traveled to Rutgers University to study Social Ethics in the African American Church. Four scholars assembled on the campus of Rutgers University to share in this enterprise and present to the students in attendance their material on the topic. Scholars included Professor Gary ?? From the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, the Rev. ?? Campus Minister of Rutgers University in Rutgers, New Jersey, Dr. Melvin G. Brown of Washington, DC and Bishop Andy C. Lewter, Director

of Graduate School of Theological Studies of the New Life School of Theology and Pastor of the Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral of Amityville, New York and Managing Editor of the Manna Newspaper. The Theological Intensive took place over a two day period and included four lengthy lectures from the persons listed in the previous paragraph. The Theological Intensive is apart of a series of intensives that has been held on the campus of leading educational institutions for the last three years.

The program has produced three graduates who have attained an earned Doctorate of Sacred Theology and have written major doctoral thesis to support their pursuit of the degree that they attained. The next intensive will take place during the third week in August of 2009 and will be held on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Persons interested in attending the intensive are encouraged to contact the Intensive Coordinator, Tonya Lewter at (516) 223-3855.

Donnie McClurkin Disgusted with Pastoral Excesses and Abuses PASTOR DONNIE MCCLURKIN Perfecting Church, Freeport, New York Popular preacher, recording artist and pastor, Donnie McClurkin, went on record to declare his deep disappointment with what he sees as pastoral abuses in the body of Christ. His comments has raised a legitimate question about abuse and excesses in the body of Christ and has brought attention to a topic that has largely been ignored in the church community. In an article appearing in Essence this past week Pastor McCLurkin is quoted as saying: “As pastors, we have to link arms and have bi-partisanships. The [Black] church has always been the face of the community. Now we have to take on the responsibility of becoming true servants to the people from all walks of life. I get so mad when I see these pimpin' preachers driving Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, flying around in their private jets, and making it seem like prosperity and money is the way of God when 90 percent of your congregation is on Section 8 or can't figure out how they are going to keep their lights on or feed their kids. I'm big on perception, and what would it look like for me to live so lavishly if the people in my church are struggling?” says Pastor

Pastor Donnie Mcclurkin

McClurkin in the article." In venting his frustration over the behavior of some in the church community, Pastor McCLurkin reveals his own humility and sense of service to God and God’s people, by outlining his own relationship, financial and otherwise,

22 • Manna News • Spring 2009

with his church and his refusal to take revenue from a congregation that he has built from the ground up. “I've done great in gospel music, and only a few of us have accomplished what I have, and guess what? I live in the ‘hood, not some place on the outskirts of the ‘hood. There ain't no gate around my house; I have a white fence because the people I pastor live in that community. I have one vehicle and it's not a Mercedes, it's a Lincoln Navigator. I don't receive a dime—not an Abraham Lincoln copper coin—and haven't for the last seven-and-a-half years because I'm okay.” he tells Kenya Byrd of Essence Magazine. As such, Pastor McCLurkin has become a model and an example for others to emulate. His mentality and actions, that places a greater emphasis on service than profit, can only be admired by all of those who love the Lord and are seeking to do his will to the best of their ability. Pastor McCLurkin makes it clear that he has options, but chooses to live a modest and humble lifestyle because that what God has called him to do. If I wanted to buy a Phantom or Bentley I could and not hurt my pockets, but I'm okay with what I have. I can sing and work and I let all that money go back into the church so we

can buy the delicatessen on the corner, or the house next door to make it stateof-the-art low-income housing. We've trained our people to put their leaders on pedestals, and some people want to live vicariously through their pastor and say, "My pastor has this and he's on television and so on," but then what do you have? How have you prospered and grown? So when I hear other pastors say, "My people take care of me," I'm thinking, But you're supposed to be taking care of the people. I just don't get it. Pastor McCLurkin goes on to say.says McClurkin. What is best gleaned from the wisdom and honesty of Pastor McCLurkin is his healthy attitude about the church and who it belongs to. His “ecclesiology”, which is worthy of our consideration, perhaps best represents what Christ had in mind when he gave pastors to the body of Christ in the first place. I don't have a church, but I do have a church that I pastor. I can't name something the Donnie McClurkin Temple because the people do not belong to me and if they did that would mean I have slaves. I am simply a vessel to deliver God's word. At the end of the day, it's God's church, not mine. advises Pastor McCLurkin.

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Spring 2009 â&#x20AC;˘ Manna News â&#x20AC;˘ 23

Long Island Churches Return to New Orleans to Help With Storm Recovery

welcome to

FARmingdAlE lAnES 999 Conklin Street • Farmingdale NY 11735 631-249-4300 www.farmingdalelanes.com Check out our website for specials Farmingdale Lanes welcomes all families, community groups and church groups. We Specialize in Parties and Fundraising

24 • Manna News • Spring 2009

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SHAW TEMPLE African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Alba Avenue at 44th Street Amityville, New York Telephone 631 842-7554 Fax 843-8557 Rev. David Robinson, PH.D, Pastor

Se Habla Espanol

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Spring 2009 • Manna News • 25

The T he F Fou Founders oun nders ders Inn Inn and aan nd n d Spa Spa When W hen iitt comes comes tto o ssuperior uperior m meeting eeting facilities facilities T The he Founders Founders IInn nn and and Spa S pa has off the beautiful h as it it all. all. With With state state o the art art ttechnology, echnology, b eautiful scenery, scenery, a worldworldbetter cclass lass sspa pa and and aan n aaward ward winning winning rrestaurant estaurant it it doesn’t doesn’ t gget et any any b etter off Virginia Beach, tthan han this. this. Bringing Bringing Colonial Colonial charm charm tto o the the heart h ea r t o Virginia B each, tthis his most next rresort esort destination destination iiss the th e m ost rrelaxing elaxing ggetaway etaway for for your your n ext board board meeting, For on m eeting, rretreat etreat or or conference. conference. F or more more iinformation nformation o n available available meeting m eeting packages packages or or to to rrequest equest pricing pricing iinformation, nformation, please please vvisit isit MeetingsAtFounders.com orr call Ken M eetingsAtFounders.com o call or or call call K en Lupp Lupp aatt 7757.422.4439. 57. 422 . 4439.

5641 Indian Riv River er Road Beach, Virginia V irginia Beac h, V irginia 23464 Virginia

26 • Manna News • Spring 2009

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With 4 to 8 day cruises from New York to Canada, the Eastern Caribbean and beyond, there’s never been a better time to enjoy the fabulous dining, pampering and relaxation of a Carnival vacation. It’s just another reason The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line® just keeps getting better and better. Let the fun begin.TM

Hurry — book today. Space is limited.

For more information please contact: Cruise for the Cause (516) 223-3855 Great group travel for your church, social/civic organization and family reunions. Terrific values on rates still available for 2009 sailings or plan ahead for 2010!

FREEDOM CHA CHAPEL CH APEL

IINTERNATIONAL NTERNA NATI TIONA NAL WORSH W WORSHIP ORSHIIP P CENTER CENTER CEN NTER

Grand Opening of our new sanctuary

Sun. Sun un. 10:30am - Tue. Tue. 7pm - Fri Tue Fri . 7pm Fr Wed. W ed. Youth Youth Gr Group oup 7pm Anthonyy & S Anthon Susan usan Q Quint Quintyne uintyyne uint from fr Brookly Brooklyn okl klyyn Tab T Tabernacle ab aber erna er nacle om Br

Introducing Int roducing our ne new w Choir Dir Director ector and Leadership L eadership Pastor Pastor

New N ew Minis Ministries tries Senior Pastor Jimmy Jack and the Pastoral staff invite you to worship Jesus with us

Adult Bible S Adult Studies tudies Young A Young Adult dult Singles S ingles Ministry Ministr 55 Aliv Alive Leadership L eadership De Development velopment

Our ur ne new w fa facilit facilities cilities cilit ies include: include: New N ew C Classrooms lassro lassr ooms for for our cchildren, hildren, hildr en, youth youth and aadults dults Coffee S Coffee Shop hop - Bo Bookstor Bookstore okstor kstoree - Cer Certified tified Bible S Studies tudies Nursery Nurser N urseryy - Minist urser Ministries ries for for the ent entire iree famil ir familyy 641 Broad Broadway Br oadway way Amityville, NY - (631) 789-5050

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Spring 2009 • Manna News • 29

ShoW Your SuPPort here! We welcome your support in the form of advertisements in our next issue of MANNA News. Inquiries can be directed to the managing office of the newspaper.

YOLE'S BEAUTY SALON of Amityville 140 Broadway 631-598-7383

Anniversary Special If your hair is not becoming to you, you should be coming to us. COME IN AND LET US MAKE YOUR HAIR BEAUTIFUL AND HEALTHY again

2 Monroe Street Amityville, NY 11701 (631) 842-7091

We have:

PERMS FROM $40.00 TO $65.00 TREATMENTS $6.00 TO $15.00 COLORS $10.00 TO $25.00 HAIR CUTS $4.00 TO $10.00 WEAVE $20.00 TO $25.00 PER ROW CURL PERM $75.00 TO $90.00 TREATMENT INCLUDED

Full Page ..........$ 600 1/2 Page ............$ 300 1/4 Page ...........$ 150 1/8 Page ............$ 75

We Now Offer Braids and Weaves for all Hair Types by appoinment only To schedule Please call

thank You!

631-523-1366

Exhale with Elegance Salon

Tutor Time Summer Adventure Camp “Sunshine in a Positive Light”

Services include: Pressing, Relaxers. Roller Sets, Conditioning, waves, kinky Twists and more

• Educational Trips • Recreational Trips • lunch included • Swimming • Bowling • Crafts and more… Copiague Universal Pre-k Free Child Care for Copiague School district Residents

Tuesday-Wed 9am-4pm Thrusday-Friday 1pm-9pm Saturday 8am -4pm

30 • Manna News • Spring 2009

Four Year Olds Only

(631) 789-0800

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THE MANNA FAMILY