All In The Family - July 2017

JULY 2017 ~ VOL 11: ISSUE 2

'There's No Place Like Home'

DEACON THEODIS WHITEHEAD

Returns Back to His Roots 4th of July or Juneteenth; Which do you celebrate?

How well do you know your Bible?

FREE LUNCH provided for children during the sumer at the following locations: TA M PA B AY A C A D E M Y O F H O P E 5118 North 56th Street Monday-Friday; May 30-August 9; 11:30am–1:30pm EXTREME LIFE MINISTRIES 7002 East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd May 30 – August 9 Breakfast: Monday-Friday; 8-8:30am Lunch: Monday-Friday; 11:00am–12:00pm

N O T E : Locations listed above are for the 33610 zip code.

Please go to nokidhungry.org to check the locations providing breakfast and/or lunch near you

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CONTENTS

Juneteenth vs. 4th of July 8

Which do you celebrate?

Spotlight 10

Meet Deacon Theodis Whitehead A former member returns ready to do God's bidding

My Mother 12

A poem by Deacon Michael Hudgins

Milestones 13

Academic Excellence... Birthdays...

Higher Education... New Members...

Weddings & Anniversaries

Bible Study 18

How Well Do You Know Your Bible?

2017 Bible Challenge Participants

Non-Profit of the Month 20

The New Tampa Players The Cast of 'THE WIZ'

Ministry Roll Call 24

Adult Ushers A celebration in recognition of 95 years of service

Florida Weather 26

Hurricane Preparedness Have you signed up for 'Alert Tampa'?

Another one down!

Thank you, Lord!

Don't be fooled... I love it! I love preparing this magazine and all that that entails. I love the work it takes to pull it together and I love seeing an idea come to fruition when it's completed!

If only there were more hours in the day.

Trying to pull this magazine together while working a full-time job can wear me down sometimes, but the Lord gives me the strength to keep on going and I thank Him. Thank you to my nephew, Theo, for so graciously agreeing to step in and step up to be this month's cover story. And to his beautiful wife, LaToyia, because as we all know, behind every successful man... well, you know the rest.

Thank you to any and every person who participated in any way, form, or fashion in bringing this publication to completion. I pray that God continues to bless us all. Pray for me as I will surely be praying for you.

Connie Williams Founder/Creator/Editor All In The Family Magazine 4

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Contact Information P. O. Box 1223 | Brandon, FL 33509 813-833-7160 (tel) info@all-inthe-family www.all-inthe-family.com

Editor Connie Williams Assistant Editor Jessica Williams Current Issue Contributors Deacon Theodis & LaToyia Whitehead Donnell & Lauranette Haynes Cynthia Hudgins New Tampa Players April Jones Wikipedia Deacon Michael A. Hudgins, Sr. Distribution Online via ISSUU

All questions concerning this publication and all other issues of 'All In The Family Magazine' should be directed to the Editor or Assistant Editor via the contact information printed above.

Copyright Š 2017. All Rights Reserved. Not to be reprinted and/or distributed in any form without prior written permission from the Editor.

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Photo by Connie Williams

ON THE COVER Deacon Theodis (Theo) Whitehead left First Union Missionary Baptist Church as a child of sixteen, but returned as a man of God; ready, willing, and able to serve in any capacity the Lord would have him to serve. article starts on page -10-

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of First Union Missionary Baptist Church, under The leadership of Deacon Mark Sherman, Sr. and the musical direction of Debra McCalla, invites you to become a member of this growing ministry!

We rehearse on the Monday following 2nd & 3rd Sunday of each month @ 6:30PM. Please see any member for further information, or you may contact our Ministry Leader, Deacon Mark Sherman, at deaconsherman@firstunionmbc.com, Assistant Ministry Leader, Kim Williams, at kim.williams@firstunionmbc.com, or our Secretary, Jessica Williams, at jessica.williams@firstunionmbc.com.

So far in 2017, the Special Chorus has ... • •

elected a new Secretary, Jessica Williams; welcomed four (4) new members, Doris 'Dee' DeLain, Tenesia Calloway, Yvonne Cook and Patrice Hopkins We look forward to singing His praises together as part of the

of First Union!

Do you have a Church Event and/or Announcement you would like to Advertise in our magazine?

Please contact us by email at info@all-inthe-family.com or visit our website at www.all-inthe-family.com and fill out the Our Services form on our CONTACT US page.

We also have space for business advertisements and classified ads.

Contact us for more information!

As long as I can remember, the 4TH OF JULY (Independence Day) meant food and fun with family and friends. As I got older, it meant a paid day off from work! But never, in all these years, had I ever heard of 'JUNETEENTH'. Have you? As (black) Americans, we celebrated right alongside our neighbors, no matter the color of their skin, not knowing that there was an Independence Day for blacks; when our ancestors were set free from slavery... and it wasn't on the day the Emancipation Proclamation was signed either! So we can choose to celebrate Juneteenth, the 4th of July, or BOTH! Connie Williams, Editor 'All In The Family'

During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863. It declared all slaves to be freed in the Confederate States of America in rebellion and not in Union hands. This excluded the five states known later as border states, which were the four slave states that were not in rebellion—Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, and Missouri—and those counties of Virginia soon to form the state of West Virginia, and also the three zones under Union occupation: the state of Tennessee, lower Louisiana and Southeast Virginia.

More isolated geographically, Texas was not a battleground, and thus its slaves were not affected by the Emancipation Proclamation unless they escaped. Planters and other slaveholders had migrated into Texas from eastern states to escape the fighting, and many brought their slaves with them, increasing by the thousands the number of slaves in the state at the end of the Civil War. Although most slaves lived in rural areas, more than 1000 resided in both Galveston and Houston by 1860, with several hundred in other large towns. By 1865, there were an estimated 250,000 slaves in Texas. As news of end of the war moved slowly, it did not reach Texas until May 1865, and the Army of the Trans-Mississippi did not surrender until June 2. On June 18, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston Island with 2,000 federal troops to occupy Texas on behalf of the federal government. On June 19, standing on the balcony of Galveston's Ashton Villa, Granger read aloud the contents of "General Order No. 3", announcing the total emancipation of slaves: The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

Former slaves in Galveston rejoiced in the streets after the announcement, although in the years afterward many struggled to work through the changes against resistance of whites. But, the following year, freedmen organized the first of what became annual celebrations of Juneteenth in Texas. Barred in some cities from using public parks because of state-sponsored segregation of facilities, across parts of Texas, freed people pooled their funds to purchase land to hold their celebrations, such as Houston's Emancipation Park, Mexia's Booker T. Washington Park, and Emancipation Park in Austin.

Although the date is sometimes referred to as the "traditional end of slavery in Texas" it was given legal status in a series of Texas Supreme Court decisions between 1868 and 1874. (continued on page -28-)

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Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence 241 years ago on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the thirteen American colonies regarded themselves as a new nation, the United States of America, and were no longer part of the British Empire.

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.[5][6] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail: The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

Adams's prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Historians have long disputed whether members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.

Coincidentally, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, another Founding Father who was elected as President, also died on July 4, 1831. He was the third President in a row who died on the anniversary of independence. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872; so far he is the only U.S. President to have been born on Independence Day. •

•

• • •

In 1777 thirteen gunshots were fired in salute, once at morning and once again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews, and fireworks. Ships in port were decked with red, white, and blue bunting. [14] In 1778, from his headquarters at Ross Hall, near New Brunswick, New Jersey, General George Washington marked July 4 with a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute (feu de joie). Across the Atlantic Ocean, ambassadors John Adams and Benjamin Franklin held a dinner for their fellow Americans in Paris, France.

In 1779, July 4 fell on a Sunday. The holiday was celebrated on Monday, July 5.

In 1781 the Massachusetts General Court became the first state legislature to recognize July 4 as a state celebration.

In 1783, Moravians in Salem, North Carolina, held a celebration of July 4 with a challenging music program assembled by Johann Friedrich Peter. This work was titled The Psalm of Joy. This is recognized as the first recorded

(continued on page -29-)

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Photo by Connie Williams

by Connie Williams, Editor

Favorite Scripture: John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

First Union member, Frances Baldwin, was filled with joy after giving birth to twin boys. As any mother can attest to, she quickly fell in love and just as quickly began to worry about their future; what they would be when they grew up, all the things every mother worries about when it comes to her children. But, I am sure she has come to realize that when you “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6) there is no need for worry. Theo (as Theodis is called) has been the ‘proof in the pudding’ that although they may stray, they will be back!

"My duties as a Deacon is to be lead by the Holy Spirit to assist the Church in proclaiming the Word of God to the World.

The Word of God says so and I believe it!"

Deacon Theodis Whitehead

THEODIS WHITEHEAD

was born on May 17, 1977, the older of twin boys, and raised in Tampa, Florida by his father, Obie Sr., and mother, Frances. He and his twin, Obie Jr., are older siblings to younger brother Anthony and only sister, Edna (around First Union, she’s also known as ’Peaches’). He was educated in the Hillsborough County school system and graduated from Hillsborough Senior High School in 1996.

Theo and his siblings were active in the Church that they joined with their grandmother, First Union faithful member, the late Lula M. Baldwin. At the age of eight, (continued on page -28-)

The Whiteheads: Theodis (Theo), LaToyia, Dyja, Aviance, and Jordan

My Mother

By Deacon Michael A. Hudgins, Sr.

The knowledge of life she possesses inside has always led me and been my guide.

Her smile and generosity overwhelms one's eyes for her beauty and love is never a surprise.

She's sweet and sour but always kind with her softness and sternest she keeps me in line.

Her children are her life that she will always show her time for us is endless, and never ever slow.

She birthed the four of us and watched us grow praying and teaching us that we have to reap what we sow.

We are all grown now with lives of our own but still that motherly love is constantly being shown.

It's instilled in our lives as we instill it in our children that knowledge, that love, that generosity, that wisdom.

MILESTONES

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Congratulations SHANIYA HICKS!!

What a awesome school year. High Honor Roll all nine weeks. Keep up the good work.

We love you.

Grandma Cynthia & Papi Rick (Richard & Cynthia Hudgins) Shaniya is a member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS To Our Mother & Grandmother, YVONNE HUDGINS Your body may be turning 78 on July 2, but your spirit still says you're 'that girl betwixt and between Anniston & Birmingham'.

Happy Birthday, Momma, we love you more than words can say!

Your Daughter & Granddaughter, Connie & Jessica Williams Mother Hudgins is a member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church

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HIGHER EDUCATION

Is there a doctor in the house? Yes, there is, and she goes by the name of DR. APRIL D. JONES! On June 16, 2017, Dr. Jones was presented with a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeaster University during a ceremony at their main campus in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Dr. Jones, the mother of two sons, Arnold and Asante', earned her degree with a major in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Human Resource Development. Since she already has twelve years with the Federal Government, Dr. Jones would like to use her well-earned degree by working for the Department of Defense or for the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) within the Federal Government. Her ultimate goal is to someday work in Student Affairs/Recruitment at a University so she can help those meet and accomplish their goals and she has been able to do.

Congratulations, Dr. J! April Jones is a member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church

Photos by Connie Williams

NEW MEMBER First Union Missionary Baptist Church welcomed OBIE WHITEHEAD on Sunday, June 25, 2017 as he stood before the congregation as a Returning Member of the 'First Family'!

Obie will be given the Right Hand of Fellowship on Sunday, July 2, during the 6:00PM Lord's Supper Service.

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES Happy Anniversary...

36 years of God's grace on July 27!

RICHARD & CYNTHIA HUDGINS are members of First Union Missionary Baptist Church

W E D D I N G S & A N N I V E R S A R I E S

Then ... and Now Mark 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder Happy Anniversary ... 13 Years ~ July 10, 2017 MR. & MRS. DONNELL HAYNES From family and friends Donnell & Lauranette Haynes are members of First Union Missionary Baptist Church

Congratulations to KORY & YASMIN (FLOWERS) MILLER on becoming Husband & Wife on Friday, June 30, 2017.

Kory & Yasmin are members of Allen Temple AME Church

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321 E. ROBERSON STREET ď‚ž BRANDON, FL 33511

Would you like to advertise your business in our magazine and on our website's Business Center?

Please contact us by email at info@all-inthe-family.com or visit our website at www.all-inthe-family.com and fill out the Our Services form on our

CONTACT US page.

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Since 2015, Rev. B.E. Garmon, Sr., Pastor of First Union Missionary Baptist Church, has challenged the congregation to participate in a Bible Study that he called '40 Days In The Word'. This Bible Study spans the 40 days from Lent to Easter, and is designed to expand your knowledge of the Word by challenging the individual to complete just 10 questions each night.... 400 questions in total.

This year Pastor Garmon was happily amazed that 33 members completed the 'THROUGH THE BIBLE IN 40 DAYS' challenge (he changed the name this year)! Here are pictures are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners (yes, they were graded!) and names of most of those who endured to the end.

1st Place (tie)... Rhonda & Debra Smalls

2nd Place... Deacon Michael A. Hudgins, Sr.

Photos by Connie Williams

3rd Place (4-way tie)...

These First Union Member also completed the challenge: Sarah Barnum Valarie Brown Margaret Butler Patsy Crawley Ava Drisdom Carla Garmon Tavisha Griffin Shaniah Harris Donnell Haynes Lauranette Haynes Hattie Hooks Barbara Jackson Gloria Newton Sandra Owen Michelle Pope Brenda Reese-Brown Cookie Thompkins Miranda Wheatley Kim Williams Phyllis Young

Doris DeLain Jay Drisdom

Dorothy Hudgins Deacon Bernard Reese

N e w Ta m p

THE

p a P l a ye r s

WIZ

Photo by James Cass

Florida's New Tampa Players Announces the Cast for THE WIZ

by BWW News Desk Jun. 7, 2017

New Tampa Players, in collaboration with University Area CDC, announces the cast of its summer production of The Wiz, direction by David J. Valdez, musical direction by G. Frank Meekins, and choreography by Marcus Borders. The cast features Carmi Harris (Dorothy), Tron Montgomery Scarecrow), Thomas Williams (Tinman), Michael Jo'Mae (Lion), Latoya McCormick (Glinda), Natasha McKeller (Addaperle/Evillene), Janelle Richardson Addaperle/ Evillene), Dwuany Cannon Jr. (Uncle Henry/The Wiz), and Pavonne' Scott (Aunt Em).

The Wiz is a musical with music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls and book by William F. Brown.

It is an urbanized retelling of L. Frank Baum's children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It places the story in the context of modern African American culture and includes a mix of rock, gospel, and soul. New Tampa Players' production of The Wiz features a live orchestra.

July 28th @ 8:00 PM, July 29th @ 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, July 30th @ 2:00 PM, August 4th @ 8:00 PM, August 5th @ 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and August 6th @ 2:00 PM. University Area Community Development Center, 14013 North 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33613. Tickets are $25 (adults), $23 (seniors/students), and $20 (groups of 10 or more) and are available at www.newtampaplayers.org.

About New Tampa Players The New Tampa Players is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to cultivating a growing community of arts awareness and providing educational opportunities for all ages throughout the Tampa Bay community. Through their quality theatrical performances, the New Tampa Players are an integral part of the University Area Community Development Center's efforts to improve the economic, education and social levels of the community, impacting over 3,000 students annually.

Article reprinted from Broadway World News

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Pavonne' Scott (Aunt Em), is a member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church. She attends First Union with her father, Deacon Robert Scott, Jr. and her grandmother, Sister Doris Scott. Pavonne' is active in the Youth Department as a Youth Supervisor leading our youth praise dancers, 'Reflections of God's Love, sings with the Special Chorus, and is a member of the adult dance ministry, 'Faith In Motion'.

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Usher's 95th Anniversary

THEME: "Standing for the Lord"  SCRIPTURE: Psalms 84:10

Photo by Connie Williams First Union Missionary Baptist Church recently celebrated their 95 th Anniversary, so it’s safe to say we’ve had Usher’s at First Union for at least 95 years. An Usher takes on the role of being a doorkeeper, watchman, guard and porter; all keeping order in the house of the Lord. Ushers greet at the doors of the sanctuary to make all who enter feel comfortable and at home. It’s with great pleasure and gratitude to take this time to say, “Thank You” to the Lord for bringing us this far.

A few of our members, such as Deacon Willie Tim, Sister Doris Scott, Sister Rosebud Stevenson, Sister Ruth Howard, Sister Yvonne Hudgins, Sister Patsy Crawley, Sister Gloria Newton were Ushers in their earlier years and have since moved to ‘Emeritus’ status. Sister Annie Johnson and Sister Juanita Howard are some of our members who have served for years and continue to serve today.

Leadership over the years has changed with God’s lead. Presidents of the ministry have included the late Brother Gaines Hill, Deacon Robert Scott, Jr., Sister Doretha King, and Sister Phyllis Young. The ministry is currently under the leadership of Brother Michael Riley.

As the ministry grows with people who love the Lord, we are grateful for the steps He has allowed us to take and for holding us up on every leaning side. The Ushers of First Union would like you to know that God is still in charge and our work is for Him. We have also been graced with the presence of Rev. Pastor B.E. Garmon, Sr. (a former usher himself) who gives guidance, inspiration, and teaching.

We, the First Union Missionary Baptist Church would like to Thank the Lord for allowing us to remain in service for 95 years. “We will continue to press toward the mark!”

ADULT USHERS - OFFICERS Michael Riley, President Minnie Riggins, Vice-President Phyllis Young, Secretary Twanda Woodall, Treasurer Deacon Willie Tim, Chaplain (Emeritus) Robert Scott Jr., Deacon ADULT USHERS - MEMBERS

Pictured:

(front row) Hazel Conyers, Sandra Hill, Annie Adams, Yvonne Cook, Annie Johnson, Phyllis Young, Zemetrious Griffin, Deacon Robert Scott Jr. (second row) Linda Walker, Juanita Howard, Willie Clary, Robin McPherson, Kyndrea Taylor, Minnie Riggins, Shalanda Johnson

Annie Adams Robin Brooks Willie Clary Yvonne Cook Hazel Conyers Zemetrious Griffin Sandra Hill Juanita Howard Chandra Lynch Annie Johnson Shalanda Johnson Kory Neither Mary Smalls Kyndrea Taylor Linda Walker ADULT USHERS - EMERITUS Patsy Crawley Ruth Howard Yvonne Hudgins Gloria Newton Doris Scott Rosebud Stevenson Deacon Willie Tim Pastor B.E. Garmon

Hurricane Preparations For Tampa Residents

By BOBBIE O'BRIEN

• JUN 2, 2017

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn talks about 2017 Hurricane Season preparations at a south Tampa Publix, to the left is Fire Chief Thomas Forward, to the right, Bruce Thomas, meteorologist and spokesman for Midland Radio Corp.

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The six-month long 2017 Hurricane Season was “kicked off” across the state by public figures preaching preparedness: buy supplies, know your evacuation level and route and sign up for local, automated hurricane alerts.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn said it’s especially important to know your evacuation route in his geographically vulnerable city. He said Tampa’s southern peninsula is shaped like a bowl, so it floods easily.

“If we take a direct hit from a category 3 storm coming up Hillsborough Bay, you can expect downtown Tampa to be 15-to-20 feet under water and basically everything from Kennedy Boulevard to the Bay to be completely uninhabitable,” Buckhorn said.

He added that homes and businesses on Davis Islands and Harbour Island could also be flooded by a storm surge and excessive rain.

Motorists who drive around police barricades and try navigating flooded streets are a concern for Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward. “It puts a huge strain on us when we have to come out and rescue people especially individuals in smaller light vehicles,” Ward said.

“We see them floating down Bayshore. It's not safe for anyone. And when that vehicle is floating down Bayshore, it's out of control basically. They can cause damage to the seawall, residences, and everything else in the area.”

Ward said it’s also dangerous to wade through flood waters because the water could contain toxins. Yet he acknowledged that it's a common occurrence to see people floating down Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard when it’s flooded despite it being blocked off by police.

Tampa’s Fire Chief Thomas Forward wants all residents to sign up for Alert Tampa. The system is set up to send out updates on hurricane threats to the area as well as road closings, evacuation and re-entry orders.

“It’s so very important that everybody gets Alert Tampa,” Forward said. “You need to dial into that and set yourself up for that. You will get any notifications of any impending storms.”

The Alert Tampa system is set up for people who live, work and attend school in Tampa.

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DEACON THEODIS WHITEHEAD continued from page -10-

Theo came before the Church and gave his heart to Jesus, and was Baptized by our then Pastor, Elder C.J. Long (whom the Fellowship Hall is named after), and former Frist Union Deacon, Ozel Chisholm.

Singing in the Youth Choir, Ushering, and attending the Unions to represent the Church was something that Theo and his siblings, along with all the youth of First Un-

his good thing and found favour by way of the former LaToyia Kennedy, with whom he exchanged vows on May 3, 2001. Together they are parents to three amazing young adults: Jordan Muthcerson (22), Aviance Whitehead (18), and Dyja Whitehead (12).

Although he left First Union, the Church was ‘in him’, and he always found a way to express his love for the Lord. For the last eight years he was a faithful member at Telling The Truth Ministry, under the lead-

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 ion, were required to do and looked forward to doing it. At this time, the Church was over-flowing with young children so it was always someone familiar that you could be with. Since this was his grandmother’s Church, the bulk of the family were also members, and that meant that cousins were also on hand to participate in the youth activities that First Union had to offer and were a part of.

At the age of sixteen, Theo left First Union. During this time, he graduated from Hillsborough Senior High School. He forewent a higher education and ventured into the world of the working class. He settled down with AAA, and has now been employed by them for the past fourteen years.

22:18 reads: Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord”, and during the time he Proverbs

was away from 'home', Theo found

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ership of Pastor Essie Sims Jr., where he was ordained as a Deacon of the Baptist Church after two years of dedicated service.

But, he was not destined to stay there. In following the lead of the Holy Spirit, on April 2, 2017, Deacon Theodis Whitehead returned to his roots… his home… First Union Missionary Baptist Church!

Ready, willing and able to pick up his cross daily and follow Jesus, he returned with a zeal to serve, bringing with him his wife, LaToyia, and daugters, Aviance and Dyja. All came before the Congregation and received the Right Hand of Fellowship at our Lord's Supper Service the same day they joined. Aviance and Dyja were Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit on May 8, 2017, in the same Church their father was baptized years before them. Praise God!

Although a very busy person with

Church, family and work, Deacon Whitehead does get a chance to wind down every now and then. In his spare time, he likes to listen to old school gospel music and loves comedy!

Deacon Whitehead has come full circle in coming back to the place his spiritual training all began. We pray that he and his family continue to grow in the Lord and find that First Union is the place where that growth can be nurtured.

Welcome home, Theo. We thank God that you harkened to His voice and returned back to your roots.

We look forward to worshipping, fellowshipping and growing together, somewhere around The 'U'.

JUNETEENTH (continued from page -8-)

In the early 20th century, economic and political forces led to a decline in Juneteenth celebrations. From 1890 to 1908, Texas and all former Confederate states passed new constitutions or amendments that effectively disenfranchised blacks, excluding them from the political process. White-dominated state legislatures passed Jim Crow laws imposing second-class status. The Great Depression forced many blacks off farms and into the cities to find work. In these urban environments, African Americans had difficulty taking the day off to celebrate. From 1940 through 1970, in the second wave of the Great Migration, more than 5 million blacks left Texas, Louisiana and other parts of the South for the North and West Coast, where jobs were available in the defense industry for World War II. As historian Isabel Wilkerson writes, "The people from

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Texas took Juneteenth Day to Los Angeles, Oakland, Seattle, and other places they went."

By the 1950s and 1960s, the Civil Rights Movement focused the attention of African-American youth on the struggle for racial equality and the future. But, many linked these struggles to the historical struggles of their ancestors. Following the 1968 Poor People's Campaign to Washington, D.C. called by Rev. Ralph Abernathy, many attendees returned home and initiated Juneteenth celebrations in areas where the day was not previously celebrated.

Since the 1980s and 1990s, the holiday has been more widely celebrated among African-American communities. In 1994 a group of community leaders gathered at Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans, Louisiana to work for greater national celebration of Juneteenth. Paul Herring Chairman of The Juneteenth Committee credits Mrs. E. Hill Deloney (Community Matriarch) for starting the celebration in Flint, Michigan in the late 1980s; as he said, "...It's a time to Reflect & Rejoice, because we are the children of those who chose to survive." Juneteenth informal observance have spread to many other states, including Portland, Maine, in part carried by Texans.

Expatriates have celebrated it in cities abroad, such as Paris. Some US military bases in other countries sponsor celebrations, in addition to those of private groups.

In 1980, Texas was the first state to establish Juneteenth as a state holiday under legislation introduced by freshman Democratic state representative Al Edwards.[15] Juneteenth is a "skeleton crew" day in the state; government offices do not close but agencies may operate with reduced staff. By 2008, nearly half of US states observed the holiday as a ceremonial observance. As of May 2016, when the Maryland legislature approved official recognition of the holiday, 45 of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or ceremonial holiday, a day of observance. States that do not recognize it are Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota and South Dakota.

4TH OF JULY (continued from page -9-)

celebration and is still celebrated there today. • In 1870 the U.S. Congress made Independence Day an unpaid holiday for federal employees. • In 1938 Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

In 1996 the first legislation to recognize "Juneteenth Independence Day" was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.J. Res. 195, sponsored by Barbara-Rose Collins (D-MI). In 1997 Congress recognized the day through Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56. In 2013 the U.S. Senate passed Senate Resolution 175, acknowledging Lula Briggs Galloway (late president of the National Association of Juneteenth Lineage) who "successfully worked to bring national recognition to Juneteenth Independence Day", and the continued leadership of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA

Organizations such as the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation are working toward gaining Congressional approval to designate Juneteenth as a national day of observance. Others are working to have its 150th anniversary celebrated worldwide.

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First Union Missionary Baptist Church

HEROES OF FAITH Monday-Friday  July 10-14, 2017 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him Hebrews 11:6

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Dinner Served ................................................ 5:30pm – 6:20pm Assemble Together ...................................... 6:20pm – 6:30pm Devotion ........................................................... 6:30pm – 6:40pm Introduction of Teachers/Classes.......... 6:40pm – 6:45pm Class Time........................................................ 6:45pm – 7:45pm Reassemble .................................................... 7:45pm – 7:50pm Group Activity................................................. 7:50pm – 8:25pm Adjourn ............................................................ 8:30pm

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