July 15, 2013 Volume XXIII, No. 7 Nationalchurch.org
The Messenger
Metropolitan Memorial and Brighter Day Ministries Partnership in Action by Linda Davenport
Metropolitan and Brighter Day UMC held a rousing joint worship service on Sunday, June 30, to pray for our city, for more affordable housing, and to demand the redevelopment of an abandoned apartment complex in Southeast DC. Filled with joy, fellowship and praise, the service was inspiring to all who attended, including Vincent Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia and several other city officials. The service was held at the AP Shaw Campus of Brighter Day just a block from the boarded-up 266 unit Parkway Overlook apartment property. Without a renewed effort to preserve this property as affordable housing, it could be auctioned off to the highest bidder with no affordability requirements. Several previous redevelopment efforts failed due to a lack of city funding. But advocates believe the time is right for action because of Mayor Gray’s recent commitment of $100 million for affordable housing. Metropolitan and Brighter Day Partner to save and renovate Parkway Overlook into low and moderate income housing
The magic of the fellowship that occurred at the June 30 worship service touched everyone. Rev. Lyles called on the city to fulfill the recommendations of a government-appointed panel calling for housing preservation. Dr. Parker, using the story of Nehemiah and his determination to rebuild Jerusalem against opposition, chided the city for preventing the community from reclaiming the property. Two former Parkway Overlook residents, Rufaro Jenkins and Cynthia Eaglin, spoke from the heart about the loss of the places they called home. Ms. Jenkins and Ms. Eaglin are members of Brighter Day Church who have lead the fight on behalf of the tenants to preserve the property ever since their evictions five year ago. Linda Davenport held up the church’s work through the Washington Interfaith Network as a way we can act on our call to social justice. Mayor Gray gave a personal testimony to his own childhood in cramped housing in a nearby neighborhood, his brother’s experience working on behalf of tenants, and a commitment to the need to preserve and create more affordable housing in the city.
Rufaro Jenkins and Cynthia Eaglin speak to the congregation
Choirs from both churches had the congregation on its feet and alive with responsive song, singing “I’ll Pray For You, You Pray For Me” and “Greater things are yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this city.” New Washington District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Joe Daniels, who also is pastor of Emory UMC, held up the joint action of Brighter Day and Metropolitan as a model for how people across the District can work together for the common good. Closing the service, Rev. Kate Murphey invited the worshipers to “Stand on Holy Ground” and urged the city to action. While singing “This Little Light of Mine,” the assembled worshipers recessed from the sanctuary and walked down the street to the Parkway Overlook property where they held hands, prayed, and sang against a backdrop of the chain link fences that surround the boarded up housing – blighted buildings that could become homes once more, if we take action. From the beginning to the end of the service, the spirit of God moved among us.
50th Anniversary of the March on Washington Were you a Freedom Rider in the early 60’s? Were you there to hear Dr. King’s “We Have A Dream” Speech?
On August 28, 1963, Dr. King gave what would become a groundbreaking speech at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Were you there for this momentous day? Did you participate in the Freedom Riders? We’d love to hear about your experiences during those turbulent times. If you are interested in sharing your reflections and experiences, please contact Rev. Kate Murphey, kmurphey@nationalchurch.org or 202-363-4900, ext. 21. We look forward to hearing from you!
Dr. Parker speaks with Mayor Vincent Gray during the rally