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ReveRend dR. CaRl Washington: the BlaCk ChuRCh Will suRvive Covid-19Money buiness, finance + work

By Fern Gillespie

Education

the art + science of learning ity to taste and smell. I still haven’t fully gotten my taste the New Mount Zion Baptist Church through early March, the popular speaker had traveled have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes,” back yet,” he explained. “My wife has asthma and I used a nebulizer, so I didn’t have a breathing problem. But I know that my lungs were compromised because when I got up in April, I would get tired doing little things. So, my doctor told me to move. First, I was walking. Then I started riding a bike. Now, I’m riding 8 to 12 miles a day. My doctor caught it early. I’m still not 100 percent. This thing lingers.” Dr. Washington is magna cum laude graduate of LaSalle University, and a graduate of Hartford Theological Seminary. He received a Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Virginia at Lynchburg and a Doctorate of Ministry from Eastern Theological Seminary. Since he arrived at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Harlem in 1995, the church has grown from 150 people to more than 1,100 disciples. The church has been live streaming services since 1997. The techno savvy church has connected members with refurbished iPads and younger members help program computers for seniors. During his illness, the congregation was in serious prayer and continued church services online. “Our minRev. Dr. Carl Washington isters, deacons, officers, staff, and assistants of the church

Within days of returning home from a multi-city preaching tour, Reverend During his illness, the congregation Dr. Carl L. Washington, Jr., pastor of was in serious prayer and continued in Harlem, collapsed. From February church services online. “Our ministers, through churches in Charlotte, Jackson, Atlanta, and St. deacons, officers, staff, and assistants Louis. “That Sunday, I went to my church and preached. By the time I got home—that’s the last thing I can re- of the church did a yeoman’s job,” he member until April,” he recalled. “I just went out.” His family doctor diagnosed Rev. Washington with said. “The impact of my illness on my COVID-19 and recommended he be treated at home. Rev. Washington was under quarantine from March congregation was mental because so through May. “I’m 65 years-old and never got sick. I didn’t many pastors were dying. They didn’t did a yeoman’s job,” he said. “The impact of my illness When I woke up, I had a really high fever. I lost my abil- want to lose their pastor.”

COVID has changed the way Black COVID has changed the way Black COVID has changed the way Black COVID has changed the way Black churches are operating. Washington, churches are operating. Washington, churches are operating. Washington, churches are operating. Washington, who also serves as president of the who also serves as president of the who also serves as president of the who also serves as president of the Empire Missionary Baptist Convention Empire Missionary Baptist Convention Empire Missionary Baptist Convention Empire Missionary Baptist Convention with 900 member churches, explained. with 900 member churches, explained. with 900 member churches, explained. with 900 member churches, explained. “Because of the fear of people being “Because of the fear of people being “Because of the fear of people being “Because of the fear of people being in large gatherings, COVID is going in large gatherings, COVID is going in large gatherings, COVID is going in large gatherings, COVID is going to eliminate worship and fellowship to eliminate worship and fellowship to eliminate worship and fellowship to eliminate worship and fellowship with other churches for at least with other churches for at least with other churches for at least with other churches for at least probably two years.” probably two years.” probably two years.”

probably two years.” on my congregation was mental because so many pastors on my congregation was mental because so many pastors on my congregation was mental because so many pastors were dying. They didn’t want to lose their pastor.” were dying. They didn’t want to lose their pastor.” were dying. They didn’t want to lose their pastor.” on my congregation was mental because so many pastors The COVID Racial Data Tracker, a collaboration be-The COVID Racial Data Tracker, a collaboration be-The COVID Racial Data Tracker, a collaboration bewere dying. They didn’t want to lose their pastor.” tween the COVID Tracking Project and the Boston Uni-tween the COVID Tracking Project and the Boston Uni-tween the COVID Tracking Project and the Boston UniThe COVID Racial Data Tracker, a collaboration beversity Center for Antiracist Research, has announced versity Center for Antiracist Research, has announced versity Center for Antiracist Research, has announced tween the COVID Tracking Project and the Boston Unithat nationwide, Black people are dying at 2.4 times the that nationwide, Black people are dying at 2.4 times the that nationwide, Black people are dying at 2.4 times the versity Center for Antiracist Research, has announced rate of white people. In May, ABC News released a report rate of white people. In May, ABC News released a report rate of white people. In May, ABC News released a report that nationwide, Black people are dying at 2.4 times the saying 33 Black clergy had died from COVID. According saying 33 Black clergy had died from COVID. According saying 33 Black clergy had died from COVID. According rate of white people. In May, ABC News released a report to Rev. Washington, the real number is almost 10 times to Rev. Washington, the real number is almost 10 times to Rev. Washington, the real number is almost 10 times saying 33 Black clergy had died from COVID. According greater. “Throughout the country, right now we know greater. “Throughout the country, right now we know greater. “Throughout the country, right now we know to Rev. Washington, the real number is almost 10 times over 300 pastors, preachers, bishops, and apostles who over 300 pastors, preachers, bishops, and apostles who over 300 pastors, preachers, bishops, and apostles who greater. “Throughout the country, right now we know have died from COVID,” he states. A lot of the bishops have died from COVID,” he states. A lot of the bishops have died from COVID,” he states. A lot of the bishops over 300 pastors, preachers, bishops, and apostles who who died of COVID were actually all at the same func-who died of COVID were actually all at the same func-who died of COVID were actually all at the same funchave died from COVID,” he states. A lot of the bishops tion. They were at a convention. A lot of them contracted tion. They were at a convention. A lot of them contracted tion. They were at a convention. A lot of them contracted who died of COVID were actually all at the same func-it there. It was traced back to there and they passed.” it there. It was traced back to there and they passed.” it there. It was traced back to there and they passed.” tion. They were at a convention. A lot of them contracted COVID has changed the way Black churches are op-COVID has changed the way Black churches are op-COVID has changed the way Black churches are opit there. It was traced back to there and they passed.” erating. Washington, who also serves as president of the erating. Washington, who also serves as president of the erating. Washington, who also serves as president of the COVID has changed the way Black churches are op-Empire Missionary Baptist Convention with 900 mem-Empire Missionary Baptist Convention with 900 mem-Empire Missionary Baptist Convention with 900 memerating. Washington, who also serves as president of the ber churches, explained. “Because of the fear of people ber churches, explained. “Because of the fear of people ber churches, explained. “Because of the fear of people Empire Missionary Baptist Convention with 900 membeing in large gatherings, COVID is going to eliminate being in large gatherings, COVID is going to eliminate being in large gatherings, COVID is going to eliminate ber churches, explained. “Because of the fear of people worship and fellowship with other churches for at least worship and fellowship with other churches for at least worship and fellowship with other churches for at least being in large gatherings, COVID is going to eliminate probably two years.” New Mount Zion Baptist Church has probably two years.” New Mount Zion Baptist Church has probably two years.” New Mount Zion Baptist Church has worship and fellowship with other churches for at least removed church pews for future social distancing and in-removed church pews for future social distancing and in-removed church pews for future social distancing and inprobably two years.” New Mount Zion Baptist Church has creased its virtual presence online. creased its virtual presence online. creased its virtual presence online. removed church pews for future social distancing and inDr. Washington and his wife, Bernita, an elementary Dr. Washington and his wife, Bernita, an elementary Dr. Washington and his wife, Bernita, an elementary creased its virtual presence online. school teacher, have six children, 16 grandchildren, and school teacher, have six children, 16 grandchildren, and school teacher, have six children, 16 grandchildren, and Dr. Washington and his wife, Bernita, an elementary one great-grandson. He’s concerned about the public one great-grandson. He’s concerned about the public one great-grandson. He’s concerned about the public school teacher, have six children, 16 grandchildren, and mental health impact of COVID. He thinks about his son, mental health impact of COVID. He thinks about his son, mental health impact of COVID. He thinks about his son, one great-grandson. He’s concerned about the public mental health impact of COVID. He thinks about his son, a 2020 Princeton masters graduate, missing a milestone a 2020 Princeton masters graduate, missing a milestone a 2020 Princeton masters graduate, missing a milestone graduation ceremony; his high school granddaughters graduation ceremony; his high school granddaughters graduation ceremony; his high school granddaughters a 2020 Princeton masters graduate, missing a milestone not having a senior graduation or prom; and families not not having a senior graduation or prom; and families not not having a senior graduation or prom; and families not graduation ceremony; his high school granddaughters having traditional funeral homegoings. “I am deeply con-having traditional funeral homegoings. “I am deeply con-having traditional funeral homegoings. “I am deeply connot having a senior graduation or prom; and families not cerned about the mental state of our people and how we cerned about the mental state of our people and how we cerned about the mental state of our people and how we having traditional funeral homegoings. “I am deeply conare going to have to deal with a post traumatic syndrome are going to have to deal with a post traumatic syndrome are going to have to deal with a post traumatic syndrome cerned about the mental state of our people and how we from this,” he said. “I’m always looking at what may be from this,” he said. “I’m always looking at what may be from this,” he said. “I’m always looking at what may be are going to have to deal with a post traumatic syndrome the mental ramifications of COVID-19 on our people.” the mental ramifications of COVID-19 on our people.” the mental ramifications of COVID-19 on our people.” from this,” he said. “I’m always looking at what may be Recently, Rev. Washington returned to speaking tours Recently, Rev. Washington returned to speaking tours Recently, Rev. Washington returned to speaking tours the mental ramifications of COVID-19 on our people.” at churches around the country. He’s taking extreme pre at churches around the country. He’s taking extreme pre at churches around the country. He’s taking extreme preRecently, Rev. Washington returned to speaking tours cautions by bringing his own PPE kit of gloves, masks, cautions by bringing his own PPE kit of gloves, masks, cautions by bringing his own PPE kit of gloves, masks, at churches around the country. He’s taking extreme pre-Lysol and bleach, sanitizers, wipes, and even his own mi-Lysol and bleach, sanitizers, wipes, and even his own mi-Lysol and bleach, sanitizers, wipes, and even his own micautions by bringing his own PPE kit of gloves, masks, crophone. At each hotel, he recleans his room. “I wipe crophone. At each hotel, he recleans his room. “I wipe crophone. At each hotel, he recleans his room. “I wipe Lysol and bleach, sanitizers, wipes, and even his own midown everything,” he explained. “I even added bleach in down everything,” he explained. “I even added bleach in down everything,” he explained. “I even added bleach in crophone. At each hotel, he recleans his room. “I wipe my Febreze for cleaning.” my Febreze for cleaning.” my Febreze for cleaning.” down everything,” he explained. “I even added bleach in Due to COVID, New Mount Zion Baptist Church has Due to COVID, New Mount Zion Baptist Church has Due to COVID, New Mount Zion Baptist Church has my Febreze for cleaning.” become a seven-day virtual church. “It has been a bless-become a seven-day virtual church. “It has been a bless-become a seven-day virtual church. “It has been a blessDue to COVID, New Mount Zion Baptist Church has ing. It has kept people connected. It has kept people who ing. It has kept people connected. It has kept people who ing. It has kept people connected. It has kept people who become a seven-day virtual church. “It has been a blesswould normally be alone able to communicate and touch would normally be alone able to communicate and touch would normally be alone able to communicate and touch ing. It has kept people connected. It has kept people who people on a daily basis,” he said. “Our church has new people on a daily basis,” he said. “Our church has new people on a daily basis,” he said. “Our church has new would normally be alone able to communicate and touch members. People from across the country have joined members. People from across the country have joined members. People from across the country have joined people on a daily basis,” he said. “Our church has new our church virtually. I’m not excited that COVID caused our church virtually. I’m not excited that COVID caused our church virtually. I’m not excited that COVID caused members. People from across the country have joined it. But in my opinion, one of the positives is that the it. But in my opinion, one of the positives is that the it. But in my opinion, one of the positives is that the our church virtually. I’m not excited that COVID caused church got stronger.”church got stronger.”church got stronger.” it. But in my opinion, one of the positives is that the church got stronger.” He thinks about his son, a 2020 He thinks about his son, a 2020 He thinks about his son, a 2020 He thinks about his son, a 2020 Princeton masters graduate, missing Princeton masters graduate, missing Princeton masters graduate, missing Princeton masters graduate, missing a milestone graduation ceremony; his a milestone graduation ceremony; his a milestone graduation ceremony; his a milestone graduation ceremony; his high school granddaughters not having high school granddaughters not having high school granddaughters not having high school granddaughters not having a senior graduation or prom; and a senior graduation or prom; and a senior graduation or prom; and a senior graduation or prom; and families not having traditional funeral families not having traditional funeral families not having traditional funeral families not having traditional funeral homegoings. “I am deeply concerned homegoings. “I am deeply concerned homegoings. “I am deeply concerned homegoings. “I am deeply concerned about the mental state of our people about the mental state of our people about the mental state of our people about the mental state of our people and how we are going to have to deal and how we are going to have to deal and how we are going to have to deal and how we are going to have to deal with a post traumatic syndrome from with a post traumatic syndrome from with a post traumatic syndrome from with a post traumatic syndrome from this,” he said. this,” he said. this,” he said. this,” he said.

Unexpected signs of heart disease

Be sure to take these possible symptoms seriously

Most of us have heard about warning signs of a heart attack: pain in the chest or loss of feeling (numbness) in the left arm. When those symptoms appear, a call to 911 is often the best course of action. However, some signs of heart trouble are less obvious— but still need medical attention. “Some people don’t feel any pain, even during a heart attack,” says Howard Levitt, MD, a heart specialist and Medical Director of Ambulatory Cardiology at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI). “Others have heart problems they’re not aware of because the symptoms are vague and don’t seem to be related to the heart at all.” There are certain signs that a doctor should check out, he says. These include: • Tightness, heaviness or •Pain in the jaw or ear squeezing in the chest • Unexplained and rapid •Shortness of breath weight gain •Nausea or fatigue •Swelling in the legs •Feeling lightheaded •Dry or hacking cough These symptoms may not seem heart-related, but could be. Such signs could provide useful direction for a healthier lifestyle. “While some will require invasive interventions, in other cases exercise, healthy eating and medication can help prevent, minimize or sometimes even reverse damage to the heart,” Dr. Levitt says. If you’re unsure whether you have symptoms of an unhealthy heart, talk to your doctor, especially if a symptom is new. If it is severe, err on the side of caution: Call your doctor or call 911.

Newark Beth Israel Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cardiac Clinic opened for people who have heart conditions. The clinic, located within the hospital at 201 Lyons Avenue, is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 973.926.7852 for an inperson appointment or a telemedicine visit. To learn more about programs and services at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, visit

rwjbh.org/newarkbeth

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Hope for Harlem

It’s been said that in times of trouble one needs hope and faith. Hope that it will get better, and faith to hold on until it does. For many struggling through the coronavirus pandemic with hope and faith, the saying proved true recently. The results were realized for many when First Corinthian Baptist Church, NY State Senator Brian Benjamin, and District Council 9 came together to provide much needed groceries and other supplies on Saturday, September 12 in a project appropriately titled, “Hope for Harlem.”

Volunteers handed out grocery care packages in addition to providing hot packaged meals, back to school supplies, on-thespot job recruitment, opportunities to complete voter registration and census forms, and on-site mental health resources.