Church pastors serve as voices for Black communities during pandemic
Published: February 15, 2021 5:17 PM EST
Updated: February 15, 2021 5:25 PM EST
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In times like these, many of us are turning to faith to guide us through the pandemic. For many in Black communities, it’s tough because a lot of services offered can’t be done in person. But two pastors in Southwest Florida have found unique solutions to keep their congregations engaged in a virtual way.
Church leaders we spoke to Monday remain the centerpieces of their communities during a time when it might be hard to keep community together.
Pastor James Bing has led Friendship Baptist Church for 46 years in Fort Myers. He remembers back when Lee County was a different Lee County, a place where racial segregation still existed. He remembers when the church was one of a handful of places where Black people felt welcomed.
DAYTONA BEACH As the nation celebrates Black history this month, many people driving through the urban core Midtown neighborhood probably don t realize they re motoring past important city history.
A few blocks south of Orange Avenue, there s the 125-year-old boyhood home of Howard Thurman, a mentor to Martin Luther King, Jr. and a friend of Mahatma Gandhi.
The Campbell Hotel, one of the only places a Black visitor could stay in Daytona Beach until the mid-1960s, still stands on Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard. The hotel was also the home of The Stardust night club, where musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie played.
Feb 3, 2021 / 06:11 PM EST
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) Visitation has been set for four family members who were allegedly murdered by a member of their own family.
Crown Hill Funeral Home says visitation has been scheduled for Feb. 4 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. for for Raymond, Kezzie, Elijah and Rita Childs. This is open to the public.
A private church service will be held on the morning of Feb. 5 at Friendship Baptist Church.
Visitation and service for Kiara Hawkins and her unborn baby will be held on Feb. 5 at Friendship Baptist Church. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. and service is at noon.
Milestones for Black citizens in Schenectady history, post World War II | The Daily Gazette
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January 31, 2021
The Schenectady Silhouettes pose for a photo in 2001. Founding members include, from left, Eveyln Baird, Marsha Mortimore (background), Minnie Stamper (seated), Hilvan Finch, Corine Sadler and James Stamper. Gazette file photos
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1947: Classie Cox is the first Black teacher hired by the Schenectady City School District.
1949: The Schenectady chapter of the NAACP is established; Gerald A. White, pastor at Friendship Baptist Church, is the first president.
1951: James Stamper is the first Black supervisor at the General Electric Co.
1952: Arthur Chaires becomes the first Black officer for the Schenectady Police Department.