Washington Informer

You made the world a better place by your presence, your commitment to family and community and through your love for the Lord. We may have short memories but your contributions have not been forgotten. We still appreciate you and miss you dearly.

Your Family

Kobi Little shares remarks, stories and folk tales about his life as the son of photographer Harlee H. Little at the celebration of his father’s life at Howard University’s Rankin Chapel on Sat., Feb. 7. Photo by Roy Lewis

Fred Foss plays some Jazz for his friend Harlee Little at Andrew Rankin Chapel on Sat., Feb. 7 at the Celebration of Life for Harlee Hoover Little Jr. Photo by Roy Lewis

Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr. shows off his granddaughter 10-month-old Anya Madison Hicks to church members on Sun., Feb.1 at the church’s temporary location. Photo by Roy Lewis

Dr. H. Beecher Hicks Jr. preached his first sermon at Metropolitan Baptist Church’s temporary location at the Dorothy I Height campus of Kent Amos Charter School in Northwest on Sun., Feb. 1. Photo by Roy Lewis

Metropolitan Baptist Church, originally on R Street Northwest, will hold services at the Dorothy I Height campus of Kent Amos Charter School until the new church is complete in Largo, Md. Photo by Roy Lewis

The fifth anniversary of Pastor J. Michael Little at Friendship Baptist Church in Southwest took place on Fri., March 6. Rev. James Moore, from New Jersey, presented the closing sermon. Photo by Robert Ridley

The World Day of Prayer was held on Fri., March 6 at Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Northwest with Rev. Imagene B. Steward (left) as the speaker of the hour. Prayers were read from around the world and participants included Nadine Winters (right). Photo by Robert Ridley

(Taylor Media Services) On June 6, Alysa Stanton will be ordained at the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio and as a result become the nation’s first African American female rabbi. Stanton, a licensed psychotherapist, and she said she hopes to be a role model for America’s small but active population of Black Jews. She told the Jewish publication JTA last week, “I represent the new face of Judaism, a new era of inclusiveness.” Stanton has already been hired by a synagogue in Greenville, N.C.

The number of practicing Jews has been declining in America in recent years and some reform groups have been reaching out in an attempt to recruit Black and other minorities. Stanton will be among a unique group. According to the Pew Forum Religious Landscape Survey, released last year, less than one-half of one percent of American Blacks is Jewish.

Author Deepak Chopra attempts to answer the proverbial question “Who is the real Jesus?” in “The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore,” where he presents his argument about the enlightened master of God-consciousness. He analyzes the “God-consciousness” of Jesus through his own words from the New Testament and reveals the manifestation of “Christ-consciousness” which came from Jesus’ self-realization of “God-consciousness.” He justifies the importance of certain spiritual traditions which Jesus practiced and believed in as the foundation of his teachings, lifestyle and early Christian practices.

Chopra explores the psychic phenomenon and evolution of Jesus by establishing his deep love for God, his Father. He showcases how political and religious leaders have used the Prince of Peace for their own self-centered goals.

The Rev. Dexter Nutall was baptized as a child by Rev. Dr. Walter Fauntroy. Forty years later, Nutall replaced Fauntroy as the lead pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Northwest. The installation service was held June 7.

“It was a long process,” said Deacon Kenneth Jones, chair of the Search Committee.

“Three [candidates] eventually went before the church one at a time. We then held the vote process that required the person to receive two-thirds of the vote. Rev. Nutall prevailed after the third vote process.”

Justice Older Than Law
The Lay Organization and Scholarship Committee of Allen Chapel AME Church, 2498 Alabama Ave., Southeast, will hold a book signing with author Katie McCabe for her recently released book: “Justice Older than the Law: the Life of Dovey Johnson Roundtree” (University Press of Mississippi) on Sun., Sept. 13 immediately following the 11 a.m. worship service.

The autobiography was co-written by Roundtree, a ground-breaking civil rights crusader, lawyer and ordained minister. In the book, Roundtree shares an intimate history of America that reads like a novel, capturing the sweep of nine tumultuous decades and a vision of justice that goes far beyond the law.

For further information or to purchase a book contact the Allen Church Office at 202- 889-7296.

Nineteenth BC Celebrates 170 Years
The Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, the first Black Baptist church of Washington, D.C., will celebrate its 170th anniversary on Sun., Sept. 13 at the 10 a.m. service. An anniversary reception will be held in the social hall of the church, located at 4606 16th Street, Northwest, following the service.

The celebration will also include a “Musical Extravaganza” featuring music choruses from the church.

Nineteenth Street Baptist Church was organized in 1839 at 19th and Eye Streets, Northwest. The First Baptist Church of Washington, founded in 1803, worshipped at the site where Black slaves were welcome to worship in the balcony. The FBC congregation moved to its present site at 16th and O Streets, Northwest about 1838 and sold the 19th Street edifice to the “colored” worshippers.

The congregation continued to worship at that site until 1975 when they moved to the current address at 4606 16th Street, Northwest. The church has had three pastors during its 131 years, including the late Rev. Walter H. Brooks, Rev. Jerry A. Moore, Jr., pastor emeritus; and current pastor, Rev. Derrick Harkins.

For more information contact Deacon Cheryl Coleman Hall at 202-882-4170.

Christian Charity Comedy Night
The Stoddard Baptist Home Foundation, Inc. will host the Second Annual “Laughing the Lord’s Way” charitable comedy fundraiser on Sat., Sept. 12 at The Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University, located at 800 Florida Ave., Northwest.

Proceeds from the event will provide critical funding for the future expansion of Sycamore Hill Senior Assisted Living in Mitchellville, Md. Sycamore Hill is the sister property of Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home located in the Mount Pleasant area of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1902, Stoddard Baptist Home’s mission was to provide shelter and care for elderly ministers and their wives or widows. Today, Stoddard and Sycamore Hill offer specialty services for individuals and senior citizens faced with Dementia and Alzheimer’s and other mental conditions caused by aging.

Comedians Sean Sarvis and “Simply Shirley” will perform. Seating and tickets are limited. For more information call 202-328-7400, Ext. 1316.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) _ A black woman is suing the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, saying she was abruptly fired after complaining that the organization was not reaching out to African-American churches.

A spokesman for the organization didn't comment on the firing, but said the association does extensive outreach and works extensively with African-American and other diverse churches.