 Sunday,March 25, 2007 |
|
As we celebrate Womenûs
Day, it is an honor and privilege to welcome Bishop
Vashti Murphy McKenzie to our pulpit as guest speaker for
both morning services. Bishop McKenzie has the
distinction of being the first woman to be elected
as Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
More about her life and her tremendous work can be
found on page 2 of todayûs Shiloh Spirit.
We know that we will be challenged and blessed as
she delivers Godûs message to us. We also thank
Judie Cephas and all the members of WOMAS for the
excellent programs that are being presented during this
Womenûs Season at Shiloh.
On last Wednesday night, the Washington Urban League
celebrated its 35th annual Whitney Young dinner, entitled
The Legacy Continues. As a highlight of the evening, the
League honored the three presidents who succeeded Mr.
Young: Vernon Jordan, John Jacob, and Hugh Price. Each of
these presidents, along with the current president, Marc
Moral, has led the Urban League through the sometimes
difficult waters of government retrenchment, assaults on
affirmative action, rise in police brutality, and the
constant, albeit subtle, attacks of the privileged upon
the disadvantaged.
Whitney Young was born in Lincoln Ridge, Kentucky in
1921. Although his childhood was free of racial strife,
he encountered his first experiences of segregation upon
joining the Army. While working with an all Black troop,
led by a white southern officer, he developed the skills
of negotiation and diplomacy. He found himself cast in
the role of a Diplomat for race relations; these skills
set him in good stead for the critical role he would play
as leader of the Urban League during the chaotic and
violent days of the Civil rights era. His untimely death
in 1971 left the League without a leader, but not without
a vision. Foremost in his legacy is the spirit he left to
his successors for the need to strive for excellence in
all endeavors.
To continue this legacy, each year the Urban League
awards scholarships to young people who embody Whitney
Youngûs dream. This yearûs twelve recipients
represented a plethora of races and cultural backgrounds.
Each of them has displayed the scholastic and civic
achievement that will make them leaders in their various
fields.
We are proud of the outstanding leadership our own Dr.
Maudine Cooper provides as the Executive Director of the
Washington Urban League. Her hard work and tireless
efforts on behalf of the less fortunate are an
inspiration. The legacy of Whitney Young continues in Dr.
Cooper. We congratulate her and pray Godûs
continued blessings on her work.
Readings for April 1,
2007: [Luke 19:28-40; Psalm 118];
Isaiah 50:4-9; Psalm 31:9-16; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke
22:14-23; 56
***
OUR PURPOSE
Building the Village by Caring
Concept: Our pastor, the Reverend Wallace Charles Smith, envisions a holistic Ministry of Building by Caring, which includes a 3-tier approach - Care for Ourselves (spiritually), Care for Our Relations (family, friends and members), and Care for Our Community (outreach). In building our capacity to care we will also create an atmosphere that will increase our church's membership, winning more souls to Christ; they will know we are Christians by our love;.
