Page 6, Portland Observer, January 27, 1988
RELIGION
Scripture
of the Week:
II C orinthians —Ch. 5
Daring to Embrace When W e A ren't Sure
My Journey
by Thomasina A. Yuille
I walked one day with Pleasure,
We sang a lilting song,
But, at our parting, not a
measure
Remained to help my steps
along.
I walked one day with Sorrow,
The journey sad, and long,
But the faith he had for
tomorrow
Left me with a song!
I walked one day the road
alone,
Or so I thought I did,
But soon God's love-light
shone:
My sadness disappeared, and
hid.
I know I'll never walk alone,
For I can hold His hand.
And, when my burden seems
a stone,
On the Rock of Faith I'll stand!
by W.R. Goodman
Send notice o f your church
activities and events to:
Behgion Editor, Portland Observer
P O Box 3137
Portland OB 97208
Ricky Callier Visits Portland
by Mattie Ann Callier-Spears
Ricky Lovell Callier, born in New
Orleans, came to Portland almost 22
years ago with his parents, two sis­
ters and a brother. He attended
Vernon,
Kennedy,
Grant and
Adams Schools. He took part in the
Upward Bound pre-college program
and began his higher education
training at the University of Oregon
in Eugene.
Ricky, one of seven children, is
the son of Edward and Olivia Cal­
lier. His parents, four sisters and
one brother still reside in Oregon.
One brother continues to reside in
New Orleans.
When the family came to Port­
land, they all joined Mount Olivet
Ricky Lovell Callier.
Baptist Church.
Ricky and his
Photo by Richard J. B row n
family enhanced the music depart­
ment of the church. The entire
to study with Ted Nichols, film
family sings or plays an instrument.
Thomasina Yuille
score composer for the Hanna Bar­
Frequently, Ricky would play his
bera cartoons (Flint Stones, Johnny
racize this man. And so he joined
trumpet or flute during musical
Quest, Jetsons). He also studied
our church wearing a wig, black
selections by the choir. Many times
with Bob O'Donald, the lead trum­
fishnet stockings, women's shoes
he would go to Antioch Missionary
pet player working with Ted
and a red dress.
Baptist Church (Rev. Felton Ho­
Nichols. Mr. O'Donald also per­
My seminary training had taught
ward, pastor) or St. Paul Church of
formed
with the Ice Follies for years.
me that the Christian community is
God in Christ (Bishop Foster, pas­
After
Ricky left Portland, his
called to be inclusive, but the
tor) and play his horn or the organ
musical
interests
and skills soared.
thoughts that raced through my
and piano.
He
composes,
arranges,
records,
mind were all exclusive ones: Look
Ricky is very versatile. He is an
produces,
teaches,
conducts
and
at him. He's so obviously a sinner,
accomplished musician, having the
broken down. He's going to make
performs.
His
music
varies
from
ability to proficiently play not only
everybody uncomfortable. What
pop, rock, gospel to classical.
one but several instruments, which
He has worked with such famous
will the rest of the people in the
include: all brass horns, piano, or­
personalities
as the Winans; the
church think? Who will want to sit
gan, flute, guitar, percussion instru­
group
"Commission",
where he did
beside him in a pew? We might
ments.
Rickey was tutored by
lose members. Maybe if he would
the horn arrangement and perform­
Thara Memory at an early age. He
fix himself up first, wear the right
ed on the trumbone, flute and trum ­
loved his trumpet. He would go
clothes and then come back to the
pet on their first album; Grand Ra­
from church to church playing his
pid's Mass Choir, producing their
church . . .
horn or the organ.
For some reason the man would
first album and playing keyboard;
He began playing the piano in
come over to me during the fellow­
the De Barge Family, as musical
New Orleans, strongly influenced by
ship hour after the service. I tried
director and head musician for El
his older sister Mattie Ann.
He
hard to avoid him, pretending not
De Barge; the Penecostal Ambas­
would follow her to all her concerts
to see him even though he stood
sadors; Crystal Murden;
Edna
and
recitals
at
St.
Xavier
University,
Rev. John H. Jackson.
Thomasina Yuille is a minister in the United
right beside me. And so I kept the
Wright
and
many
of
the
Motown
sitting
in
the
front
row
so
he
could
Photo by Richard J. B row n
Church of Christ (US).
conversations short and sweet. If
artists.
take it all in and not miss a note.
In 1984, he became the first Black
He
would
talk
about
the
perform­
Governor Neil Goldschmidt an­
to conduct the Grand Rapids Sym­
ances
for
days
and
how
he,
one
nounced on January 15, 1988, that
phonic Orchestra. He composed
day, was going to play one of those
Reverend John H. Jackson has
and directed his own music.
horns — when he got big.
been selected to provide Commu­
While employed as the Minister
When
Ricky
attended
Grant
and
nity Liaison and advise counsel to
of
Education and Evangelism for the
Adams High Schools, he was an
the Director of the Department of
WASHINGTON, D C. — Violence stem­
Bethel
Penecostal Church of Grand
active memeber of a band called
Human Resources.
ming from bigotry is increasing
Rapids,
Michigan, Ricky wrote and
"Ebony Express". There was an­
Reverend Jackson, retired pastor
steadily in the United States, accor­
Saint Mark Baptist Church, 103
directed
many original works, in­
other band that was also active
of Mount Olivet Baptist Church in
ding to a comprehensive study un­
N.E. Morris Street, Portland, OR.
cluding
his
own wedding musical
during the same time, called "A m e­
Portland, will concentrate on mak­
veiled Jan. 13 in Washington, D.C.,
The objective of the school is to
score.
rican Ingenuity” , with Donald Hep­
ing known the potential benefit to
and law enforcement officials, cler­
train men and women for Christian
Last year, he was asked to be­
burn at the keyboard. The members
Oregon of the "One Church, One
gy, teachers and other community
service, the imparting of know­
come
the Minister of Music for the
were Marlin McClain, guitar; Jackie
Child" program which has evolved
leaders are called on to recognize
ledge, and the development of stu­
Unity
Christian Ministries, Unity
Gilbert, drums; Donald and Michael
in Chicago and elsewhere. The pro­
the scope of the problem and to
dents to the fullest extent of their
Church
of Jesus Christ at State.
Hepburn, keyboard; Bruce Carter,
gram works through Black church
seek to stem the tide.
capabilities.
College,
Pennsylvania. He accept­
drums; Nathaniel Phillips, bass gui­
congregations who adopt Black
"N ot a day has passed in the last
You may earn the following de­
ed the position.
tar; Brad Gilbert, trumpet; Leslie
youngsters otherwise destined to
seven years without someone in the
grees: The Diploma of Theology,
His wife Sybrena, his four child­
White,
organ/lead
vocalist,
and
remain without an adoptive family
United States being victimized by
The Bachelors of Theology, The
ren, the dog and very tired Ricky
Ricky. When Ricky left the Port­
in long-term custody of state Child
hate violence," says an introduction
Bachelors of Religious Education,
packed up and moved to Pennsyl-;
land
area
to
further
his
studies
and
Welfare agencies. In Oregon, there
to the report released at a news con­
the Masters of Religious Education.
vania, moving a recording studio,
fulfill
his
commitment
to
God's
call,
are approximately sixty Black child­
ference by the National Council of
Expenses include: registration,
music school, musical instruments
the
two
groups
united
and
became
ren in the custody of the Children's
Churches in cooperation with the
$25.00; monthly fee, $20.00; tuition
and many memories.
"Pleasure".
Services Division who would be
Center for Democratic Renewal in
fee, ministers-monthly, $25.00; tui­
Ricky travels extensively, pro­
Ricky
moved
to
Grand
Rapids,
available for adoption in the future.
Atlanta. "This violence is a largely
tion fee, laymen-monthly, $25.00.
ducing records, arranging sections
Michigan,
where
he
attended
Calvin
"I am delighted someone of
unrecognized cancer eating away
For more information, contact the
and voices, etc, for whomever em­
College and Seminary.
Reverend
Jackson's stature and his­
Rev. Joe S. Hardie
our communities and social institu­
Portland Extension, (503 ) 287-7457
ploys his skills and services; and
While
pursuing
his
music
and
tory as a community leader as well
tions," the statement asserts.
attending many recording sessions
Rev. Joe S. Hardie is happy to or 249-2050.
academics,
he
met
and
married
as a religious figure in the Black
A typical example cited in "They
Classes will be offered Thursday
for well-known musical groups.
announce that United Theological
Sybrena
Robinson.
They
are
the
Don't All Wear Sheets" occurred in community will be providing this
God bless Ricky in his ministry
Seminary, Portland Extension, will and Friday of each week, from 6:30
proud
parents
of
four
children:
two
liaison work with us,” stated Kevin
Salem, OR, in 1986 when an African
and may his visit be productive and
be offering classes for the Spring p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
boys
and
two
girls.
Concannco, Director of the Depart­
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Come and become a part of
long-remembered.
semester beginning January 28,
In 1972, he had an opportunity
ment
of Human Resources. "He
was vandalized twice in one month.
1988, through May 6, 1988, at the U.T.S.!
The volume underscores a resolu­ and others in the minority commu­
-
-
Tuesday
nity can make an important differ­
7
3
0
p
m
tion adopted by the 1984 United
YOU ARE WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT
Bible Band
Methodist General Conference cit­ ence for the respective members of
Thursday
84 N E K illin g sw o rth • 281 0499
Choir Rehearsal 7 0 0 p m
their community for whom we have
ing
specifically
the
Ku
Klux
Kian
and
The
program
begins
at
4:00
p.m.
In Sunday, January 31, 1988,
Sunday
"A
warm
spirit
of
fellowship
always"
a
mutual
responsibility
and
obliga­
calling generally upon "federal, stae
The theme is: A Mission to Accom­
Faith Tabernacle Apostolic
Sunday School 9 1 5 a m
tion,"
Concannon
added.
"I'm
very
and
local
governments
to
exercise
plish.
The
mission
director
is
Mrs.
'
Mornmq
jrch is having a Mission Day
tA e
o f if o c l
11 15a m
pleased that we will be beginning
Worship
the
utmost
vigilance
and
bring
to
Veronica
Easter.
gram. The program will be fea-
6 30pm
Y P W W
with
the
'One
Church,
One
Child'
justice perpetrators of racial and reli­
Come one! Come all! Enjoy a
ng a guest speaker: Viola Brazil,
Evangelistic
effort,” he concluded.
8 00pm
gious violence and intimidation."
spiritual renewal.
Worship
:ellowship Church of God.
Noon Day
Grace
Osborne
is
the
pastor
of
Tuesday
Friday
f
h
itl&
fQ
hot
P
t
i
x
Bishop
U
t
UC
/bp.*
•
h-
'he church is located at 7015
Prayer
Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church.
=. 23rd Avenue, Portland, OR
people saw me talking to him, they
might start whispering about me
too. I'm not defiled. I don't want
to be identified with the untouch­
ables. I look and act like the rest of
the people in my church. I don't
want to be uncomfortable, not w ith­
in a Christian community. I belong
to the club — I mean the body of
Christ. He's the outsider, not me.
"As you have done it to the least
of these you have done it to me.
What a mockery I was making of
the body of Christ. OK. I Struggled
with it.
All of us seem to have dual iden­
tities: part inclusive, part exclusive;
sometimes rejecting, sometimes be­
ing rejected; moving from being the
oppressor to being the oppressed
— all in the name of Christ. In the
name of being Christian we de­
humanize each other. Even if our
arms are open, our hearts are
closed. Never truly embracing any­
body, we are unable to heal those
who are hurting, mainly ourselves.
That man's story has been my
story within the church. I am a wo­
man and a part of the clergy. Many
people find my presence within the
church hard to accept. I am con­
tinually reminded — in subtle and
not-so-subtle ways — that I am less
honourable than a man, not worthy
to touch the sacraments. My place
is in the kitchen, it is said; in church
I ought to remain silent.
There are no human criteria for
being a part of the body of Christ
except the desire to know God, to
be transformed, to be God's child.
It is the time to embrace, to recon­
cile ourselves one to another. May
God grant us the strength and the
courage to do s o
. _______
"A n d a woman who had suffered
from a hemorrhage for twelve years
came up behind him and touched
the fringe of his garment; for she
said to herself, If I only touch his
garment, I shall be made well
(Matthew 9:20-21).
Everyone needs to belong. No
one likes to be excluded, to feel
left out, to be considered a social
outcast. Most of us will do prac­
tically anything to avoid the pain of
not being part of the mainstream,
the crowd, the community.
Yet each of us does sometimes
experience the feeling of being ex­
cluded — whether for the colour of
our skin, our sex, our marital status,
our sexual orientation, our theo­
logical views . . . the list goes on
and on. Any one of these things
could push you out on the fringes of
society. Any one of these things
could make you feel like an out­
sider to the Christian community.
There are many people like this
woman in our world, badly broken,
bleeding, searching for healing.
They want to be included, and for
many of them the Christian commu­
nity, the visible sign of the body of
Christ, Jesus among us, is the last
resort.
So it was for a person in my
church, a man on the margins of
society. He was a transvestite, a
man who wore the clothes of a pro­
stitute. He did his work on a street
corner, sometimes being paid for it,
always getting beaten for it, but on
the corner regardless, he came to
our church door like someone on his
last chance, pressed from all sides,
silently declared untouchable.
My pastor firmly asserts that
everyone is a part of the body of
Christ. We have neither the right
nor the privilege, he said, to ost-
United Theological Seminary
Portland Extension
Rev. Jackson
Selected as
Community
Liaison to Dept. of
Human Resources
Study Chronicles
Rise in Bigoted
Violence
Mission Day Program
The Ark of Safety
Church of God in Christ
Why do more
families call
511. (Phone:(503)282-8071.)
Cox
'A
- thk* B i W x 4C.l|4-
folloW pCQCf With
all m cn.fr holiness
w ithout which no
man shall sec the
Cord «IMfWS *
time of need?
A lbina M inisterial A llian ce
A P ublic S ervice o f th e Portland Observer
Jesus Loves You.'
Cox Funeral Home has a sta ff dedicated to the fam ilies in
the ir hour o f need w ith lo w cost funerals.
Allen Temple CME Church
4236 N.E. Eighth Avenue
(comer o f 8th & Skidmore)
Shipping
Portland, Oregon 97211
Cremation
•
Burial
2736 N.E Rodney • (503)281 4891
Portland. Oregon 97212
(503) 287-0261
Phillip S. Nelson. Pastor
•
Psalm 34:3
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Saturday
M orning Prayer
9 00am .
S**wWv ,’ <*Twry MUJO A M
S W n r * AAR ’ «SU*M CM
285 0493
<=>!
Friday
The Pastor Speaks
7 30 p m.
!