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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 18, 1996)
I P age B4 D ecember 18, 1996 • I he P o r u . and O bsi rvi r [O il Meten ‘Bay[or: L ove Brought M e B a c f Helen Baylor has seen and experi enced from the bottom to the top, and, the grace of God, lived to tell and sing ol it all. Her last album and video. The Live Experience, cata pulted her for the first time to the top of the contemporary Christian charts under virtual lock and key for months. Featuring 11 o f her best loved songs, and a compelling personal testimony, it succeeded in making Helen a household name in Christian music. And with her newest release. Love Brought Me back, the music and the message only grew stronger. Helen Baylor “The success of The Live Experi ence doubled, and even tripled the size of our audiences,” Helen ex plains, “but lhatjust made me want to seek to do an even better job of what I do...to really reach those people and let them know all that God has brought me through and hope that might help them in their own lives. Email for good, wholesome, Christian entertainment, but I’ve got availing on my life to go further-to reach into people’s hearts and touch and be touched by who and where they are That’s just the minister in me." “The reaimeaning of Christmas by F reeman W alker , J r . Luke 2 :I4 -G lo ry to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. That was the plan. Nothing else would work. Mankind had tried it on our own and failed miserably. If there was to be any way out of this mess, God Himself would have to provide it. And He did with a gift to the world. That was the starting point. G od’s gift was very special-it was at once a sacrifice and gift. God had only one son; a son with whom He shared all, with whom He did all. The son had been with God at the creation and actually participated in the cre ation. He was there when, as one, they created mankind to dwell with and walk with God. He was also there when mankind was separated from God by A dam 's sin and cast out of the garden “...to till the ground from whence he was taken." As Adam and Eve represented all of mankind, their expulsion from the garden of Eden also represented our separation from God and the begin ning of our enmity with Him. And that would never do! How can any people survive when at odds with their creator? It was by the plan for the redemption of mankind meant that the only son of God would die, to live again only by our invitation. For centuries we have sought ways back to God through ritual and sacri fice, and even the creation of our own gods. The book of Isaiah tells of how we cut trees from the forest for fuel to cook and warm us and to be carved into the gods. We tried ploys such as fasting with sackcloth, the sacrifice of animals and even the sacrifice of our own children. Some say that ancient Romans worshipped the sun. The Sun had apparently become displeased with his parishioners and started to de part. When he changed his mind and sent his son back to warm the people at the beginning ofthe winter solstice (December 22), the Romans declared the rising o fth e sun the day of Jr.’s birth and began an annual obser vance. (The Ancient Egyptians had worshipped the sun as the god Ra, and Greeks had worshipped the sun as the god Helios.) When Christian ity became the religion ofthe Roman Empire, the church began to cel ebrate Christ’s birth on December, the beginning of the summer sol stice. Today Christmas is a highly suc cessful commercial venture. Up to 70 percent of the volume of depart ment stores and mail order sales oc cur between November 15 and Janu ary 30. Major expenditures are often planned fir this time of the year: the ring, the car, the trip and that special toy. The Christmas season not only crowds both requisite and non-requi site spending into a 45 day period, it also stimulates compulsory spend ing. This is not to say that Christmas has no religious significance. Although we do not know the ex act time of Jesus’s birth, we know that His birth signaled that a decision had been made to return us to God. With the birth of Christ G od’s plan was set in motion. Jesus was born into this world as a baby and the baby Jesus can mature within each of us to the Son who ruled with God, the Father. We have a significant part in the plan, for it is only by our invita tion that Christ resides within, and even then. He matures only to the extent that we allow. The growth of Jesus in us, and Christmas is the starting point. Freeman Walker, Jr. is the founder and a d m in is tra to r of the W alkerHouse Foundation, a Chris tian community on the Internet. Con tact him at freemanw@wh.org. ‘P reparingfor [Kwanzaa by _ 1) r . C on rad . W1 W. IX/,,......... W orri lt The Kwanzaa season is right around the corner and, once again, the National Black United Front (NBUF), Chicago Chapter, is pre paring for our sponsorship of the annual citywide Karamu Ya Imani (feats of Faith) Kwanzaa celebra tion. This year’s Karamu Ya Imani (Feast of Faith) Kwanzaa celebra tion will be held on Wednesday, January I, 1997 at Kennedy King College, 6800 S. Wentworth. The celebration will begin at noon. It is estimated that more than 8 million African-Americans partici pate in some sort of Kwanzaaevent. In the wake of the rising African- American community begins pre paring for the Kwanzaa season. In order for this to occur parents, teach ers, principals, ministers, business people and community activists must begin preparation immedi ately. The first question that should be ask ed in p re p a ra tio n for the K w anzaa se a so n is, w hat is Kwanzaa and why is it as important lor African-American people? In the 1960s, the Black Power explosion shook up America and successfully began the dismantling of (he legal system of racial segre gation in the south. However many blacks felt there was a deeper mean ing to the ideas of freedom, justice, and equality that had not been ad vocated by Civil Rights Movement. I he call for Black Power by Con- .. _ gressman Adam Clayton Powell, K w am e T ure (a .k .a . S tokely Carmichael), and others gave a new impetus for the Black Liberation Movement in America. When the smoke cleared from the Watts rebellion in 1965, an organi zation emerged in the Los Angeles, C alifornia area called “US” . Its leader, Dr. Maulana Karenga, be came a noted spokesman for the in dependence, liberation and the ac quisition of power for African-Ameri can people. After intense study of African cul tural traditions. Dr. Karenga estab lished the only national ly celebrated, indigenous, non-heroic black holi day in the United States (hat he called Kwanzaa. The concept of Kwanzaa. as Dr. Karenga established it, was derived from the African custom of celebrat ing the harvest season. Dr. Karenga’s explainsthat, "The origin of Kwanzaa on the African continent are in the agricultural celebrations called the '‘first fruits" celebrations and to lesser degree the full or general harvest celebrations. It is from the Swahili phrase Matunda Ya Kwanzaa”. Dr. Karenga furtherexplains, “The first fruit celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as Egypt and Nubia and appear in an cient and modern times in other clas sical African civilizations such as Ashantiland and Yorubaland.” Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa to introduce black people to new values, "which, if practiced, would give (us) a set of priorities and lead to (our) liberation and a higher level of hu man life." And this is a major reason that Kwanzaa should be celebrated by all African-American people. The concept of Kwanzaa strikes at the root of the African Centered Movement in this country. It pro vides a forum for us as a people to define ourselves in the context of their own experience. Kwanzaa is officially celebrated December 26 to January 1st ant each day is dedicated to on prin ciple ofthe Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles o f Blackness is cel ebrated). They are . December 26 -Umoja (Unity); December 27- Kujichagulia (Self Determination) December 28 -U jim a (Collective Work and Responsibility); Decern her 29—Ujamaa (Cooperative Eco nomics); December 30—Nia (Pur pose); December 3 1 —Kuumba (Cre ativity),; January 1-Im ani (Faith). Kwanzaa is a celebration that gives African people in America a re-affirmation of our greatness and the possib ilities for continued growth. It is a holiday season for us that gives us a chance with our families and loved ones the pros pects and future of black liberation. It gives our children a positive rein forcement for what we must con tinue to fight for as a people. If you are not familiar with how to celebrate Kwanzaa, I suggest you purchase and read Dr. Karenga's book. The African American Holi day of Kwanzaa. K w anzaa 1996 Warm greetings to everyone celebrating Kwanzaa The hearts o f millions o f men and women across America and around the world rejoice as to gether we enter into the spirit o f this uplifting holiday. The seven p r in c ip le s o f K w anzaa- unity, self-determina lion, collective work and responsi bility, cooperative economics, p u r pose. creativity, and faith - teach us that when we come together to strengthen our fam ilies and com- m unities and honor the lessons ofthe past, we can face the future with joy and optimism. Through prayer, song, and the exchange o f gifts, Kwanzaa helps us celebrate the human experi ence and appreciate our many bless ings. Today, we have a renewed sense o f hope in America, a hope based on the idea that our great diversity can unite -- not divide — our society. A.v we rejoice in the rich cultural heri tage ofthe African American com munity during Kwanzaa, let us work together to ensure that the meaning and energy o f this inspir ing festival will remain with us throughout the coming year, bring ing courage, renewal, and even greater hope fo r the future. Hillary joins me in sending best wishes fo r a wonderful holiday and every happiness in the year ahead. William J. Clinton AMA’s Annual Holiday Adopt-a-Family program As in years past, the AMA Annual "Holiday Adopt-a-Family" program reaches into the community for help in making the holiday season a bit brighter for homeless and needy fami lies. Last year, one family provided sheets, blankets and other bedding to a family whose house had burnt to the ground-all 6 children stayed warm! Also, a teenage brother and sister got mountain boots and other warm clothing for winter wear. One retailer provided new winter coals for over 20 homeless families. Through the AMA “Adopt-a-Fam ily”, children and families in need can receive certain necessities—to keep them well, healthy and experi encing community generosity. Com munity members have the choice of "adopting" an AMA family and buy gifts for each family member. AMA will provide “Adopting" families in formation about the size of family, ages, sizes and needs or community members can simply purchase one or more ofthe items from this list which then will be delivered loan appropri ate recipient by an AMA volunteer: Sheets and blankets, dish clothes, sweatshirts/pants, pants, pots & pans, towels, coats, mittens/gloves, dishes, dishpans, shirts, wool caps, glasses/ cups, silverware, T-shirts, boots or shoes. (We ask that all items be new and in original packaging when pos sible. Other possibilities include Tri- Met passes and gift certificates from Fred Meyer. Ross, Volume, Target, etc.) Persons interested in adopting a homeless or needy family should AMA at 285-0493, ext. 203. Albina Ministerial Alliance, pro vides emergency, energy, child care and housing services to over 7.0(H) families each year. Should you have any questions, please call me at 240- 2825. We can make photo and audio opportunities available concerning typical families to be adopted M as [a ‘P astor Receives Monorary ‘Degree F.iphtfíf>n urmllintPK n on inno in n n . Eighteen graduates of f an vative environmental science pro gram will leave Concordia Univer sity this month prepared to do their part in making the world a better place. There are among 150 bachelor’s degree recipients at the WinterCom- m encem ent p rogram in the Concordia gymnasium, according to Concordia University President Charles E. Schlimpert. In addition, the Rev. Dr. Chris J. Reinke, a Lutheran Pastor from An chorage. Alaska, will receive an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Pastor Reinke, who is a high school graduate of the former Concordia College Academy, was nominated to receive C oncordia’s highest honor for his work in apostolic min istry. Reinke is also the commence ment speaker. P asto r o f B eautiful S a v io r „utheran Church in Anchorage, Reinke is the founder of the Alas kan Road Ministry, a road ministry now serving people in some 53 A l i c l i n communities. onn,no.n,iii,,. n k -. AMI.... Alaskan O r» fthe 60 lay people serving the road program, this spring 15 o f them will be certi fied through the Church Staff Lay A ssistant Program of Concordia University. The 18 environmental students arc- graduates o f the E nvironm ental Remediation and Hazardous Materi als Management. The undergraduate degree pro gram was launched in 1995 to meet a pressing industry need - preparing entry-level managers for increasing opportunities in the environmental field. As such, the curriculum was developed with input from business, industry and government leaders, and is designed with a focus on meaning ful practical experience in the field. In earning their degrees, students completed a rigorous academic cur riculum and participated in industry- sponsored practicums designed to give them a working knowledge of environmental issues. Some of the practicums included analyses of un derground storage containers and re- i... . i ........i . t i - lated regulation development for O regon’s Department of Environ mental Quality, and participation in a sophisticated Columbia Slough W ater-testing project for the City ol Portland. For both students and industry the program has proved an effecti ve means of offering targeted educa tion and training in an increasingly specialized field. Mike Stock, a former National Institutes ol Health researcher and member of the first graduating class, already had a doctorate degree in physiology when he entered the pro gram with the goal of making a career change. “I found the instructors challeng ing, and because ofthe flexible cur riculum design 1 was able to go beyond some ofthe other students -given my background,” said Stock, a Tigard resident. He completed Ins practicum working with the Depart ment of Environmental Quality to develop and draft new risk assess ment rules. f e tig ious [Freedom M ee[ce[ebrated Churches across America recently celebrated Religious Freedom Week to commemorate the Congressional passage of the First Amendment in 1789. Churches participating ranged from the famous Old North Church in Boston to the Founding Church of Scientology in Washington, D.C. The celebration, recognized in &elebrati<m of~K/K for E. Jean Amerson R em em brance- Jean A m erson was born July 27th in Tyle, Texas to Laurene and Theodore Moffatt. In 1941, she and her family moved to Portland, Oregon where she at tended Jefferson High School and Lewis & Clark College. She later met and married Herbert L. Amerson. During their years of marriage, they had four children, Denise, Jeanette, Gregory and Deborah. During the last 12 years of her life, she was a companion to John Savoy and played a major role in raising John’s youngest daughter, Rachel. She retired on December 3 0 .198.3, after 3 1 years of dedicated service with Pacific Northwest Bell. She was a faithful member of St. Phillips Church, where she was con firmed by Father L.O. Stone in 1957. Jean was also a founding member of the Royal Dion Social Club. Those mourning her passing are her mother, Laurene Jackson, her four beloved c h ild re n , D enise Ragland, Jeanette Mebane, Gregory Amerson and Deborah Cross, togeth er with her father, H erbert L. Amerson. September of each year, became an annual tradition after the U.S. Con- gress—with strong support from mem bers ofthe Congressional Black Cau cus-passed resolutions in 1988,1989 and 1990 officially declaring the last week in September as Religious Free dom Week. “religious freedom is one of the <zF// C bedrocks of American life."said Rev. Sue Taylor, the national spokesper son for flic Religious Freedom Week Committee. “Like most of our free dom, it is something we lake for granted, but this week we take time to reflect on both the power and the richness of this freedom and our re sponsibility to protect it”. o r i n g Charlotte Marie Moore was born Feb ruary 13, 1950 in Portland to Emma Moore. Upon her mother passing away, she was left to the care of Julius Moore, Sr., Lavon Allen, and Theodore Rogers. During her school years, Charlotte at tended Jefferson High School, Portland, OR. She was a member of the class of 1968. Charlotte continued her education at the University Beauty College and completed her studies in cosmetology in __________________________ 1977. She later became a well known hair dresser in the city of Portland. Charlotte's love for people compelled her to help those around her. This was reflected by her last employment where she served as a Residential Advocate for the mentally disadvantaged. She was a loving and outstanding mother to three children: Bryant, Tammi. and Nyla Moore, all who reside in Portland, OR. Charlotte was outgoing, approachable, and loved to meet people. She never met a stranger. Her home was always open to those in need. Preceding her in death: Michael Vaughn, brother. Cox Funeral Home 2736 N.E. Rodney, Portland, Oregon (503) 281-4891 “Before You Must Make a Decision” Inspect the Beautiful Cox Funeral Chapel Planning your funeral is our first consideration. Equipped to serve all religions, races, veterans and fraternal organizations. Jerome Tanner Funeral Director
