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December 1, 1999
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i Metro/Religion
African American Jubilee Bible launched
How to ruin a good woman
by
for T he
CONTRI BLTEDSTORV
for T he
P ortland O bserver
African American Jubilee Bible
documents heritage o f hope and
w o rsh ip , A fric a n c u ltu re ,
Africans in the Bible, slavery,
Black church activism and Black
struggle around the world.
The A m erican Bible Society
(ABS) announces the launch of
the African American Jubilee
Edition o f the Bible. A source of
tradition and strength, the Jubilee
Bible addresses the biblical
understanding ofjubilee, offering
comprehensive commentary on
African American history, culture
and faith formation. It documents
the African American heritage of
hope and worship, chronicling
African culture and tracing the
presence o f Africans in the Bible,
the
p e rio d
of
sla v e ry ,
achievements o f Black Church
activism and the Black struggle
around the world.
In addition to the Old and New
Testaments, the Jubilee Bible
contains more than 300 pages of
text and full-color illustrations,
providing an authentic record of
faith and tradition. “There is an
extraordinary amount o f new
material in this edition that sets
the context o f the Bible within the
A fric a n -A m e ric a n re lig io u s
experience,” says Dr. Eugene
Habecker, president, American
Bible Society. “The Jubilee Bible,
both text and fine art, is helpful to
pastors, church members and all
individuals who want a better
understanding o f the role and place of
the Bible in the African-A m erican
experience.” Available in the King James
Version or the Contemporary English
Version, the Jubilee Bible is ideally suited
for devotional Bible Study, Sunday
sc h o o l, g ro u p m eetin g s, cu ltu ral
awareness and heritage celebrations, as
well as multicultural programs.
The Jubilee Bible is designed to help
readers connect Black history, cultural
images, moral visions, and perspectives
ft
to the ancient Scriptures in such a way that
the Word o f God becomes authentic,
relevant, and intimate. Readers are invited
to examine and study the Bible through
African-American historical and cultural
u n d e rsta n d in g s o f the S c rip tu re s.
Prominent African-American scholars and
new v oices in biblical scholarship
contributed to the Jubilee Edition including
Dr. Cain Hope Felder, Bishop Thomas L.
Hoyt, Jr., Dr. Virgil A. Wood and Dr.
Edwina Maria Wright. The Jubilee Bible
•
reflects on the African-American experience
from Africa the United States, the West Indies
and South America, a journey o f faith and
faith-based freedom. Culture is explored
through kinship, religion, worship and music.
Leadership and politics are chronicled through
Black Church preaching, music, education and
family. Articles in the material that accompanies
the Jubilee Bible explain the practice and
celebration o f the spirit ofjubilee in everyday
lives. Topurchase acopy, call 1 -800-21-BIBLE,
o rwww.jubileebible.org.
M ike R am if
P ortland O bserver
In November, my wife, Adele, and I celebrated another
marriage anniversary. I wanted to let you, my brothers,
know this in particular. Every time one o f us has
marriage success, we should let others know about
it
Having said this let me remind us via this column that
we have hit upon a broad range o f topics concerning
men, women and relationships. For the record, just
as there are great numbers of men o f quality in our
society, there are great numbers o f women of upright
character who have not bowed their knee to the
goddess o f feminism that permeates our age.
However, brothers, there are ways that we can still
blow it with our wives— and soon-to-be wives. Ten
o f them immediately come to mind:
1. Being Unequally Yoked: This simply means
that, if you are a Christian man, do not marry a
non-Christian woman, no matter how pretty she
may look!
2. Forgetting To Honor God in Your Home.
3. Comparing Your Present Flame To Your Past
Bonfires: When you find the right one, keep her
number one! Cut those past loves, photos and
all!
4. Belittling Her in Public.
5. Forgetting To Wear That Wedding Ring.
6. Ignoring Her Strengths and Focusing on Her
Faults.
Abdicating Leadership In Your Home.
Spending More Time With Your Friends Than
Her!
Letting Alcohol and Drugs Consume Your
Finances.
10. Putting Work Life Over Home Comforts.
The reason why I am putting this out in the
marketplace is that, lately, I have been coming across
media reports indicating that cases of workplace
adultery are ‘supposedly’ on the rise, especially
among those who travel to conventions and other
‘out o f town’ business ventures. Add to this the
number o f sexually aggressive, liberated women
(both married and unmarried) in our workplaces and
your next business trip could end on the road to
disaster! Brothers, I'll make it plain, adultery-no
matter what the talk shows call it-IS STILL WRONG!
If you want to continue as an inspiration to other men
in your community, keep your home fires burning-
period.
“The Early Show” and Bryant Gumbel:
In November, the morning news show wars are
heated up with the return o f broadcast veteran
Bryant Gumbel to co-host “The Early Show” on CBS.
Gumbel has always been a class act. His addition
signals the recognition by network powers-that-be
that men o f color have clout at the cash register. The
money pie up-for-grabs in national morning
network news (according to a PBS segment on
“The News Hour”); in excess of600million dollars-
and growing, as nightly network news offerings
are dwindling in both popularity and viewership.
Welcome back to the front lines, Bryant! May you
have a long run!
Warrior In Need O f Our Help:
In October, I received a letter from Rev. C.E.
Wright Jr., out o f Sabinsville, Pennsylvania. His •
church is going thr ough some hard times. He is
looking for men of faith to stand with him, pray for
him, and help with time, talent, encouragement,
and finances. Drop him a line to 2751 Phoenix Run
Road, RR #1, Sabinsville, Pennsylvania, 16943.
The time is now to circle the wagons and help out.
Don’t wait until the well runs dry!
MoreOnY2K:
When it comes to the issue o f Y2K, brothers,
preparation is the best plan to spiritual and physical
survival. Yes, God can protect, but the Bible is
plain as to what men are to do when danger
threatens; pray and prepare!
Look at it this way; two boys were crossing a
country pasture, when they saw a bull-and the bull
saw them. The bull charged. One o f the boys said;
“Let’s pray for God’s protection!” The other boy
said; “Let’s run and pray for G od’s protection!”
We are already in the fourth economic quarter, and
the price o f those staple items you need to have
on hand are going up. Just ask those who have
survived hurricane season if w arning and
preparation are important!
Recommended Readings:
“The Little Book O f Big Questions” by Diane
Booher (1999, J. Countryman Publishers, 112
pages) offers sound advice for some o f those
sticky areas o f life. Then, there is the power-
packed “Lessons From The Pit” by B. Joseph
Leininger( 1999, Broadman & Halman, 201 pages).
Leininger offers sage advice to Christians who
work inside, and outside o f pressure-packed
professions. “I Don’t Want Delilah, I Need You”
by Bishop Eddie L. Long (1998, Albury Publishing,
250 pages) has a lot ofbiblical and common-sense
advice on relationships, using the biblical
characters o f Samson and Delilah. Rounding out
our reading list, from the academic arena is “The
Church Impotent” by Leon J. Podles (1999, Spence
Publishing, 288 pages). Podles traces the
involvement o f women in our churches from a
historical view, and what it will take to get men
more involved. All these books are available at
your local library,Christian and regular Books tores,
and on the internet.
Want to communicate with Mike Ramie? Drop him
a line at “the Manhood Line”, P.O. Box 20131,
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46220.
Ecumenical Ministries calls for debt cancellation support
CONTRIBUTED STORY
for T he
P ortland O bserver
By resolution passed on November 17, 1999, the board o f directors of
Ecumenical Ministries ofOregon endorsed the Jubilee 2000/US A campaign to
cancel the crushing burden o f unpayable debts owed by at least 52 impoverished
countries as “a matter o f justice and compassion. “Titled” A New Era for
Justice, Forgiveness, and Freedom,” the resolution also encouraged EMO
member denominations to affirm the campaign as well and to engage in their
own denominational efforts with local congregations.
The resolution officially links this regional ecumenical body to Jubilee 2000,
an international campaign now based in 80 countries, which was initiated by
churches and interdenominational agencies for the reduction o f poverty and
injustice, particularly for the planet’s two billion people who are suffering the
most.
Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are among key leadership
promoting debt cancellation.
EMO Executive Director David Leslie said, “our affirmation ofjubilee 2000
uanes
£7n fouingm e m o ry o f
Norman Perry Horne
Norman Perry Home was bom on December 261924 to Raymond Perry Home
and Leona McCoy Home in Omaha Nebraska. He entered into matrimony with
El va Mae Williams, who preceded him death. He served as a railroad dining car
waiter out o f Omaha Nebraska and subsequently transferred to Portland,
Oregon in the late 4 0 ’s where he met and married Elva Mae on November 18
1951. As a result o f this union he became the stepfather to her 7 children and
their sibling’s. A fter retiring from the Railroad he worked for Crown Zeller Back
many years until retirement pursue his lifelong ambition as a handyman. Many
o f these activities were pro bono. Norman leaves to cherish his memory 2
sisters Delores Harrison ofLos Angeles, California. Jeanette Brown ofOmaha
Nebraska and a brother, John M. Home o f South Field, Michigan, a step
daughter Ten A. Williams Hoard, O f Gresham, Oregon and a host o f other
relatives and friends.
helps to lift up the life realities o f debtor nations. Our commitment to Jubilee
2000 is both an expression o f solidarity with the people o f those nations and
a sign o f hope that cancellation of oppressive debts will result in new
opportunities for community and social development. We invite Oregonians
to join us in this critical movement.”
The Jubilee 2000 campaign has catalyzed official affirmation from many o f the
US. National religious bodies, including the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Mennonite Central Committee, the
Presbyterian Church (U.S. A.) the United Church ofChrist, the United Methodist
Church, and the U.S. Conference o f Catholic Bishops. Other organizations
such as the National Council ofChurches in Christ in the U.S.A., Bread for the
World, and the American Friends Service Committee, along with regional
ecumenical and interfaith councils throughout the nation, have not only
endorsed the campaign but have produced educational materials, liturgical
guides, and action alerts for their constituencies.
For more information about Jubilee Oregon, call Andrea Vargas at (503)221-
1054.
Portland community observes World AIDS Day
CONTR1BI TED STORY
for T he
P ortland O bserver
“A Positive Life: Honoring Women
Living With H1V/AIDS” is the theme
o f this year’s W orld AIDS Day
o b serv an ce on the ev ening o f
Wednesday, December 1,1999. This
year’s observance will be held at
Metropolitan Community Church of
Portland (MCC Portland), located at
2400NE Broadway near Lloyd Center
in Portland. This event is jointly
o rg a n iz e d
by
W o m e n ’s
Intercommunity AIDS Resource,
Outside In, NAMES Project, Our
House, Coalition for AIDS Education,
Oregon Health Division, and MCC
Portland.
A series o f photographs depicting
the lives o f women living with AIDS
will be displayed at MCC Portland
starting Tuesday, November 23,1999
and running thru the observance on
Wednesday evening, December 1,
1999. The evening’s observance will
commence with an AIDS quilt panel
display at 6:00pm, offering a visual
representation o f the lives o f those
lost to AIDS. The Four Winds Drum,
a Native American singing group,
will perform just before the main
program starts at 7:30pm . The
Coalition for AIDS Education will
present their annual Red Ribbon
Awards to this year's outstanding
AIDS educators in the Portland
m e tro p o lita n area. M s. K aren
Pancheau, who is HIV-positive, will
be the main guest speaker. The
program will also feature a “Gorilla
Theater” presentation by Voices, the
gay and lesbian focus group o f
Outside-ln, a social service agency in
downtown Portland which serves
homeless street youth, many o f whom
have been impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Also, a second set o f photographs,
depicting the lives o f women with
AIDS, as well as several AIDS quilt
panels, will be on display in the lobby
o f the State ofOregon building during
business hours on W ednesday,
December 1,1999.
The building is located at 800 NE
Oregon Street near Lloyd Center in
Portland.
According to Ms. Judith Rizzio o f the
Coalition for AIDS Education, women
are the fastest-growing group o f
those newly infected with HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS. Women
account for about 44% o f all those
infected between 15 and 25 years o f
age in the US.
There are about 40,000 new cases of
HIV infection in the US each year.
And despite recent advances in AIDS
medications, about 10 to 15% o f all
new AIDS cases in the US are drug
resistant.
MCC Portland is the largest gay/
le sb ia n /b ise x u a l.tra n sg e n d e re d
Christian congregation north o f San
Francisco and west o f Denver. MCC
Portland is part o f the Universal
F ello w sh ip o f M etro p o lita n
Community Churches (UFMCC),
which seeks to affirm the lives o f
these people in their individual
journeys o f Christian faith.
He should be screaming at
the top of his lungs >
WHILE HE STILL CAN
If you’re exposed to cigarette
smoke at work, speak up.
Urge your boss to change
company policy Tell your J
manager it's making
■
you sick Call your
elected officials and
demand smokefree air1