Hey Family,
It’s been a minute since my last post and I know that as this blog has evolved it’s become far less personal and more issue focused, but I just want to reflect on a few things this time around.
May 2006 was a very productive month for me. First, May is my birthday month so on May 6th I celebrated another year of life with my family and friends.
During my birthday weekend, my father also celebrated 20 years of pastoring at our church. Now that’s an accomplishment. When I was a child I used to always say, “When I grow up I’m going to be a preacher just like my Daddy.” That eventually came true, but one thing that I have never said is that I will be a pastor. Uh uh. Aint happenin…well, if I have anything to do with it I won’t. Being a pastor is not easy. It’s selfless, thankless, sacrificing work. You’re scrutinized by some, criticized by some more, betrayed by others, and rarely do you see the fruits of your labor. And I haven’t even mentioned the incalculable time spent away from home and the impact that that has on the family. That’s not something that I’m running towards. So props to Pops for sticking in there that long. My grandfather, Bishop Heber Brown, Sr. preached and pastored all the way to his grave. A marvelous show of commitment, but I pray that my Dad doesn’t follow that model. My Dad is gifted in other areas as well. I pray that he explores other avenues and experiences other arenas whereby he can allow God to use him.
On May 11, Young Clergy for Social Change along with Save Darfur Coalition and Payne Memorial AME Church had the Baltimore for Darfur event at Payne Memorial AME Church. It was wonderful. We had a good crowd and a wonderful presentation by Dr. Gloria White-Hammond (www.savedarfur.org). I’m really thankful for my brother Kamal and his pastor, Bishop Bryan Claxton of the New Creation Christian Community Church. They brought a van full of youth over to the presentation. I am forever loyal to that pastor, that church, and my brother Kamal.
I’m also appreciate of the support received by Pastor A. Qismat Alim of Payne Memorial. She is a wonderful African who truly embodies what it means to be a truly African Christian. Which reminds me. I’ve been doing some thinking about social change (surprised?) and I’m becoming more and more convinced that it will be intelligent and courageous women who make the greater gains in the area of social justice movements and community empowerment. I’ll do some more thinking on this, but I’m beginning to see men as being prone to self aggrandizement and grandstanding. The women that I have met in the struggle are hard-working and selfless. I’ll try to remember to expound upon this a bit more later.
From May 18-21st I was in Portland, Oregon attending an Economic Justice Conference organized by Jubilee USA (www.jubileeusa.org) The conference was informational and motivating. I am more inspired now to be an advocate for economic justice in the world particularly as it pertains to freeing African nations from the bondage of erroneous and/or illegitimate debt. On top of that, the flight in and out of Portland was phenomenal. I realized on the plane that I am a real “city boy” because what I was looking at out of my window was bringing me close to tears. It was the most majestic view of mountains, valleys, and lakes that I have EVER seen. You’ll see pictures soon.
Last week, I was in Ocean City, MD for the kickoff of the Advocacy Leaders Program. I was selected along with about 19 others to participate in this program to instruct, connect, and empower advocacy leaders in the nonprofit arena. The kickoff was definitely a confidence booster. I’m more convinced now than ever that I was created for this stuff - social justice advocacy.
Finally, (for now) yesterday we had our annual Memorial Day cookout at Aunt Mary’s. As it is our custom we had the Family Circle and updated the family on recent accomplishments and upcoming events. After the food we gathered in Aunt Mary’s parlor which has an organ in it. As we do every year, the family - young and old - gathered to sing. I started it off with my grandfather’s song, I Know He’s Mine, and the songs kept on coming from there. After about 45 minutes, Aunt Mary ended our session with a nice down home foot-stomping, North Carolina, hot Black Baptist Church hand-clapping song called “So Much To Live For“. It got so good that Anthony stopped playing the organ and everyone kept the rhythm going by our clapping and house shaking stomping. Every time we tried to stop - we couldn’t. We paused during the song and Aunt Betty shouted, “Wait a minute! I have a testimony!” Aunt Betty gave her testimony about how God had been good to her and that took us right about to the edge. If Anthony would’ve touched one key on that organ we would still be in there huckabucking right now.
It truly was an AMAZING May and I am so thankful that I have SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR!