RELIGION BRIEFS: Monumental’s dance ministry presents ‘In Him We Move’

The Wings of Wisdom dance ministry at Monumental Baptist Church will host its fifth annual praise dance program on Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. The theme is based on Acts 17:28 – "For in Him we live, and move and have our being..."

Martha Balfour Green and Daphne Davis are co-chairs for the event.

Struggling? Make your call, let go and let God

Dear Lucy: I feel as if I have been struggling all my life. No matter what I do, I just seem to survive. My brother, on the other hand thrives. I think I am as smart as he is. but I just can't seem to ever reach that special stride and keep it up. What can I do?

Shooting prompts extra security

Washington, D.C. – The National Black Church Initiative (NBCI) – a coalition claiming 34,000 African-American churches –and its board of directors have ordered security for its president, Rev. Anthony Evans, because of the group's stance against same-sex marriage.

The decision comes after an Aug. 15 shooting at the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. that left a security guard injured.

Wuf-wuf! Thank God for ‘Mr. Lee’

Dear Lucy: I have a dog that I love dearly and have had her for 10 years. I am a widow and she is my constant companion. When I go out and have to leave early because of her, I am not upset but others seem to get upset! Some friends accuse me of treating her like she is a person or letting her dictate my schedule. I resent this. I do not think of my dog as a person. She is a dog and I well know that. Why is it that when you are a certain age, live alone and have a pet people like to label you "pet lover" in a mocking way?

Waller Awards reward ‘Christian Excellence’

Four scholarships and two namesake awards were conveyed during the annual event in salute to the "Christian Excellence" of the late Rev. Eugene Waller and his wife, Aurelia Waller.

The observance was hosted by The Missionary Society of Cummings Street Baptist Church, with Ada Westbrooks serving as president and Carrie Grant as president emeritus.

‘Writing new chapters’ in Southern Baptist history

"So the Thursday after I was elected, I get a call and a voice on the other end says. 'This is the White House, and the President would like to speak with you.' So I come to the phone, and I think it's one of my buddies playing a joke. I get to the phone, and I say, 'Who is this?' And someone says, 'This is the White House. Would you please hold for the President?'

"'Yeah, right,' I say. Sure enough, "Hail to the Chief" begins to play, and the President picks up the phone and says, "So, Dr. Luter, how does it feel to be the most popular president in the United States?"

Embrace the overflow and go with what you know

Dear Lucy: I have tried everything I know to lose weight. Diet, exercise, books, you name it. Why is it so hard? I find myself looking at other women and even men in comparison. I have gotten to where I am happy just to see someone bigger than me. I feel ashamed of my thinking and because I can't get the weight off. I used to have an hourglass figure and now I look like a big plastic tumbler!

Time to celebrate 75 years at St. Augustine

St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1169 Kerr, will celebrate its 75th anniversary Friday, Aug. 24 through Sunday, Aug. 26.

The parish, whose congregation is predominantly African American, celebrated its first Mass in a building at 903 Walker Ave. on Aug.28, 1937.

RELIGION BRIEFS: Choir reunion extravaganza at Mt. Vernon-Westwood

The Millennium Choir of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church-Westwood will celebrate Annual Choir Emphasis Month and present a choir reunion musical extravaganza beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 19) at the church at 620 Parkrose Ave.

All former choir members are invited to participate in the extravaganza. The focus will be "Lifting Up the Name of Jesus."

Progressive Baptists stir activism, involvement into convention mix

Dr. Carroll A. Baltimore Sr., president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC), posted a message on the organization's website a few days before the 51st annual meeting was to convene in Memphis.

"As your 19th President, the theme I have chosen for this year is: 'Securing Our Future: Prayer – A People of Progress,'" Dr. Baltimore wrote, adding his desire that those preaching during the course of the Aug. 5-10 confab align their messages with the theme of "The Beloved Community," drawing from Acts 2:42-47.

Progressive National Baptist Convention: United in message

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" – Psalms 133:1

The scene: Progressive National Baptist Convention attendees settle into seats at Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis in anticipation of the opening worship service for the 51st annual gathering.

On tap for the keynote sermon? Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr. of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). He did not disappoint.

When your get up and go is off and running, ease up and check your hands

Dear Lucy: I'm just not what I used to be. I know that we all change, but I have lost my fire. I don't want to go anywhere or do anything. I just noticed that my favorite answer to every request is "no." No, I don't want to cook, clean, go out, listen to your problem...

I am not depressed. It's just that my get up and go has gone. Help.