Out with ‘stupid rest,’ in with ‘Sabbath rest’

Dear Lucy: I seem to be caught in a rut. I have gotten to the place where I don't even know what I want. And this is awful because I am dissatisfied with how things are going now. I just don't know what I should be praying for and I can't move! Any ideas?

The ‘musical chairs’ spiritual trend

Polls show more non-denominational believers

Growing numbers of Americans are changing their relationship with religion, recent Pew Research Center polls indicate.

Consider the stats:

• Forty-four percent of U.S. adults have either switched religious affiliation, or report "no affiliation"

Check your lens if you’re not living the life you love

Dear Lucy: I do not love the life I am living now, period. I read your column, I love it, but the truth is that I don't like anything about my life right now. I am so disgusted with myself because I cannot shake these feelings of unhappiness. Help!

‘Gospel of Memphis’ crafted to raise the profile of local artists

by Nona N. Allen
Special to The New Tri-State Defender

Traditional Memphis gospel music has a particular sound. It is not the hip slappin' sound of Mississippi or the large choir sound of Chicago. It is a sound that is almost indescribable.

It's the reassuring and inspirational sound of a Bishop G.E. Patterson. It is the overwhelming holiness of a Dr. William Herbert Brewster. This is the traditional Memphis gospel music sound.

AME Church leaders irked after website reports rift with President Obama

The African Methodist Episcopal Church this week moved to set the record straight about a story posted (July 1) on the "Charisma News" website and Facebook page. The story reported that the AME Church was threatening to withdraw support from President Barack Obama because of his stance on same sex marriage and that the AME Church was partnering with an organization called The Coalition of African American Pastors.

The Book of Ruth can lead to firm footing on career path

Dear Lucy: My daughter just graduated college in May with a bachelor's degree. She went to job fairs before graduation and like many of her friends started job hunting back in January. We struggled and sacrificed to get her through college and have the debt to show for it. We were led to believe that a college degree was her ticket to a good paying job. Maybe that is just not true anymore. Most of her friends have the same problem. How can I encourage her and myself?

RELIGION BRIEFS: Male Chorus Workshop set for St. Andrew AME

St. Andrew AME Church, 867 S. Parkway, will host its' 6th Annual Male Chorus Workshop from Wed., July 18 to Sat., July 21, with a Mass Male Chorus Concert scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sun., July 22.

John Sherow-Tatum is the anointed clinician for the event. For the past 20 years, Sherow-Tatum has served as the Minister of Music for First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park in Dallas, where he oversees all of the church's choral and instrumental ministries.

Moving on time for ‘The Blvd’s’ Rev. Frank Thomas

The congregation of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church – The Blvd – will gather Saturday (July 7) at the church's midtown campus, where they will hear more about the unexpected departure of the megachurch's Senior Pastor, the Rev. Frank Thomas.

Thomas, who has led the church since 1999, will retire as the church's pastor and from active ministry in December. He will continue to serve as church CEO and pastor until a replacement is selected.

Freedom is ours to claim

Dear Lucy: I have a friend who has been the closest person to me for some 20 years. We became friends in high school. I love her dearly but I think it's time for us to part ways. I have watched her manipulate me, her husband, her family and anyone else to have her way. She is so good at out-talking others and will do whatever it takes, no matter how long it takes to manipulate people and circumstances her way. I have seen her pretend to like someone that she tells me she cannot stand and I have given in to her often just to keep from going through her drama. Each time I get ready to drop our friendship, she seems to sense it and does something nice that makes me change my mind for a while.

NAACP crafts ‘Day of Unity’ with focus on HIV/AIDS

The NAACP's National Health Department is asking African-American church leaders across the country to join the NAACP in a national "Day of Unity" on Sunday, July 8, to announce the release of the pastoral brief and training manual entitled "The Black Church and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative."

The NAACP has worked closely with African-American church leaders conducting focus groups and roundtable discussions to identify challenges and barriers in addressing HIV/AIDS in the African-American community.

Vain? No! Curious? Yes, with revelations around the bend

Dear Lucy: Recently I went to my 40th high school class reunion. Can you imagine that? We are all rapidly approaching 60 and all I heard or saw were wheelchairs, talk of high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, bald heads, disappointments over children and jobs and it just made me sick. I am not physically ill, but I swear I looked at least ten years older than everyone there. In the last few years, I seem to be aging so fast and just looking so old. Am I just being vain? Maybe I should just be glad that I am healthy.

SBC hands its reigns to first African-American

The Rev. Fred Luter, pastor of New Orleans' Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, is settling in as the new president of the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention after his recent election during the group's annual meeting in New Orleans.

Luter, 55, is the first African American elected president of the group. He said the lesson of his election (June 19) is the importance of faith.