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BLACK HISTORY
MONTH
ISSUE 2
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LITANY FOR THIS DAY. Gracious God, we thank you for creating all of us in your image,
even though outwardly we look different.
We thank you for being faithful.
We thank you that in you there is no superior race; we are all the same.
We thank you for your justice.
Help us, O God, to be informed by the past and look to you for guidance.
We thank you for reconciling us.
Thank you, Lord for inviting us to you, the spring that flows with living water.
We thank you for giving us water to drink.
Help us, Lord, to accept one another in love,
like you did for us, Christ, when you accepted each one of us in your love.
Thank you for your love that is from eternity to eternity.
As we come together this month to remember Black History Month,
we thank you, Lord, because you have made us equal in your sight
and you are calling us to rise and look forward, and to serve you in justice and peace.
Thank you, loving God, for giving hope that last forever.
Thank you, Lord, for making us to be part of this journey; we know that you will make all things new.
Thanks be to God. Amen. Adapted from 2011 The United Church of Canada/L'�glise Unie du Canada. Join us this month for special events and opportunities to celebrate, learn, and share.  Peace, Rev Cathy Alexander
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PEOPLE AND MUSIC OF BLACK HISTORY
MADAM CJ WALKER
Madam C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove on December 23, 1867, near Delta, Louisiana. After suffering from a scalp ailment that resulted in her own hair loss, she invented a line of African-American hair care products in 1905. She promoted her products by traveling about the country giving lecture-demonstrations and eventually established Madame C.J. Walker Laboratories to manufacture cosmetics and train sales beauticians. Her savvy business acumen led her to become the first female self-made millionaire in the United States who donated the largest amount of money by an African-American toward the construction of an Indianapolis YMCA in 1913. She was rivaled only by the countless philanthropic endeavors for which she is also known. in 1917, Madam C.J. Walker was part of a delegation that traveled to the White House to petition President Woodrow Wilson to make lynching a federal crime. See a video and read more about Madam CJ Walker on A&E's Biography
GLOBAL INFLUENCE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSIC
 African-American music developed during slavery, including spirituals, laid the foundation for most, if not all, musical styles we identify today as American. Everything from blues, jazz, and even rock and country music can trace their origins to these early African-American songs.
From W.C. Handy, the "father of the blues", and Mamie Smith, who is credited to be the first African-American to make a vocal recording of a blues song ("Crazy Blues"- CLICK HERE TO LISTEN), and B.B. King to jazz styles, from ragtime to big band, swing, fusion and artists like Scott Joplin, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. Not only was African-American music an influence on music in the U.S., but internationally.
For example, American jazz and R&B influenced the development of musical forms such as reggae music in Jamaica. "Ska" developed out of a mix of R&B and calypso which later developed into a musical style called "Rock Steady." In turn, in the late 1960s, reggae evolved from these forms and was made popular not only in Jamaica but globally by reggae artists like Bob Marley. With the distinctive offbeat rhythm and emphasis on the bass and percussion, many non-reggae songs can be transformed into the distinctive reggae style.
Contributed by Johanna Hardy. Sources: http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/feature/20th-century-music/; http://www.biography.com/people/wc-handy-39700; http://www.npr.org/2006/11/11/6473116/mamie-smith-and-the-birth-of-the-blues-market; www.jamaicansmusic.com; Wikipedia.org
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EXPLORING THE LIFE, WRITINGS, AND RELATIONSHIPS
OF HOWARD THURMAN
PASTOR'S GROUP THIS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 7PM
 In honor of Black History Month Rev Dwayne and Rev Cathy will explore the
life, writings and relationships of Howard Thurman. Howard Thurman, who was born on November 18, 1899 and died on April 10, 1981, was an influential African American author, philosopher, theologian, dynamic preacher, educator and civil rights leader. He was Dean of Chapel at Howard University and Boston University for more than two decades, and in 1944 helped found a multicultural church.
Thurman was a prolific author, writing 20 books of ethical and cultural criticism. The most famous of his works, Jesus and the Disinherited (1949), deeply influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders, both black and white, of the modern Civil Rights Movement. He served as spiritual advisor and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please join us on Thursday, February 13 at 7PM in the Welcome Hall. Contact Rev Cathy for additional information at [email protected] or 202-638-7373.
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TWO GREAT MCCDC EVENTS
DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
FREDERICK DOUGLASS HOME TOUR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2PM
FORD'S THEATRE MUSICAL VIOLET, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2PM
Join your friends at MCCDC February 15 and 16 for two great events. On Saturday, February 15 at 2pm, we will take a tour of the Frederick Douglass Home and on Sunday, February 16 at 2pm, we will take a journey South for the musical "Violet" at the Ford's Theatre. The cost for the two events is $20. (These are separate events, so you don't have to attend as a package. If you want to attend the Frederick Douglass Home Tour only, there is no cost. If you want to attend Violet, there is a $20 cost PER PERSON.)You can reserve a spot by going online to www.mccdc.com/donate or email Rev. Cathy at [email protected]. Seats are limited and the last time to reserve a spot is Wednesday, February 12 at 5pm.
Frederick Douglass Home Saturday, February 15, 2PM "I will unite with any one to do right, and with no one to do wrong!" Walk the halls of Cedar Hill, home of the famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Born into slavery, Douglass escaped to spend his life fighting for justice and equality for all people. His tireless struggle, brilliant words, and inclusive vision of humanity continue to inspire and sustain people today. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS HOME  Violet Ford's Theatre February 16, 2PM A touching story of love, hope and healing. In the early 1960s, a young woman travels across the South in search of a miracle. On her journey, she meets two young soldiers who help her learn about courage, beauty and her own self-worth. Jeanine Tesori (Caroline, or Change, Fun Home and Thoroughly Modern Millie) returns with a dynamic score of bluegrass, gospel, country and rock. Directed by Tony-nominated Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies).
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
OUR PRIDE IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2PM
Please come join us in this Black History Month Celebration recognizing "Our Pride in History". Our Black History Month Celebration includes Readings of history, Salute to Bayard Rustin/James Baldwin/Audre Lorde, Our Importance in Our Heroes Project, Singing, Praising and Dancing.
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 BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY, SUNDAY, MARCH 2, 3PM Each Sunday in February the Worship Arts Ministries will be celebrating Black History Month through special music and spoken word. Black History Month with culminate on Sunday March 2, 3pm with our Celebration of Black History Month Concert. We will be joined by special guests B.E.L.I.E.V.E - an ASL (American Sign Language) performance group.
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METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH
OF WASHINGTON, DC
474 RIDGE STREET NW
WASHINGTON, DC 20001
202-638-7373
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STAY CONNECTED  
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