Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, Detroit | |
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In 1910, only about 5,700 Black Americans lived in Detroit. Two decades later, that population had skyrocketed to 120,000. Many Black residents in that period lived in Black Bottom, east of downtown Detroit, alongside European immigrants whose families had arrived in the nineteenth century.
By 1942, within Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, the Black commercial district located immediately north, more than 300 Black-owned businesses—bars and restaurants, doctor’s offices, barber shops, hair salons, hotels, and drug stores—were in operation.
Its notable Black residents included Ralph Bunche, who became a United Nations official and the first African American to earn a Nobel Peace Prize; Charles Diggs Jr., who became Michigan’s first Black U.S. House member in 1955; actress and recording artist Della Reese; and Zeline Richard, a teacher and an official with the Detroit Federation of Teachers and the Michigan Democratic party during the 1960s and ’70s.
Detroit city government, led primarily by mayors Edward Jeffries Jr. and Albert E. Cobo, razed the community during the 1950s and early 1960s. The process started in April 1946 when Mayor Jeffries asked the Common Council, the city’s legislative branch, for authority to demolish the aging Black Bottom neighborhood in the name of urban renewal.
Three years later, President Harry Truman signed the American Housing Act that pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into cities like Detroit with a goal of building 810,000 public housing units throughout the United States by 1955.
By that time, nearly 100 acres of Black Bottom were gone. The loss of the neighborhood was felt deeply. Discrimination in real estate, banking, and local government made it virtually impossible for African Americans to move to other sections of the city. A popular phrase spoken by Blacks at the time was “Urban renewal means Negro removal.”
To further explore the Black Bottom and Paradise Valley communities, click here.
Source: The People and Places of Black Bottom, Detroit: Remembering a neighborhood in Michigan by Ken Coleman, HUMANITIES, Fall 2021, Volume 42, Number 4
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In 2023, Leadership Education plans to award upwards of 30 Reflective Leadership Grants, which provide Christian leaders “balcony time” to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps.
The Reflective Leadership Grant supports an opportunity for structured reflection for lay or clergy leaders of Christian organizations that are advancing their mission following the multiple pandemics — COVID-19, racial inequity, economic disruption and mental distress — that emerged and/or intensified throughout the past few years.
While all leaders are encouraged to practice some form of ongoing reflection, this grant aims to support those leaders whose work has made a demonstrable contribution to their organization’s mission.
Click here for more information.
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Accent Pontiac, the Kirk's own nonprofit, began in 2016 with a million dollar investment from the Kirk's 2014 Capital Campaign, and remains closely tied to the Kirk.
While music is the vehicle, social change is the goal. Accent Pontiac provides opportunities for youth to develop life skills that help lead to a fulfilling future.
Accent Pontiac has thrived, even through the upside-down world of COVID. Today, 250 children across 3 Pontiac schools participate in Accent Pontiac's programming. The Kirk can be proud of Accent Pontiac!
We invite you to visit accentpontiac.org or contact Barbara Littleton (mom@lonesomegeorge.com) to learn more about Accent Pontiac and how you can get involved.
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Accent Pontiac
Strengthening Pontiac's youth and community
through equitable access to intensive and consistent music making
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EVENTS & DEADLINES COMING UP | |
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Saturday, February 11, 2023
at 10:00 am - 12 Noon
VIA ZOOM
The Congregational Development
and Transformation Ministry Team
would like to invite all of our Elders and Deacons
to attend our 2023 training event.
This training will include an overview of the Presbytery,
Elder-Deacon Election process, and responsibilities.
It will also include an in-depth break-out portion for
Elders and Deacons that is pertinent to their responsibilities.
Each group will have time to ask questions and learn from experienced Teaching Elders and their equally experienced Elder and Deacon counterparts that will walk us through any issues participants would like to share with their group.
Though the format is similar to last year’s training, we have other leaders in the presbytery leading us and we will receive new insights based on their knowledge and experience.
Please register for this event and let us know if you are choosing the Elder or the Deacon track.
You may register HERE through Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Once you register, you will receive the Zoom link.
Email any questions to Rev. Laura C. Kelsey, chair of CD&T at laura@fpcpontiac.com or call 248-727-3842.
See you on the 11th!
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2023 Ranney-Balch grants are now available!
Emphasis will be given to efforts focused on congregations across the Presbytery of Detroit to carry out collaborative ministries of proclamation,
evangelism, and reconciliation.
Targeted groups as laid out in the Ranney-Balch will are:
● The aged poor within the congregations of the Presbytery of Detroit
● Underprivileged groups within the boundaries of the Presbytery of Detroit
● Christian work among immigrants, Black people, and other underprivileged groups within our boundaries
Please click here for the application and for more information. All applications must be submitted by Friday, February 17, 2023.
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2023 POD MEETINGS AND EVENTS | |
Note the extended end time! | |
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First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor
is pleased to announce its new creative arts series,
Open Doors, which includes musical performances,
dance, art exhibits, and talks that enrich, engage,
and are inclusive of people from a diversity
of backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
All events are free and open to the public.
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And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." | |
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Recently, my three-year-old son opened a book about the wonders of the universe. In this science and astronomy book, my son has been learning about the planets, their moons, the sun, the stars, the asteroids, and about powerful forces in the universe like gravity. My son knows the order of the planets and knows that Jupiter has more than 63 moons! It never ceases to amaze me how intuitive children are and how they are just sponges for information, knowledge, and learning. Everything is new for a child. Every little fact or piece of knowledge is a new thing to add to their minds. They experience so many firsts: walking, laughing, crying, heartbreak, love, something yummy, frustration, boredom, and even interesting facts about the solar system.
We here in the Church are far too often seemingly allergic to doing new things despite what God is doing, and I do firmly believe God is doing new things in our world. God may have ordained the flow, circuits, and dimensions of the heavenly bodies above us, but God did not stop there. God did not stop doing new things after finishing with creation. God did not stop doing new things after giving the Law to Moses. God did not stop doing new things after coming down to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ. God did not stop doing new things after dying on the cross, rising from the dead, and ascending into heaven. God did not stop doing new things after pouring out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. God did not stop doing new things with the churches of the 1950s…
Now some might say, “Pastor Charles, why do we need new things? What could possibly be new for us? To why, we will always experience new things and new things are coming for us. Just as a child growing up experiences new things so do all who age experience something new. Newness isn’t always as kind and rosy as being able to name the planets. Sometimes the new thing is tough to go through, something new we didn’t want for ourselves or our community. In those moments, we must trust those who went before us, who walked in the uncertainty of their newness. The faithfulness of our ancestors should not be discounted. Even more so, we trust in the God who does new things to walk beside us and guide us as only God can. New things are coming, and God will be in those new things. As to what could be new, who knows! Only God does. All I know is that whatever new things comes for our Presbytery and the people that make it up, I am looking forward to doing it together; we will do it together with our God who is making all things new.
Happy New Year,
Pastor Charles Sadler II
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The Presbytery's Anti-Racism Special Committee has openings on the committee. Anyone with a passion to work toward the eradication of systemic and institutional racism in the Detroit Presbytery is encouraged to explore opportunities to join. We are especially in need of ministers of Word and Sacrament.
Please contact Elder Stefanie Lewis (stefanielw@aol.com) for more information.
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LOOKING FOR PARAMENTS
First Presbyterian of Saline is in need of red paraments for the pulpit, lectern, and Communion table.
If you have a set to share, please contact the church at 734-429-4140 or pastorkimberly@salinepres.org.
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If you are interested, you may
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Please send prayer requests to Tanya at tanya@detroitpresbytery.org, and put PRAYER in the subject line. | |
1 Timothy 2:1 "I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them." | |
EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES | |
St. Thomas Presbyterian in Shelby Township is also seeking a Part-time Coordinator of Technology & Worship. Click here for details. | |
First Presbyterian Church of Birmingham, "Everybody's Church," is looking for a Full-time Director of Christian Education and All Abilities Inclusion Ministry. Click here for details. | |
STAGE Youth Ministry, Royal Oak/Berkley has an opening for a Youth Director. Please click the link for more details.
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Kirkridge Presbyterian Church in Grand Blanc, MI, from the Presbytery of Lake Huron is seeking a Part-time Temporary Supply Pastor. Click here for details. | |
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has several openings for which we are seeking qualified candidates looking for a call working at the national level. The positions include:
Processing Archivist (Presbyterian Historical Society, Philadelphia, PA)
CLC Call Process Consultant (Office of the General Assembly, Louisville, KY)
Records Manager (Office of the General Assembly, Louisville, KY)
Administrative Specialist for Special Offerings (Presbyterian Mission Agency, Louisville, KY)
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STATUS OF THE PRESBYTERY OFFICE | |
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The Presbytery Office is Open
Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-4:30PM
*Due to a reduced staff, we recommend calling ahead before visiting
to ensure that we are in the office.
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