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Thursday, November 29, 2012

History: Kneel-Ins in Memphis Lead to Desegregated Worship (1964)

In September, Oxford University Press published The Last Segregated Hour: The Memphis Kneel-Ins and the Campaign for Southern Church Desegregation, by Stephen R Haynes. Below is an excerpt from their description of the book: (Oxford also displays some independent reviews of the book.)

"On Palm Sunday 1964, at the Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis, a group of black and white students began a "kneel-in" to protest the church's policy of segregation, a protest that would continue in one form or another for more than a year and eventually force the church to open its doors to black worshippers.

In The Last Segregated Hour, Stephen Haynes tells the story of this dramatic yet little studied tactic which was the strategy of choice for bringing attention to segregationist policies in Southern churches. "Kneel-ins" involved surprise visits to targeted churches, usually during Easter season, and often resulted in physical standoffs with resistant church people. The spectacle of kneeling worshippers barred from entering churches made for a powerful image that invited both local and national media attention. The Memphis kneel-ins of 1964-65 were unique in that the protesters included white students from the local Presbyterian college (Southwestern, now Rhodes). And because the protesting students presented themselves in groups that were "mixed" by race and gender, white church members saw the visitations as a hostile provocation and responded with unprecedented efforts to end them. But when Church officials pressured Southwestern president Peyton Rhodes to "call off" his students or risk financial reprisals, he responded that "Southwestern is not for sale."

Drawing on a wide range of sources, including extensive interviews with the students who led the kneel-ins, Haynes tells an inspiring story that will appeal not only to scholars of religion and history, but also to pastors and church people concerned about fostering racially diverse congregations."

The author offered some comments a couple of weeks ago in Faith in Memphis about the publication of his book. Urban Faith has a review of the book.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Presbyterian Church Houses Red Cross Shelter Workers During Recent Storm

First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell hosted Red Cross volunteers working at nearby shelters during Hurricane Sandy. (The Caldwells Patch, 17 Nov 2012). Just another way that a Presbyterian church can serve its community during a disaster.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Brick Presbyterian Feeds Its Neighbors in Response to Hurricane

Brick Presbyterian Church, with assistance from Osbornville Baptist Church, served meals to anyone who needed them in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. (NJ.com, 5 Nov 2012). See a photo and brief text here.

Soup Kitchen Crew Serves Through Hurricane

Soup kitchen workers unlikely heroes of Hurricane Sandy (NJ.com)
Hurricane Sandy Heroes: Unlikely Crew Runs Soup Kitchen in Flooded Atlantic City (NJ.com, 11 Nov 2012) tells the story of four guys who showed up for work as usual to serve meals in a soup kitchen during the storm of two centuries. Sister Jean's Kitchen, located in the Victory First Presbyterian Deliverance Church in Atlantic City, provides breakfast and lunch to as many as 600 needy people daily. Sister Jean Webster died nearly two years ago, but her spirit (and the soup kitchen she founded over 25 years ago) live on.

Christmas 2012 - Let's Decorate the Sanctuary

The Worship and Music Commission invites the congregation to join them in decorating the sanctuary for the Christmas season this Saturday December 1st starting at 9 am. Word is there will be refreshments (and plenty to do).

2012 Advent Dinner Set for December 2nd

The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan is holding its annual Advent Dinner on Sunday 2 December 2012 at 4 pm in Fellowship Hall. Come and make some holiday crafts, then enjoy a catered dinner and singing of Christmas carols. A free will offering will be collected on the day of the dinner. Many people have already signed up for what is always one of the most popular events of the season. If you've not yet registered, come anyway and share some Christmas cheer in Christian fellowship.