Archive for the ‘Peoples’ Category
Easter is Coming to Jamaica, Queens
Noon-time fasting & prayer service at Bethany Baptist Church Re-published March 25, 2013, 6:45 am.
Fashion in Church, Jamaica, Queens
The youth of Bethany Baptist Church put together a modestware fashion show in Jamaica, Queens called “A World of Difference.” They follow a long tradition of fashion shows in African American churches.
Contemplations, Part 2: Becoming family at Love, Power and Grace Church, Morrisania, Bronx
For last year’s words belong to last year’s language And next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. – T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding” Last year on a sunny September day, I recall entering the Love, Power, and Grace Church on what seemed like a once busy, but [...]
Kunta Kinte of Highbridge, Bronx Community District 5
In the Highbridge area around 167th Street and Sheridan Avenue, we ran across many Mandinka, predominately Muslim people from West Africa. The Mandinka became famous around the world when Alex Haley wrote “Roots,” in which he traced his family back to a Kunta Kinte, the grandson of a holy man in a Mandinka village in [...]
“Here! Horrible! Me!” An African Prayer in the South Bronx
Mousama came from Africa to the Bronx and became lost in the street hustle of the city. Then, he felt a terrible realization that he needed help. We have set to video “Here! Horrible! Me!,” Mousama’s simple but powerful prayer as translated by Chris Clayman from Wusulu (a language spoken in the country of Mali [...]
Mexican immigrants in the Bronx celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe
Every Dec. 12, Mexicans celebrate the Virgin Mary because they believe she appeared to a peasant at the hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City, in the 1500s. This tradition continues with Mexican immigrants in the South Bronx, as they gather with the congregation of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church.
People who have helped us on the Journey: Rev Stanley Kwong
Great churches develop their own culture, their way of talking and doing things. It is creative tradition-making. Rev. Kwong, his wife Grace, his staff and congregation have created a sense of tradition that includes an inclination to talk in parables. Since 1989, their services always start with the hymn “Majesty” and end with “Let the [...]
People who have helped us on the Journey: Pastor Chido
There are surprises around every corner of the NYC Religious Census. Many times, it is we journeyers who are surprised by the warm welcomes. We are unannounced visitors like long lost relatives that only today decided to visit. Yet, invariably, people are warm and friendly. Some people, of course, are not at the church on the [...]
Photo Series: Compassion for the Immigrants in Queens and Manhattan
I went early to church on Sunday morning because a journalist friend from Europe said he wanted to introduce me to someone. I struggled to get up (and was late to church) and dashed out to Brooklyn. We met up at the [...]
Faith-based is a business address in Flatbush
We stopped outside The King’s Chamber Barber Shop near Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn. “Hmm,” we considered what was the significance of the name and the logo with a crown on a cross above scissors. The owner Anthony Austin came out to see what we were doing and explained his business. “In everything…one should honor the King. [...]
