Perry Daily Journal (Perry, Okla.), Vol. 105, No. 144, Ed. 1 Friday, July 24, 1998 Page: 7 of 12
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Friday, July 24, 1998
CHURCHES
Perry Daily Journal, Page 7
Can Faith Lower Barriers in Divided Communities?
tract only white or black cus-
ar-
ma
ot a
was
s ar-
rief
By LISA SINGHANIA
Associated Press Writer
BENTON HARBOR, Mich.
(AP) — Five days a week, Judy
Lammers crosses from home in
mostly white St. Joseph to work
in mostly black Benton Harbor.
The bridge over the St. Joseph
River is an easy drive, but the
chasm between communities is
harder to navigate.
For that, Mrs. Lammers turned
to her church.
Spurred by a book about the
communities’ racial inequities,
the pastor in her predominantly
white church organized a choir
exchange with a black congrega-
tion across the river. After an
afternoon of singing, Mrs. Lam-
mers says, racial and economic
differences felt a little less glar-
ing.
“You can’t help but be con-
cerned about race issues, living
here in St. Joe,” says Mrs. Lam-
mers, who is white. “As Chris-
tians, we want to work toward re-
solving those things....” She calls
the choir exchange “a great op-
portunity to begin to know each
other.”
Boarded-up buildings line many
Benton Harbor streets, which are
deserted after dark. State police
shore up the city’s police force.
Less than a mile away, St. Joseph
bustles with restaurants, bou-
tiques. offices and a picturesque
beach front. Most of Benton Har-
bor’s 13,000 residents are black;
most of St. Joseph’s 9,200 resi-
dents are white.
Still, both communities share a
strong religious tradition. Mrs.
Lammers' pastor, the Rev. Kent
Meyer of the Zion Evangelical
United Church of Christ, noted
more than 160 churches within a
5-mile radius. They include the
Brotherhood Church of God in
Christ in Benton Harbor where
the Zion church choir sometimes
practices.
Can faith close the gap?
“There’s just so much fear and
distrust that’s built up over the
years,” Meyer says. “Knowing
that the people on the other side
of the river share the same be-
lief... helps a lot in helping peo-
ple to let go of some of the fear
of each other.
" We are called to be one in
Christ, regardless of our race or
national origin,” he says. “This
is something that God is calling
us to do.”
For many years, Meyer’s con-
gregation has volunteered at a
Benton Harbor soup kitchen. But,
he says, this is the first time he
has used faith to reach across the
river.
In Benton Harbor, the Rev.
James Atterberry applauded the
choir exchange at his Brother-
hood Church of God in Christ.
“This would just get us familiar
with each other, so we could see
we have more in common than
different.”
The crossover was prompted in
part by a book published earlier
this year. “The Other Side of the
River,” by Alex Kotlowitz,
chronicles an investigation into
the 1991 death of a black teen-
ager last seen alive in St. Joseph.
Some residents dismissed the
book as inaccurate and exploita-
tive. Others lauded its frank dis-
cussion of racial divisions.
Then, in March, a white police
sergeant in St. Joseph was ac-
cused of knocking a black from
Benton Harbor off his bicycle and
filing a false report to conceal
it. Though no criminal charges
were filed, he was suspended for
20 days and demoted. The offi-
cer is appealing.
An in June, the Ku Klux Klan
rallied on the steps of the Berrien
County Courthouse in St. Joseph.
The rally lasted 20 minutes, with
police outnumbering spectators.
But Klan officials said local res-
idents, whom they refused to
identify, financed the demonstra-
tion.
“We’re the only county of this
size in the state that does not have
any minority representation,”
says the Rev. Walter Brown, a
black who has lived in Berrien
County for 46 years.
“You don’t have to read a book
to know it. I see it every day, and
so do others. For too long, we’ve
been like an ostrich with our head
in the sand.”
Brown, who heads the Ebenez-
er Baptist Church in Benton Har-
bor, vowed to act after reading
Kotlowitz’s book So he orga-
nized a luncheon of ministers
from both sides of the river to talk
about race relations. Eighty-five
people turned out, including Mey-
er. Joint choir practices were one
of many ideas proposed.
The Rev. Richard Taylor would
like to see the group help inte-
grate shopping areas. Taylor, who
leads the First Congregational
United Church of Christ of Ben-
ton Harbor, says many stores at-
tomers.
“1 would think all Christian
people would want to see these
types of things changed,” he says.
“These are the kinds of things
this council could address direct-
ly ... an integrated group could
visit the store.”
The ministers acknowledge that
prayer cannot address all of Ben-
ion Harbor’s problems. Many, in-
cluding Brown, believe better
jobs and better schools are the
key to revival.
nec-
into
ick-
FBI
, OK
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH (U.S.A.)
Sunday, July 26, 1998
Church School - 9:15 a.m.
Worship -10:30 a.m.
MESSAGE: "Snakes and Eggs"
Rev. Tim Boggess
6 p.m., Fellowship Garden Party
at the Manse
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
422 N. Sth Street
Perry, OK 73077
Tim Boggess, Pastor
e-mail: tboggess@ionet.net
Ron Motley, DCE
e-mail: thedce@ionet.net
Church Office (580) 336-9177
(Transportation & Childcare Always Available)
Pat-On-
The-Back
Department
Local people dedicated to their work on the Perry United Fund, Inc.
drive already have begun planning for that event.
The drive annually brings in much needed dollars to help support various
agencies that benefit residents of this area.
Without the hard work of the United Fund board of directors and others
who serve in various capacities, those dollars would not be collected.
We commend those involved in the drive and also those whocontribute
to the worthwhile cause.
Brown —
FUNERAL HOME 1
"Thoughtfulness" .
336-4444
Perry
Calvary Baptist
Eleventh and Cedar
Sunday school. 9:45 a.m
Sunday morning worship. 10 30
Sunday evening worship, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday worship,7pm
Christ Lutheran
1301 North Seventh
Sunday morning worship, 9 a m
Sunday school, 10:15 a.m.
Church of Christ
Sev enth and Jackson
Sunday school, 9am
Sunday morning worship, 10a.m.
Sunday evening worship, 6 p m
Wednesday worship, 7 p.m
Church Of Jesus Christ
Of Latter Day Saints
IOOF Hall
1104 Cedar Street
Sacrament, 9 a.m
Sunday school, 10:20 a m
Wednesday, MIA meets at 7 p.m
Church of the Nazarene
829 Jackson
Sunday school. 9:30 a.m.
Sunday morning worship 10:30
CARAVANS, 6p.m.
Sunday evening worship. 6 p.m
First Assembly of God
West Fir Avenue
Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. 10:30
Sunday evening worship. 6 p.m
Wednesday worship, 7 p m
First Baptist
Se enth and Fir
Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday morning worship, 10:45
Sunday evening worship. 7 p.m.
Wednesday worship, 6:45 p m
First Christian
Sev enth and Holly
Sunday school, 9:15 a.m.
Sunday morning worship, 8:15 and
10:30
Youth, 4 and 5:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian
Eighth and Elin
Sunday school, 9:15 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. 10:30
PYF,6 p.m.
To change your
free church listing,
Call 336-2222
YORK PE
BUD PETERMANN
Electric Company
322 Birch 336 4242
THE
SPORT SHAK
618 Cedar 336-2233
First United Methodist
Seventh and Elm
Inspiration time, 9:30a.m.
Sunday school, 9 45 am
Sunday morning worship, 10:50
Youth. 5 pm
Grace Baptist
Ninth and Grove
Sunday school, 10 a.m
Sunday morning worship, 10:45
Sunday evening worship, 6pm
Wednesday worship, 7 p.m
Kaw Street Chapel
420 Kaw
Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. 10:45
Sunday evening worship. 6 p m
Wednesday worship. 6:30p.m.
Landmark Baptist
Mission
616 6th St.
Sunday school, 9:45 a.m
Sunday morning worship, 10:45
Sunday evening worship, 6 p m
Wednesday worship, 7pm
The Lighthouse
Christian Center
522 East Hoiuidan
Sunday morning worship, 10a.m.
Sunday evening worship. 6 p.m
Wednesday worship, 7 p m
Mt. Olive AME
530 Grove
Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. 11 a.m
Sunday evening worship, 5 p m.
Wednesday worship. 7 p.m
New Prospect Baptist
Fifth and Fir
Sunday school, 10a m
Sunday morning worship. 11 a m
Tuesday Youth. 7p.m.
Wednesday worship, 6 p.m.
Porter Memorial
Church of God In Christ
Eighth and Market
Sunday school. 9 a m
Sunday morning worship. 11 a m.
Sunday evening worship, 7:30 p.m
Wednesday Youth, 7:30 p m
Friday worship. 7:30 p.m.
St. Mark’s Episcopal
701 Seventh
Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, 10:30a.m.
Seventh Day Adventist
Seventh and Grove
Sabbath school, 9:45 am
Saturday worship. l1 a.m
Victory Baptist
712 Delaware
Sunday school, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday worship, 10:30 a.m
Wednesday service, 7 p.m
Zion Lutheran
5 Miles East of Pern
Adult Sunday school, 8:30 am.
Sunday morning worship, 9:30a m.
Children's Sunday School 10 45
am
Marland
First Baptist
Sunday school,10 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. Il a.m
Sunday evening worship. 6 p m.
Vassar Independent
Assemblies Church
1-35 & Mulhall Road
Sunday school, 10 am
Morning worship. Il a.m
Sunday evening worship. 7 p m
Wednesday worship. 7 pm
Worship Together
This Weekend
Billings
Antelope Valley
Church Of The Brethren
Sunday school, 10 am
Sunday worship. !I a.m.
Christian Church
Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.
Sunday worship,11 a.m.
First Baptist
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. 11 a m
Sunday evening worship. 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic
Sunday Mass, 8 a.m.
United Methodist
Morning worship. 9 a m.
Sunday school, 10:30 am
Ceres
Ceres Christian
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Sunday worship. Il am.
Lucien
United Methodist
Sunday worship. 9:30 a.m.
Sunday school, 10:45 am
Methodist-Christian
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Sunday worship, il a.m.
Marshall
Gospel Lighthouse
Sunday school, 10 a m.
Sunday morning worship. 11 a.m
Sunday evening worship. 6:30
Morrison
F irst Assembly of God
Sunday school, 9:45 a m
Sunday morning worship. 10:45 a m
Sunday evening worship, 7 p.m.
Wednesday worship, 7:30 p m
First Baptist
Bible study, 9:45 a m
Sunday morning worship, 11 a m
Sunday evening worship, 7 p m
Wednesday worship, 7 p m
F irst Christian
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Worship, Il a.m.
United Methodist
Sunday school, 9:30a.m.
Sunday morning worship. II a.m.
Sunday evening worship, 7 p.m
Wednesday worship, 7:30p.m.
Mulhall
Orlando
First Christian
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Sunday Worship. II a.m
United Methodist
Sunday school, 10 a.m
Sunday worship. II a.m
UMY fellowship 7 pm
Red Rock
Community Christian
Center
Sunday children adult service, 10
Tuesday prayer, 6:30 p m
Adult service, 7:10 p m.
Wed children, youth service, 7 pm
First Baptist
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Sunday morning worship, 11 am
Sunday evening worship. 7 p.m
Wednesday worship. 7 pm
First Christian
Sunday school. Klam
Sunday morning worship. 11 a.m
Otoe Baptist
Sunday school, 10 am
Sunday morning worship. II a.m
Wednesday worship. 7:30 p.m.
Sumner
St. Rose of Lima Catholic
Ninth and Delaware
Saturday Mass, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday Mass, 10:30 a m
T
Christian Church
Sunday school, 10a.m.
Sunday morship. Il a.m.
Sunday evening worship, 6 p m
First Baptist
Sunday school, 9:45 a.m.
Sunday morning worship. 10:45
Sunday evening worship, 7 p.m
Wednesday worship. 7 p m.
United Methodist
Sunday worship. 9:30 a.m
Sunday school, 10:30 am
Sumner Baptist
Sunday school, 10 a.m.
Sunday worship. Il am
Let us reflect on strengthened rela-
tionships of friends and family. May the
true meaning of lite bring us closer to
those we love.
Ditch
Witch9
The Charles
Machine Works, Inc.
Shady Lady
Steak Hoise
502 5th
336-5003
COWBOY
BtTRAVEL
sanvIOM, IMO.
617 DELAWARE 336-4457
US Postal Service
of
Perry, Ok.
LeonardRobinson
Postmaster
First Bank
&
Trust Company
Perry - Billings
"Your Future Is First"
Perry
Nursing Home
4&0 -15th 336-4461
The Perry
Daily
Journal
The Heartbeat of Perry
RUBLE
VANCE
Ckenta-Odamo6de-980
KUMBACK
LUNCH
Marilee & Tony Macias
625 Delaware 336-4646
Attend The
Church Of
Your Choice
GREEN VALLEY
NURSING HOME,
Inc.
1103 Birch 336-2285
* Brown
FUNERAL HOME y
. Thouh-hew",
PERRY PRINTING
& OFFICE SUPPLIES
FOLDING CHAIRS &
TABLES
SALES A SERVICE
336-9459
Starling Miller
Real Estate
& Auctions
To
change
your free
church
listing.
Call
336-2222
1
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Brown, Gloria. Perry Daily Journal (Perry, Okla.), Vol. 105, No. 144, Ed. 1 Friday, July 24, 1998, newspaper, July 24, 1998; Perry, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc2258465/m1/7/: accessed June 4, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.