fellowship north speaks

a place to talk about what's going on at FN

February 22, 2012 • 6:53 am 0

Black History Month: sugar

I picked this book up in the Children’s Department at our library a while back. It is a haunting history of sugar. I had never understood how much the desire for sugar in England (and around the world) drove the slave trade in the 1700s.

In the bibliography, I found that a book was often sourced called Bury the Chains, which I’ve been reading this month. It’s a history of the battle against slavery in England.

This book tells the fascinating individual and collective stories of a handful of men who are responsible for finally bringing an end to slavery. On the cover of the book to the left is Olaudah Equiano, whose autobiography was a key factor in the fight against slavery. Somehow, because slavery was happening so far away from home for so many people in England, they connected to the brutality of Equiano’s story. In addition to writing his story down, Equiano told it to crowds of people all over England. People grabbed hold of his personal testimony and began to stand up against slavery.

One of the ways that English people bonded together and stood up against slavery was to boycott sugar. It continues to surprise me how much sugar shows up in this story. Both the desire for it and the refusal of it seem to have moved the world in significant ways. There are lots of numbers in both of these books, but this following quote most illustrated for me the need for the sugar boycott in England.

One final set of grim numbers underlines the way slaves on sugar plantations were systematically worked to an early death. When slavery ended in the United States, some 400,000 slaves imported over the centuries had grown to a population of nearly four million. When in ended in the British West Indies, total slave imports of two million left a surviving slave population of only about 670,000. The tiny French island of Martinique took in more slave imports over the years than all thirteen North American colonies, later states, put together. The Caribbean was a slaughterhouse.

Reading the first book, Sugar Changed the World, was enough to make me want to harvest my own sugar in the backyard instead of buying it off the shelves at the store. Because even today, sugar and chocolate are among the most inhumanely harvested crops in the world.

The abolitionists succeeded because they mastered one challenge that still faces anyone who cares about social and economic justice: drawing connections between the near and the distant. We have long lived in a world where everyday objects embody labor in another corner of the earth.

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Today’s post is by Alison Chino – she blogs here and twitters here. Married to Taido and mom to Cole, Mary Polly, Ben, and Simon, she loves cooking, reading, yoga, and travelling.

Filed under: Uncategorized, Adam Hochschild, Black History Month, Bury The Chains, sugar, Sugar Changed The World

February 21, 2012 • 3:37 pm 0

Looking Toward Lent

We know, we know, it’s Fat Tuesday. Lent doesn’t start until tomorrow. But we wanted to share a couple of links that you might find helpful as you enter the season.

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do we even observe Lent?” – you’re not alone. There’s some great background, explanation, and what-it-means-for-us-today in
this post from Glenn Packiam. He’s the pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO.

Or, if you’re looking for a creative way to walk through the season you might try picking one thing from this post by Rachel Held Evans. She’s compiled 40 different things you could try during Lent.

Finally, don’t forget that you can join one of the three Ash Wednesday observances tomorrow, February 22, at FN. Come at 7:00 am, noon, or 6:00 pm for a half-hour time of reflection.

Filed under: Uncategorized, ash wednesday, lent

February 16, 2012 • 3:05 pm 0

Black History Month: Do you have a dream?

On August 28^th. 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared his dream. We’ve read it. Heard it. And maybe even seen it. But have we felt it? Have we embraced it? Have we made it our own?

- -

Right now, Taido and I are walking with the middle school students over at elevate through a new series called chazown. That’s the Hebrew word for “vision”. And because it’s Hebrew, that “ch” sound has that got-something-stuck-in-your-throat-cough sound you hear sometimes from fancy schmancy pastors in the pulpit. The kids love it.

Through chazown, we’re asking these 6^th-8^th graders to get in touch with God’s vision for their lives. But also, to get in touch with the vision of the church they attend. Fellowship North has it’s own dream. It’s own chazown. We’ve read it. Heard it. Maybe even seen it. But have we felt it? Have we embraced it? Have we made it our own?

To mobilize a racially-unified family of God,

Called out as the presence of Jesus in our world,

To pursue His mission: all people reconciled to God.

- -

I believe it starts with our students. Not because I’m paid to believe that, and not because after school specials told me so growing up – but because the lunch room tells me so. That place continues to be The Great Indicator. When Taido and I visit the high schools, we see the world as it currently is. Not how we want it to be. Not how others spin it to us. But how it is: right here, right now, clear as day.

The lunch room is divided; economics, status, and race all creating their own splits all across what could be a unified body.

But what if that division became united? What if these students caught the vision? What if they had their own chazown? What if they lived out Dr. King’s dream?

We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.

Do you feel that urgency? That push for change to come – today?

As we fight to become a body of believers that is racially unified, a family of God that equally reflects the community that surrounds these walls, may we recognize not only the injustices in the world, even the broken parts of our own community, but may we also grab hold of the need for now.

In his speech, Dr. King repeats over and over, “I have a dream today.” Injustice to justice. Unrighteous to righteous. But Dr. King wasn’t just a dreamer. Dreamers dream dreams.

He was also a doer.

Do you have a dream today? A vision? A chazown?

Write it down. Share it. See it, feel it, embrace it. Make it your own.

See it through. Now.

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Bobby Harrison is on staff at FN, where he works with middle and high school students. His precious wife Amy is also part of our staff. Their son Abe and dog Zeke are not yet on staff, although they do visit whenever they can. Bobby blogs here, and sometimes here too.

Filed under: unity, Black History Month, chazown, Martin Luther King Jr., racial unity, vision

February 16, 2012 • 1:02 pm 0

Black History Month: the North Little Rock Six

We just wanted to let you know about a free event as we continue to celebrate Black History Month. Tonight, at the Argenta Branch of Laman Library, a member of the North Little Rock Six will be speaking. Like their more well-known counterparts in Little Rock, this group of students integrated North Little Rock High School. One of them, Richard Lindsey, will be telling his story tonight at 6:00 pm. Hearing someone’s story, especially someone who was a part of that moment in history, is a powerful thing. And his story is part of the larger story of our community – and that makes it each of ours as well. So, if you have time – head down to Argenta tonight!

Filed under: unity

February 14, 2012 • 3:33 pm 3

Black History Month: Benjamin Banneker

On February 1, when Sarabeth announced that we would be celebrating Black History Month on the Fellowship North blog, I became very excited. I love to study history. In her post, she included Dena Nash and Barbara Scorza’s experiences of celebrating Black History in the church. My experience was similar to theirs. There would be posters hanging in the church, and they included information on different African-Americans that contributed to society. Those contributions would range from breaking color barriers to inventions. Also, our church would have a program where skits were performed, and the older kids would read essays on various individuals.

Those types of programs made me realize that our schools did not teach enough Black History. Each year in my high school English classes, we were required to do research papers. While most students would research their favorite athlete or singer, I chose African-Americans that made contributions to our world. One of the individuals I researched was Benjamin Banneker. He had several accomplishments and a privilege that many African-Americans did not have in the 1700s: FREEDOM! As I began to research him, I learned that we had some similarities. We both were born on November 9. I was born in 1980, which is the same year his US Commemorative stamp was released.

Benjamin was born in Ellicott Mills, Maryland, in 1731, to an African slave, Robert, who purchased his own freedom and Mary Banneky, the daughter of an Englishwoman and free African slave. Benjamin’s mother and grandmother taught him how to read. With his ability to read, he began to teach himself mathematics from borrowed books and astronomy by watching the stars. As time progressed, he attracted attention by building a wooden clock that kept precise time in 1761 and accurately predicted a solar eclipse in 1789 from his astronomical calculations. In 1790, President George Washington appointed him to the District of Columbia Commission. By serving on this Commission, Benjamin assisted in a complete layout of the streets, parks, and major buildings for the federal district (later known as Washington DC).

In 1792, he developed the first almanac, predicting weather and seasonal changes. Gaining farming knowledge from his grandfather, Benjamin also included planting tips along with medical remedies in the almanac. During the same decade, he sent a letter to Thomas Jefferson, then US Secretary of State, urging him to get rid of “absurd and false” ideas that one race is superior to another. From the time he wrote the letter, it would be approximately 70 years before slaves would be emancipated and able to live free as he did. Benjamin died about one month shy of his 75th birthday in 1806.

As with several other African-Americans, you will find sources denying his contributions. On the other hand, there are sources proving his contributions. I hope this post has been knowledgeable and I would like to encourage all to become more involved in getting to know their own history. As one of my favorite songs says, “You must learn!” You never know what will be revealed.

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Kristie Junior been attending Fellowship North about a year and a half. She currently works at Windstream Communications on the IT Business Intelligence team. In her spare time, she loves to read and travel.

Filed under: unity, Benjamin Banneker, Black History Month

February 9, 2012 • 5:00 pm 0

Black History Month: a place to start

Are you ready, black or white, to learn a little history? I’ve got some places you could start!

Central High School

Staff of FN (circa 2009) outside the Central High Visitors Center

For me, learning the history surrounding our very own area is interesting. The Central High School National Historic Site has a wonderful interactive museum in the visitor center, filled with displays to read, old radio broadcasts to listen to, even archival footage to watch. I first visited it back in 2009, and have since been back with my children, who also found it fascinating. Admission to the center is free.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center (West 9th & Broadway)

Also in Little Rock is the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, a museum dedicated to African-American history in Arkansas. I’ve been inside the beautiful old building for a lecture once, but have never toured the museum. However, our staff is taking a field trip there in March, and we will get a tour from Rachel Acosta – she works there and is also part of our family at FN. I’m really looking forward to it. The museum is free to visit and also offers many free community programs.

Daisy Bates (center) with some of the Little Rock Nine

Maybe you are more into movies? Just a week from today, Sharon LaCruise will be at the Clinton School of Public Service talking about the making of her documentary, “Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock.” All you have to do to attend the talk (from 6-7 pm, Feb. 16) is reserve your seats by calling 501-683-5239.

Maya Angelou

Finally, for you readers: you could pick up a copy of Maya Angelou’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Much of her searing autobiography is about growing up in Stamps, Arkansas. Or, if you’ve found yourself intrigued by the Central High crisis, try Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine.

I hope it’s obvious that I am not (and neither is FN) endorsing any specific beliefs or politics or anything like that as it relates to these resources. I’m recommending them because in addition to helping me realize things I didn’t already know, all of these resources have the added benefit of being tied to the places I live in and move through everyday. They are accessible – both in their physical nearness and in the way they help me understand why my community believes and behaves the way it does. That’s been helpful for me on my journey towards racial unity.

What about you? Do you have any suggestions for a good place to start?

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Sarabeth Jones is on staff as a part of the arts team at Fellowship North, where she gets to work in many different creative areas. She is married to Bryan and has 3 kids: Elizabeth (14), Jonathan (13), and Will (10). She blogs at the dramatic, and thinks she is pretty darn funny on the Twitters.

Filed under: unity, Black History Month, Central High, Clinton School, Daisy Bates, Maya Angelou, Melba Beals, Mosaic Templars, racial unity, Sharon LaCruise

February 9, 2012 • 2:05 pm 0

Raising a Modern Day Knight: fathers and sons

I’m convinced that most fathers have a desire to be excellent fathers and to raise children who flourish in every possible way as they grow older. And yet, it seems like every father I know (myself included) rarely feels like they have what it takes to succeed in that role. That we are deficient when it comes to knowing how to successfully father our children through adolescence and into adulthood. We need help.

About a year and half ago, in an effort to get that help I took part in a six-week program our church was offering called “Raising a Modern Day Knight.” The idea was pretty simple. A group of fathers who were interested in raising young men of honor gathered together (just the dads) to learn and discuss what it looks like to provide what our sons need from us. Part of what made this experience so good for me and others was that it wasn’t just some lectures we heard and some vague ideas about what we might do. Rather, each meeting we left with specific things we would do that week to connect with our sons in a way that maybe we hadn’t before.

The whole experience culminates in a ceremony in which fathers and sons share a meal together, then gather in a circle as one by one a father looks his son in the eye and tells him how much he is treasured, gifted, a loved. Then standing among other fathers and their sons, the dad “covenants” with his son that he will be there for him. That when the turbulent waves of adolescence hit, he will stand with him in the storm and help him navigate his way to adulthood. Those are words that can be said in the privacy of one’s own home, but somehow saying it in the company of other fathers and sons adds weight to whole experience. It is something that I don’t think Cole or I will ever forget.

Fellowship North is offering the series again this spring. It kicks off on March 1^st (Thursday) at 6:00pm. You may need more information, which you can get this Sunday after 2^nd service in The Lookout – we’ll be having a quick lunch and orientation to help you know what you are getting yourself into. I invite you to come and join us.

As one father to another, you need help in your efforts to raise your sons to become all they are meant to be in Christ, and this is a place to get it.

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Today’s post is by Taido Chino, who works with middle and high school students at FN. He is married to Alison, and they have 4 kids: Cole, Mary Polly, Ben and Simon (and currently, Vitara, an exchange student!) Taido is something of a theology nerd and mountain enthusiast. Oh, and he twitters.

Filed under: student, fathers, Raising a Modern Day Knight, sons

February 2, 2012 • 12:27 pm 1

What’s new, Kenya Relief?

For nearly 8 years now, we at Fellowship North have been involved with Kenya Relief, an organization built up from the ground by a man many of us know and love from his days as an Elder here at FN, Steve James. We’ve become very connected with the community of Migori in Southwest Kenya in more ways than we could ever have imagined. We help orphans, widows, and local churches; we support education in the community; we provide clean water; and we’ve sponsored missionaries from our own congregation, most recently, Michael and Sandy Boultinghouse.

We have also taken many different types of mission trips over these years. So, you may be wondering why you haven’t heard much about Kenya Relief in the recent past. This is largely due to the fact that, for various reasons, it has simply not been good timing to take mission trips focused on helping teachers and pastors, which are the kinds of trips we do best. We are confident that things are in place that will open those doors again and Fellowship North folks will be headed back to East Africa soon.

We are excited about many of the things going on in Migori. God has moved in dramatic ways to enable Kenya Relief to build a real hospital on land that has been secured next door to the present clinic. This is a huge project that will provide significantly more for the community than has been possible until now. God is good! This also means, however, that the present focus of Kenya Relief is on medical things which is keeping us on the sidelines for the time being. For those of you who are steadily sponsoring children in the orphanage, we want to say thank you! Let’s all keep Kenya in our prayers and watch as His plans unfold.

Filed under: Uncategorized

February 1, 2012 • 11:25 pm 4

Black History Month…and church?

It’s February 1st, which means Black History Month has arrived. I know that February is Black History Month, and I also grew up going to church. However, since I’m white, in my life those two things have never related to each other.

I found out today that’s not the case if you grew up in an African-American church.

I work in an office next to Dena Nash, one of our worship leaders. She happens to be African-American, and she doesn’t mind helping this white girl understand the culture. She was telling me that Black History Month was always celebrated in her church, and in most African-American churches. I thought it was a little strange to mix history and church, so I asked her why. Her answer was illuminating:

So much of our history was left out in school. The history of our culture – if it was going to be learned – was learned in the church. In the African-American community, the church was really the social, political, educational hub…The pastor was a leader. There wasn’t any other place in the community for an African-American to be a leader – or really even anything else. The church was a place for people to have dignity and worth.

Dena told me that the church would celebrate by hanging posters of notable African-Americans around the building, and that the children would always do a program. Barbara Scorza, our director of operations at FN, had very similar experiences in her church. She told me that she used to help with the skits, and that lots of learning took place in the rehearsals. “The kids learned lines about strong historical African-Americans, but then in rehearsals we would really have the chance to talk about those people. Sometimes we would discuss one person and then assign everyone a different person to research for the next time we met.”

Barbara said that they always tried to pick people to learn about who had contributed something not just to the African-American community, but to the world. “We wanted to tell them about people who had accomplished something who they had never heard of. It was a way for us to tell them, ‘You have the potential to be who God designed you to be. Even if you never get the credit, you can make a real difference in the world.’”

I would think that is what we would all – black or white – like for our children to know. Now, this tradition that seemed strange to me makes so much sense. And so, we are going to join into that tradition at FN by celebrating Black History Month on this blog. We’d like to highlight some people, history, and culture around here, and we’d love for you to weigh in. Got an idea? Leave a comment.

I’m looking forward to learning more…

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Sarabeth Jones is on staff as a part of the arts team at Fellowship North, where she gets to work in many different creative areas. She is married to Bryan and has 3 kids: Elizabeth (14), Jonathan (13), and Will (10). She blogs at the dramatic, and thinks she is pretty darn funny on the Twitters.

Filed under: unity, african-american church, Barbara Scorza, Black History Month, Dena Nash, Sarabeth Jones

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