Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 17 April 1997 — Page 27

The Muncie Times, Apnl 17,1997. Page 27 True Vine Church honors Janies Oalden

By Judy Mays True Vine Holiness Tabernacle recently honored Elder James Oalden with an appreciation service. The theme was “The Lord is my Shepherd,” taken from Elder Oalden’s favorite scripture passage, the 23rd Psalms. Oalden is an assistant pastor of the church. “When we think of Elder Oalden, we think of a warm, kind individual who really loves the Lord Jesus,” said church member Angie White. She and Deacon John Clark, Sr., were coordinators of the service. Oalden, who was born in Muncie, about 82 years ago, attended Blaine school and then graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1934. He has been married to Zelma Marie for 35 years. The have had eight children, four each from previous marriages. One daughter, Ophelia, is deceased. “My husband raised all of our children as his own,” said Mrs. Oalden.

“He has a love for children. He loves to talk to and work with young people.” For several years, Oalden was a parking lot attendant for

Rev. James Oalden

the Muncie Public Library after retiring from Ball State University in 1979. There he was a custodian. ‘In the 60s, I worked under Dr. George Jones who was over religious affairs at the university and organized a gospel ensemble. Along with the help of my wife, we had two choirs that traveled locally. We also conducted religious services for some time each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. in

the Arts building,” said Oalden. Oalden’s wife said, “One of the qualities I admire in my husband is his compassion and his counselling of young people “My husband encouraged many students during his years of employment at Ball State and continues to do so in the church.” One of the students Oalden met at Ball State University, Anthony Van Noy, is a minister and an attorney in Dayton, Ohio. Van Noy joined Oalden’s family and church members at the appreciation service. In a phone interview Van Noy said, “Elder Olden was a tremendous inspiration to me when I was an undergraduate at Ball State University and I really love him. We went to church together, did a lots of talking together. He and his wife took good care of me and my fiancee.” Another guest at the service was Dr. Jayne Bielke, who is over the Multi-cultural Education department at Ball State. “Meeting Elder Oalden

was one of those funny coincidences. I had a student, Denise Sloss, who is a member of True Vine Holiness Church. “She invited me to the church and from time to time I attend the services. “At Neicey’s (Denise) graduation reception, Elder Oalden commented that he thought I looked familiar. It was after I asked him what church he attended that we realized that was where he had seen me. “That was our first conversation 3 years ago, now Elder Oalden will call me some Sunday mornings and ask if I’m coming to church. “He is such a joy. We are working on a project that will result in a booklet about his life. It’ssomething he can share with his children and his grandchildren. It’s interesting that he was looking for someone to help him write this account and I was looking for someone who has been in domestic service. Eventually people who knew I was an historian put us together,” said Bielke. The Oaldens have been

members of True Vine Holiness Church since 1987. Before that they were members of Wall Avenue Church of God in Christ. Mrs. Oalden, a retired licensed practical nurse, grew up in Chicago. She came to Muncie in 1959. At that time. Elder Oalden attended Calvary Baptist church. “We met at a choir practice through Julia Duerson who always played cupid.” Slyvia Sloss sang, “Give Me My Flowers While I Live” and dedicated it to the couple. Priscilla Settles and several assistants prepared a buffet dinner of turkey and dressing, ham, greens, green beans, macaroni and cheese, rolls, cornbread, relishes, potato salad, cakes, pies, and punch. Elder Douglas Sloss, pastor, delivered the afternoon message. The Oalden’s children are Beverly Sue of Chicago, Carolyn of Indianapolis, DeWayne and James, Jr., of New York, and Grady, Doris and James all of South Bend.

New black TV news program begins airing

“The Scott Report” a television series offering news and information geared to the African American community began airing weekly this month on Odyssey, a national religious cable channel. The half-hour program airs at 6:30 p.m. (ET) Thursday. It is repeated at 2 a.m. Fridays. April editions of “The Scott Report” will explore topics such as “African American Designs for the home,” focusing on expressing one’s culture in the home environment; “From the Roots

UP,” looking at the fascination with hair in the African American community; and “Wanted! Loving Parents,” exploring the adoption of children, especially those with special needs. Anchor of the weekly series is veteran journalist and former network correspondent Jim Scott, who is joined by a staff of experienced journalists from throughout the country. A native of Pittsburgh, Scott has had a 26-year career in broadcast journalism in such diverse markets as Ft. Wayne,

Ind., Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. “The Scott Report” is the culmination of Scott’s longtime desire to present a fair and balanced weekly report about and to the African American community. The program also features hard-hitting commentary by United Church of Christ pastor and former journalist, the Rev. Dr. Susan K. Smith. Prior to joining the ministry in 1986, Dr. Smith spent 10 years as a journalist, covering politics and writing political analysis.

She earned a master’s degree*ut Yale Divinity School where she was the first African American woman elected president of the student body. Dr. Smith received a doctorate at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. She is pastor of Advent United Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio. Senior producer of “The Scott Report” is Donna Walker, who has been a correspondent for Black Entertainment Television and a reporter-producer at WBAL-TV, Baltimore.

“The Scott Report” is owned, written and produced by African Americans. It is produced in cooperation with the office of communications, United Church of Christ. ODYSSEY is jointly owned by VISN Management Corp., a subsidiary of the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, Inc. (NICC), and Liberty Media Corp., a subsidiary of Telecommunications Inc., (TCI). NICC is a consortium of 65 Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Jewish faith groups and evangelical traditions.