Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 August 1997 — Page 15

EDUCATION

C SECTION

SATURDAY, AUGUST 23,1907

RELIGION

New non-profit youth organization established iy o H

What started out as a TV ministry, is now growing into a ministry of youth, an educational facility and a non-for-profit organization. Priscilla Bolden, Executive Director of the Destiny Gospel Artist Showcase, will not rest until all potential plans are changed to reality. Currently the Destiny Gospel Artist Showcase is a local gospel television program aired on WAV S3 and local cable stations at 7:30 p.m. t on Sunday evenings. Bolden saw a need to do more based on the reactions of youths appearing as guests. “Young people have so much energy and sincerity. We decided to be more than just a TV program when we saw the connection. When the youth would perform, we saw how inspired they became. We wanted to offer more opportunities for growth. Since we had their attention once they appeared on the TV program, we decided to continue that process. Education seemed to be the logical route to take,” she added. One of the first things Bolden did was to establish a scholarship. In this manner, youth could be encouraged musically- For this reason, the First Annual Scholarship Fund Raiser Banquet was estab-

lished. The Annual Scholarship Fund Raiser Banquet was held at the Jonathan Byrd’s Cafeteria on July 31. The purpose of this banquet was to both fund-raise and to award a scholarship to a college-bound musk major. That scholarship recipient was Bennie Harris, a music student from Indiana University. “Bennie is very intelligent, his GPA is very high and he’s extremely talented,” Bolden said. The major goal of Bolden’s is the establishment of a Destiny “Live" Center for Performing Arts. This facility will fill a void and offer various forms of music training. For Bolden, preparation, prayer and planning go hand in hand with the task of establishing the Destiny “Live” Center. A faithful Board of Directors has been established and a federal designation as a non-for-profit organization has been granted. Now that the application with the Federal Government as a 501(C)(3) non-for-profit has been approved, the Destiny Live Center for the Performing Arts is now searchine for a vacant buildine and land appropriate as a performing arts center. It is hoped that a donor would be willing to give this build-

ing as a tax-write off. Until a new location for the Destiny Live is established, Bolden is content with offering musically related classes and instructions in cooperation with other non-for-profit and profit establishments. When fully functional, the Destiny Live Center will be a unique facility with grant-supported programs designed to give youth knowledge and skills required for success in the music industry. Open to children from 6 to 20

Gospel

Priscilla Bolden with scholarship recipient Bennie Harris.

Rene Crutchfield blessed the organization’s first annual scholarship fund raiser banquet

years old, the Destiny Live Center, when fully functional, will provide professional training in various areas of music. In the meanwhile, Bolden has been working with aspiring gospel singers like Rene Crutchfield. It is hoped that a recording deal can be found for Rene, Bolden said.

“When I first heard her sing, it was during a taping of Destiny. I knew then that she was very anointed and would go far in the gospel music field. I decided to do everything possible to manage her success. For more information about the Destiny, call 317-815-9063.

Black clergywomen meet as organized body

ML Zion recognizes achievement Tho R.T. Andrews Scholarship Commission, Inc. of ML Zion Baptist Church recently recognized eight high school scholarship applicants for Its organization’s sponsorship. The high school graduates are Gregory Dabbs, Kim Andrews, Charlotte Homer, Hollle Finger, Arlaina Davis, Kimberly Kidd, Justin Moore and Mark Conner.

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Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Kidd, the parents of R.T. Andrews Scholarship winner Kimberly Kidd and president of the R.T. Andrews Scholarship Commission, Inc. Mlllicent White celebrated as the scholarship winner received the good news. Kimberly, a graduate of Arsenal Technical High School, will attend Purdue In the fall.

After 10 years of planning and transformations, an organization has emerged whose purpose is to promote, develop, support and enhance opportunities for Black clergywomen in the United Methodist Church. The Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church, met here for the first time as an organization recently, and began developing strategies to deal with the myriad of justice issues they face within the church. There are approximately 400 Black clergywomen in the denomination. According to the Rev. Linda Lee, a district superintendent from Detroit and chairwoman of the meeting, “we’ve been through the journey to get here.” The organization is the result of a 1988 consultation. From that meeting, an AfricanAmerican Clergywomen’s Steering Committee was formed under the leadership of retired Bishop Leontine Kelly. In 1993, the group came together around issues of justice and advocacy for Black clergywomen. It joined forces with Black Methodists For Church Renewal as a task force to advocate with and for Black clergywomen. After a vote to dissolve the African-Ameri-can Clergywomen’s Steering Committee at a national BMCR meeting, concern was raised that an organization was needed for all Black clergywomen, regardless of affiliation to BMCR. In 1996. BCWUMC organized and Aug. 4, approximately 85 members affirmed the preliminary work already accomplished. The group will relate to BMCR but will not be under its leadership. It is open to all United Methodist clergywomen of African descent: elders, deacons, local pastors, diaconal ministers, seminarians, undergraduate students and ■ retirees. The organization will get its financial support from members’ dues. During the meeting, the women elected an executive committee, ratified by-laws and developed a list of priorities. The top priorities were: * developing a system of networking; * understanding the appointment process; * mentoring young women in the ministiy. Elected officers were: Lee, chairwoman; vice chairwoman, the Rev. Sherry Townsend,

Vickie Winans gets live in new release

It’s been three long years since the public has heard anything new from one of die most charismatic artists to ever spring out of the Motor City — Detroit. Backstage at her concerts, in publk ladies rooms, in airport gift shops and anywhere else she goes, Vkkie Winans’ faithful fans have begged and pleaded for a new album. She always said, “I’m working on it” Well, it is finally here and now Winans’ diehard fans will agree that it was surely worth the wait The new set, Vickie Winans Live in Detroit, is an intimately personal musical journey for Winans for a variety of reaaons. For starters, it’s Winans’ first live album and it was recorded in her native Detroit at the Straight Gate Church where Andrew A Viveca Merritt pastor. ‘There i ;

were about four thousand people there [on Mother’s Day 1996],” the singer recalls. “There wasn’t even standing room. It was unreal.” Gospel luminaries such as Black Entertainment Television personality Bobby Jones and singers such as Inez Andrews, Albertina Walker, Kim Stratton and Yolanda Adams came out to support Winans. However, the most cherished guests of honor were Winans’ parents, Aaron and Mattie Bowman. This concert took place just a few months before the sudden death of seventy three year old Aaron Bowman. He was a hard-worker who labored for four decades as a contractor and spent just as many yean raising his twelve children in the fear of God. “He died right after he left my house on Christmas day,” Winans says

with shock still covering her words. “We had dinner and everything. It was a fabulous night. Nothing was wrong with him. He just went home and died. They said it was natural causes. He didn’t suffer. There was no beating in his chest. He just dropped his head over...” She dedicates the album to her beloved father’s memory. Winans’ dad would be proud too. The album opens with an orchestra styled overture of Andrae Crouch’s classic “My Tribute (To God Be The Glory)” which Winans transforms into a stirring, melismatic medley with the classic church hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” When asked why she chose to record these particular songs, Sm WINANS, Pag* C6 i——

director of teaching ministries, Texas Annual Conference; recording secretary, the Rev. Charlotte Abrams, Union Memorial United Methodist Church, Omaha, Neb.; administrative secretary, the Rev. Vanessa Stephens Lee, Federalsburg Zion United Methodist Church, Federalsburg, Md.; treasurer, the Rev. Rosa Clements, North Hill United Methodist Church, Akron, Ohio; clarifiers, the Rev. Neriah Edwards, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Warrcnville Heights, Ohio, and the Rev. Debra Grady, pastor of Lockerbie Square United Methodist Church, Indianapolis, Ind.; and chaplain, the Rev. Vivian McFadden. In appreciation for Kelly as their mentor and leader, the group requested the church wide Board of Higher Education and Ministry establish a scholarship in her honor. The resolution encourages the board to provide support for a fund raising committee across the denomination to implement the scholarship and define criteria for awarding it. The “Bishop Kelley Justice Award,” also established by the group, honors her involvement with justice issues on a variety of levels. Aaron Turpeau, a nephew, accepted a sculpture on behalf of Kelly as the award was announced. Kelly is recovering from an illness. The first Bishop Kelly Justice Award recipient is the Rev. Joyce Harris-Scott, pastor of Central Avenue United Methodist Church, Kansas City, Kans. “I can’t stand to see God’s people hurting,” she said. “He laid the ministry of justice on my heart... when he saw Black clergywomen being denied gifts and graces for ministry.” Following the new association meeting, an Aug. 4-8 convocation called T Have An Appointment with God” brought approximately 400 clergywomen of African, African-Ameri-can and Caribbean descent to the Atlanta University Center campuses, for empowerment, enlightenment, scholarship and rededication. Opening with a drum processional and music by Cynthia Wilson Felder the convocation participants, attended worship, workshops, and large sessions to reaffirm their commitments to God, restore their spirits and reestablish their identity as Black women in the ministry.

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Still Sweet: It was over fiftytwo years ago in Chicago when four teens—including Creedell Copeland, Charles Richardson, Lee Richardson and the late Sam Cooke (who defected in 1949 to the Soul Stirrers)—set out to make a national name for themselves on the gospel music scene. All were attendees of the Highway Baptist Church and students at a local high school from which they took the initials Q.C. After a half-century of seasoning-and more than 40 releases, appearances at the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, and working with legends like Mahalia Jackson, Clara Ward and James Cleveland, the Highway Q.C.’s are still going strong with a new label, a new deal and a new release, titled I’m Still Here. In the fifty years since the group began performing, much has changed. What has not, is their ability to maintain. “It’s a beautiful thing for a group that has the history that we have for than more 50 years to be able to compete with all the younger quartets and step with the progress of gospel music. I’m so grateful to God to still be out there. They’re not even able to be out there and still sing God’s praises. It’s a competitive field. These days, groups have it easier. At one time, the groups had to completely sing. You had to hear the harmony. Today, the music is over-shadowing the singing. You’ve got to give the people what they want, but we’ve got to keep the identity.” Signing with CGI Records the first of this year—after being tapped as part of the label’s “Remember ME” tribute album (to the late James Cleveland), the group has set out to recapture some of that which first got them attention under the management of Taylor’s son, Spencer Taylor, III. For Taylor, who graduated with four music . scholarships in 1983, joining the Highway Q.C.’s was as much < heritage as it was the fulfillment of his own dreams, having growq up on the quartet scene and considering his dad, his idol. : Taylor has since become the T driving force of the group which: aside from his father, includes j Joseph L. Britt and Stanley Richardson, and is determined ; that their CGI debut album. I’m ; Still Here, not only confirms ; their longevity but also show- : cases that “sweet singing" sound that first brought them fame, j “We went back and re-did a * couple of tunes from the day ’ ‘Something on My Mind,’ ‘All ; Men Are Made By God’ and : : ‘Father Alone,’Taylor reports. » “We also did some new stuff, ^ ‘Things I Used To Do,’ ‘Saved It Sanctified’ and the title track : * ‘I’m Still Here’. Briefly: The i International Bible Society (IBS) has scrapped plans to develop a - gender-neutral version of the : ^ New International Version : * (NTV). The IBS had intended to * replace masculine nouns and * pronouns with neutral Kiihstim^ The NIV, first published in 1984 represents 45 percent of all Bibles circulated in North America and is the most widely distributed Bible in Bngl««ii ^ Plans for the new version were $ abandoned with browing control versy amongst evangelicals that : the proposed changes were little more than an attempt to mrir* the Bible politically correct...Tbe Anointed Pace Sisters are prepping to go into the studio for the recording of their third - album, which is tentatively scheduled for release next year. This week’s scripture: “Thy sun shall no more go down; neither * shall thy moon withdraw itself: ; for the Lord shall be your > everlasting light, and the days o# thy mouramf ' Isaiah 60:20.

Vickie Winans

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