Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 March 2000 — Page 11
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■ - ■ ■■ ' ' ■■ —>i. ,~«Cjv; | S I D E • B • SECTION*EDUCATION*SPORTS
Salt and
Ught
By Bishop T. Garrott
Benjamin
Bishop Benjamin’s j>irthday celebration
There’s no trick to what Magic does
By RONNETTA S. SLAUGHTER
Staff Writer
Bishop T. Garrott Benjamin Jr. recently celebrated his birthday. A standing room only crowd participated in the birthday extravaganza honoring the pastor of Light of the World Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. The guest list included performances from the King’s Kids of the Dr. Martin Luther King Multi-Service Center, Rodney Bryant and Gospel Meets Symphony, soloist Travia Williams and Bishop Benjamin’s wife.
Lady Beverly Benjamin.
“We wanted to make the event extra special, and find unique talent,” said Brenda Burke, who along with her husband Anthony and Light of the World’s Pastor’s Partners, organized the event. , "i “Over the years, (my husband and family) hple . * received so many blessings from the bishop,” Butke s?id. > Bishop Benjamin has been the church’s pastor for
reporter asked Charles Barkley why more multimillionaire athletes don’t give back to their roots. Last month Barkley responded by writing out $1 million checks to his
support and generosity extend his leadership beyond his church. Members and guest performers also say they recognize the importance of Bishop Benjamin’s service
his birthday.
“I’m grateful and humbled because love was in the (church). We had tremendous community participation. It shows that the family of God can really operate in
unity,” Bishop Benjamin said.
This is the conclusion of an
article written by Rick Reilly of
Sports Illustrated. Magic Johnson is one who is to be commended for giving back to
his community. As a result of his
giving, he can only continue to
receive. ,
“He’s a player in politics. Bill years. In 1996, he was ordained a bishop. As one of the Clinton has strolled Watts with him. most acclaimed and widely recognized pastors. Bishop Gore and Bush have met with him. Benjamin says he strives towards the liberation of Bill Bradley calls. Yeah, when African-American people through his ministry, which you’re a Black businessman with a also includes two best-selling publications, Boys to net worth of more than $200 mil- MEN: A Handbook for Survival, and The Home Alone lion, you can move huge blocs of Syndrome: A Parent’s Handbook to Survival. votes with one well-placed quote, “My dream is to see the African-American community your answering machine tends to strong, unified ana supporting one another,” Bishop fill up. At the end of last season a Benjamin said. “We can’t reconcile with anybody until
we bring strength to the table ourselves, economically,
socially and politically to encourage (African Americans) to African Americans.
to reach beyond themselves.” “As you remember the birthday of this son of the Nile
Bishop Benjamin received a proclamation from Mayor — a husband, a father, your friend, celebrate the lives of Bart Peterson and the City of Indianapolis which ac- your ancestors. For if you forget (African-American ~
college, his high school and an knowledged his pastoral services and contributions to the history), then who will remember?” asked Elaine Madf-' ^ elementary school. But why is he community. son, a King’s Kids member. <S and Magic the exceptions? , “(Bishop,Benjamin) is a called man who has been Currently, Bishop Benjamin and Light of tffe^World ( “Blacks athletes forget their blessed to lead us and share with us how to be good members are preparing for the City on the HilllYpject, a neighborhoods,” says M#giC. discipijs, Jfc taid Chri# Rucker, a member of the bishop’s new church location on th* comer of Cold Spring alkK^v “XhT whai»*jto ^ from. They take tneirinimonl ana The mosicarcelebration also featured Light orthe Bishop Benjamin, who is in his 50s, says he apprecimove to the suburbs, but if they World talent such as the Dance Ministry, Temples of the ates the many cards, gifts, and wishes that he received on
wouldjust invest inourown neigh- Light, Junior and Adult Mime Ministry, and the church’s
borhoods, they’d make more Minister of Music Richard Odom,
money there than anywhere else!” The congregation “wanted the bishop to understand Can you imagine the kind of change that he was loved. We know how much (Bishop Benwe’d see in the ghettos if a certain jamin) loves music which is an integral part in of the
slick-headed former Chicago Bull worshipping service,” said Odom,
would follow Magic’s lead? “Oh, Light of the World members say Bishop Benjamin’s
my G-d,” says Magic. “Michael really would own the world then.”
No, HIV hasn’t killed Magic
Johnson. In a sense the virus has been a gift to him. And to us. “It sounds funny,” he says, “but it’s been a joy. I’ve been able to teach and help people.” He opens his theaters to health seminars. At his Starbucks, he has pamphlets that remind customers that AIDS is the No. 1 killer of American Black women aged 25 to 44, that Blacks suffer the highest mortality rate for breast cancer. (His sister-in-law, Shirley Johnson, is a two-time sur-
vivor).
He gives away 30,000 toys a year, arranges for computer systems to be set up at community centers, answers hundreds of HIV) AIDS-related letters a week. He always was good with an
assist. Sports is leaving this «£0f -***, < g w tury in tfc world’s slowestparatle. k t j ^ *
marched to a dirge, in the worst
kind of luxury box.
> But, thank God, Magic Johnson
is alive.
“No, Magic is dead,” he says with that 10,000-candle smile. “They call me Mister Johnson now. So nice to see you, Mr. Johnson.” Light of the World Christian Church sent a petition with over 500 signatures to the Deputy Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., last week requesting a federal trial for the violation of the civil rights of our slain brother, Mr. Amadou Diallo of the Bronx, New York. The address is The Honorable Eric Holder, Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice, 10th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530. Additionally, Light of the World Christian Church collected over $2,000 for the Mozambique Relief Fund. Perhaps there are other
Lady Beverly Benjamin
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A Chance to Testify
■B he Indianapolis Recorder wants to hear about your Acts of Faith.
II These typed two-page letters should reveal the role faith has played in helping you to overcome any trial or tribulation in your life. Please, provide your signature along with a contact phone number !
where you may be reached for potential follow-up questions.
■ ‘tefiibAS
'• Via E-mail at: [email protected] (Subject heading should read: Acts of Faith)
Conference to look for solutions to racial problems
By TIFFANY BOYER all races.''
Recorder Correspondent Dialogue sessions will be held
daily that will allow participants’
Baptist Bible College of India- views and opinions to be expressed
napolis will host its 4th annual openly and possible solutions to be
Multicultural Ministry Conference discussed candidly,
from April 5-7. Also included in this event are
Entitled “Reconciling God to Wilberforce and Cedarville uni-
Acts of Fail
Indiana P.O. B
Jj Indianapolis,
Send your information to:
A. Holmes
Acts of Faith/RELIGION Indianapolis Recorder
P.O. Box 18499 IN 46218-0499
Man and Man to Man,” the conference is scheduled to be held at the college’s campus located at 601N. Shortridge Rd., with nightly pier nary services held at nearby East-
ern Star Church.
This year’s conference will expound upon “biblical solutions to today’s racial and cultural ten-
versities that will team up to form a 100-voice multi-racial choir that will minister musically Wednes-
day evening.
Coordinator Hookfin said, “There is a real need for more local participation” in the conference. She pointed out that with the number of topics that will be discussed
Fax: (317)924-5148
sions,” said Bobbi Hookfin, con- that could iqiptpve racial unity,
ference coordinator. “The main objective is to unite Christians of
■«r'
i^pMJTlONS, Png* B3
Church of St. John Coltrane mixes religion with some serious jams
By ANNE M. PETERSON
Sm SALT, Page B3
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—On Sunday mornings, the sweet strains of a saxophone and the infectious beat of a drum float from a tiny storefront on Divisadero Street. Inside, the Church of St. John Coltrane is in full swing. “Amen!” the congregation sings, and even indifferent visitors are caught up in the music. Toes tap, hands clap, heads bob to the syncopated beat, and, sometimes unexpectedly, a heartfelt “Praise the
Lord!” sneaks out.
The services at the African Orthodox Church — yes, it’s a real church, although the late John Coltrane isn’t an official saint — are an eclectic mix of free-form jazz and religion, in jam sessions that can last three hours. The church was founded on the music of the jazz icon, an intensely
spiritual man whose 1964 musical meditation “A Love Supreme,” is a powerful expression of faith. He
died in 1967 of cancer.
But soon the music will be silenced —albeit temporarily. After nearly 30 years at its Divisadero location, the church has fallen victim to the city’s real estate crunch. According to Bishop Franzo King, the landlord wanted a month-to-month lease, meaning the $2,500 rent can go up each month, a real possibility with lucrative technology jobs luring high-salaried workers to the San Francisco Bay area. King is determined to continue preaching the gospel in a new, $ 1,800-a-month space he found all the way across town, but it needs a lot of work and approval from city planners. In the meantime, he hopes to continue services temporarily
out of a nearby church.
The last service at the Divisadero
location is on Easter Sunday. News of the move startled longtime congregants as well as San Franciscans who consider the church part of the city's quirky charm. Services in the past few weeks have been packed. At the church, Sister Mary Deborah greets visitors with a loving smile. By the time the service starts, a handful of mismatched pews are packed, many worshipers are left standing and a line snakes
out the door.
Buttoned-down yuppies sit with tattpoed hipsters and camera-tot-ing tourists as children frolic on the altar. A drum set and scattering of amplifiers round the edges of the small room, where King plays the drums and leads a small group of
musicians.
Looking down on the congregaSee COLTRANE, Page B3
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