Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 2003 — Page 12

PAGE B4

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2003

i

Responding to a complex food crisis in Africa

By REV. JOHN L. McCULLOUGH (NAPSI) — Southern AlVira is experiencing . a perilous food crisis that threatens millions - a severe humanitarian emergency that requires immediate action. Disastrous Hooding in 2001 followed by extensive drought in 2002 has caused almost total crop failure in live countries: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique. This complex emergency is made worse by pre-existing conditions - widespread poverty, political instability, lack of infrastructure and 11IV/AIDS infection - together presenting a grim prognosis for the future. The United Nations World Food Program estimates that 12 million Southern Africans are in danger of imminent death by starvation. Meanwhile, in East Africa, Ethiopia continues to face significant food shortage problems due to poor rainfall. More than 5 million people there are looking for immediate assistance. These crises require a long-term response. The global humanitarian agency Church World Serv ice (CVV'S) is responding through

A mother comforts her hungry child. partners in Africa who provide emergency food and shelter assistance. The vision of CWS and these partners is to promote programs that extend beyond the emergency phase of this disaster to strengthen communities' capacity to better

endure future adversities. During an August 2002 Africa consultation coordinated by Church World Service, partners agreed that the focus of the relief and development work should be: (1) Food-for-work projects. (2) Crop diversification initiatives to improve soil condition and drought resistance. (3) Micro-credit programs. (4) Small-scale irrigation systems to help improve the growth of food crops in the area. (5) Animal restocking programs with goats and cattle. (6) Kitchen gardening techniques. (7) Increased disaster

preparedness education. CWS and its partners are assisting several hundred thousand people in Southern and Eastern Africa with food, seeds, tools and fertilizer, restocking of livestock, well development, medical assistance and nutrition education, along with in-depth training on disaster management and early warning systems. It is the last of these programs that is expected to have the greatest long-term effect. John L. McCullough is executive director of Church World Senice. To learn more about CWS work, call 1-888-CWS-CROP or visit w -ww. ch urch worldsenice. org.

An African woman receives food from USAID.

ChrisNan karaoke music finds a niche: from church youl’h groups to the shower

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan (AP) — At least a decade before karaoke clubs caught on in America in tfu if)H()s, performers in churches were belting out songs to instrumental recordings of religious music, called solo performance tracks or accompaniment music. So Christian karaoke music is “not a big leap" for buyers of religious music, says Frank Breeden, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association. “It's capitalizing on something that's already in existence... a format of music that is, by its very nature, very conducive to singing along. Breeden says. Family Christian Stores Inc., which has about 325 stores in 39 states, released six different karaoke CDs in October featuring Christian performers. John van der Veen, the company’s music buyer, wouldn't disclose sales figures but said a second production run has been ordered. The music is made for boombox karaoke, the portable music players that display lyrics for singing along. Christian music has been a fast-

growing genre, having its best sales year ever in 2001 whileoverall music sales declined. It sold nearly 50 million albums that year, up 12 percent from 2000, according to SoundScan, which tracks sales for the industry. Some past attempts to sell Christian karaoke music ran into problems finding retail outlets, says Breeden - a problem Family Christian doesn't have. Even before the Grand Rap-ids-based company started selling karaoke music, one of its stores, in Augusta, Ga„ was holding monthly “karaoke nights,” at which people sang with accompaniment. “There's a lot of people who actually came up and sounded good." chuckles Rory Rezzelle, is. a store employee. He said the karaoke CDs are selling quickly. Family Christian got the idea for them last summer when “one of our vendors came to us and said. By the wav, did you know that one of the biggest retailers out there this year is going to be selling about $40 million worth of karaoke product this Christmas?' ... and we just kindofwent,

‘Wow,’” van der Veen says. His company contracted with a consultant to form a new company, Fuseic (pronounced FYOOzik), and make the CDs. The first group of six CDs is targeted at girls age 8-16. They include music by ZOEgirl, Stacie Orrico, Out of Eden, Plus One and Jump5, plus a compilation of artists. Each CD contains three tracks and retails for $12.98. The karaoke C Ds are being used by youth groups, at sleepovers and bi rthday parties, and by people who enjoy singing when there’s no one around to hear. “They’re singing, they’re having fun, but they’re learning a little bit about God’s w-ord in the process and learning a little bit about some spiritual matters,” says David Austin, marketing director for Family Christian. Next spring, the company hopes to release half a dozen more karaoke CDs featuring Christian artists, van der Veen says. “We know that people use these in settings other than just singing solos in church," says Breeden. “Some people use them for personal enjoyment, for parties.”

RELIGION BRIEFS Forgiven will appear at Church of Living God Come and share in an evening ofsongsglorifyingthe Lord.The musical group Forgiven will sing at the Church of the Living God, 3025 W. 16th St., Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. Please bring a non-perish-able item to help area food banks. Elder Claude Strayhorn Jr. is the pastor. Signing for local pastor’s book On Jan. 12 beginning at 1 p.m., Rev. John Lambert will be signing and selling copies of his book, Others Said No, But God Said Yes. The signing will be held at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 414 W. Vermont St., of which Rev. Lambert is pastor. Others Said No, But God Said Yes is a true story written in novel format about an African-American man who overcame his own doubts, the limitations others placed upon him and the triple threat of poverty, injustice and racism. For more information, call (317) 634-7002.

OBITUARIES

Mrs. Roberta Hill Rhodes “Sugar" Mrs. Roberta Hill Rhodes “Sugar", 60,1 ndianapolis, died January 3 at Methodist Hospital. She had been an office manager for Stone & Rhodes Trucking Company, previously worked for Ft. Benjamin Harrison Finance Center as accounts manager for ten years. M rs. Rhodes was a member of Greater Sanders Temple Church of God in Christ; also member of the Black Women Working Together Organization. She is survived by her husband, Vechel L. Rhodes Sr.; one son: Vechel L. Rhodes Jr.; one daughter, Vechelle L. Rhodes; four brothers, Stickler (Buddy Hill Jr., Donnie Hill, Ronald Hill and Shawm Dycus; one sister, Kim Dycus; aunts, Mabel Rutland and June Summers; granddaughter, Velensia L., Rhodes and one grandchild. Mrs. Alice Louise Hill Yanez Mrs., Alice Louise Hill Yanez, 77, Indianapolis, died January 1 at Rosewalk Village. She had worked for Wishard Memorial Hospital, LaRue Carter Hospital and India-

napolis Public School 42, she retired in 1988. Mrs. Yanez was a lifetime member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church; Gospel Chorus, Evangelism Ministry and the Junior Devout Women. She is survived by one son, Ernest R. Yanez; stepdaughter, Vicinthia Yanez; two grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.

Funeral Directors ^Association r STUART MORTUARY^ 2201 N. Illinois 925-3000 Call about our Pre-Arranged Funeral Plan ^ Cremation Available >

Lavenia, Smith, and Summers Home For Funerals 5811 E. 38th Street (317)547-5814 Call about our funeral service pucka|>es "Our Service - A Sacred Trust',' Funeral Home Directory WASHINGTON PARK NORTH CEMEIERY&FINERAL CENTER 2702 Kessler Blvd. West Drive (317) 259-1253 Mortuary 251-5959 ('nil iihi’iil pic iirnmi’fineiil Pnii;r<im\ "A Family Serving Families ” ELLIS MORTUARY 1503 Columbia Avc. • 955-1193 Darryl Ellis. Owner With Dignity ami Quality Care"

Simply Believe Beauty Salon where beauty is more than just skin deep. Call Susan for an appointment at 916-1285 and mention this ad for an additional 10% discount off any services. We are located on 5142 Brouse Ave. By appointment only. 916-1285 r

Derrick Jordan Jr. Trail Sermon

Date: January 12th, 2003 Sunday Location: Church of The Living Cod Temple It 18 2502 E. 38th Street Indianapolis, IN 46218

kirmc;

Monday, Janoaiy 20,2003 • 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. At the St. John's Missionary Baptist Church 1701 Dr. Andrew J. Brown Avenue "SIX DECADES OF PRACTICING THE DREAM" Reverend Charles Harrison Pastor, Barnes United Methodist Church will be our Inspirational Speaker. Re-dedicate yourself to keeping the dream alive. Reverend Dr. Phillip L Shobe Pastor, Saint John's Missionary Baptist Church Mrs. Susie Davie, King Birthday Celebration, Chairperson

Everyone is invited to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday with the Saint John’s Church Family REVEREND CHARLES HARRISON, BARNES UNITED METHODIST CONGREGATION and CHOIR Come Early!