Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 January 2004 — Page 10

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2004

THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

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UNLEAVENED ► Continued from Page B1 patrons. Although she has slashed her prices, Womack must levy some charge for the cafe's food to stay afloat (although individuals with no money are allowed to work and volu nteer for food, which Womack says can prepare them for a permanent job at a business). Despite her own devotion to Christianity, Womack let it be known that Unleavened Bread Cafe is just a ministry, and a place people can get prepared to take that step into the Church. Evangelizing is left to Greater Faith House of Prayer, where visitors are referred if they need prayer and spiritual counseling. Rev. Joseph Reeves Jr. serves as pastor of the small church, which sits literally next door to the cafe. Womack and her sponsors purchased the building currently known as Unleavened Bread Cafe in 1997. but three years later she approached Reeves and asked him to fill the vacant sanctuary, formerly the site of another church. “The congregation has been going strong ever since,” said Reeves. “I knew this was the place the Lord would have me be because 1 grew up in this neighborhood. And I can relate to many of those in this area because of my own struggle with drugs and alcohol in the past. I’d like to let people know, from personal experience, that once you accept the Lord he will reach out and take

you back in.” Reeves, who is also chaplain of the Raphael Health Center and a former instructor at Rehoboth Bible College, was inspired to devote himself to fulltime ministry in 1992 while serving in the U.S. Army, where he led church services at Camp Carroll, South Korea. Among others, Reeves credited his father, his wife Gail and New- Zion Tabernacle for help in building the non-denomina-tional Greater Faith House of Prayer. Reeves and Womack recently celebrated the joint success of a massive neighborhood Christmas celebration where bags of food and gifts for children were passed out. Wesley Spears, an unemployed man and frequent visitor to both the cafe and church, was asked by The Recorder his thoughts on the partnership’s success. “These two places have truly supported those who need help, it’s that simple,” Spears replied while enjoying a bag of potato chips. “Pastor Reeves and Ms. Womack are good people. The food selection here itself is decent and affordable. Sometimes Ms. Womack feeds me even when I don’t have any money.” For more information about Unleavened Bread Cafe, call9205292. Those who would like to attend Sunday evening senices at Greater Faith House of Prayer can call 924-4916.

URBAN ► Continued from Page B1 Cross Movement, after three years of touring, has a new release entitled “Holy Culture." For some reason, when it comes to Christian rap music, many teens and young adults seem to dismiss it as weak, boring or not as “tough” as the sexual, drug-influenced “gangsta’ rap” played on the radio. Thanks to “Holy Culture,” however, people now have no excuse to avoid Christian hiphop. As proven by the sharp title track, “Holy Culture" and the song “In Not Of," the Cross Movement’s 16 tracks sound just like stuff we hear everyday on the radio and television, and their music has the same hardcore edge. But unlike secular peers who put mess in their songs like “real thugs get down on the floor," these five brothers are intelligent about social issues, and are hardcore for Christ. Although they speak a language that folks in the inner city can understand, they are extremely articulate while addressing issues that affect young people in the hood, and youth in general. The Cross Movement encourages listeners to avoid making celebrities and lifestyle choices in the hip-hop culture their idols instead of God. They present a more reverential form of the genre, saying, “To God hip-hop gotta bow and blush because we don’t live for hiphop, hip-hop lives for us!” During “It’s Going Down,” one of my favorite cuts on the CD, group member TRU-LIFE uses the type of clear, non-stop vocal delivery that was made famous by rappers such as Nas and Eminen. MUSLIM ► Continued from Page B1 “(We’ll have) a private school in the daytime. It’s open to all children that want to have a God centered, African centered education. We already have a lot of people that have pre-registered for our day care, but in the future it will be all day,” he said excitedly. “We also want to offer narcotics anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous and domestic violence counseling. At night w r e want to do GED training and open a trade school.” “We can marry the principles of character that we learn in the Nation, with the skill and talent that people have on the streets as far as electrical, plumbing, and carpentry. The only problem is w'e have the skill, but we don’t have the will to be effective.”

Pistor John Ramsey, Sr. Senior Pastor

2740 Kessler N. Drive Indianapolis, IN 46222 925-8067

New Life Worship Center ‘M lmcu!Church lY’ith A Global I iswn" Worship Schedule Sunday Morning: 8:00 am 10:00 am Northwest High School • 5525 W. J4th Street 12:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study: 12 Noon Ljf_ 7:00 pm ™ Northwest High School 5525 U. Mth Street

An Affiliate of Eastern Star Church

WORD & WORSHIP. ( I \ HR " r \ ! ) O ‘On .urn Siiiul.ts .St I»m>1

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RELIGION BRIEFS

From beginning to ei d. “Cry No More” jams and sizzles with its bumpy beat and catchy hooks. But be warned: I wouldn't play this one unless you're in a place where you can really jump up, go crazy and get down with the rhythm. As someone who came up during the birth of hip-hop, I must say that gospel rap artists like the Cross Movement are truly special because their instrumentation may sound just like those thuggish, materialistic rappers on the radio, but yet these gospel cuts are built much better, jam harder and have positive messages that glorify- Christ. School’s still in session, and “Holy Culture ” by the Cross Movement is an excellent gift for the hip-hop lover in your family, or a friend who loves rap but don’t know Jesus. “This was the first gospel rap CD I ever picked up, and God is good because there couldn't have been a better album to get me hooked on gospel rap,” said Ross Grimes, a Cross Movement fan from Chicago who wrote a piece about the group on Amazon.com. “1 was a long-time Jay-Z fan, but tossed out all his music (there is only one real Jehovah, not JayHova) and after giving up secular hip-hop I still needed to quench my thirst with some good gospel rap. ‘Holy Culture’ by Cross Movement is real hip-hop and real men proclaiming their love for Jesus.” Those interested in "Holy Culture" by the Cross Movement can contact various Indianapolis Christian bookstores, including Jewel Bible Bookstore (5915057), John 3:16 Books tore (high t of the World facility, 254-5851), or Light and Life (293-9922).

Church will offer service on teen addiction The Church at th« Crossing (CATC),-located at 9111 Haverstick Road in Indianapolis, is pleased to welcome the community to an important evening for teens and their parents in the Karns Memorial Youth Center (directly behind the church) on Jan. 14 at 6:45 p.m. Kim Manlove, the ' father of a Lawrence teen-ager who lost his life last year due to “huffing" (getting high off hazardous chemicals) will be the featured speaker. The church is located on Haverstick Road, north of 86 M ' street, and also accessible from 91 M Street east of Westfield Boulevard. For more Information, call 844-9355. Installation of Baptist officers The Baptist Ministers Foresight Alliance of Indianapolis and Vicinity will be holding a special installation service for new officers on Jan. 12 at 7 p.rrv inside Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, located at 3801 Forest Manor Ave. - Archbishop to keynote mnltidenomination King celebration Roman Catholic Archbishop Daniel M. Buechiein of Indianapolis will speak during an ecumenical worship event celebrating the birth and life of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The ecumenical celebration Is scheduled for Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. at Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ, 416 E. North St. A Joint choir will include vocalists from Light of the World Christian Church, Zion .UCC, and nearby Catholic, United Methodist, Disciples of Christ and Lutheran churches. All are welcome, and a reception will be held following the service. For more information, call 924-1395.

When asked w-hat is the most streets. social, economic and spiritual common misconception about the “You’ll never see sisters on the condition of Black people can ofNation, Muhammad quickly re- corner. It’s not because they can’t ten be misconstrued as prejudice plied “the position of women.” do it, it’s because of the climate towards other races. Foryears, Muslim w-omen have that we live in. We believe there “Because we don’t offer energycovered their hair and worn loose will be a time that the sisters won’t or effort into white people, then fitting clothes, but Muhammad cover themselves, but that time they assume that because we are emphasized that it is “not a stain can only come once the lust from pro-Black, we have to be antiagainst the sisters.” men has been brought under con- white. That’sjust not the case. We “For a woman, her hair and trol.” dooft’er95percentofourenet-gy body is a mark ofbeauty. It’s some- The Nation of Islam seats all to our own people because our thing that is attractive. (But) men on one side of the mosque own people are in the worst conthere’ssomethingwrongwhenthe and all women on the other, dition.” brothers are blinded by that at- Muhammad explains the reason If interested in learning more traction. A man should be able to for this separation. about the Nation of Islam, relate to a woman’s mind, not her “In tradition, when you go to a mosque meetings are Sundays at behind.” meeting or a church event, if 10 a.m. until noon and WednesThe very concept of men ob- you’re allowed to be with your days at 7:30 until 9:30 p.m. There sessing over a woman’s physical mate, then it distracts you from are study groups on Friday beginattributes is why Muhammad says actually hearing the message.” ningat 7:30 p.m. FormoreinforMuslim women don’t sell items According to Muhammad, be- mation, call the Muhammad or pass out literature on the ing inclined towards the political, Mosque 74 at (317) 542-7720.

L? McpN lor ( liMstbins '(Ki rt nrimty* Vhlu nomi \i w iVProsiHTtiu-Mcmlxrr Orientation "i ts.un \V j l)\| sj ) \y NoouiUlpm Bible StuiK “I.iving I.itc <)ii Burposc" (Purpose Driven I ife Snuij)

AL-ISLAM IN AMERICA

Contact Ls PO Box 44 rIndianapolis, IN 4t)244 (317) 280.80"’7 hswwcfrr hoimml.com

Order Of Service

THIS IS YOUR Persenal Invitation to attend

Pastor Rk & First Lady Sue Thomas

OjiX 2tM K. IMi Street MeaepeSA IN 44I9S Seeder ScbeeL HMeei Meniei VenNp... 11 :Ilea lewder *erer 7 Hpa led. MMe Clew JMfm n»mc, 317-377-t9tX

New Creation Bible Church

Kevin A. Nichols Pastor Crooked Creek Molti- Service Ceater 2990 W. 71st Street Sunday School 9 15 am To 10 15 am Morning Worship 10 30 am Prayer & Bible Study Thurs 7 00 pm (317) 901-2152 E-Mail kevinnicho!s@famvid com

^ ‘ x/&r/y rj? . ^////> A Chance to Testify The Indianapolis Recorder wants to hear about your Acts of Faith. 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.

Marriage in Al-lslam

(Part 1) By IMAM MIKAL SAAHIR

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Marriage in Al-Islam is very natural. It is the institution that establishes social etiquette and

wholesome environments for safeguarding individu-

als and society. Marriage is the

cornerstone of family life. And family life is the cornerstone for community, or social life.

Without the sacred bonds of marriage, family and society are threatened beyond our capability to help

or defend.

Allah says in Chapter 4, Verse 1 of the Holy Qur’an, “Oh mankind! Reverence your guafdian-Lord, w ho created you from a single soul, created of like nature, its mate, and from them two scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Regard Allah, through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (that bore you): for Allah ever watc hes over

you.”

An essential focus in marriage is commitment. Not just commitment between husband and w ife, but more importantly a commitment to serve G-d by striving to fulfill the mutual rights and needs of husband and wife. The husband who is properly fulfilling his husband duties to his wife is actually serving his creator

in doing so. Like wise the wife, properly fulfilling her duties as a wife to her husband is also serving G-d. In Al-lslam marriage life is structured with roles, responsibilities, and with certain terms to meet. Like unto any other contractual agreement, the marriage agreement also must be honored. I n the Islamic marriage the dignified status of womanhood is stressed. Note that the above Qur'anie injunction teaches humanity that females are equally important as males. The Islamic wedding ceremony highlights that when G-d created the male sex that the female sex was not an afterthought, but she was created simultaneously when the first man Adam was created. Not only was she created at the same time as Adam but also from the same substance - quality and quantity - as that of Adam. This is to say that the potential in males and females, in their souls and intellect, is essentially same. In all relationships each party involved must knowtheir vole and the contribution they are to make. The Islamic marriage defines the role of the male and the female. The role of the male is different from that of the female. Al-lslam is clear on that difference. The most dignified role of the husband is to be the maintainer and pr< wider. Though the wife may financially aid and assist her hus-

band, pnwiding maintenance is not the responsibility of the wife. The husband cannot make demands upon his wife's money. In Al-lslam the man has to do more than produce children, he must also produce family maintenance. The most dignified role of the wife is that of motherhood. Yes. women in Al-lslam can work outside of the home. She can own her own business, or seek an elected office in government. St ill her most dignified and most important role is that of mother. Prophet Mohammed, of Arabia said over 1,400 years ago. "Paradise lies at the feet of the mother." At the foot ofthe mother, with tiny hands tightly squeezing the hem of her skirt, is the pext generation of society’s leaders - our children. Prophet Muhammed was telling us that one w ay of getting to paradise was by giving attention to and supporting the woman in her noble 1 role of motherhood. This is telling the husband that if he sufficiently maintains and protects his wife, thus making her task of motherhood easier, then paradise is his reward. There is not much emphasis put on a lot of love talk in the Islamic marriage. Instead obligation is emphasized. Responsibility is emphasized. Ifyou truly “love" someone, obligation and responsibility to your spouse will resound through all that you do 'with and for your spouse.

In the Islamic marriage respect is an utmost. It begins with respect for our creator followed by a healthy respect for Prophet Muhammed, prayers and peace be irjfon him. Then a healthy respect for one another and all other concerns are easier. Another item that must be respected in the marriage is money. Imam Mohammed shared in his book Islam s Climate for Business Suecess on page 106; “Marriage is to embrace and grip a respect for money and the financial future of that relationship. A good woman does not want to form that relatii mship and you tell her nothing about how you are going to make a living. Some of us think that interferes with love. 'Love’ should not have to talk about money." Imam Mohammed explained. “My money I give is love and a necessity. If you are interested in a woman, then come with something. " M arriage, ifdone in accord with the advice from G-d senes as a safeguard to every man and woman. We pray that Allah (G-d) continues to bless us all with healthier marriages that mutually respects all involved. Please submit ;UI questions and comments to: Al-lslam in America, C/()lmam MikalSaahir, Nur-Allah Islamic Center, 2040 E. 46th St., Indianapolis, IN 46205. Or e-mail: nurallahic((i juno.com.