St James AME Church, Elgin, Illinois

 

Black History Month each February is a time set aside to honor African Americans who have made contributions in the United States and around the world. Not forgotten among these successes by individuals and organizations should be the great contributions black churches have made to African Americans, our nation and the world.

Before there were African American mayors, governors or even an African American president, black churches received leadership from African American Sunday School teachers, deacons and pastors. These church leaders, along with others, were seen as community leaders who helped mentor, educate and counsel many in the black community. Moreover, the black church not only was a place of worship but served the community as a center for gathering support and encouraging one another through fellowship.

The Civil Rights Movement gained significant strength because of the participation of black churches. They became meeting centers for the organization and strategic planning of the effort for equal rights. Regular church members, church lay leaders and pastors took a position at the forefront of the work to change a racial and ethnically segregated America. Black churches should be celebrated for their part in influencing a nation to respect and value ethic and racial rights.

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month. We will have displays, presentations each Sunday, Movie nights on Feb 7 & 21 and a Taste of Soul Food Dinner on Feb 23. Each Sunday, you are encouraged display afrocentric wear. For more information or to participate in any of this month's events, please see JoAnn Stingley, Billie Barnett or Wes Scott.

 

No messages have been posted.