Praise Dance Participants and choreographers in the 2nd Annual Praise Dance Intensive
“Grand Jete’”, “arasbeque”, “plie”, and “battement” were some of the vocabulary words learned by participating dancers in the 2nd Annual Praise Dance Intensive. This year the theme was Fresh Winds Praise Dance Intensive. This week long workshop was held Monday-Friday on the March 24th -28th from 5-9 p.m. at the Friendship Primitive Baptist Church, 1520 Avenue E, Birmingham, AL 35218 (near Jackson-Olin High School). The Pastor is Avery Hunter. The children learned two dances from Adair Whetstone (former director of the Woodlawn Ballet). “I love the way she teaches dance,” stated Aubri Rutledge, a student at Restoration Academy. “She is very patient, and makes sure that we have the choreography just right.” While Ms. Whetstone taught the girls choreography, the boys were in another room learning how to step from Mr. Averyll T. Lewis, Sr., an employee with the Birmingham City Schools. “Mr. Lewis teaches us discipline first…like how to be still and pay attention, and then we can pay attention to what he is teaching in step,” says Sahlace Baskin, a student at Wilkerson Middle School. The students had the opportunity to learn not only dance but the dynamics of worship and how to have a personal relationship with Christ. Dance parents and members of the church also engaged in the devotionals. “I learned that praise dancing is more than just learning the technique…we are communicating to God, I enjoy dancing because my dream is to one day become a professional dancer,” mentioned Sabre Baskin, a freshman at Carver High School. After a strenuous session, the students would enjoy a light, nutritious supper and return for more dance. Tuesday morning, participating dancers took a field trip to Bud’s Cookies. They not only learned the way cookies are made but also tasted cookies straight from the rack. “I wanted the dancers to know that everything in dance is a process…just like baking cookies.”On Thursday, March 27th the dance participants showed their choreography to members of St. Paul AME Church in the Smithfield community. Mrs. Ira Cummings organized a week-long session at her church, and invited Birmingham Dance to partake in the celebration. On Friday, the Department of Youth Services gave tickets to the dance participants to see Alvin Ailey II at the Alys Stephens Center for Performing Arts. The students and parents were energized with the performance. “This is my daughter’s first time participating and she loves it, remarked Mrs. Sharon W. Fatunmbi. The tuition for this week long class was minimal but the experience was priceless.
Praise Dance Participants, parents, and Dr. Berry at the Alys Stephens Center to see Ailey Ailey II.
Saturday morning, the dancers went to St. Paul to learn new choreography. Sign Language, mime, and dance were taught in the workshop. The meeting culminated with a special program called Fresh Winds Fine Arts Concert which celebrated various local artists from around the city and state.  The program was held at HIS Word Ministry 1200-20th Street North where Apostle Merlin Taylor and Patricia Taylor are pastors. The final program not only featured the dances learned by the participants during the Dance Intensive, but also yielded  talent from other Christian artists such as Natricia Bibb, psalmist; Essence Young and Karar Performing Arts; Robert Langford, singer; Pastor Patricia Taylor, Christian author of the book, “Life Is Not Over Until God Says it’s Over”; Sanchez Tanniehill, singer; Melissa Williams, interpretative dancer; SUPERIOR step team; and Birmingham Dance; photography by Larry O. Gay and videographer was David Biddings. The program had a special guest appearance by Ms. Jonerika “Jeh” Cheatham, dual winner of the Talent and the Fashion Division for the Diamond Federated Club Debutante Cotillion 2013-2014 who won the talent division by dancing from a song by John Legend. “Jeh” is a senior at Jackson-Olin High School and the daughter of Erika Cheatham Williams, granddaughter of JoAnn King and former dance student of Dr. Berry. “I helped train Jonerika as a dancer when we were in the same church. She was younger than the other dancers but she retained the choreography very well, and her form was outstanding. I am so proud of “Jeh’s accomplishments and look forward to seeing future successes in dance.”

 Jonerika Cheatham, winner of Talent and Fashion Division for the Diamond Federated Club Debutante Cotillion 2013-2014
The Mistress of Ceremony was Rubie Moore, radio talk show host and educator. Birmingham Dance is a seasonal (6 months) community praise dance team that operates from the last week in March to the last week in September. This team is for ages 7-adult.  “To me, it’s not just about the teaching dance and choreography, it’s about creatively witnessing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ without saying a word.” The event was sponsored by Birmingham Dance and Dr. Janice Baskin Berry. “We are looking for new members this season of Birmingham Dance,” says Janice. For more information on Birmingham Dance, visit our website at www.BirminghamDance.net. or contact Dr. Berry @ (205) 422-8506.

“Honoring a True Servant who displays Dedication, Commitment and Faithfulness”
(Matthew 20:26)

St. John Baptist Church-Edgewater, Birmingham, Ala. Anniversary Appreciation
honoring Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Jonathan McPherson, Sr. Celebrating 46 years of loyal and faithful spiritual service. Guest Pastor, Rev. Jonathan McPherson, Jr., New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Bessemer, Ala.

The word prune in itself simply isn’t pleasing to my ears. In fact, when I look at myself in the mirror and say the word prune or pruning I don’t even like the way it makes my mouth poke out. The process of pruning, whether it be trees, relationships, closets or budgets is often equally as disturbing to me.
I get the whole thing of things needing to be cut off so other things can grow on or come in, but let’s be real. Who wants to go through all that? Why can’t the things that must go gingerly cascade away in a symphony of melodic tunes while the other things taking its place arrive in a triumphal parade of ease?
Earlier this year, towards the end of winter, my landscape team engaged in their annual cold-weather function of cutting back the trees and shrubs in my yard. (God bless them!!!! I mean that for real.) They did it during some of our coldest temperatures this year in Birmingham, Alabama, and they did it with several pieces of foliage that were in need of some serious TLC (tender leaf care). They did a great job.  Those trees and bushes were cleaner than a chicken bone in a toddler’s hand and neater than the spice rack of a woman with OCD. The shrubs, which, of course, are smaller than the trees and not the first thing you see, were beautiful. The trees, were, well, how shall I say this, naked, exposed, bare for all the world (or at least those in my world) to see.
Fast-forward to now, and little beautiful blooms of pink and white buds are peeking out of the limbs of the trees. Those bushes that were shaved back to their bare minimal are now interchangeable arrays of fuchsia, green and white.
Tree pruning is a lot like life, in as much as I don’t like to admit it. Yes, the pruning ain’t pretty, but before you know it the painful, embarrassing, ugly, confusing and inconvenient things that were stripped away, cut back, dealt with and plain ol’ made to disappear are replaced with beautiful assurance of blessings ahead.

Angela Scott Moore has sported many hats in her lifetime. She’s a former broadcast anchor/reporter/producer, a trained motivational speaker, fundraiser and marketing/PR expert. Contact Angela Scott Moore at amazingkreations2@gmail.com, follow her blog at www.angelamooreblog.wordpress.com, on twitter at @AngelaMMoore316 or check out her facebook page for people experiencing separation or divorce at I’m More Than What Happened.  

The First Baptist Church located at 324-59th Street in Fairfield, Alabama under the leadership of Reverend Robert G. Twyman will culminate its 76th Annual Women’s Celebration on Sunday, April 27. This year Sister Cynthia Dickey Morton serves as general chairman, Sister Lorraine King as first co-chairman and Sister LaTanya Smith Harris serves as second co-chairman. Our theme is “Women Walking in the Son’s Light” – Ephesians 5:6-8.
The 2014 celebration started with group discussions in the Real Women/Real Talk Series.  The group discussions were held each Monday starting on March 24th.  Topics were: (1) Moving Forward: Let It Go So You Can Be Forgiven/Overcoming Hurt and Anger/Getting Past What You’ll Never Get Over; (2) Relationship Mending: How to Talk with Your Mate So They Will Listen/How to Listen So Your Mate Will Talk; (3) Depression: What We Don’t Talk About/Too Blessed to Be Stressed, and (4) Sacrificial Giving for Kingdom Building:  Trusting God with Your Finances – On the Path to Tithing.
Other activities included: Saturday, April 19th – “Women’s Evangelism Outreach Prayer Walk” for the community, FBCF leaders, and members.  The walk began at the church with prayer and praise, then a walk through the neighborhood and ended at City Hall.  Monday, April 21st – “Unity Prayer Hour” asking God to bless all of our efforts and services for the week.  Wednesday, April 23rd – “Wednesday Night Excitement” – an evening of worship, praise and testimonials.
On Saturday, April 26th at 11 a.m. – “Women’s Fellowship Luncheon” – “Laughter is Good for the Soul” featuring Christian Comedian, Mrs. Valencia Johnson, fashions by Simply Shirley and  more at the Fairfield Civic Center.  Donation for the luncheon is $35.  Tickets are available in the church office.
On Sunday, April 27th at 10:05 a.m. morning worship service culminates a month-long celebration of praise, worship and fellowship with our featured guest speaker, Mrs. Rosilyn E. Houston from The Church of the Highlands.
We encourage the entire community, friends and neighbors to participate in all activities and services planned. Please call the church at 205-785-4143 if you need additional information

Jesus Real Ministry, Apostle Wanda Erskine Presents Women’s Conference – Holy Woman On the Move For God, May 10 5p.m. at 2008 Snavely Ave.
Speaker: Pastor Nickson, Last Day Gospel of Christ, Arkon, Alabama.
Come out and worship the Almighty God.

One Lord! One faith! One baptism! So, we celebrated the birth, the death, the burial and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus the Christ. Where do we go  from here? What now! His last words of prayer for us, His body, were, …that they may be one!  What makes us one? Do we continue to fight the battle of who’s the greatest among us? Do we continue to tolerate each other from a distance, walking in jealousy, strife and competition? Or, do we turn now to build one another by esteeming the brother greater than ourselves? Do we continue to avoid each other because of social  and cultural differences? Or, do we run to every opportunity to heap coals of love fire upon our haters? Do we continue to defend our denomination or do we truly embrace the fact that God honors no body’s religion or denomination? For, there is only one Lord, one faith and one baptism.
Truth is, no one cares about our theology but those who exact it, except it is in line with God’s truth. No one cares about our secular degrees or even our traditions; even Christmas is losing its momentum in the hearts of the present generation. McDonalds and Burger King could truly become their meal for the day. There is a place, a season and a time for all things.
The richness of the Body of Christ is enveloped, woven and lies within our ability to embrace each part for its worth and strength; that regardless of our broken pieces our defense should stand on absolute truth. Everyone can learn from the other. If we stay among our own kind, race, religion, culture and nationality we are therein limited to these in knowledge and understanding. What is the true foundation of our beliefs, our piece? Are they  scripturally founded? If your answer is I am not sure, then there is therefore room to grow. The tactic of confusion and fear is abolished in the Word of God…. If you ask me for bread, I will not give you a stone. But, if everyone is afraid of the others, where do unity, wholeness, oneness and harmony reside?
The root of our most deadly issues feeds from Isaiah 65:5…Which say… Stand by yourself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.
The last truth I will declare today is that even the greatest among us, all sprung out of either lust of the eye, lust of the flesh or the pride of life, or all of the above.
Come now, today in 2014 people of God, let us make an effort to express love for all in a new and more fervent way. The Word of God does declare that the love of many shall wax cold. True that! There are some people who are hard to love or even entreat  on a likable basis; but make your righteousness greater, that we may be one in Him!

Don’t  forget….Bishop George G. Bloomer of TBN will grace our location May 7-8 at 7 p.m.  See ad! 1024 Ethel Lane (35235).

  “What does that mean?” the man asked the little boy as they looked at a beautiful picture of the crucifixion in a store window. “The man on the cross is Jesus,” the boy answered, “an’ those others are Roman soldiers, an’ the woman crying is his mother, an’” he added sorrowfully, “they killed him.” Finally, the man turned and walked down the street. In a few minutes, he heard footsteps running behind him, and the little boy rushed up to him. “Say mister,” he said breathlessly, “I forgot to tell you, but he rose again!” – Inspiration.
Our churches often spend weeks calling Christ’s death to our memories through special services and the frequently celebrated Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion). His resurrection is celebrated for only one day, and even then, its importance has to compete with emphasis on children, rabbits, and eggs. It should not be so.
We must not lose our awareness of the importance of the resurrection. God’s Word tells us that Jesus Christ “. . . was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead . . .”(Romans 1:4).
We follow no pitiful martyr, but a living Savior who won the victory over death, hell, and the grave!
Because of the resurrection, we know our sins have been forgiven. On the cross, Jesus suffered and died for your sins and mine. When God raised him from the dead, it proved that God had accepted the price that Jesus paid, and all was well.
Because of the resurrection, we know that death is not the end. Death may have taken our loved ones, but only for a little while. Death may take us, but we too will live. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:26).
Let all God’s people lift their voices in praise and worship.“Christ the Lord is ris’n today, Al-le-lu-ia!

Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. drbobwilkerson@bellsouth.net, www.peopleforthechristianway.com