Thank You FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

We ventured out in the freezing cold this past Sunday (1-20-08) heading towards Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. Taylor was performing with the Charlotte Children's Choir for a special Martin Luther King celebration. The C.C.C also collaborated with Friendship's children's choirs.   She had to be there at 8:30am, which meant we had to leave our home by at least 7:30am because of the road conditions.  Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is located on Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte.  We took the same route that we had to take Candace to school (NWSA) for three years.

Hal and I had some time to look around the church before the 9:30am service began.  The sun was pounding through all the colors of the stain glass windows. Young men were posted at each entrance to the sanctuary handing out materials.  They had white gloves on and dressed in dark suits. They were very polite and welcomed us.  We were greeted with many hand shakes.  Even though the members of this church were mostly African American and it was quite clear that we were visitors, we felt WELCOMED!  A safe place,  a sanctuary and God was present.  

The gentleman sitting next to Hal was a church member and told us that his two children were also singing this morning.  We were proud parents watching our children enter the choir area. There was a family seating next to me that also had a little girl that was singing.  The mother sang along quietly to all their songs.  She had probably heard them a million times.   The choirs sang together and separately. During one song, they all held hands and we clapped!  We also sang "We are One in the Spirit".  This was a song Hal and I grew up singing at every youth retreat and camp we attended.  The guest speaker was Rev. Neville Callam, the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance. He was from Jamaica and his credentials were impressive.  The sermon was very moving and informative.  We held hands during the last prayer.  The gentleman to my left (during the 11:30am service) had very warm hands and I whispered in his ear after the prayer: "Thanks....you have very warm hands."  He laughed and said "good...have a bless week."

We stayed for both the 9:30 and 11:30 services.  I did have some observations.  PETA representatives need not attend!  Lots of FUR COATS! THANK YOU FRIENDSHIP MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.  I needed you this Sunday.  You warmed my heart and made me smile.

 FRIENDSHIP - Missionary Baptist Church