**PHOTO ON MY PROFILE**
Well, last Sunday me and about 30 other Americans joined together to seek the truth about Obama's church. We decided that we would not be lead by a biased media and see for ourselves what Trinity United was like, and I must tell you that I was very surprised.
We met at my home in Milwaukee from 8 a.m to 9:45 a.m. to leave promptly at 9. Mary Beth arrived first. An older white women, about 50 with gray hair and a cheerful smile she walked in the door proudly wearing a "got hope?" pin in blue and white that highly contrasted her dark sweater and beige and brown shawl. She gave my husband and I a big hug and hello and told her story.
"I am so excited you guys put this event together! she exclaimed. I have been wanting to visit the church but was afraid to do it on my own, this is going to be so exciting. In the beginning I was an Edwards backer, but when he dropped out, I switched to Obama. And now, you couldn't get me to vote for anyone else! she went on. Hillary has gotten so negative that whenever I hear her I just have to turn the channel! Obama has us joining together and he just makes sense!"
Soon after we were joined by about 20 others with their own similar stories and we were set to begin our journey. On the way down we stopped to pick up Glenda who parked in a carpool off the highway. She jumped in the car with a huge "YES WE CAN" and we all chanted with her as we rolled on toward the church.
Judith, who drove in from Minnesota to join us arrived at the church with Valerie and her husband (catholics who had never really felt comfortable in any other type of church) early. They let the church know that we were coming and they sectioned off three rows for us to sit. Upon exiting the highway and approaching the church the first thing I noticed was the abundance of traffic. The parking lot was full and cars were aligned for a least a 1/2 mile in all directions around the church. My husband decided to let us off at the front door and he parked the car. We walked up to the door and a gentlemen opened it for us while saying welcome and "God Bless You."
The contrast between what the media portrayed and what we saw and felt was so stark that it almost seemed as if the people reporting the news were mad. The insanity of the media's perpetuation of the church hit us solidly in our spirits and we walked through people rushing to find seats in an already filled to capacity sanctuary. Even in their rush no one was to busy to lend a smile or a "God Bless You" as they passed us by. Excuse me, a young black gentlemen said, are you the group of 30, "Yes, I said relieved that I didn't have to choose a random person to ask where should we go, "we have saved seats for you!" he said smiling. Just then, Judith came out of the church.
After our group found parking everyone joined us in our reserved seats. Service started with singing. They sang a song of praise in the typical gospel fashion that moved everyone to their feet. The energy was undeniable and our entire group, with or without rhythm were standing a clapping along. Then, they started the Lord's prayer. We watched as the entire church; young and old, blacks and whites started moving across the aisle to join hands with their neighbors across the aisle to say the prayer together. We joined in. This Sunday happened to be a "youth service" so we were lead by a child not older than 7 years old who recited the words with the confidence and clairty of an adult. I cried. Next a performance from the choir and modern dancers. Next, another group of very younger performers who sang "Africa is my friend, it's where I got my hair" in voices of 4-6 year olds who were exclaiming pride for their looks and heritage. It was beautiful.
It surprised me when Rev. Ross announced our group and we all stood up to a round of applause! There was also a church from Wisconsin there as well as a student group all the way from Germany!
Mary Beth was so moved and so excited she started hugging her neighbors while we all giggled. It was a joyous service, filled with hope and love and pride for oneself. At the end of service we wanted to take a picture in front of the sign, a young man stopped and joyously took pictures of us using 4 cameras without a single complaint. The people of Trinity are wonderful and I've seen it first hand.
-Kenya Bell
COMMENTS FROM OTHERS IN THE GROUP
JUDITH PENA'S EXPERIENCE
I am lifted!! He has moved me just like many other American's! There is no other person for this Country! It was Saturday, March 29th, about 12 noon. I was sitting at my computer reading through the blogs on Barack Obama's website when I came across a blog that an event was being put together in Chicago. I read on and it was a bunch of people getting together to drive to Obama's church, Trinity United Christian Church in Chicago. At that moment I felt something, from my toes to the top of my head. I live in Faribault, Minnesota, it would be a 7hour drive. 5 hours later, this Saturday afternoon, I found myself on the road to Chicago. I checked into my hotel at 1 am. I got a wake up call at 7 to get ready for another couple that drove were so kind to meet me at the hotel so I could follow them to the church for the 11 O'clock service. I was trembling all the way with pure excitement!!! I thought to myself, I am going to Barack Obama's church! I am going to walk where he has walked, seen what he has seen, and possibly sit where he has sat. I couldn't believe my own self what I was doing and where I was. I walked in the church only to be greeted with the warmest people I have ever met, hugs, handshakes, smiles, warm welcomes all over the place! I didn't want to leave!! So, we all sat in a specific area that they had reserved for us, there must have been 30 of us. It was the best church service I have ever been too, seriously, I was clapping, singing, moving my body, laughing, smiling, and felt the presence of the Lord all throughout my body and soul. I can see why Barack would NEVER leave this church!!!!The service ended and we all were wished the best as we walked outside to get a group picture. I still can't believe I was there. I am going to go again, soon! Maybe one day when I go Barack Obama will be there and I can touch him for real instead of just being with his spirit. Barack Obama has moved me so much, not only physically to do the 7 hour drive to attend his church, but in other ways too. I want to know more about the world, I want to meet more people, I want to unite with every color, size, and personality there is in this world. Again, Barack Obama is moving me everyday and because of him, he has given me hope and I can see and feel it in many others. I cannot see any other person to lead this world then Barack Obama. I totally believe in him and his standards. He will unite the American people and there will be changes happening all over the USA. There is more then hope to this man, there is guarantee's, there is truth, there is a reason he came into this election race.......I truly believe it is an act of God.Thank you to Mr.& Mrs. Charles and Kenya Bell for creating this event and thank you God for allowing for my safe drive there and back home. I look forward to many more!! I love you guys!!!!Be Blessed Miss Judith Pena"YES WE CAN"Obama 08
VALERIE'S EXPERIENCE
Valerie
MARY BETH'S EXPERIENCE
This past Sunday I attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago with a diverse group of folks. I encourage you to attend a service at this church. Take a bulletin home and read about all the community support available at this church. As a result of the media the congregation are receiving hate mail and death threats. It is a sad state of affairs when the media is biased and doesn't tell the complete story. As a white woman, 60 years old, I enjoyed the spirit of Trinity. I heard absolutely nothing offensive. Although if I had walked in and walked out a few minutes later I could have misinterpreted the message. Not hearing the entire message. I took a bulletin home and have read and re read its contents. Maybe if you do this you will understand of what Rev White speaks. Please avail yourselves of finding the truth about his special church. Thinking people will never agree 100% with what a pastor preaches or the particular doctrine of any particular denomination. However, repeatedly showing Rev White in small snippets only encourages people to judge a book by its cover. Thanks to Charlie and Kenya to have the insight to sponsor an event like this. Warm hello to all the great people I met.
-Mary Beth
GLENDA'S EXPERIENCE
Proud to be part of this group and even prouder to be a Barack Obama supporter
STACY SHIEK'S EXPERIENCE
I want to tell you of the wonderful experience that we were blessed with this past Sunday at Trinity Church of Christ in Chicago. My family and I have had the joy of the Bell friendship through the very same act that we were at the church for...unity. The Bells met us at a gospel concert and reached out in the midst of their relaxation to a group of our mixed family. We are a Caucasian family who has four biological children and four African-American adopted children. They offered their blessings and their outright approval of us. Their warmth spoke volumes of who they are and volumes of the unity that we all desire.
Our trip to Trinity held the same desire. The desire to unite and to right the wrongs even in the smallest of actions. We were very excited about this opportunity to join this congregation and we had no trepidation going into this , as our experiences with our diverse family have always been positive ones and welcoming ones. As we neared the day we were bombarded with the clips of Reverend Wrights words and as far as we believe...he speaks the truth! We often are ashamed of our white past because we feel like we wear the sins of our ancestors on our sleeves, literally!
We are the constant receivers of advantage for just about everything just because of our skin color and the African-Americans are constant receivers of disadvantages in everything because of their skin color. It is a sickening truth that no one can deny and if they do they are lying or just plain ignorant. It is time to stop this insanity and accept the Reverends words! It might not be what we want to hear, it might be embarrassing, it might be hard to hear it is even disturbing and abrasive, but it is the truth and until everyone admits it is the truth we will continue to have to force feed it to “White America”.
We entered that church and entered into open arms and an accepting environment. This congregation went out of their way to make sure we felt welcome. The spirit of God was working through everyone because it seemed that many allowed it to flow. They allowed God to open their hearts and minds. What a resilient race to be so forgiving! This congregation could have shown attitude or negativity, but that was not in the hearts of the people. A parish is much more than its Reverend/Priest, because this church under fire certainly carried Gods will out in its unconditional love, and accepting ways so obviously, Reverend Wright has been a positive role model to all he preaches Gods words to, and we were the blessed recipients.
We were greeted, sat, we were introduced and we stood proudly and confidently as a diverse group filled with much emotion and peace. The service was inspiring and uplifting as the music is such a catalyst for the spirit of God to come alive. It was so amazing that I wish all churches could experience this energy. Dancers, hand holding, asking us to turn to our neighbor and ask if they needed a special prayer said for them, hugs, and all of this coming from strangers and connecting us all with God in the house of God. I wonder... no I know that an African-American could not, in most cases, walk into a catholic church and feel that unconditional warmth and feeling of peace, like we did there. Trinity also made a very loving, and unselfish statement during that service that touched many of us, they said that if you don't like our church we will help you find a church you do like! Praise the Lord, their only mission is to turn people to God. We all can learn so much from this church and its people and hopefully our group of 30 to 50 visitors will pay forward the motion of unity in the name of God.
We were blessed so many times and asked to came back so many times. We have carried this feeling with us all the way to today, Thursday already! That sounds ridiculous but how many times have some of us walked out of church on Sunday and an hour later forgot that you were even there. So thank you Trinity Church of Christ for you gifts and thank you also to Charlie and Kenya Bell for setting in motion this feeling! Thank you for uniting us with strangers and we are blessed to say we were there, and we want to go back! Thank you Senator Obama for igniting peoples spirit both religiously and nationally in your effort to unite our melting pot.
We as Americans have to see the melting pot we are as a gift from God and stop hurting each other, we can no longer be the one stick that breaks easily when alone, we need to bundle all the sticks together so we are unbreakable as a nation and as a colorful people. God Bless Trinity, God Bless America!
Stacey
Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr
Trinity United Church of Christ
400 West 95th StreetChicago, Illinois 60628
Phone:773-962-5650
E-mail: info@tucc.org
JIM SHIEK'S EXPERIENCE
I am writing this letter because this past weekend my family and I joined a group of about 25 people or more to come to your church and show our support for some of the turmoil that you have experienced in the last several weeks.
We arrived at your church with my family and were greeted with the utmost warmest outreached arms for hugs and was made to feel absolutely, brilliantly, comforted in the love of your parishioners. I know that as you go forward here in the upcoming weeks I am sure you may feel some concern that maybe some of the words that you shared, may jeopardize Barack Obamas position in the race, but I want to assure you that I support , and my family supports you and your church and your mission in what you are trying to accomplish. Please continue to sail your ship straight in to the wind and hold due course. Please know that you are supported and have brothers and sisters in Christ helping you keep your ship on track.
I feel that I would be remiss to not state some of my concerns in which you perhaps may mirror. First of all, I would like to tell you about our family. We are a multiracial family, that has had the experience and the blessing to have adopted 4 African American children, we also are blessed with 4 biological children. This experience has shown us miracles beyond words. The adoption, the people we have met, the doors that have been opened, has been more than my wife and I could have imagined, and we thank God daily for that experience. So much so, that it sickens us to even be associated as a part of the Caucasian race.
I want to share with you some thoughts. I have had the distinct vantage point of seeing racism so first hand, that we have witnessed many of our African American family and friends go on without even seemingly noticing it. However, I see the answer that an African American woman gets from the clerk when they don’t see that that’s my daughter, but when I come around the corner and I say “honey, can I help you?”, I can see the change in their tone. I have seen what it is like to have an African American mother sitting with, no ride to or from work, go into a store simply to ask to borrow a phone, and that person says no. I come there to pick that person up and I walk in and ask, “Why couldn’t she borrow the phone?” and then all of a sudden it was fine, I also notice the look on an old lady’s face as she scowls at an African American child that is goofing around in a shopping cart, until a white mother comes around the corner and says “how are you doing?” then the old lady realized that that’s her son and everything is fine, because it is a white mother. I see the looks that an African American may get everyday, that they get so numb to the looks, that they don’t even notice this part of racism. That it exists today at all, really makes me sick, I am sick of watching the majority try to put minorities back in their place. Every time the minority tries to speak the truth it is the majority that tries to put them back in their place and it seems that the majority is too comfortable with the set up as it is. As you spoke the truth Reverend, white America did not feel totally comfortable with what you were saying and they wanted to just tell you to get back to your place. But Reverend do not. Continue to stand up and speak out. I am reminded by a statement that was made by a young man, who died too early, and it reminds me of what Barack Obama is doing, and in it the man says “That I may not be the one who changes the world, but I am surely going to light the spark in someone’s mind that will.” Barrack Obama is doing just that right now, you too are doing that right now.
I think back and reflect on this weeks service where a young lady referenced Dr. Martin Luther King, and I realized that I too have a dream. I have a dream that I wouldn’t have to tell my adopted African American children that white America wouldn’t allow them to advance. I have dream that we would have come much further by this time in our lives. I have a dream that this nation will unite and start to rescue all its people, of all races, that they have so conveniently trapped in their situations.
We have watched Americans with its earliest pioneers come here and finally drive Indians into reservations, we also have watched African Americans driven into ghettos, poverty and drugs and has in turn encouraged broken and father- less families. Speak the truth Reverend Wright and you will always find that it becomes uncomfortable for some to face, especially white America.
On behalf of my family and I, I want to thank you for welcoming us into your church this past Sunday and I want to ask you to forgive my family, if only by association to our ancestors, that we allowed white America to scar generation after generation and please accept our apology for the lack of change that has occurred. I believe that you and I are brothers, brothers in Christ and in this fight. Although we may have a different way of presenting our point, our message is the same, but know that I do have your back Reverend Wright, I do have my children’s back, and God has all of our backs. Anything that my wife and I can do, whether it is inner city children, a minority mother that is trying to raise her children on her own, we will fight for them. We will stand up and speak up and always speak the truth that will make white America uncomfortable.
You state that your church is un-ashamedly black and we are the opposite, in that we are ashamed of our ancestors and we can never shed our skin to show that. We have traveled in many states across the nation and we always feel far more welcomed in the African American community than we do in the white community. Why is this I ask myself, I have found the answer within my own belief in this situation and that is that there is just absolutely more love in the African American community. Perhaps it is because of the perseverance through such turmoil, such abuse and with Gods strength the African American culture is still standing and standing proud. They allow themselves to see things more clearly than the self- centered Caucasian people and I am blessed to have experienced this love that has been poured out to our family. We thank God for that.
So push on, speak the truth, because our time is now and it has been a long time coming and change is inevitable for all of the children that are concerned they may never have a future that they deserve. We look forward to the day that we will return to your church and we thank you for the warm loving welcome.
God Bless You! A special thanks to Kenya and Charlie Bell for being the catalyst behind putting the group together down to Trinity. Kenya And Charlie thank you for your warm welcome and insight, we are blessed to have you in our lives.
In Christ Love (PTL)
Jim
PTL= Praise The Lord
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