After ‘Memphis Miracle,’ Work Goes On

Two years ago this month they called it the “Memphis miracle.” Leaders of predominantly African American and white Pentecostal churches convened in Memphis, Tenn. to end 88 years of racial segregation.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of North America, which included the Assemblies of God--the nation’s largest predominantly white Pentecostal denomination--voluntarily disbanded. A day later it joined with leading black churches, including the Church of God in Christ, to organize the new Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America. Headquartered in Los Angeles, it is a voluntary association of more than 220 churches and 25 denominations.

Now, the association’s multiracial leadership said it is confronting the hard realities of transforming its vision of racial harmony and cooperation into actuality.

“It’s going to take a lot of work,” the Rev. Ronald D. Williams said this week in Los Angeles after returning from Memphis. “How do you take the principle and let it filter into each church? How do we begin to relate in our own communities?”

Williams, who doubles as spokesman for the Pentecostal association and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, said the leadership knew two years ago that the task would be formidable.

So far, however, few concrete steps have been taken, Williams said. Joint activities among local black and white congregations have been held in Memphis and Greensboro, N.C. But that was happening in Memphis two years ago. The intended vehicle for such cooperation in Southern California, Williams said, is an existing cooperative program between black and white Pentecostal pastors called “Love L.A.”

Williams said the hope is that pastors involved in “Love L.A.” will become models of reconciliation for their congregations. Among those pastors are the Rev. Jack Hayford of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys and Bishop Charles Blake of the West Angelus Church of God in Christ

“The key, he added, is not organizational structures, but personal relationships.

HALLOWEEN

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What does Halloween have to do with Christianity? The word “Halloween” comes from “Allhallows Eve,” or the eve before All Saints Day. It is observed by, among others, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches. (Eastern Orthodox churches observed All Saints Day this year June 9--the first Sunday after Orthodox Pentecost.)

In the early church, Christians gathered on the anniversary of a martyr’s death to pray and celebrate the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. Now, All Saints Day stresses the bond between Christians who have died and those still alive. Nov. 1, observed by Western churches, was set by Pope Gregory IV in the 9th century. Despite the religious origins of Halloween, some churches offering safe alternative activities to Halloween mischief join in the secular fun of ghosts and goblins.

* The Vineyard Christian Fellowship plans a free family Fall Fun Night on Halloween from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 102 E. Baker, Costa Mesa.

* A haunted house is planned at Holliston United Methodist Church, 1305 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 25 through Nov. 2. Admission is $5.

* Immanuel Presbyterian Church will present a multimedia concert celebrating Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at 8 p.m. Friday, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. A prayer service for those who have died begins at 7:30 p.m. Donation is $5.

OBSERVANCES

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More than 1,000 members of Centenary United Methodist Church celebrated the congregation’s 100th anniversary at a luncheon this week at the Bonaventure Hotel. The largely Japanese American congregation, now led by the Rev. Dr. Grant Hagiya, held its first services at a Winston Street address in June 1896.

* One of the oldest Pentecostal congregations in Los Angeles, Old Pisgah Tabernacle at 6026 Echo St., Highland Park, will observe its 100th anniversary today through next Saturday with a series of speakers. They include the Rev. Harald Bredesen, a pioneer Pentecostal leader. The celebration begins with a banquet at 5:30 p.m. today. Banquet tickets are $25. For more information call (213) 255-4783.

* Valley Presbyterian Church in Mission Hills will observe the Protestant Reformation at a 7:30 p.m. program Thursday. Keynote speaker is John Armstrong, director of Reformation & Revival Ministries and general editor of the ministry’s quarterly journal. The church is at 15457 Horace St. (818) 361-5507.

* Rabbi Lennard Thal, national vice president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, headquartered in New York, will be at Temple Beth Ohr in La Mirada to celebrate the Reform synagogue’s 40th anniversary. Sabbath Eve service will be at 8 p.m. Friday, led by Rabbi Lawrence Goldmark and Cantor Shannon McGrady Bane. At 8 p.m. next Saturday, the La Mirada Symphony will honor the temple at a concert at the La Mirada Performing Arts Center.

DATES

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Jewish Family Services of Los Angeles, with a grant from Jewish Federation Council Western Region, is sponsoring a workshop series on “Intermarriage and Family Unity.” Co-leaders are Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben of Kehillat Israel and Carla Loebman of Jewish Family Services. The sessions will be held four consecutive Wednesdays beginning Wednesday. Cost is $36. For more information call West L.A. Counseling Center at (310) 473-8448.

* A “healing retreat and quiet day” at St. Augustine By-the-Sea Episcopal Church is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday. Led by Wilkie Au, adjunct professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University, the retreat poses Jesus’ question to the blind man: “What do you want me to do for you?” The retreat includes lecturers, meditation, quiet time, movement and liturgy. Cost is $20. Lunch is included. Call (310) 395-0977.

* Shepherd of the Hills Christian Church is in the midst of a five-day revival, which continues tonight at 6 p.m. with the Rev. William Broadous, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Pacoima, preaching on prayer. 19700 Rinaldi St., Porter Ranch. (818) 831-9973.

* The Center for Public Justice and Fuller Theological Seminary will co-sponsor a series on responsible stewardship of God’s creation at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the seminary’s Travis Auditorium in Pasadena. Speaking will be Calvin B. DeWitt, professor of environmental science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and founder of the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies in Mancelona, Mich.

MUSIC

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Andrzej Chorosinski, professor at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and the Lipinski Academy of Music in Wroclaw, will present an organ concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Glendale, at the corner of Broadway and Kenwood. $5 donation.

* Christian Edition, a 25-voice men’s chorus whose repertoire combines classic Christian hymns with selections from contemporary sacred music, will perform at 6:30 tonight at Costa Mesa Seventh-day Adventist Church, 271 Avocado St.

* The Trinity Baptist Church Praise Choir of South-Central Los Angeles will perform at Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church on Sunday at 7 p.m. The church is at 505 N. Rodeo Drive.Admission is free.

FINALLY

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The “Whole Life Expo,” which calls itself the vanguard of New Age living, will be held at the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Friday through Nov. 3. Lectures are planned on topics from UFOs to relationships, and personal development to metaphysics. More than 300 exhibits are planned.

Among the speakers are authors John Bradshaw, Graham Hancock, Joel D. Wallach, Shakti Gawain and Lynn Andrews.

Notices may be sent by mail to Southern California File, c/o John Dart, L.A. Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, or by fax to Religion Editor (213) 237-4712. Items should arrive at least three weeks before the event, except for spot news, and should include pertinent details about the people and organizations with address, phone number, date and time.

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PEOPLE

The Rev. Frederick Ormonde Murph is the new pastor of Brookins Community A.M.E. Church, succeeding Bishop T. Larry Kirkland Sr., who is now presiding prelate of the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s 17th Episcopal District in Central Africa.

Murph’s appointment was announced by Bishop Vernon R. Byrd, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the church.

* Four individuals have been named “Humanitarians of the Year” by the Orange County United Interfaith Hunger Walk Organization. They will be honored Sunday at 1 p.m. at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach.

Among the recipients are J.T. Taddeus and Michelle Saenz. Married a year ago, the husband-and-wife team helped feed the homeless from their home at the Catholic Worker House in Santa Ana and at the Episcopal Church of Santa Ana. The other recipients include Kam Gleason, a six-year volunteer and chief board financial officer with FISH-Harbor Area, a group that feeds 1,200 individuals each month, and Annette Jewel, who as coordinator of the summer food service outreach program of the Orange County Community Development Council helped bring food to hungry children during school vacation.