HIP HOP HEIDELBERG

There is a movement among black Christians to affirm the truths of the insights of the Reformers and offer an alternative to the "prosperity gospel" that is a dominant theme in many African American churches; indeed, this other gospel is a popular strain within evangelical Protestantism in general.

St. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, understood the necessity to know the culture in order to see how the gospel may address the deepest needs of a people. Hip Hop is a lens through which two generations view the world. Thus, today's ambassadors of Christ must understand, speak, and respond to Hip Hop Culture.

Curt "Voice" Allen is a part of this new Reformation.

Videos About The United Church Of Christ

My communion, the United Church of Christ, has released two new videos about the denomination.

The first video, "Uniquely UCC", offers an invitation to those outside the church to take a look at a church which seeks to offer an extravagant welcome to all.

The second video, "UCC Values", shares our church's understanding of its values and how we seek to live them.

My parish, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, can be seen in both of them. In the first, members of Ainsworth are seen carrying the church's banner at a peace rally (at about 0.55 seconds). In the second, Ainsworth in worship is seen at the beginning (0.05), and church members at the peace rally are seen later (3.06) .

The United Church of Christ seeks to live out the call of Jesus to join him in the ministry of reconciliation of peoples and all creation.

"No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."

Here are the recent videos:

Veteran's Day Reflections: What is the More Excellent Way?

Is it not providential that the same day that the United States honors military veterans, the Church remembers Martin of Tours, a military man who laid down his weapons in order to follow the Prince of Peace?

Martin, a fourth century follower of Christ, chose to abandon his military career after he became convinced that there was a more excellent way. He refused to go into battle. He was not a coward, his trust in his God was his security. "Put me in the front of the army, without weapons or armor; but I will not draw sword again. I am become the soldier of Christ."

We live in a nation which is the new empire, the new Rome. While we respect those who sacrifice their security by taking up arms to defend their country, we should respect and honor those who do not believe in the redemptive value of violence, but believe in the redemptive and transformative power of love.

A new proposal would expand the definition of conscientious objector status to soldiers who believe a specific war is immoral. The "Just War" doctrine offers a stringent test that must be met before a nation embarks on warfare. It recognizes the destructive power of violence and permits a defensive war only when specific criteria are met. Recent US armed conflicts have not met the just war criteria. This proposal will allow soldiers the option to obtain conscientious objector status when they believe a specific war does not fulfill just war criteria.

On Veterans' Day let us remember the countless number of veterans for peace. Let us examine the wars we are involved in and seek a better way.



"I'm gonna lay down my sword and shield...I ain't gonna study war no more."

The United Church of Christ: Seeking to be a Church of Extravagant Welcome

Here is the newest video about the United Church of Christ. Members of my church, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, are featured at a rally with the church's banner proclaiming that we are a multi-racial, multi-cultural, open and affirming church.

Uniquely UCC from United Church of Christ on Vimeo.

Here is a video about the United Church of Christ. We seek to be a church of extravagant welcome. My parish, Ainsworth United Church of Christ, is seen in worship as the video opens. Later members of my church can be seen at a peace rally carrying our church's banner.

UCC Values from United Church of Christ on Vimeo.

Recent radio interviews

Here are a few of my recent interviews on KBOO.FM in Portland OR http://kboo.fm/. KBOO is an Non-Commercial, Listener-Sponsored, Full-Strength Community Radio for Portland, Oregon, Cascadia & the World!
Please consider contributing to the radio station as a sign of your commitment to independent media.

My interview with Martin Hart-Landsberg, Professor of Economics and Director of the Political Economy Program at Lewis and Clark College took placed on October 11, 2010:http://kboo.fm/node/24293

A discussion on the future of Medicare took place on September 27, 2010: http://kboo.fm/node/23966

A national call to action to protect the social safety net was broadcast on September, 13, 2010:http://kboo.fm/node/23965

A discussion with representatives from the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement was aired on August, 23, 2010: http://kboo.fm/node/23398

An interview with Ray McGovern, who was a CIA analyst for 27 years and Coleen Rowley, an FBI whistleblower who was named one of Time Magazine's people of the year in 2002 about the Wikileaks releases took place on August 16, 2010: http://kboo.fm/node/23385

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Jesus Christ

"O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen." (Book of Common Prayer)

From a sermon on the Transfiguration of the Lord by Anastasius of Sinai:

Upon Mount Tabor, Jesus revealed to his disciples a heavenly mystery. While living among them he had spoken of the kingdom and of his second coming in glory, but to banish from their hearts any possible doubt concerning the kingdom and to confirm their faith in what lay in the future by its prefiguration in the present, he gave them on Mount Tabor a wonderful vision of his glory, a foreshadowing of the kingdom of heaven. It was as if he said to them: “As time goes by you may be in danger of losing your faith. To save you from this I tell you now that some standing here listening to me will not taste death until they have seen the Son of Man coming in the glory of his Father. “Moreover, in order to assure us that Christ could command such power when he wished, the evangelist continues: Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, and led them up a high mountain where they were alone. There, before their eyes, he was transfigured. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Then the disciples saw Moses and Elijah appear, and they were talking to Jesus.


These are the divine wonders we celebrate today; this is the saving revelation given us upon the mountain; this is the festival of Christ that has drawn us here. Let us listen, then, to the sacred voice of God so compellingly calling us from on high, from the summit of the mountain, so that with the Lord’s chosen disciples we may penetrate the deep meaning of these holy mysteries, so far beyond our capacity to express. Jesus goes before us to show us the way, both up the mountain and into heaven, and - I speak boldly - it is for us now to follow him with all speed, yearning for the heavenly vision that will give us a share in his radiance, renew our spiritual nature and transform us into his own likeness, making us for ever sharers in his Godhead and raising us to heights as yet undreamed of.


Let us run with confidence and joy to enter into the cloud like Moses and Elijah, or like James and John. Let us be caught up like Peter to behold the divine vision and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration. Let us retire from the world, stand aloof from the earth, rise above the body, detach ourselves from creatures and turn to the creator, to whom Peter in ecstasy exclaimed: Lord, it is good for us to be here.


It is indeed good to be here, as you have said, Peter. It is good to be with Jesus and to remain here for ever. What greater happiness or higher honor could we have than to be with God, to be made like him and to live in his light?


Therefore, since each of us possesses God in his heart and is being transformed into his divine image, we also should cry out with joy: It is good for us to be here - here where all things shine with divine radiance, where there is joy and gladness and exultation; where there is nothing in our hearts but peace, serenity and stillness; where God is seen. For here, in our hearts, Christ takes up his abode together with the Father, saying as he enters: Today salvation has come to this house. With Christ, our hearts receive all the wealth of his eternal blessings, and there where they are stored up for us in him, we see reflected as in a mirror both the first fruits and the whole of the world to come.

Eleanor Ruth Pollard Prescod: RIP

On Monday, July 19, 2010, my mother, Eleanor Ruth Prescod, died and joined the church triumphant.

As my mother's caregiver the last six years, I have gained insight in the mercy and care of God. My love for my mother and God has deepened as I learned to joyfully serve another and am comforted by our Lord's embrace of our suffering.

I solicit your prayers for the repose of her soul, and my family and community as we enter into a season of mourning.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Obituary for Eleanor Ruth Pollard Prescod:

Eleanor Ruth Pollard Prescod, 84, of Portland Oregon died on July 19, 2010 at the Marquis Care of Piedmont. At the time of her death she was the Matriarch of the Cobb Family, a large extended family that traces its lineage to former slaves Jane and Joseph Cobb of Nansemond County, Virginia.

Eleanor, affectionately called “Bootsy” by her close friends, was born in New York City to Willie and Eleanor (Banks) Pollard on April 29, 1926. She was the younger sister of Willie (Pollard) Stanford. She was educated in the New York City Public Schools. A member of a family involved in the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, she followed her mother(a Cotton Club chorus member) and sister (an actress and model) into the entertainment business as a dancer. She was a member of various dance and band companies and toured the “chitlin' circuit” of the eastern and southern states. Her close friends included Billie Holliday and Lena Horne.

In the 1940's she met Cecil Agustus Prescod, and ignored his romantic overtures. Eventually she agreed to date him, the two fell in love and were married in October 1954. They made their home in Jamaica, New York where they raised their family. They met the challenges of providing for three children with sacrifice and dedication. They enjoyed family outings to the beach and amusement parks, summer vacation trips, barbecues, and holiday gatherings. Eleanor adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Eleanor was known as the stern mother by the children of the block. She could be found sitting on her stoop, watching everything go by. You couldn't get anything past Mrs. Prescod, or “Gran” as she was affectionately known.

Eleanor was a dedicated wife, mother, and concerned citizen. Raised in a family committed to struggling for civil rights, she was active in school, community, and church events.

In 1968 she helped organize a parents' committee in favor of integration, when white citizens picketed her child's and other children school buses in an attempt to prevent the integration of a previously all white public school. This coalition of black and white parents advocated for social justice for their children.

A life long baseball fan, her heart was broken when the Brooklyn Dodgers left the city, and she became a devoted and often disappointed New York Mets fan. She fell in love with the Portland Trailblazers in the early 1990s. She was a ferocious reader, informed citizen about politics, and dedicated advocate for justice.

Her faith in God who sustained people in good and difficult times was central in her life. She was a long time communicant member of St. Albans Congregational Church in St. Albans, New York. At that church she was a member of the Bayanihans Club and a faithful worshiper at the early Sunday morning service.

In 2005, after her beloved husband died, Eleanor moved to join her son in Portland Oregon. In 2008, her family surprised her with a Family Reunion in Portland. The family recalled how her great grandparents, Joseph and Jane Cobb, survived slavery and created a strong and nurturing family, and honored her as the family's matriarch.

In Portland,Eleanor attended Ainsworth United Church of Christ. At that community she met a wonderful group of friends. Eleanor celebrated the church's commitment to spirituality and social justice. She enjoyed Pastor Lynne's sermons, listening to the choir, Adult Sunday morning discussion group (Early Edition), and Ministry With Older Adults' retreats and trips.

Eleanor is survived by her children: Cecil, LaVerne Paniagua,and Denise Slater; son in law, John Bruce. Grandchildren: William H. Turnage III, Emery Lewis Slater, Jr., Nikole Eleanor Prescod, Nathaniel Christopher Bruce; Great grandchildren: Jaylen Michael Lewis, Tai Jarrett Turnage, Isabel Cruz, Tatiana Faith Slater, and Emery Lewis Slater III; her niece Roberta Ricks, great niece Nyia Miller, great great nephews, David Miller, Sean Miller, great great niece, Rachel Simone Miller; a host of cousins, life time friends and new friends she met in Portland.

Eleanor, who cousin reminded her a few days before she died, “we come from a long line of strong stubborn broads”, will be missed and forever loved.

Memorial Services will be held on:

Sunday, July 25, 2010 at 1:30 PM Ainsworth United Church of Christ. 2941 NE Ainsworth. Portland, OR. The Rev. Lynne Smouse Lopez, Pastor.

Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM at Bethany Baptist Church. 157-11 111^th Avenue. Jamaica, NY. The Rev. Craig Scott Brown, Pastor.