Deseret News
Share this story
McGee Media
It would be difficult for Millcreek resident Alyssha Dairsow to imagine life without her experience in the Black church.
From a young age, Dairsow’s life revolved around singing in the youth choir, being an usher and serving in the kitchen, among other activities. Not only did the church anchor her spiritually and teach her about God, but it became a second family and welcome haven where she has always felt safe and secure. If there was something Dairsow didn’t feel comfortable discussing with her parents, she knew she had a wise and trustworthy youth leader at church.
Melvin E. Banks Sr., the founder of Urban Ministries, Inc., the largest independent, African American-owned and operated Christian media and publishing company, passed away Saturday at 86.
comments The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song opens with a gospel hymn sung by a familiar voice. . . that of Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., its creator, host and narrator. Gates has fine pitch, and I don t believe wouldn t be insulted by the observation that his stylings pale next to that of Jennifer Hudson, one of Gates interviewees, or executive producer John Legend, who closes the first night with a tender melody.
But Gates isn t singing to showcase some hidden talent. He s demonstrating the democratizing nature of Black religious music, song steeped in cultural tradition and meaning. By the end of this two-night, four-part special we fully understand his editorial choice to begin this work with his song, that it is meant to evoke the lyric lift every voice and sing.
Local Catholic churches will take on the customs used commonly in Europe this Ash Wednesday to avoid the risks of COVID-19.
Instead of tracing the mark of the cross on believers’ foreheads, they will have ashes sprinkled on the crown of their heads. The ashes placed by the priest to symbolize penitence and mortality as they begin observing the 40-day holy season of Lent.
“The sprinkling over the head is very common in Europe,” said Rev. Rod Kreidler of St. Edward Catholic Church in Ashland.
According to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland, the practices of both sprinkling ashes on the head and tracing a cross on the forehead were used in the past. At one time, it was common to sprinkle ashes on men’s heads and trace crosses on women’s foreheads because they wore head coverings in church.