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Hernando Today

The Road To Canaan Starts Where You Live

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By MAUREA SLEESMAN Hernando Today correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 21, 2009

Two special events honor Black History Month and local celebrants, which is traditional at this time of year.

The first is a new drama to be presented tomorrow at 3 p.m. at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Spring Hill. Written by history buff, church administrator and choir member Daisy Swackard, she describes "Road to Canaan" as historical reflections of Black struggles, illustrating history ranging from abduction of blacks in Africa up to and including the election of President Barack Obama.

Some 40 New Hope members will portray such periods as the Underground Freedom Trains in Canada and America, Blacks and Indians in Florida's Seminole Indian Wars, struggles and migrations to northern states, and select African-American and other milestones and achievements. Live vocals will include songs such as "Freedom O Freedom," "Kum Ba Ya," and "Wade in the Water."

"Refreshments after the program will reflect Black history, too," the dramatist noted. "In Michigan, newly arrived blacks would anxiously try to 'find family' at picnics and food gatherings at special locations called 'under the bush,' where the food would be hidden. One town is even named after such a site - Covert. They still have an annual 'basket meeting' that celebrates those early struggles for freedom and family-finding gatherings, so tomorrow we will have our 'basket meeting' refreshments, too, happy - ongoing - to be 'in the land of milk and honey, or arrived at last in Canaan."

The drama has evolved since her first writing in 1986, and Stage West is interested in her newest version.

Lay Awareness Day will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15 at Brooksville's Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, honoring the denomination's organizing in 1870. "The event is a showcase of the importance of active church membership," said Jim Wise, presently affiliated with the Allen Temple AME Church. He and wife Dorothy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December and had their vows renewed at the Spring Hill VFW Hall.

"Pastor John drives over and back from his home in Sanford to be there that night, and then was back to preach in Brooksville the next morning. Now there's the energy and commitment of a fine man."

Promoting interest in African-American history and heritage, Wise is also in the "Road to Canaan" drama tomorrow at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Keynote speaker at Allen Temple AME Church for the afternoon celebration March 15 will be lay speaker Joseph Smiley, of Clearwater, known for his impassioned sermons and anecdotes, Jim Wise said. "Everyone is welcome, and we will have refreshments will following the program."

"This year, the Allen Temple family will be celebrating 139 years of providing service to the community of Brooksville," said its pastor, the Rev. John D. Williams. He recalled the thrill and welcoming love and acceptance he experienced on his initial arrival in the Brooksville church. "Symbolizing God's pure love, the whole church and altar were covered in bright white, freshly painted and with draped white cloths, and all aglow with white lighting. It was stunning and the people just loved on me and each other like a loving family that it is. We welcome everyone in God's love!"

Clyde Logan has been a member of the Brooksville Allen Temple AME since she was a child in the 1940s, along with her sister Ida Williams. Sister Logan has served as a Sunday school teacher, chair of the trustee board, church historian and member of the missionary society, "still active and singing in the choir, too," she said.

"The original church was a wood building at Bell Avenue and Fort Dade Avenue. This church building was erected in 1946. The Rev. J.H. Wallace alternated Sundays serving here and at Mt. Zion AME on WPA Road east of Brooksville. He was a thoughtful, conservative and punctual man who started right on time even if only a few were present, so people learned to get to church on time.

"I remember something like Vacation Bible School when I was a child here. Children from different AME churches would have a few days of religious and crafts and music gathering, staying for free in member homes for the duration. When the adults would do springtime cleaning at the church, again we children would play and laugh and thoroughly enjoy our simple games and childhood socializing.

"Also the ladies dressed up a lot more back then, and children were quieter ... perhaps today's kids get bored more easily and think they have to have commercial gadgets and the latest 'what's new,' and dress is more casual now. Music here is glorious and harmonious and of course includes traditional and newer hymns, even with drums, keyboard and other instruments. So changes do happen, with tradeoffs for what people want in each generation." Logan's favorite old hymn is "There's a Sweet Sweet Spirit."

"I will say right now though," Logan continued, "that an advantage of a smaller church like this is that everyone really gets to know about and care for each other, and help is here whenever it's needed. And we really do welcome everyone.

"Our food pantry is open to all each second and fourth Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. and we continue to help in other mission support such as participation in the local Brooksville Mission Ministry."

"Our pastor is younger and helps to present younger perspectives in his sermons and messages. AME liturgy follows the same weekly schedules so that wherever you may be in an AME church on any Sunday, you will focus on the same scriptural messages and biblical study. Pastor Williams has a lively delivery and a way of keeping messages pertinent to daily life and use. His heart is for Jesus and he knows how to give good advice and counsel...He is always encouraging and supportive to everyone. He even enjoys our covered dish 'comfort cooking' too, so we cooks feel noticed and appreciated."

When Do They Meet?

Allen Temple AME Church

Lay Awareness Day: 4 p.m. March 15

Sunday worship services: 11 a.m.

Sunday school - all ages: 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Bible study and prayer: 7 p.m.

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church
Drama: "The Road to Canaan" - 3 p.m. tomorrow

Allen Temple AME Church is located at 824 Leonard St., Brooksville. Phone: 352-796-2597. E-mail: Atemple7@tampabay.rr.net. New Hope Missionary Baptist Church is located at 14232 County Line Road, Spring Hill/Hudson, Fla. Phone: 727-856-8814.

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