February 2016 Issue - Mount Ararat Baptist Church

Transcription

FEBRUARY 2016
HEALING
M i n d , B o dy & S o u l
FEATURES
Whats Next... Your To-Do List for Health, Family & Fellowship in 2016_______2
A Hurting World. A Healing God.________________________________________4
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Orlana Darkins Drewery
ADVISOR
Rev. Dr. William H. Curtis
ENTERTAINMENT
MANAGING EDITORS
Karen D. Kisner
Shaunda E. Miles
Dr. Anthony Robins
Minerva White
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Camille Clarke
Rev. Sharon Dennard
Merecedes J. Howze
Tiffany Huff
Deacon Kathy Hunt
Deacon Claudia Mason
Deacon Dwight Mosley
Ray Porter, Jr.
Dawn Williams
COMMUNICATIONS MINISTRY
Susan Frazier Delaney
Deacon Stanley Denton
Darnell Drewery
Merecedes J. Howze
Lora Hubbard
Tiffany Huff
Michelle D. Jackson
Karen D. Kisner
Trini Massie
Shaunda Miles
Laura V. Norman
Ray Porter Jr.
Dr. Anthony Robins
Veniecia Robinson
Deacon Greg Tot
Minerva White
ADVERTISING
Deb Cavrak, Graphic Design
MOUNT ARARAT BAPTIST CHURCH STAFF
Senior Pastor
Sports Black History Month Spotlight:
Tony Dungy______________________________________________ 16
Movie Scene Queen_______________________________________ 18
Healing Starts with the Heart__________________________________________6
Spirit, Soul & Body Fitness_____________________________________________8
LIFESTYLE
Grandparents Day_______________________________________ 34
60-Day Health Challenge_________________________________ 35
New Year’s Eve Service___________________________________ 36
Quilter’s Club___________________________________________ 37
Black ‘n Gold Sunday_____________________________________ 38
Snapshots______________________________________________ 42
The Band_______________________________________________ 44
Media Partner: New Pittsburgh Courier________________________________ 10
Get “The Mount”
delivered straight
to your door!
Ask A Deacon_______________________________________________________ 14
Practical Money Tips for Everyday People.
Spending Less While Saving._________________________________________ 20
Tips to Boost Your Family’s Energy___________________________________ 22
Tips to Overcome Life’s Obstacles____________________________________ 24
February is Black History Month_____________________________________ 26
Millennials: Tips for a Brighter Financial Future_________________________ 28
Rev. John A. Knight
Staff Assistant to the Senior Pastor
How to Pick the Right Watch
for Your Valentine__________________________________________________ 30
Estelle Christian
Assistant to the Senior Pastor
Family Ideals Remain Consistent in Changing Times____________________ 32
Veniecia Robinson
Chief Financial Officer
PHOTO RECAPS
Mount Ararat Counseling Center______________________________________ 41
The Mount
271 Paulson Ave., Pgh, PA 15206
[email protected]
Advertising: 412-441-1800
Printed in the U.S.A. 2016
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Monthly Christian Lifestyle Magazine.
Enjoy uplifting and informative articles
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Reviews, Sports Editorials, Finance,
Health & Wellness, Local and National
News and so much more!
Director of Communications
12 MONTHS
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42
6 MONTHS
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Rev. Robert James
Youth Pastor & Min. of Technology
Rev. Linda Oliver
Minister of Special Projects
21
Min. Dwayne Fulton
Director, Fine Arts Department
Rev. Trini L. Massie
Minister of Worship
Rev. Sherry Brooks-Faulkner
Administrative Assistant
Leonard Pinkney
Facility Manager
Angela Fenk
Accounting Assistant
B ― THE MOUNT FEBRUARY 2016
THERE’S SOMETHING
FOR EVERYONE IN...
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TODAY!
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THE MOUNT FEBRUARY 2016 ― 1
WHAT’S
NEXT
...
YOUR TO-DO LIST
FOR HEALTH,
FAMILY, AND
FELLOWSHIP
IN 2016
Are we ten pounds lighter yet?
Have we managed to save a million dollars in the last two weeks?
Have we been getting up every morning at 6:00am to pray and reflect on
our lives? Have we stopped worrying entirely? —taken that vacation
we told ourselves we deserved?
While I hope some of these initiatives and positive
thoughts for the new year are on our minds, I’m sure
we haven’t even come close to any of our New Year’s
goals and aspirations yet. I’m hoping that we maintain
a positive perspective, making sure to tackle our goals
and resolutions at an appropriate speed. Part of our
plan this year should also be to avoid taking everything
so seriously and being too hard on ourselves. There is
time for all of our resolutions and improvements. There
is also time to sit back and decide what can happen
early on in 2016 to make us feel better, enjoy more time
with our families, and get more satisfaction out of our
weekly worship.
Simply put, just taking a moment to reflect and
think about daily life is the first step in enriched
experiences with family and friends, and
with ourselves. When we move
too fast and pack too
much into our
days,
we run the risk of not enjoying and absorbing any of
the beauty of the day. When we slow down and have
dinner with our family or actually take the time to enjoy
a morning run, we can learn to relish the moments that
allow us reflection or togetherness with loved ones. In
church, when we make the effort to truly sit, listen, and
experience the message of God’s Word, we are more
centered and more open to that message for the rest of
our week! If we sit, tense and thinking of other things,
the message is lost on us, and the fellowship with other
members of the congregation becomes nonexistent.
So, my advice is this: Stop and take in the day.
Understand each moment as God wants us to. Listen
to your kids, talk to your spouse, enjoy your time alone
exercising, praying, or whatever brings you peace. Take
the fellowship that you experience in church into your
workplace or in your community as you buy groceries
or get your car serviced. Talk to people and interact on
a deeper level, trying to understand what makes others
happy and what gets you through your own day. This is
your first step to seeing all the other components of a
happy life fall into place for 2016.
Facebook: WHCMinistries
Twitter: @PasCurtis
Website: WHCMinistries.org
2 ― THE MOUNT FEBRUARY 2016
W
A HURTING WORLD
A HEALING GOD
By Rev. Sharon Dennard
e live in perilous and
trying times. Peace is
disturbed and calamity
is rampant. We shudder
at ‘breaking news’ of
yet another massacre.
History has shown that
the world is sick with sin and hatred. The
Nazi holocaust in the World War II era left
some six million Jews dead. From 1992 to
1995 ethnic cleansing in Bosnia cost the lives
of one hundred thousand people. Cambodia
suffered the loss of seven hundred thousand
in just five years in their killing fields. The
Hutus in Rwanda, in a span of only four
months in 1994, tragically slaughtered
upwards of eight hundred thousand
members of the Tutsi tribe. The lawlessness
continues thanks to terrorist bands such
as Isis in the Middle East and beyond and
Islamist Boko Haram in Nigeria. Here at
home racial tensions remain at the breaking
point due to the repeated illegal deaths of
black citizens at the hands of rogue police
officers. American believers and anyone with
a heart anywhere on the globe are distressed
and lamenting with the ancient prophet,
“Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I
mourn and horror grips me” (Jeremiah 8:21).
To be fair, decent people do try to push
back against man’s inhumanity to their
fellowman. There have been marches,
rallies, sit-ins, boycotts, protests and
demonstrations. When peaceful means
seemed ineffective, violence flared and riots
erupted. There have been elections and
administrations, programs and organizations.
Earnest leaders have adopted the words of
founding father Thomas Paine, “Those who
want to reap the benefits of this great nation
must bear the fatigue of supporting it.” Yet
for all our efforts we are forced to suffer the
knowledge of the catastrophic experiences
mentioned above. Known for his weeping,
Jeremiah gives voice to our frustration,
“Why is there no healing for the wound of
my people?” (Jeremiah 8: 22). Could it be
as we struggle to establish cohesive and
comprehensive workable plans for peace
and restoration that we are looking in the
wrong places? Possibly are we placing our
confidence in the wrong people? Might we
be expecting too much from those who are
feeling the unrelenting pressure to solve
the problems that have plagued humankind
since time immemorial?
Living out this sad chapter in human
history in which unspeakable atrocities
cause untold suffering we cry, how do we
handle this - how can we heal? There is a
difference between symptom, treatment and
radical cure. Offering the latter, Almighty
God addresses the root causes and always
offers prescriptive remedies and conditional
assurances. See: II Chronicles 7:14-15;
Proverbs 21:15; Isaiah 9:2-7; Jeremiah 30:17;
Ezekiel 11:19; John 16:33 and I John 2.
One of the ways our Divine Healer
relieves the pain is by transforming our
outlook. Highly respected theologian C.S.
Lewis provides insight as we observe our
belligerent world, “I believe in Christianity as
I believe the sun has risen; not only because I
see it but because by it I see everything else”.
Paul the Apostle explains, “I consider that our
present sufferings are not worth comparing with
the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans
8:18). Because he endured imprisonment,
beatings, ridicule, abandonment and
subsequent martyrdom, this committed
servant of Christ was qualified to offer this
opinion. He invites all who share the same
faith to imagine life as a giant scale. All
wrongdoings and misery occupy one side and
on the other that which has been secured for
us by Christ is displayed. Redemption, love
and hope are even now “heavier” than the
assaults of our tormentors. What hurts us
presently does not blind us to the vindication
that will be ours if not in this life surely in
the next. Commentator Matthew Henry
affirms, “The sufferings are small and short,
and concern the body only; but the glory is rich
and great and concerns the soul, and is eternal.”
For all he has brought us through we say
“Thank You” and for all he will bring us to we
say, “Amen”.
The messianic prophet speaks of
our Lord in this way, “Surely he took up
our infirmities and carried our sorrows . . .
the punishment that brought us peace was
upon him, and by his wounds we are healed”
(Isaiah 53:4-5). Still the Savior provides
renewal, vigor and gladness but not apart
from himself. By grace, God’s caring hand
is extended on the earth and beyond into
eternity. Drawing nearer to the One who
came from heaven down to guide and
empower us, comfort and assure us and of a
certainty redeem and glorify us (Romans 8)
is the faith-sensible response to the vicious
madness of an ever increasing number evil
of men. In these dark days, we have the
assurance that we can come to Jesus. With
renewed resolve we offer “kingdom quality”
and “God-worthy” worship, witness and
work.
I used to be suicidal.
HEALING
STARTS
WITH THE
HEART
By Tiffany Huff
Don’t judge me.
I never tried to slit my wrists,
and never took more pills than I could
handle (I can handle A LOT of pills), and I
never attempted to jump off a bridge or
building either.
My weapon(s) of choice were much
worse.
You see, I was not suicidal to my
physical self.
I was spiritually suicidal.
Everyday I existed only to choke a
little more life out of my spirit.
It was the only way I knew how to
live.
Can you even imagine waking up
everyday, physically, only to continue the
spiritual suicide attempt you could not
pull off the day before?
Day after day I walked, drove, and
ran into environments where the people
in the room sucked up ALL of the air. With every word that I inhaled, my breath
was shortened, my throat tightened up.
I was choking.
There was no room in the spaces I
physically inhabited for my spirit to dwell
because I chose to dwell in dark places…I
refused to shine my light. God was
leading me to places where my spirit was
needed like a cure for cancer. I allowed
me instead to be infected. It was easier to
be sick…to continue to choke.
My spirit was constantly rejected,
shunned, quieted, ignored by everyone
else. The rooms were so full of demands
and expectations that there was no space
for my spirit to inhabit authentically. Every attempt God made to mature me
spiritually failed, because I was choking.
It didn’t stop there.
When choking the life out of my
spirit ceased to be successful, I decided
to try suffocation.
I smothered her with cakes and
pies, fried chicken and corn bread, sweet
tea and long island iced teas. And if she
was still gasping for air, I guzzled shot
after shot. I even hit a cigarette every
now and then.
Choking was not enough.
Suffocation didn’t do the job.
I had to pick another poison.
tapes of failures, insecurities, shame, and
insufficiencies from my past without
ceasing to the point that I could barely
hear what was going on around me. I was thinking
deadly thoughts. The attack on my mind was the
most difficult for my spirit to fight, but
fight she did.
It wasn’t until I had a fight for my
physical being that my spiritual suicide
ceased.
In a flash of time, I was face to face
with the possibility of death. My life was
flashing before my eyes….God decided to
spare me physically. My spirit was being
resuscitated.
I could no longer walk, run or drive
to those dark places.
I needed to nurture and honor my
body with certain foods if I wanted to get
back up and moving in a timely manner…
suddenly suffocation attempts ceased.
From the moment I came face to
face with death, all I could do was call on
the name of Jesus and ask Him to help
me and have mercy on me. I prayed and
pleaded with Him because I had so much
living to do. The prayers began to
overpower the deadly thoughts. I began
to seek peace with my past.
While on the outside it was apparent
that I needed physical healing, I began to
realize that the real healing had to start
on the inside…in my heart. I have learned
the hard way that healing has to start in
your heart, with your spirit before you
can heal in any other way. I have learned
that sometimes we want to heal, but we
don’t want to do the heart work. We want
to pray and ask God to change things, but
God requires something from us as well.
Give him your heart.
Tiffany is passionate about empowering
women to become their best selves by first
envisioning what being their best is and then
taking the steps to making their visions a
reality. She is the mother of two very busy
boys and enjoys cooking, reading, working
out and traveling in her spare time.
My mind was lethal.
I filled my mind with so much negativity,
bitterness, hate and unforgiveness about
who I was and who I wasn’t. I replayed
SPIRIT, SOUL
AND BODY
FITNESS
By Camille Clarke
Serving as a fitness instructor for over a decade,
I have assisted hundreds of clients, as well as
utilized self-examination on my own body. In
overcoming obesity, cancer and self-esteem
issues, I became convinced of the connection
between soul, spirit and the human body.
Centuries ago, Western culture lost its focus
on the interconnectedness between the body and
spirit, and how each aspect has the power to affect
the other. Cultivating a love of movement can help
you get beyond the concept of physical fitness
as separate from mental fitness and on the road
to a lifelong program of good health and wellness
through the development of mind and body fitness.
In choosing the proper exercise regimen for
you and your lifestyle, whatever form of exercise
you select should be specifically tailored to meet
your needs and desires. Begin with determining
what you need to create balance in your life, and it
is important to be able to align your fitness goals
with your preferences. Some people like the idea
of getting out of the house in the evening and
going to a physical fitness center; others prefer
the privacy of their home and engaging in a quieter
exercise routine after the demands of a stressful
day. Either approach, or a combination of the two,
can result in improved mind and body fitness.
For example: Client One, who is the
President of a marketing company, travels
frequently. She sits in meetings, is on
conference calls, and works primarily in
front of her computer. Her high-powered
executive lifestyle, which also includes
being a wife, has resulted in overeating
and a reliance on red wine in an attempt to
reduce her stress levels. She stated that
she used to enjoy running for exercise, so
we found a time that was best for her to
run. She wakes up at 5am for a morning
run, which helps to clear her head before
the day starts. I also prepared a diet plan
in accordance with her lifestyle. Being in
remarkable shape at the age of 42, she
wears a size two, which was also a goal to
help her feel good about herself.
Client Two is an African American
female franchisee owner, who makes
executive decisions daily, deals with
multiple levels of staff, is required to
answer to corporate headquarters, and
ensures that all operations run smoothly.
She is also a single mother of two. This
client loves weight lifting and kick boxing.
She prefers to exercise in the evenings
because her days start early and end late.
At the age of 43, she is in remarkable shape
as well. She has suffered from fibromyalgia,
tense shoulders and edema. Presently she
is preparing to train in order to participate
in a marathon.
Client three is a father and business
executive; his work being basically
sedentary. Since he is considerably
older than my two previously referenced
female clients, he is losing muscle mass,
has had neck surgery causing a limited
range of motion, also resulting in knee
and hip issues. He loves to lift weights,
and together we work on balance and
stretching. At the age of 63, he is stronger
than he has ever been. In addition, he has
shed over 50 pounds and now walks five
miles, three days per week.
Client four, who is a mother of five and
a physician, is on her feet all day taking
care of her children and patients. By the
time she gets home in the evening the
thought of doing anything vigorous is not
an option, so I selected Pilates and yoga
for her exercise plan. As a result, she says
she feels better. Her emotional eating is
under control and her sugar cravings have
subsided.
I have noted these examples for
the purpose of providing some guidance
in choosing what works best for you
personally, which is far more important
than simply trying the latest fitness
trends. Consider redefining exercise as
any activity that unites your mind and
body, and reduces your stress levels. High
levels of stress have been linked to weight
gain, and may in fact lead to emotional
eating. Finding activities that are both
enjoyable and easy to do is important
when developing any type of exercise
plan. Consider your goals and ask the
following questions: is 30 to 60 minutes on
a treadmill a reasonable time frame at this
point in your life? Are you setting yourself
up for failure or success when you create
certain expectations for yourself? Would
it be more enjoyable for you to do some
stretching, and a shorter period of time on
the treadmill?
Developing an exercise plan that fits
your lifestyle and your desires is critical for
success. Surprisingly, long-term weight loss
is linked more closely to whether people
remain committed to their fitness routine
than to what that routine actually consists
of. A routine that is gentle and pleasurable
is more likely to lead to the long-term gains
you are seeking.
An all-or-nothing mindset regarding
exercise can lead to unrealistic
expectations and goals, which may result
in giving up on your plan entirely. You can
walk into a physical fitness center during
the month of January and attempt to
get on a Stairmaster machine. There’s a
good chance you will have to wait in line.
However, by March or April, there are
usually plenty of free machines.
A critical aspect of this is for you
to come to know yourself and take your
desires seriously. If you prefer to be home
in the evenings, find things to do in your
home or consider an occasional walk with
friends or family. If you crave the company
of others, head for a physical fitness center.
The point is to realistically consider your
lifestyle, including what would please you
most, and then follow your inner voice.
Many people who are preoccupied
with food and body issues also tend to be
overly attentive to the needs of others,
while paying too little attention to their
own needs. Your intentions may be to
benefit your children with their countless
activities, but the added stress can cause
an imbalance within your life and family.
Are you willing to review your schedule
(or that of your family’s) and deliberately
schedule time for yourself? What would
it be like for you to say no to some other
things at times?
Long-term weight loss can take time,
and we can become demoralized when we
don’t see immediate results. However, bear
in mind that maintaining a feasible exercise
routine is associated with both physical as
well as mental well-being.
Camille Clarke is an IFBB Figure Pro, Fitness
Model, Nutritionist and owner of Camille’s
Fitness Inc. Camille holds an MS in Exercise
Physiology and is currently certified through
ISSA, ACSM and NASM. Camille’s experience
as an obese adolescent weighing in at 283lbs
gives her a firsthand understanding of those
who struggle with weight loss. Camille’s quest
to change her health and appearance has
pushed her to motivate, inspire and educate
others to do the same!
Website: camillesfitness.com
MOUNT MAGAZINE
NEWS PARTNER
newpittsburghcourieronline.com
Buress calls impact of his
Cosby joke ‘weird,’ unexpected
BY LYNN ELBER, AP TELEVISION WRITER
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) _ Hannibal Buress
calls it a weird surprise that his Bill Cosby
“rapist” joke precipitated the star’s fall
from grace.
“I was doing a joke in my show and that
shouldn’t influence public opinion. I don’t
know if it should go that far,” Buress said,
“It’s weird to me that a joke did that.”
Buress said he didn’t perform the joke
with the idea it would have repercussions
for Cosby. He stopped short of expressing
regret.
Speaking earlier to a TV critics’ group,
Buress said he’s moved beyond Cosby as
a punchline and doesn’t see his career as
defined by it.
“I’ve been working for a while and I
continue to work,” Buress said, citing his
voice-over performances for films including
the upcoming “The Angry Birds Movie” and
ongoing stand-up appearances. A comedy
special for Netflix will be released Feb. 5.
“That’s just one joke that … people
took and really ran with it,” he said.
In October 2014, Buress called Cosby
a rapist during a Philadelphia stand-up
performance. It was captured on video and
posted online, gaining wide exposure and
renewing scrutiny of decades-old allegations of sexual assault lodged by a number
of women.
The chorus of accusers grew, eclipsing
Cosby’s public image as a charming, family
friendly comedian and an African-American
groundbreaker with his role in the 1960s
in “I Spy” and his 1984-92 NBC TV sitcom
“The Cosby Show.”
Cosby had previously come under
fire from some in the African-American
community for critical remarks about the
conduct of poor Blacks.
Buress declined to discuss what
prompted making Cosby a comedic target.
Cosby repeatedly has denied the sexual-misconduct claims, with his attorneys
noting he had never been charged. That
changed on Dec. 31, when he was arrested
on felony assault charges in suburban Philadelphia stemming from a 2004 encounter
with a former Temple University employee.
The decision represented an aboutface by the district attorney’s office, which
under a previous leader declined to charge
Cosby in 2005 when Andrea Constand first
told police that the comic put his hands
down her pants.
Responding last month to the charges,
Cosby’s attorney Monique Pressley accused
the new prosecutor of “playing political
football” with Cosby’s life.
Buress, who appeared on the panel
with John Mulaney and Patton Oswalt, drew
support from his fellow comedians.
“Many, many people knew him as an excellent standup before that,” Mulaney said.
Added Oswalt: “Hannibal was doing fine
without that (the Cosby controversy). He’d
be sitting here now if that had not happened. … That’s just incidental to where he
was going anyway.”
Dress for Success Pittsburgh
named Champion in Action for
strengthening communities through
workforce development
BY COURIER NEWSROOM
P
PITTSBURGH – Citizens Bank, WPXI-TV,
Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh Cares
announced Jan.6 that Dress for Success
Pittsburgh is the latest nonprofit to be
named a Champion in Action®.
Dress for Success received the Champion in Action award for its work providing
a gateway for women to obtain meaningful
employment and build financially secure
futures for themselves and their families.
As a Champion in Action, the nonprofit will
receive a $35,000 contribution from Citizens Bank, media coverage, and extensive
promotional and volunteer support.
“Dress for Success Pittsburgh is
a model for what being a champion for
F
O
RO
change looks like,” said Daniel K. Fitzpatrick, President of Citizens Bank for
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
“This organization promotes the economic
independence of women in the Pittsburgh
area by helping them gain employment
through its successful workforce development programs.”
Launched in 2002, Champions in
Action is a joint initiative of Citizens Bank,
WPXI-TV, Trib Total Media and Pittsburgh
Cares that provides various forms of
support to small nonprofit organizations in
recognition of their contributions to communities throughout the Pittsburgh area.
Champions in Action is part of Citizens
From left to right: Mónica Méndez, PhD, Executive Director, Dress for Success Pittsburgh; Jennifer Tis, Esq.,
Board Chair, Dress for Success Pittsburgh; Daniel K.
Fitzpatrick, President of Citizens Bank in Pennsylvania,
New Jersey and Delaware; and Brittny McGraw, News
Anchor, WPXI-TV.
Helping Citizens Strengthen Communities,
the bank’s program designed to enhance
quality of life and economic vitality in local
communities.
“WPXI-TV is pleased to recognize
Dress for Success Pittsburgh as our first
Champion in Action for 2016,” said Ray Carter, General Manager of WPXI-TV. “Since its
inception a decade ago, Dress for Success
Pittsburgh has provided professional attire
to more than 17,500 women, collaborated
with more than 150 referral agencies in
Southwest Pennsylvania, and has helped
thousands of women obtain financial education, technical skills and soft skills to use on
the job and in their day to day lives.”
“Trib Total Media recognizes the tremendous work Dress for Success Pittsburgh is doing to help women succeed in
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returning to the workforce the Pittsburgh region,” said Jennifer
Bertetto, Trib Total Media President and CEO. “Through its
three core programs – the Professional Suiting Program, Career
Development Workshops and the Women’s Professional Group
– the nonprofit provides a strong foundation as well as a continuum of support and opportunities for women to compete, advance
and support themselves and their families.”
Citizens Bank officials, along with representatives from
WPXI-TV, made the announcement Jan.6 at the offices of Dress
for Success Pittsburgh.
“We are delighted to be chosen as a Champion in Action,”
said Dr. Monica Mendez, Executive Director of Dress for Success
Pittsburgh. “Women and girls walk out with more than professional attire; they walk out with a new sense of confidence and
empowerment. This award will help us continue to provide the
tools and assistance needed for success.”
DEEPER INTO
FORGIVENESS:
The Journey of Forgiving Others and Self 70x7
Saturday, March 12 from 9:30 am to 4 pm
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Forgiveness is a powerful tool for
healing hearts and communities,
yet many Christians do not know
what forgiveness is or how to live
into it. With stories of courageous
forgivers, scripture and silent
reflection, we will explore what
forgiveness is and what it isn’t, why
forgiveness is central for healing
and peacemaking, and how to live
more deeply into the forgiveness
of others and of ourselves. This
retreat is for all who desire to
go deeper into the process of
forgiveness, as well as for those
who lead others in the healing of
bitterness and shame as pastors,
spiritual directors and counselors.
Janet Hellner-Burris is the
senior minister of The Christian
Church of Wilkinsburg (Disciples
OU R S E RVIC E S
YOU ARE WELCOME TO THE MINISTRY THAT CARES
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
4 years old to Adult at 9:30 a.m.
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE:
Saturdays at 7 p.m.
BAPTISM & COMMUNION:
First Tuesday of the month
NEXT LEVEL SMALL CELL GROUPS:
Every Tuesday* *Except the first Tuesday of the month
MT-ARARAT.ORG • 412.441.1800
SPONSORED BY THE EPHESUS PROJECT
AND PNEUMA INSTITUTE:
TO REGISTER: theephesusproject.org
SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES:
7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m.*
YOUTH OF THE MOUNT (YOTM):
Elev8: All-ages at 9:30 a.m.
Eleven47: Teens-only at 11:47 a.m.
of Christ) and a partner with the
Pnuema Institute. As a survivor of
abuse and the murder of a family
member, she has been leading
retreats for adults and youth as well
as weekly studies at the county jail
on forgiveness for many years, and
is working on a revision of her book
The 70 x 7 Forgiveness Challenge.
COST: $50 including lunch.
Former WAMO Music
Director Kris Kelley
dead at 45
BY MARY L. DATCHER, CHICAGO DEFENDER
Radio programming veteran Kris Kelley was found dead
in her Philadelphia apartment
last month. She was a program
director and on-air personality,
who spent 15 years at Clear
Channel Chicago.
Her radio career began in Pittsburgh, where she worked as the
midday disc jockey and music
director at WAMO-FM.
Kelley first came to Chicago in March 2007, joining
WGCI-FM as a program director
and part-time on-air personality. At one point, she was
the program director for the
top-rated morning show hosted
by “Crazy” Howard McGee.
In October 2015, Clear
Channel Media and Entertainment Chicago announced
that Kelley had been given the
role of double program director, where she oversaw both
WGCI-FM and WKSC-FM (103.5
Kiss FM).
Prior to coming to Chicago in
2007, Kelley worked as a midday disc jockey and assistant
program director/music director at WJLB-FM in Detroit.
Kris Kelley is a native of
Philadelphia, and a graduate
of the University of Pittsburgh.
She was 45 years old.
No further details have been
released about her death,
pending an investigation.
Happy Anniversary to The Mount Magazine
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ASK A
DEACON
This section is designed to answer questions that you may have about the
Bible or Christianity. In the church, Deacons function as servants, ministering
to the church body in practical ways, including, but not limited to: discipleship, assisting with baptism, prayer and visitation to the sick. If you have a
question that you would like one of our Deacons to answer, please submit
your question to: [email protected]
Q:
14 ― THE MOUNT JANUARY 2016
There are so many other religious books available
to read, what’s so special about the Bible?
SAMANTHA, 18, PLUM
A:
As you know, Cindy, we live in
a world today that’s inundated
with all sorts of information
designed to grab our attention;
particularly as it relates to religious readings.
Social media and many other media outlets
allow us access to information at just the tap
of a finger. You can find ‘12 Steps to being
Prosperous’ and ‘Eight ways to tap into your
Anointing’. Not to mention other religious
sacred books such as the Muslim’s ‘Koran’ and
the Jewish Faith’s the ‘Torah,’ which are written
to inspire their believers. Most are written to
help you to live your Best Life. There’s tons
of enticing information available, which will
help you to understand who we are created to
be and to help us to understand our purpose
on this earth. We can choose to receive that
information via the social media mediums to
television, radio satellite, books, etc. There
is a plethora of information out here that is
designed to tickle our fancy depending on our
interest. Books, in particular, can be uploaded
and downloaded to devices that will tell us the
type of person to marry or to teach you how
to deal with the battle that’s going on in your
mind. However, when it comes to religious
information, we have to be careful what we are
allowing to entertain our thinking and into our
spirit. Yes, there are many self-help books that
are designed to enhance what we already know
to be true. While many of these writings are not
derived from the Bible, much of the religious
information can be very insightful and helpful.
So what differentiates the Bible from
these other religious writings?
First of all, as Christians we believe that
the scriptures of the Bible are given by the
inspiration of our Holy God. “All scripture is
given by inspiration of God, and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped
for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The
Christian Bible, although is a history book, it
is the infallible Word of God. There are many
other history books that exist. None, however;
claim to be the authoritative Word of an all
Sufficient, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent God
who chose to speak His Word through regular
people for His Purpose.
The more you investigate the historical
stories written in the Bible the more you
can find relatable events such as these: at
the center of the Bible is Jesus Christ, our
Salvation, who not only fulfills prophetic
proclamations, He is the One who is the Way
to eternal life for all who will believe. “Jesus
answered, I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through
me.” (John 14:6) The Bible also gives examples
on how to live a Righteous and Holy Life; a life
which honors and is pleasing to God. God’s
Word is filled with His promises and truths.
But it also warns us of the consequences of
disobedience. There are countless stories of
disobedient people throughout the Bible which
led to trouble not only for themselves but also
towards others. Sure you can find ways to deal
with adversity in other religious writings but
God shows us that if we put our trust in Him,
He will deliver us from trials and tribulation
because He has overcome the world. In Genesis
37, his own brothers because of jealousy sold
Joseph as a slave. God sometimes grants
permission for adversity in our lives so that He
might accomplish His Will for our lives. At the
end of this story Joseph’s brothers are forgiven
and God gets the Glory. And what God did for
Joseph, He will do for us. There are countless
stories like this where people have overcome
their struggles; they prosper, they are healed,
delivered, set free, and they find Hope. There’s
a Love story in the Song of Songs where a
picture is painted beautifully to describe a
man who is in love with his bride…, which is
a depiction of how God loves His Bride...,the
Church.
The Bible’s future events (Prophecy) are
predicted with verifiable accuracy. The book of
Revelations is a foretelling of what is to come.
We as believers need only to look to God for
our future. He is the Alpha, the Omega, the
Beginning and the End. It is in Him that we live,
move and have our being. It is in Him that we
have our Hope.
The Holy Bible describes a belief system,
which promises the believer peace and a better
life. Other religious leaders promise similar
claims such as the prophet Mohammed, and
Gandhi, But God is the Only True and LIVING
God.
What makes the Word of God so Special?
It’s because of God’s love for us, He sent
Himself in the form of a man called Jesus Christ
to the world to sacrifice His life for each and
every one of us so that we may have access to
Eternal Life. No other religions have that claim
except for the Bible.
THE MOUNT JANUARY 2016 ― 15
T
Sports Black History
Month Spotlight:
Tony Dungy
BY RAY PORTER, JR.
ony Dungy was signed as an
undrafted free agent safety in
1977 by the Steelers, as a backup
and on special teams. In 1977,
Dungy had the distinction of
being the most recent player in
history to intercept a pass and
throw an interception in the
same game. Dungy was the emergency
quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers
vs. against the Houston Oilers when
he performed that feat after starting
quarterback (QB) Terry Bradshaw and
backup Mike Kruzek went down with
injuries.
In 1978, Dungy led the team with 6
interceptions (although a backup) and
earned a Super Bowl ring as the Steelers
beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl 13.
The following season, the Steelers traded
Dungy to the San Francisco 49ers and he
eventually finished his short NFL career
with the New York Giants in 1980.
Following his playing career, Dungy
began coaching with his alma mater,
the University of Minnesota in 1980.
He returned to the NFL when hired by
Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll to
become their first African-American
assistant coach in 1981. He also made NFL
history as the youngest assistant coach at
age 25 and the youngest coordinator at
age 28.
Dungy would go on to coach the
defensive backs in 1982 and was then
promoted to defensive coordinator in
1984 where he would remain until 1988
when he moved to the Kansas City Chiefs
to become their defensive backs coach.
In 1991, Dungy once again served as
defensive coordinator, this time with the
Minnesota Vikings.
During his years as an assistant
coach, Dungy interviewed with several
NFL teams for their head coaching
position, but would always fall short of
getting the job until 1996 when he was
hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to
become the 5th African-American head
coach (behind Art Shell, Dennis Green and
Ray Rhodes) in NFL history.
Dungy coached the Buccaneers from
1996-2001 and was credited with turning
the team around, getting them to the
playoffs in 1997 for the first time since
1982. In 1999, Dungy led them to their
first division title since 1979 as well as to
the NFC Championship Game (also their
first since 1979).
After being relieved of his duties with
the Buccaneers in early 2002, Dungy
joined the Indianapolis Colts (8 days later)
and fixed a defense that needed to be a
compliment to their high-powered offense
led by QB Peyton Manning. During his time
as head coach, Dungy would lead the Colts
to the playoffs, but the first few years
were met with disappointment as he would
fail to get them to the Super Bowl.
That struggle would end in 2007
when Dungy led the Colts to Super Bowl
41 and beat the Chicago Bears 29-17,
the Colts’ first NFL Championship since
1970. The win also provided Dungy with
his 2nd Super Bowl ring. Tony Dungy
made history as he was the first AfricanAmerican Head Coach to win a Super Bowl
(Steelers HC Mike Tomlin is the second).
Tony Dungy is also the third
black head coach to win a pro football
championship in North America, behind
Darren Arbet of the San Jose SaberCats
(Arena Football League) who won
ArenaBowl XVI in 2002 and Pinball
Clemons of the Toronto Argonauts
(Canadian Football League) who won the
92nd Grey Cup in 2004.
Dungy retired from coaching after the
2008 season and became a studio analyst
for NBC’s Sunday Night Football pregame
show, Football Night in America. Dungy is
currently a finalist for Pro Football’s Hall
of Fame Class of 2016.
Off the field, Dungy has been very
active in the community, participating in
several events and volunteering time with
organizations ranging from the Boys and
Girls Club to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
He has made no secret of his relationship
with Jesus Christ and has publicly
shared his testimony as a speaker for the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Dungy
has also written several best-selling books
including Quiet Strength, Uncommon:
Finding Your Path to Significance, The
Mentor Leader, Uncommon Manhood and
a children’s book titled You Can Do It. He
and his wife Lauren have also written
books together including Uncommon
Marriage, and a series of Ready-To-Read
children’s books.
In 2009, Dungy become an informal
mentor to the formerly suspended NFL
player Michael Vick, counseling him during
his incarceration and helping him sign with
the Philadelphia Eagles. Vick currently
plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Dungy’s history-making success
proves that it’s not about trying to make
history, it’s about making a difference and
fulfilling one’s dreams and goals—in doing
so, Tony Dungy made history.
Ray Porter Jr. is a freelance writer from
Urban Media Today (urbanmediatoday.
com). You can follow him @urbanmediaray
on twitter.
movie
scene
queen
By Merecedes J. Howze
Merecedes J. Howze started Movie Scene Queen to share her thoughts about the
latest movie happenings with fellow movie lovers. She’s studied journalism at Clark
Atlanta University and Duquesne University, while practicing the discipline for nearly
a decade. The New Pittsburgh Courier named her one of their Fab 40, Under 40
recipients in 2013 for her vast volunteering endeavors, while being the single mother
of two young children and maintaining her post as a project coordinator with the
Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Jesse Owens’ Own “Race”
in Athletics and Racism
During the month of February, Americans amplify
the in-depth look of African American history. From
celebrations to demonstrations, Black History Month is
a designated 28 days (sometimes 29) to reflect on the
amazing contributions we have made to this world.
Some names stick out further than others like Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X.
Growing up, when we talked about great Black athletes,
there was no way educators did not mention the heroics
and hurdles of Jesse Owens.
The story of the great Olympian is chronologically
outlined in “Race.” Starring Stephan James and Jason
Sudeikis, the film shows Jesse Owens’ own “race” from
Ohio State University to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Stephan James, who you may remember as civil
rights activists and politician John
Lewis in “Selma” (2014), is spectacular.
He seems to work well in historical
adaptions as he is both substantial and
strong.
One thing the film taught me that school did not is that Jesse
Owens had his own share of races on and off of the track. He faced
the constant ridicule and discrimination from White athletes and
coaches. At the same time, the NAACP asked Jesse Owens not
to attend the Olympic Games as stance for the mistreatment of
Blacks in the US.
What if he had not gone? He would have never won 4 gold
medals, nor would he had the opportunity to make the global
impact that was made from his participation and achievement at
the Olympics.
Here’s some modern day connections: what Black leaders
were asking Jesse Owens to do in 1936 is the same thing Black
celebrities are asking of Chris Rock as host of this year’s Academy
Awards.
In my opinion, the 1936 Olympics is our 2016 Oscars. Sports
and entertainment have been overshadowed with politics and race
relations. Jesse Owens was given a global platform to perform
as the World was on the brink of World War II. Even Adolph Hitler
watched as Jesse Owens swept every track and field match he
competed in.
I think it is wrong
for people to ask others
to abandon their talents
for the greater good of a
cause. While The Academy
needs to strategically
work on its diversity
amongst members, Chris
Rock, who I am sure will
creatively address these
issues, has the right to
host the awards show.
“Race” is the perfect
movie for Black History
Month – a lesson to last
for a lifetime.
“Race” is in theaters
February 19. The 88th
Academy Awards will air
Sunday, February 28 at
7PM on ABC.
Ride Along 2
is Marginally
Disappointing
Let’s rewind back
to MLK weekend 2014!
Just two years ago, Ride
Along, starring Ice Cube
and Kevin Hart, was the
number one movie for
three weeks in a row. The
film was the largest debut
in MLK weekend box office
history, earning $48.6
million.
Fast forward to today, in less than 24 months, Detective
James Payton (Cube) and his future brother-in-law, Ben (Hart), are
back and fighting crime together in Miami.
Ride Along 2 was pretentious. Hit hard by the sophomore jinx,
the film failed to reach the same laughter and excitement as the
first one. I just expected more.
Ken Jeong was a nice added bonus. But, the few chuckles he
provided did not make up for the predictable plot and Ice Cube’s
corny punch lines. Again, I not only expected more, I wanted more.
Ice Cube, whose resume reeks of sequel, likes to keep a good
thing going. The NWA rapper did it with “Friday” (1995), “Are We
There Yet?” (2005), “Barbershop” (2002), and “21 Jump Street”
(2012).
Despite my obvious dislike, the numbers don’t lie. Ride Along
2 came out victorious opening weekend with earnings of $41.5
million. The comedy finally knocked “Stars Wars: The Force
Awakens” out of the number one spot, which had been holding
onto the top spot since its December 18th release.
Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, and Universal Pictures are excellent at
marketing, specifically on social media. Both superstars already
have a huge fan bases in life and on social media. So, between the
press tour, social media posts, and the first Ride Along the sequel
had a decent recipe for success.
Ice Cube was on my timeline every single day, pressing hard
for this movie. The strong push paid off.
Overall, the actual movie was not die hard funny at all, but I
could appreciate the quick giggles I did receive.
S S
2 Stars for the 2 laughs
Practical Money Tips
for Everyday People
SPENDING LESS WHILE SAVING
BY DAWN WILLIAMS
Often I have conversations
with people on how to save
money…I’m not an expert,
but because people, including
me, want to know how to
make the best use of their
resources, it tends to be a
hot topic. I find that when
I ask people why they want
to save money I don’t quite
get a clear answer. Most
responses tend to align with
reasons of saving being
another daunting task.
Clearly, they have not grown
to appreciate the value and
good that comes from saving.
Knowing exactly why you want to save
more of your income is crucial. I hear
people say they need to save for a “rainy
day”. What does your “rainy day” look like?
Is it travel, an addition to your home, a
new car, retirement, or for an unforeseen
emergency? Or do you simply want to find
a frugal way of saving money in one area
so you may be able to spend your money
in a more desirable one. Creating a clear
vision as to why you want to save money
helps to bring positive energy to spending
less and saving more. If you are not excited
about saving money, you take some time
to explore why. It could be that you’re
experiencing a more deep-rooted challenge
that warrants further exploration. Get
in touch with this issue. It could be lifethreatening placing you in financial despair.
I have succeeded and failed in trying
to save money. My attitude towards the
reason, the money and the anticipated
outcome have had great impact on whether
or not I followed through and succeeded.
If I chose to put God first in saving money,
it worked. If I chose not to put God first in
saving money, the outcome certainly proved
so every time. I refrained from giving in one
season as to save all the money I could just
for me. I thought surely God understood
and was on my side for a blessing. I got
a blessing alright! Unfortunately, the
unexpected happened to me and I received
a real lesson-learned blessing. Simply
stated, I learned God is first, giving is
second, and saving comes after.
With that said, here are a few practical
tips that may help you save money while
spending less…
Open up a “Christmas
Club” Today
Yes, it sounds so old-school and antiquated.
My siblings and I would tease my mom
for years over her annual Christmas club
account. With resistance I was finally
convinced to do it and…to my surprise it
worked!. I designated an amount each pay
period to deposit into the Christmas club
account with a stipulation that if I withdrew
early I would pay a big fee. The risk of being
charged a fee on my own money gave me
the initiative to keep it up. When the end of
the short-term savings account was up, my
money was deposited with interest into my
main account. This may not be a compound
interest money-making account, but it’s a
good start to learn how to safeguard your
money from yourself, have enough to spend
on gifts or travel and helps to prevent credit
card debt in January. I felt no financial
pressure for the holiday season and I was
able to give more to help others to have a
blessed holiday. It felt great to invest early
into a glad-giving heart.
Avoid Foods That
Are Breaking Your
Grocery Budget
Cut back on prepared and pre-cut foods
such as deli items, fruits, veggies and
bagged salad kits. Buy a water bottle
instead of bottled waters. Purchase ground
coffees on sale. Brew coffee at home and
transport in a thermos. Make homemade
baked goods. Buy a bag of potatoes. Make
French fries. Try a new potato dish. There
are many available potato recipes online.
Have a food processor? Make your own
fresh baby foods. Experiment with salad
dressing recipes. Pop popcorn on the stove.
Drink water instead of juice boxes or soda.
Clip coupons and make a meal around the
weekly grocery specials. Host a pot-luck or
cookie exchange.
Spending Less Is Not
The Same As Saving
Once you start cutting your monthly
expenses, the next step is to make
sure you’re actually saving that money!
Spending less is not the same as saving. In
order for it to become savings,the money
you don’t spend has to go into a savings
account or some other type of account you
can’t easily access while out spending. Set
aside money at the start of each month. Use
cash instead of plastic and save the change.
Online banking and debit cards have
allowed consumers to become less cautious
with their money and spending. By taking
out hard cash from the ATM and spending
only what you withdraw, you can limit your
splurges. I found this to work great for me
in staying in line with a budget that allows
me to save. You can also save up all the
coin change from your cash purchases and
deposit it into a savings account at the end
of each month. However, be careful of the
coin change savings. I’ve known people to
spend purposely to make change for the
piggy bank. They had not realized they
were doing more spending than saving just
to make coin change.
While Saving,
Develop An
Abundance Mentality
You’ve cut cable, eliminated the fancy
coffees, you’ve clipped coupons, cooked
at home, walked instead of drove, grew
a savings and stuck to your budget.
You’ve hit a savings threshold. What
now? I encourage you to practice 3
simple-abundance traits: Appreciation,
Gratefulness and Giving. Be genuine in
being happy and sending good-will for
others. Avoid the feelings of jealousy and
envy for other’s achievements and get into
a place of appreciation for their successes
and blessings. Be grateful for all that you
have already. Don’t focus on lack instead
count your blessings daily. Each day write
down what you are thankful for and be a
blessing through your action of giving so
another person may be thankful. There is no
monetary or material item that could ever
match the blessings of simple-abundance
within our spirit. Practice and build upon
each one each day. Send out energy that
will tune you in to the blessings of success,
good-will, and abundance. It WILL change
your life…
“I am not
broken.”
Tips to Boost
Your Family’s Energy
Busy schedules can leave you
feeling drained, but with the
proper fuel, you can ensure
both you and your children
have the energy needed to
ace each day.
Meal Plan
Creating a meal plan, which will help you
stay organized, maintain a good diet and
avoid repeat trips to the store. To simplify
shopping and preparation, put together
a list of favorite meals and snacks; then
group according to common ingredients.
Use a dry erase calendar, spreadsheet
or online template to plot out menus one
week at a time. Then, draft a grocery list
and stick to it. This will help you pass up
the chips and cookies for more energyboosting options.
When you arrive home, immediately
wash and prep produce for the week
to make it that much easier to make
nutritious meals all week long.
Start the Day
off Right
Wholesome breakfasts provide a pick-meup in the morning and throughout the day.
Squeeze some oranges for fresh juice and
a vitamin C boost. You can make a pitcher
each weekend to last several days. Serve
with homemade granola bars for a satisfying
start to the day.
Smoothies are another easy breakfast.
Whip up personalized flavors for each family
member using the pre-set Smoothie and
Power Blends programs on a Vitamix S50.
This personal blender’s 20-ounce container
becomes a good travel cup for school or
work. Freeze a variety of individual servings
of fruit and vegetable combinations into ziptop bags, blend with yogurt, milk or juice,
and head out the door. Or use the machine’s
40-ounce container to make larger
batches for the family to enjoy together.
A nourishing smoothie provides the fuel
necessary for a productive start to the day.
Mid-Day Motivation
Prep power-packed lunches for school
and work by including protein, fruits and
vegetables in an assortment of tastes and
textures. You can use a premium blender
to quickly prepare all kinds of dips and
nut butters. Try homemade hummus with
cucumber slices and carrot sticks and a side
of strawberries and grapes. Or create fun
finger foods, such as a peanut butter and
apple wrap, or ants on a log -- almond butter
and raisins on a celery stick.
Remember to stay hydrated. Water is
fuel, and even mild dehydration can slow
down body systems, resulting in fatigue.
Carry a large container of water to drink
throughout the day.
Dinner Delight
Continue beneficial eating habits at dinner.
Add extra vegetables to your menu with
a squash cheese sauce for a new take on
whole wheat macaroni and cheese. Or bake
a wholesome pizza using fresh pesto or a
white bean purée as the sauce.
Instead of hitting the couch after
dinner, complement healthful eating by
taking a walk with your family. Exercise
provides a natural endorphin boost, giving
you extra motivation to maintain healthy
habits.
With a little planning, a busy schedule
won’t be an excuse for bad habits.
source:
StatePoint
Right now, there are smart,
resilient, caring teens in
your neighborhood who
could use a break. Do you have
room in your heart and home?
Foster Goodness
To learn more, call the Allegheny County
Director’s Action Line at 1-800-862-6783 or
visit fostergoodness.org.
This Diligent Recruitment project/program is funded by the Children’s Bureau, Administration
for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under a Cooperative
Agreement, Grant Number 90-CO1111-0101. Its contents are solely the responsibility of
the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Children’s Bureau,
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Tips to Overcome
Life’s Obstacles
Sometimes it can seem
impossible to surmount life’s
obstacles, particularly if you
have been dealt more than
your fair share. But you can
often draw on the strength
of others for inspiration and
helpful advice, especially
those who have gracefully
overcome difficult trials of
their own.
Author and musician Vanessa Leigh
Hoffman first learned of the power of her
own strength as a teenager when she was
undergoing chemotherapy while attending
school and writing and recording music.
“One can conquer anything he or she
puts a focus on,” says Hoffman, who over
the course of her life, endured both stage
three Hodgkin’s disease and a car accident
that left her in a coma for close to two
weeks. “After my accident, I had to relearn
to walk, talk, write, sing and do even the
most menial tasks.”
While not everyone will have to deal
firsthand with that much tragedy, we are
all subjected to unexpected challenges in
our daily lives. To help, Hoffman is offering
some practical insights for coping with
everything, big or small.
Be inspired
Allow your negative experiences to be
your inspiration. For example, Hoffman has
reprised some of the great themes of her
life in her art. Her new novel, “Treasure,”
a fast-paced trilogy, tells the story of two
twin boys orphaned and separated at birth,
challenging readers to ask critical questions
about how our lives are shaped. “Treasure,”
the winner of the Hollywood and Southern
California book festivals, was inspired by
Hoffman’s real life encounter with President
Kennedy’s former chef, a mysterious figure
in her life.
Don’t be disheartened:
Whether it’s discouraging feedback from a
teacher or a bleak prognosis from a doctor,
don’t let the words of experts, however
well-intentioned, define the scope of your
potential. After Hoffman’s accident, the
medical team caring for her predicted
that she would never talk, walk, read or
write again. Instead of resigning herself to
their expectations, she became a veritable
renaissance woman, as a singer-songwriter,
businesswoman and author fluent in four
languages, amongst other varied pursuits.
Have goals
It’s easy to let your goals fall by the
wayside, particularly when life’s challenges
prove time consuming, distracting and
demoralizing. By embracing your passions
and pursuing those things that you hold
most dear, it will be easier to stay motivated
to follow through.
More information about the
“Treasure: A Trilogy” and Hoffman,
who is donating a portion of the
proceeds from her book to St.
Jude’s Children Research Institute
and Hospital, can be found at www.
VanessaLeighHoffman.com.
When life gets tough, don’t focus
on despair. By allowing endurance and
perseverance to rule the day, you can
achieve more of what you set out to
do.
source:
StatePoint
February is Black
History Month
Esther Jones (“Baby Esther”),
late 1920s by James VanDerZee
History is often reduced
to a handful of memorable
moments and events. In Black
history, those events often
include courageous stories
like those of The Underground
Railroad and historic moments
like the famous “I Have a
Dream” speech by Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. But these are
only a few of the significant
and important events to know
and remember.
FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
History is often reduced to a handful
of memorable moments and events. In
Black history, those events often include
courageous stories like those of The
Underground Railroad and historic
moments like the famous “I Have a Dream”
speech by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But
these are only a few of the significant and
important events to know and remember.
In an effort to honor this expansive and
growing history, Black History Month was
established by way of a weekly celebration
in February known as “Negro History
Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson. But
just as Black history is more than a month,
so too are the numerous events and figures
that are often overlooked during it. Here
are two historical facts that you may not
have known:
One in four cowboys
was Black, despite
the stories told in
popular books and
movies.
In fact, it’s believed that the real
“Lone Ranger” was inspired by an African
American man named Bass Reeves. Reeves
had been born a slave but escaped West
during the Civil War where he lived in
what was then known as Indian Territory.
He eventually became a Deputy U.S.
Marshal, was a master of disguise, an
expert marksman, had a Native American
companion, and rode a silver horse. His
story was not unique however.
In the 19th century, the Wild West drew
enslaved Blacks with the hope of freedom
and wages. When the Civil War ended,
freedmen came West with the hope of a
better life where the demand for skilled
labor was high. These African Americans
made up at least a quarter of the legendary
cowboys who lived dangerous lives facing
weather, rattlesnakes, and outlaws while
they slept under the stars driving cattle
herds to market.
While there was little formal
segregation in frontier towns and a great
deal of personal freedom, Black cowboys
were often expected to do more of the work
and the roughest jobs compared to their
white counterparts. Loyalty did develop
between the cowboys on a drive, but the
Black cowboys were typically responsible
for breaking the horses and being the first
ones to cross flooded streams during cattle
drives. In fact, it is believed that the term
“cowboy” originated as a derogatory term
used to describe Black “cowhands.”
Esther Jones was
the real Betty Boop!
The iconic cartoon character Betty Boop
was inspired by a Black jazz singer in
Harlem. Introduced by cartoonist Max
Fleischer in 1930, the caricature of the jazz
age flapper was the first and most famous
sex symbol in animation. Betty Boop is best
known for her revealing dress, curvaceous
figure, and signature vocals “Boop Oop A
Doop!” While there has been controversy
over the years, the inspiration has been
traced back to Esther Jones who was
known as “Baby Esther” and performed
regularly in the Cotton Club during the
1920s.
Baby Esther’s trademark vocal style
of using “boops” and other childlike scat
sounds attracted the attention of actress
Helen Kane during a performance in the
late 1920s. After seeing Baby Esther, Helen
Kane adopted her style and began using
“boops” in her songs as well. Finding fame
early on, Helen Kane often included this
“baby style” into her music. When Betty
Boop was introduced, Kane promptly
sued Fleischer and Paramount Publix
Corporation stating they were using her
image and style. However video evidence
came to light of Baby Esther performing in a
nightclub and the courts ruled against Helen
Kane stating she did not have exclusive
rights to the “booping” style or image, and
that the style, in fact, pre-dated her.
Baby Esther’s “baby style” did little to
bring her mainstream fame and she
died in relative obscurity but a piece
of her lives on in the iconic character
Betty Boop.
source:
pbs.org
MILLENNIALS:
Tips on How to
Invest for a Brighter
Financial Future
The majority of Americans
say retirement investing is a
priority, but more than half
consider Social Security a
top-three source for funding
retirement, and 40 percent
of millennials expect Social
Security (along with 401(k)
s and pensions) to fund their
golden years, according
to Capital One Investing’s
Financial Freedom Survey.
“With the future of Social Security
uncertain, all Americans, and millennials in
particular, should be proactively planning
for their financial futures,” said Yvette
Butler, president of Capital One Investing,
a full-service brokerage. “There are
consequences to sitting on the sidelines,
most importantly a smaller nest egg in the
long-term.”
Capital One Investing found 93
percent of millennials say that distrust
of the markets, lack of knowledge, little
understanding of pricing and costs, and
general complexities make them feel less
confident about investing.
“Now more than ever, the onus is
on the individual investor to plan for a
financially stable future,” said Butler. “The
industry needs to offer millennial investors
educational tools and transparent products
that will support them as they do so.”
With that in mind, Butler offers several
ideas that may help younger investors
establish a straightforward financial plan
they can stick to.
Start early
The earlier you start planning and investing,
the better. Once you have an emergency
fund saved, you may want to consistently
contribute to a diversified retirement
account to try to maximize your longterm gains. Even small amounts invested
today can add up over time. Tools like
the ShareBuilder Investment Plan enable
you to invest a set dollar amount and buy
fractional shares of stocks, ETFs and mutual
funds.
Go online
An online investing account is easy to
open and doesn’t require a lot of cash
to get started, and online investing and
mobile apps give you increased on-the-go
flexibility.
Low-cost portfolio building tools that
take into account your investment horizon
and risk tolerance can also help develop a
strategy that works for you.
Get educated
From stocks and bonds to mutual funds,
ETFs, IRAs and 401(k)s, there are a lot
of strategies and vehicles out there, and
it may seem overwhelming at first. In
fact, according to Capital One Investing’s
survey, more than half of investors of
all ages say their lack of knowledge and
experience in investing hinders them from
feeling confident about taking action. You
may eliminate this barrier by exploring
free financial resources and educational
tools that can help you sort out the facts
and learn about tried and true investing
principles.
Ask for help
A trusted professional can offer unbiased
advice, and may help you develop an
investing strategy you can follow and
adjust, while instilling confidence about
your future.
When it comes to establishing a
financial plan, stay motivated by
determining clear goals, and don’t
forget to pat yourself on the back
as you reach various milestones.
Remember, the work you do today
should pay off for years to come.
source:
StatePoint
The stakes are high on
Valentine’s Day. When you are
shopping for just one special
someone, there’s very little
room for error.
While flowers or chocolate are a great
way to say “I love you,” you may want to
indulge your love with something longer
lasting. For the perfect gift, consider a
timeless classic -- a watch to suit his
or her personal style. But remember,
one watch will not fit all personalities or
lifestyles.
“The right watch can nurture the spirit
of individuality and communicate one’s
sense of style,” says Matthew Shell, vice
president of product development at
watch brand Armitron.
With that in mind, Shell offers these
suggestions for finding the right watch for
your loved one:
The trendsetter
For those who love looking their best,
coordination of accessories is key. So
whether you opt for a genuine leather
strap or a bracelet watch, look for a
How to Pick the
Right Watch for
Your Valentine
versatile timepiece that can transition
from day to night or be dressed down or
dressed up depending on the occasion.
Before making a selection, consider your
recipient’s favorites -- taking preferences
like gold versus silver and vintage versus
modern into account.
The athlete
Enhance your loved one’s training efforts
with a bold, sporty watch built to move.
For example, Armitron Pro-Sport Digital
watches feature lap timing, stop watches
and chronographs to help runners,
swimmers and other athletes push past
their goals. Water resistant to 330 feet, this
category of watches offers multicolored
dials, soft touch resin straps, chrome bezels
and silver tone buckle closures.
The sentimentalist
If your gift recipient already has a favorite
watch for everyday wear, consider
something elegant that can -- but doesn’t
have to be -- reserved for special occasions.
For instance, a bangle watch functions as
jewelry and timepiece, putting form and
function on the same level. Or for him, a
watch featuring a diamond dial.
The confident one
For the confident man, consider an
automatic watch that does not require
batteries to operate. The stainless steel
automatic watch from Armitron has a
skeleton movement and luminous dials.
To make Valentine’s Day a success,
consider the classic gift of a watch to
show that your love is timeless.
source:
StatePoint
While the concept of family
once had quite specific
meaning, the face of families
in the US today is more
diverse and wide-ranging
than ever, yet their values and
challenges remain the same.
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER
“There is an integrity in
Waynesburg’s Counseling
Program that is a cut above
the rest. My courses were
thought-provoking and
stimulating and prepared me
well for the real world. Every
faculty member worked in the
field, so the information was
always current and pertinent.
No question ever went
unanswered; no concern was
ever treated lightly. I felt both
challenged and supported.”
Results from the latest census found that
the traditional, nuclear, one-mom-onedad-with-kids family model is actually
the minority now. However, families of
all shapes and sizes share similar ethics
and face related struggles, whether they
are drawn together by biological ties or a
deeply rooted friendship.
Here, some heads of households share
some insights into what defines a family
and their concerns:
You Define
Your Family
“Home is where your story begins, and
family is a part of that story. It’s who
we are and what we give to others that
determines our value within ourselves,”
says Melanie Harper, a teacher and
divorced mother of two boys.
As part of the
#RealFamiliesRealValues campaign
sponsored by White Cloud Bathroom
Tissue, at Walmart. Harper and her two
sons were featured in a video where she
discussed the challenges and rewards
of raising children on her own. The
campaign’s goal is to capture and share
the things most important about family,
and White Cloud is encouraging the full
range of American’s families to tell their
stories.
“I don’t have to try to be a father. I can
just be the best mother that I can,” says
Harper. “My main concern is that my boys
are happy.
You’re Normal
“Single moms are part of the fabric of
life,” says Emma Johnson, the brains
behind Wealthy Single Mother, a blog
for single moms where they can get
advice and connect. “We’re everywhere!
In middle class communities, poor rural
communities, rich suburbs, and in every
part of every city. We are loaded and
we are poor. We run companies, own
businesses, nurse, teach, farm, stay at
home full-time and work in factories.”
Johnson stresses that while the
typical message out there is that it’s
– Connie Donaldson, Certified
Family Constellation Facilitator
Family Ideals
Remain Consistent
in Changing Times
MASTER
OF ARTS
IN COUNSELING
PH.D. IN COUNSELOR EDUCATION
TAKE
YOUR
FIRST
STEP TOWARD STATE
AND SUPERVISION
LICENSURE AS A CERTIFIED COUNSELOR.
Take your first step toward state licensure as
Waynesburg’s Ph.D. in Counselor Education
a certified counselor. Waynesburg’s CACREPand Supervision will prepare you to be a
MASTER OFaccredited
ARTS IN COUNSELING
PH.D. IN COUNSELOR leader
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in Counseling
in clinical mental health counseling,
AND
SUPERVISION
Program will prepare you for a rewarding and
addictions counseling or school counseling
fulfilling
career
as a counselor.
The
Counseling
and for
employment as a counselor educator
Take your first step
toward
state licensure
as
Waynesburg’s
Ph.D. in Counselor
Education
a certified counselor.
Waynesburg’s
CACREPand Supervision
to be aeducation. The program provides
higher
Program
offers two
specialized tracks,
Clinical will prepareinyou
accredited Master
of Arts
in Counseling
leader in clinical mental health
counseling,
Mental
Health
Counseling and Addiction
doctoral
students with the information and skills
Program will prepare you for a rewarding and
addictions counseling or school counseling
required
to carry out scholarly research, lead
Counseling,
as
well
as
a
CACREP-accredited
fulfilling career as a counselor. The Counseling
and for employment as a counselor educator
Addictions
Certification
Program.
organizations
Program offers two specialized tracks, Clinical
in higher education. The program provides and create new knowledge.
Mental Health Counseling and Addiction
Counseling, as well as a CACREP-accredited
Addictions Certification Program.
doctoral students with the information and skills
required to carry out scholarly research, lead
organizations and create new knowledge.
Courses offered at four convenient locations in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area
Monroeville | Seven Fields | Southpointe | Waynesburg
Monroeville | Seven Fields | Southpointe | Waynesburg
possible to survive as a single parent, you
can go beyond that and truly thrive, and
many families are doing just that.
Luckily, there are new TV shows, books
and even home product brands out there
like White Cloud that are working to change
the discourse and be inclusive to all kinds of
families.
While the iconic American family may
not look the same as it did in the past,
the same values of kindness, strength
and love remain.
source:
StatePoint
APPLY TODAY
waynesburg.edu/graduate
888.481.6029 | waynesburg.edu/graduate
888.481.6029
PHOTO RECAP:
GRANDPARENTS DAY!
At their December 2015 meeting, Mount Ararat’s Senior
Outreach and Renewal Ministry (SOAR) honored grandparents
who raise their grandchildren and bridge the gap between those
children and their parents.
PHOTO RECAP: MOUNT
ARARAT MEMBERS
PLACE IN 60-DAY HEALTH C
HALLENGE
Mount Ararat’s Community Activity Center participated in a 60-day
health challenge, a physical activity and nutrition program sponsored by
Highmark. The weight loss challenge, facilitated by Charles Cook, owner,
One-on-One Personal Fitness and Training, was between the
Community Center and Allen Place.
The total weight loss for all participants was in excess of 150 pounds.
Willa M. Booker from Mount Ararat Baptist Church lost a total of 17.9 pounds
and was the second place individual winner and was presented a check for $250.
The first place winner was Tameka Mickle, a member of the Allen Place team and
also a member of Mount Ararat. She was presented with a check for $500.
PHOTO RECAP:
NEW YEAR’S EVE SERVICE
Mount Ararat held three New Year’s
Eve services in 2015 at Noon, 6:00pm
and 8:00pm. We pray that the new year
brings you peace, prosperity and joy!
You are also welcome to join us every week
for our praise and worship services held
every Saturday at 7:00pm and Sunday
mornings at 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:45am.
We’ll be waiting for you!
PHOTO RECAP:
QUILTERS CLUB
Are you artistic? Do you love to create?
If yes, join “The Quilters” every Monday at 10:00am
at Mount Ararat’s Community Activity Center.
For details, call 412-441-1852.
PHOTO RECAP:
BLACK ‘N GOLD SUNDAY
Congregants showed their support by
wearing our hometown colors in support
of the Steelers playoff game on Sunday,
January 17, 2016. Although we didn’t
make it all the way to the Superbowl,
Mount Ararat still loves and support the
Pittsburgh Steelers!
PHOTO RECAP:
BLACK ‘N GOLD SUNDAY
Mount Ararat Band Members
PHOTO RECAP:
SNAPSHOTS
MOUNT ARARAT
COUNSELING CENTER
Working at Mount Ararat Baptist Church
sometimes requires full-time staff
to work outside of their job descriptions!
Veniecia Robinson,
Chief Financial Officer,
puts together a cabinet
(BEFORE)
The Center
Veniecia Robinson,
Chief Financial
Officer, puts together
a cabinet (AFTER)
that Cares
The Mount Ararat Counseling Center
(MACC) is designed to fill the gaps identified
in both the Church and in the greater
Pittsburgh community by providing
affordable and accessible services as
well as trained licensed mental health
professionals who incorporate culturally
sensitive and culturally appropriate
counseling services that include spiritual,
Christian and faith-based interventions.
GOALS &
OBJECTIVES
MACC’s approach to addressing client
needs integrates spiritual, Christian, ethical
and religious values. It is MACC’s belief
that the infusion of these elements into
the counseling process is essential for the
overall development of those that will be
served. Another goal of MACC includes
providing Christian-based psychological
and emotional support, as well as social
services to clients, who may or may not be
members of Mount Ararat Baptist Church
(MABC), but who are in need of professional
guidance and advocacy in dealing with
issues that may prevent effective and
responsible conduct of their
daily lives.
Dwayne Fulton, Director of
the Fine Arts Department,
vacuuming the pulpit area.
TARGET
POPULATIONS
Mount Ararat Deacons discuss
ministry outreach opportunities
Ken Durrett, Mount Ararat’s
Facility Custodian
The target clientele for MACC are
individuals, couples, families, and
groups across the lifespan (i.e., children,
adolescents, adults and older adults). MACC
will be targeted to members of MABC, to
other church congregations, to members
of the East Liberty area of Pittsburgh,
and to members of the greater Pittsburgh
Community.
COMMON CONCERNS
ADDRESSED BY MACC
Depression; Anxiety; Stress; Abuse; Crisis
Support; Relationship Issues; Grief, Death
& Loss; Self-Esteem; Alcohol & Substance
Abuse; Identity; Development; Career
Planning & Development; Anger; Life Skills;
Deficits; Retirement.
MACC STAFF
Trained professional or clinicians (i.e.
licensed or masters-level) with diverse
qualifications and backgrounds, including
professional counseling, marriage, couple
and family therapy, psychology, pastoral
counseling and counseling psychology,
conduct the Mount Ararat Counseling
Center (MACC) counseling sessions. Some
counseling services may be provided by
qualified students enrolled in masterslevel and doctoral degree programs under
the supervision of MACC licensed mental
health professionals and faculty members
or doctoral interns who are licensed mental
health professionals.
INSURANCE & FEES
Highmark, UPMC, and Community Care
Behavior Health (CCBH) insurance
companies cover MACC’s services, and we
also offer fee-for-service and sliding scale
for those who may not have insurance and/
or may have difficulty paying. In extreme
cases of financial hardships and lack of
insurance, pro-bono assistance may be
available. Please contact MACC for further
information on the rates for counseling
services.
Mental
health
resources
MOUNT ARARAT
COUNSELING CENTER (MACC)
271 Paulson Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412.441.1800 Ext. 270
THE GOOD GRIEF CENTER
2717 Murray Avenue
412.224.4700
RE:SOLVE CRISIS NETWORK
333 North Braddock Ave
1.888.796.8226
PEER SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY
NETWORK (PSAN) WARMLINE
1-866-661-WARM (9276)
MERCY BEHAVIORAL
HEALTH CRISIS LINE
1-877-637-2924
WESTERN PSYCHIATRIC
INSTITUTE AND CLINIC
412-624-1000 or
Toll free 1(877)-624-4100
NAMI (NATIONAL ALLIANCE
ON MENTAL ILLNESS)
SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
105 Braunlich Drive, Suite 200
McKnight Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: 412-366-3788 or
Toll free: 1-888-264-7972
PHOTO RECAP:
THE BAND
Meet members of Mount Ararat’s Band! These
talented musicians love God and play a vital role in
creating a powerful worship and praise experience
at Mount Ararat Baptist Church. You can hear them
every Saturday night at 7:00pm and every Sunday
morning at 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:45am.
M O U N T A R A R AT B A P T I S T C H U R C H & L O V E A N D B A S K E T B A L L M I N I S T R I E S P R E S E N T
APRIL 13-16, 2016
SAVE THE DATES!
Experience four unforgettable days of information and inspiration to revolutionize your ministry!
Take advantage of hands-on, how-to sessions and workshops that will focus on:
Biblical, Historical
and Theological
Development of
Sports
Leadership
Development
Multi-cultural
Organizational
Team
Development
Total Health
and Wellness
Development
Counseling/
Psychological
Services & Ministry
Development
Panels, Guest
Speakers and
much, much
more!
Special Guests Include:
[AND MANY MORE!]
Dr. Taunya M. Tinsley
Director, Mount Ararat
Counseling Center,
Pittsburgh, PA
Senior Pastor, Mount
Ararat Baptist Church,
Pittsburgh, PA
Anthony Edwards
Team Chaplain,
Arizona Cardinals
Dr. Lance Watson
Senior Pastor, St.
Paul’s Baptist Church,
Richmond, VA
Dwight Hollier
VP, Wellness & Clinical
Services, NFL
Dr. Marcus Cosby
Senior Pastor, Wheeler
Avenue Baptist Church,
Houston, TX
Ray Jackson
Director of Player
Engagement
Denver Broncos
Larry Fitzgerald
Arizona Cardinals
Scott Galbraith
Team Chaplain
Sacramento Kings
Dr. Janice Hilliard
VP, Player
Development, NBA
Theresa Igono
Women’s Chaplain, West
Virginia University
Johnny Shelton
Team Chaplain,
Baltimore Ravens
Luther Elliss
Team Chaplain
Denver Broncos
Luther Elliss
Luther Elliss is a former 2time, NFL Pro Bowl defensive tackle. He played for the
Detroit Lions for 9 seasons and joined the Denver Broncos for one season in 2004
before retiring. He was given the title of “The Strongest Man in the NFL” by Muscle and
Fitness Magazine and was nicknamed "Pass Rushing Luther". During his career
Luther, served as the Detroit Lions Player Representative for the NFL Players
Association (NFLPA).
Be the first to be informed when tickets are available
OR TO REQUEST SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION!
In 1995, Luther became the first Utah Ute in history to be selected in the 1st Round of
the NFL Draft being selected by the Detroit Lions with the 20th pick overall. During his
career at Utah from 1991 to 1994, he was a firstteam AllWestern Athletic Conference
(WAC) selection in 1992, 1993 and 1994. As a senior in 1994, he was recognized as a
consensus firstteam All American, and was named the WAC Defensive Player of the
Year.
SEND AN EMAIL WITH YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION TO [email protected] OR CALL 412-441-3501

February 2016 Issue - Mount Ararat Baptist Church

Transcription

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