"And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.  

Luke 5:20 

2026 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Rev. Herbert T. Owens, Jr. Church Historian

Carter G. Woodson, 

the "Father of Black History" and founder of Negro History Week

Carter G. Woodson, emphasized that studying Black History is essential for self-worth, empowerment, and counteracting racial prejudice. His work, notably The Mis-Education of the Negro, highlighted that neglecting this history leads to psychological subjugation.

Dr. Woodson said the following quotes on Black history and education:

On the necessity of history: "If a race (of people) has no history, if it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world and stands in danger of being exterminated".

On empowerment: "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history"

On self-determination: "We must give our own story to the world.”

On the purpose of education: "The mere imparting of information is not education. Above all things, the effort must result in making a man think and do for himself".

On mental liberation: "When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it".

On the impact of neglected history: "To handicap a student by teaching him that his black face is a curse and that his struggle to change his condition is hopeless is the worst sort of lynching".

On self-belief: "Whatever we believe about ourselves, and our ability comes true for us".

Woodson's writings stressed that African American history was consistently overlooked or suppressed in schools, making it crucial to teach it to prevent the indoctrination of inferiority.

The hymn "Never Alone" is rooted in many biblical passages. Its core promise reminds us, "He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone." These lyrics directly reflect Hebrews 13:5, which assures us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you".

The lyrics of the song also draw inspiration from other scriptures…

Matthew 28:20 promises, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" which emphasizes Christ's perpetual presence with believers. The hymn's chorus, "No, never alone, no, never alone," is a direct echo of that promise, assuring believers of Jesus's constant companionship.

Deuteronomy 31:8, clearly states, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you", which reinforces the promise of God's constant presence and support…

And Psalm 23 says in part, "though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." The Lord's comforting presence here is also a theme echoed in the spiritual.

The songwriter so aptly penned…
“I’ve seen the lightning flashing

And heard the thunder roll,

I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing,

which tried to conquer my soul;

I’ve heard the voice of my Savior,

He bid me still fight on:

He promised never to leave me,

Never to leave me alone.”

It’s clear biblical references from Mark 4:39 were an inspiration for these lyrics. The hymn’s recollection of, "I've seen the lightning flashing and heard the thunder roll" are reminiscent of the account of Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4, a story that illustrates God's power and his presence with his followers even in the midst of turmoil.

The New Testament emphasizes the Holy Spirit's constant presence, with John 14:16-17 promising an "advocate" who will be with believers "forever". It reads, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”

To God Be The Glory for all of these scriptures and for Deuteronomy 31:6 which advises us…"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you".

Sister Cathy Black

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES

• Join our Virtual Prayer Service by phone on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Bible Study from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
  
  Call: 253-215-8782 or 301-715-8592;
  Additional Phone Numbers:
  564-217-2000; 646-558-8656;
  646-931-3860
  Meeting ID: 685 433 0718
• Radio broadcasts Saturdays 9:00 am and 3:00 pm as well as Sundays at 7:30 am on WJMM FM 99.1
• International Sunday School Lesson
  This Sunday's Lesson:
  
  "True Worship: What Does It Mean To Truly Worship God?" Amos 5:14-15, 18-27
  
  Lesson Nugget:
  In today's lesson, Amos  brings a warning from the Lord that obedience to Him is greater value to Him than sacrifices. Further, disobedience and unrighteousness bring dire consequences and there is an accounting of one's deeds, whether good or evil.
  
  Do we as Christians exercise righteous living and seek to be just in our dealings with others?

• Next Sunday's Lesson: "God Is Merciful: Can God Show Mercy To Anyone?" Jonah  4:1-11

• In - Person Worship Service on Sundays at 10:30 am and Streaming on the Church Facebook Page and YouTube. It can also be viewed on demand on the church
  historicpg.org website by selecting "Watch Us Live."
  
• Thank you for giving your Tithes and Offerings In-Person, by mail or with the Givelify App.
  
• Give with CashApp: $1790pgchurch
  
  Our mailing address is:

Historic Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church

PO Box 11845
Lexington, KY 40578

Upcoming Events

Virtual Prayer Service 

Tuesday, February 3, 7:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

Choir Rehearsal

Thursday, February 5, 6:30 pm

 Bible Study,

In-Person & Virtual

Saturday, February 7, 10:00 AM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

NO Missionary Parent Body

Virtual Meeting

Saturday, February 14, 12:00 PM

Call: 253-215-8782;

Meeting ID: 685 433 0718

During February, the Youth Ministry will present on a Black History figure or a Hero of Faith in the Church, past or present, every Sunday to celebrate Black History Month! This is an exciting opportunity for our Youth to share an important piece of African-American history and culture with our Church family from a Youth perspective. Although every month is Black History to us, we are thrilled to share the beauty of our heritage, through intellectual, emotional, and spiritual stories. We hope you enjoy our presentations as we honor our ancestors!

The Youth will continue to meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at the Church at 7pm (*correction from last month's article.) We welcome ALL Youth and we encourage you to bring a friend! We look forward to studying more great characters of the Bible in depth. We have a jam-packed calendar of events this year, including several events planned for this month for Black History Month, so please join us! All reminders and events will be posted in our GroupMe messaging app. Contact Sis. Heather Happy (859.509.2927) for additional details.

Yours in Christ,
Youth Directors

WE ARE ONE!

Welcome to the 40 Year Christians' Cooking Corner! 

Here we will feature recipes from the 40 Year Christian Group. This week's recipe comes from Sister Alyce Emerson by way of the UK Cooperative Extension Service.

Blessings to all.

Sister Linda Gates, President

Blackberry Coffee Cake

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1½ cups white sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

% cup margarine

⅓ cup applesauce

½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

2/3 cup 1% milk

2 cups blackberries, washed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut margarine and applesauce into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the cinnamon and brown sugar. Set aside ¾ cup of crumb mixture to be used as a topping for the cake. In a medium bowl, mix together eggs, vanilla and milk.

Blend into remaining flour mixture.

Spread batter into prepared pan.

Sprinkle blackberries evenly over the batter. Gently press blackberries into the batter. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over fruit and gently pat down.

Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Yield: 15 servings.

Name: Gloria Delaney Conner

Current Focus: Being a Christian! My biggest focus is trying to create a stronger relationship with GOD. I want to do what is pleasing to Him. I am trying to be more obedient. As you grow older, you grow wiser. You learn how important a relationship with GOD really is.

Career: I am a retired Business Education Teacher. I taught the keys, typing and shorthand. We used to have a whole classroom full of machines – not just typewriters. There were adding machines and other machines. Now you can do all those things on your phone!

I retired after teaching 28 ½ years. I taught at three schools. I started my teaching career at Lafayette High school in 1970. That’s when Fayette County Public Schools started to racially integrate the teachers at the schools. I was moved from Lafayette to Tates Creek to help meet the staff integration goals. When they opened the new Dunbar, I moved there. I ended my career at Dunbar.

Why this Career?: I truly enjoyed my career as a teacher! I also truly enjoyed being a teenager! LOL I suspect that’s why I chose to work with high schoolers. I identified well with that group. I wasn’t much older than the high schoolers when I began teaching so I could relate to them. I thought I could have more influence. I wasn’t cut out for elementary school. The little people were not for me! LOL High schoolers were more my speed.

The highlights of my career include my students’ success, their maturity. Seeing them grown is such a joy for me! Some of our Pleasant Green Family were my students. Sis. Nina Jackson and Brother and Sis Winn were in my classroom. When I see them, I light up because in my heart and mind, they are “mine.”

One of the Backstreet Boy’s mother is “mine.” The ABC 36 team sports anchor Jeff Piecoro Is “mine.” I have attorney’s and students in all kinds of careers! I was Sis. Gladys Peoples’ supervising teacher and look at how well she’s done! All “my kids.” I still call them my kids. LOL. They are GROWN! LOL. I still see them as “my kids” and I’m sooooo proud of them. Being their teacher was a joy, a pleasure!

What do you want your church family to know about you?: To understand who I am you have to understand where I’ve been. I am from the little town of Crab Orchard. It Is near Stanford, KY. I attended a one room school from the 1st to the 8th grade. There were three students in my grade. My parents weren’t educated but they valued education and hard work. What they valued they encouraged. That’s the kind of background that molded me. We listened to our parents and 5 out of 6 kids of us got college degrees. The girls made careers in education. The boys became railroad men.

Knowing the importance my family placed on education, I had a pivotal decision to make when I got to high school. Schools were changing as a result of the Brown vs Board of Education ruling. I could go to the all white high school in Crabtree that was two miles away or I could do what had been done and ride 11 miles to go to Lincoln High School.

I chose to go to Crab Orchard. I went with another girl who was a year ahead of me. We desegregated Crab Orchard together. Why did I decide to go Crab Orchard? Because they had typewriters! LOL I found that typewriter to be most interesting! I would build my career around that machine!

My parents moved our family to Danville so I graduated from Boyle County. My experience there included being one of the 4 or 5 students to desegregate that school too. A year following our “four or 5 by ourselves” the school became fully integrated. Integration permeated my experiences and I understood that I had a role to play.

I attended the March on Frankfort at 17. I told my son that I had gone. He was impressed. How long ago that was…and how long ago it really wasn’t!

After graduating from Boyle Co, I chose to go to Kentucky State University which is an HBCU. I pursued a degree in Business Education. I also pledged AKA. 1967! “Life be lifing” prevented me from being an active AKA for a while. I am so excited that I am ready to participate with my sorority again.

Some of the things that have consumed my time since my days at KSU include teaching, marriage, motherhood and pursuing a graduate degree with additional hours. My postgraduate work is from EKU. I have a master’s degree in Education plus 30 hours. I am also certified to be a secondary school principal.

I never tried to pursue being a principal because my husband became ill. He died of lung cancer when I was 47. Our son was 14. I felt like I was needed more at home after my husband was ill and passed. We make decisions for our family. My continued education was a financial move to help support our family. Not taking certain financial opportunities was an “always together” move for our family. Family first!

My family and friends know I absolutely love to read. I am an avid reader. John Grisham is a favorite author and Law & Order is my favorite TV series. It entertains you completely for an hour! I also love soap operas. My favorite is Young & the Restless. I have watched that forever! In college we arranged our schedules around the soaps. LOL. Now I watch Young & the Restless, Bold & the Beautiful and Beyond the Gate.

I like a good romance, especially historical ones, but my favorite book season and TV season is Christmas! Christmas novels and Hallmark movies! They are so cute, loving and families always come together.

I guess you can tell where my heart is. It’s with family. HPGMBC is mine! When I first moved to Lexington, I attended Shiloh. When I married, I joined my husband at First African. When my husband passed, I made a decision to find a church that felt like home to me. I never forgot one of my students who always invited me to her church. Nina Jackson! Nina said, “You ought to come and visit my church.” She was right! I visited and I stayed. I joined HPGMBC in 1999. I became active in the choir and the missionary ministries.

If you really want to know me, then you must know that I love GOD, I love my family—my grandchildren are my joys -- and I love our church family. Just as I’ve become part of this family so has my son--- in a different way, a beautiful way. My daughter-in-love is Sis. Nancy Holmes’ granddaughter. My brother Kenny and I agree. HPGMBC is Family!

Church Family, you’ve loved me through two bouts of cancer – breast cancer at 55 and endometrial at 75. These battles attempted to take away my service. But, they couldn’t! By the grace of GOD, I have rebounded each time. Last year my strength was weakened and I couldn’t participate in the missionary activities. This December I participated in each of the missionary activities. Being able to participate was GOD’s Christmas gift to me! There’s something about the gifts of Christmas!

Is there anything special your church can do for you? Always keep me in your prayers. When I say that I pray for our church family, I really mean that I pray for our church family. Every single night I pray for us all. From the pastor to the members. The prayers of the righteous availaeth much. That’s why I am asking for your prayers. It’s a sincere request. Please Family, pray for me!

What do you want your church family to know about GOD?: GOD is real. GOD is present in our lives. GOD always does what is best for us whether we understand it or not. Trust GOD to do what is best for you! You may have been through some things in life like I have. We may go through some more things. Let’s watch HIM work it out. GOD is real and knowing that and trusting that makes all the difference.

I count it a joy to have the missionary assignment of sending out birthday cards, sympathy cards and cards of encouragement. As believers we are to encourage one another. GOD is real and reminding others of HIS love makes a difference. Remind one another of GOD’s goodness. GOD wants us to do so and oh, what a difference it makes!

Parents: the late Victor Delaney and the late Annette Snodgrass Delaney

Spouse: the late Stratford Conner

Adult Son: Coy Delaney Conner

Grandchildren: Kennedy McCord, Josiah Conner, Jordan Conner-McCord and Aidyn Conner

Recent Requests

• Family of Sister Clara Allen, who passed. (Sister of Rev. Darrick Briscoe; Cousin of the Briscoe family)
   
• Family of Sister Jackie Lindsay, who passed. (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier) Arrangements pending
  
  
• Highland Baptist Church Family (Louisville, KY) whose church caught fire (Relatives of Sister Delores Spencer are members)
  
  
• Family of Brother Everett Martin, who passed. Service was Friday, January 30th at Shiloh Baptist Church.
  
  
• Family of Sister Rebecca Stevenson (TN), who passed. (Aunt of Sister Velta Jones) 
  
  
• Brother Willis K. Bright, Jr. (Indianapolis, In)
  
  
• Sister Deneia Briscoe (Home) (Oldest daughter of Brother Wayne and Sister Johnetta Frazier)
  
  
• Sister Charlie Peoples Brown (Home)
  
  
• Brother Sherman Greene (Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation) (Father of Sister Janice Owens)
  
  
• Brother Bruce from Tates Creek Golf Course Clubhouse
  
  
• The Kierra Joseph Family
  
  
• Sister Candace Hayes (Home) (Daughter of Sister Sharon Scarber)
  
  
• Sister Dawn Gay Martin (Home)
  
  
• Brother Bill & Sister Penny McCann (Austin, TX)
  
  
• Sister Charlet McLellan & Family
  
  
• Sister Sharon Scarber (Home)
  
  
• Sister Lynn Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Kendra Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Brother Rodney Taylor ( Ephraim McDowell Regional Hospital, Danville, Ky) (Nephew of Sister Juanita Black and Cousin of Sister Cathy Black)
  
  
• Sister Carol Thomas (Home)
  
  
• Sister Dawn Williams (Home) (Daughter of Sister Thelma White)
  
  
• Brother William "Bill" Young (Home)

Ongoing Requests:

• Brother Levi Fishback (Harrodsburg Health & Rehabilitation Center, Harrodsburg, KY)
  
  
• Sister Anna Jarber (Homestead Nursing Home)
  
  
• Sister Thelma Masterson (Homestead Nursing Home)
   
• Brother Glenn Allen (Home) (Relative of the Brooks Family)
  
  
• Sister Mary Ann Banksden (Florence, AL) (Sister of Brother Sammie Brooks)
  
  
• Sister Lillian Bell (Ruston, LA)
  
  
• Sister Ruby Branham (Prestonsburg, KY) (Mother of Sister Jackie Peoples)
  
  
• Sister Beverly Bowman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Bonita Brown (Home)
  
  
• Brother Byron Brown
  
  
• Sister Patricia Brown (Home)
  
  
• Sister Carrie Clay (Home) Upcoming surgery
  
  
• Sister Charmaine Collins (Home) (Daughter of Sister Debra Collins)
  
  
• Sister Debra Collins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Gloria Coleman (Home)
  
  
• Brother Lonnie Cowan (Home)
  
  
• Crutcher, Jones, & Payne Family (especially Little Brother Vince Crutcher III and Sister Brittany Payne)
  
  
• Sister Laura Dunaway (Home)
  
  
• Brother Billy Edwards (Home)
  
  
• Sister Shirley Alcorn Edwards (Portsmouth, VA)
  
  
• Sister Jessica Embry
  
  
• Sister McKinley Emerson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Greg Forrest (Kevil, KY) (Nephew of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Johnetta Frazier (Home)
  
  
• Sister Wanda Frazier (Home) (Sister of Brother Wayne Frazier)
  
  
• Rev. Jerry Gumm (Home)
  (Friends of the late Dr. Charles Black's family)
  
  
• Brother Darius Hall, Jr. (14 year old Grandson of Sister Marion Hall) (Home)
  
  
• Sister Sheryl Haskins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Jeanette Higgins (Home)
  
  
• Sister Gwendolyn Holloman (Home) (Wife of Bishop J. B. Holloman)
  
  
• Sister Iris Horice (Paducah, KY) (Niece of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Brother Daron Houtman, Jr. (Wichita, KS) (Nephew of Sister Lisa Leath)
  
  
• Brother Julian Jackson (Home) (Father of Brother Jarold Jackson)
  
  
• Sister Kemona Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Norma Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Vera Johnson (Home) (Sister of Sister Marion Hall)
  
  
• Brother Vincino Johnson (Home)
  
  
• Brother Travis Jones (Home ) (Brother of Sisters Liz Brooks, Trina Morton, and Sobona Sweat)
  
  
• Sister Janet King (Classmate of Sister Norma Johnson)
  
  
• Brother Larry Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Lindsey Leath (Home)
  
  
• Sister Patricia Leavell (Home)
  
  
• Sister Karisma Lockhart (Los Angeles, CA) and her family (Niece of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Danise Madison (Seattle, WA) (Sister of Sister Bonita Brown)
  
  
• Sister Genice Moody Mays (Los Angeles, CA) (Youngest sister of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Irene Sykes McKenzie (Home)
  
  
• Sister Elnora Miller (Home) (Mother of Sister Lisa Miller)
  
  
• Sister Lisa Miller (Home)
  
  
• Brother Daryl Moberly (Uncle of Sister Marva Eubank)
  
  
• Sister Tyailan Moberly (Home) (Cousin of Sister Marva Eubank)
  
  
• Brother Charles Moore, Sr. (Denton, TX) (Brother of Sister Shelia Williams)
  
  
• Sister Dorothy Offutt (Home)
  
  
• Sister Ashanti Owens (Granddaughter of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
• Sister Brittany Payne (Home)
  
  
• Brother Stevie Pepper (Columbus, OH) (Cousin of Sister Mary Thomas)(Home)
  
  
• Sister Darlene Pope (Home)
  
  
• Brother Steven Prater (Richmond Hill, GA)
  
  
• Sister Ruth Rawlings (Friend of Sister Kim Bond)
  
  
• Veronica Ridgeway (Louisville, KY) (Cousin of Sisters Janice Jackson and Barbara Ridgeway)
  
  
• Sister Annette Reid (Home)
  
  
• Brother Ashley Roach
  
  
• Sister Gayle Rush-Coleman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tamika Sales (Home)
  
  
• Brother Donald Scarber (Home)
  
  
• Brother Doug Smith (Brother of Rev. Michael Smith) (Home, Louisville, KY)
  
  
• Sister Pennie Smith (Home)
  
  
• Sister Eleanor Smothers (Home)
  
  
• Sister Delores Spencer (Home)
  
  
• Sister Tonia Stewart (Home)
  
  
• Brother Adrian Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Tatman (Home)
  
  
• Sister Cheryl "Midge" Taylor (Home)
  
  
• Brother Pete Thompson (Home)
  
  
• Sister Anna Ison-Walker (Home)
  
  
• Brother Kevin Walker (San Francisco, CA) (First Cousin of Rev. Freddie Moody)
  
  
• Sister Martha Warner (Home) (Mother of Sister Catherine Frye)
  
  

• Sister Tassa Wigginton (Home)
  
  
• Brother Melvin Williams (Home)
  
  

• Brother Leon Wilson (Home) (Brother-in-Law of Sister Mary Thomas)
  
  
  
• Each person listed on our Sick List
  
  
• HPGMBC Full Time Pastor Search Committee Members, their families and their work
  
  
• Victims of the Wildfires
  
  
• Families of the Children affected in war torn countries around the world
  
  
• Children orphaned due to war and worldwide crises
  
  
• Families affected by gun violence in our community and abroad
  
  
• COVID-19 Victims around the world
  
  
• The People of Ukraine
  
  
• Healthcare workers, First responders, etc.
  
  
• The Entire Pleasant Green Church Family
  
  
• Our our Local and National Government Officials

Heavenly Father, please open our eyes to see who we might show Your love to.Thank you for Jesus. In His Name. Amen 

{Adapted from Our Daily Bread,  January 28, 2026}

Keep Your Contact Information Updated

Please keep your contact information up to date. In case of emergencies, changes of service times, etc., every attempt will be made to contact church members as expeditiously as possible using text messages to cell phones, phone calls, and emails. You can update your contact information by calling the church at (859) 254-7387.

If you would like to volunteer in assisting with contacting members on the rare occasions when information needs to be communicated to the church membership quickly, please call the church and give your name and phone number.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Thank You

Thank you to the Media Team for preparing and broadcasting the "Winter Weather Worship Service" online today. First, we thank God for providing the technology, the know how, the willingness, and the strength to put in the hard work on short notice to prepare today's online worship service in light of the inclement weather. Special appreciation goes to Brother Takiyah Jones and Sister Cathy Black, who worked tirelessly to make the broadcast possible and Sister Maya Smith for advertising the broadcast on Social Media platforms. Thank you Deacon Walter Speed for your tireless leadership and support of the Media Ministry Team.

To God Be the Glory!

The contact persons for Pleasant Green are Sisters Dawn Offutt and Linda Gates.  On Sunday, February 22, following morning worship, there will be a meeting with any ladies interested in attending the Consolidated Baptist District Women's Retreat.

FLU

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Flu shots are available at local pharmacies. Consult your physician regarding a flu vaccination.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, contagious virus that usually causes mild symptoms. In older adults and adults with certain underlying conditions, RSV can cause severe infections.

RSV shots are available at local pharmacies. Consult your physician regarding a RSV vaccination.

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at any age.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance.

The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel unwell.

Both COVID vaccines and Booster COVID vaccines are available at local pharmacies. Consult your physician regarding COVID vaccinations.

General Health Information

General Health information can be obtained from the Health Department. Contact information is below:

LEXINGTON-FAYETTE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
650 Newtown Pike
Lexington, KY 40508
(859) 252-2371.

VOL. 12. 2 1 26 

COMMON SENSE REVISITED

“O BEAUTIFUL FOR PATRIOT DREAM THAT SEES, BEYOND THE YEARS”?!?

“America the Beautiful," one of America’s national anthems concludes in an idealized stanza 4, “O beautiful for patriot dream that see, beyond the years, thine alabaster cities gleam un dimmed by human tears! (Really?!?) …America! America ! God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea.” COMMON SENSE reminds true Christian’s, in any era, that invoking God’s blessings is an extremely serious matter. One that requires mature faith believers to live up to that prayer request even in memorial retrospect.

“And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea,” uh…what kind of brotherhood/sisterhood was shone to Native Americans and Black Slaves?!?

As for Black people in the American English Colonial era what “patriot dream have we seen beyond the years?” From the very start in 1619 in Jamestown Virginia, one year before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, there was no form of brotherhood/sisterhood extended whatsoever:

“From distant shores they carried us, to lands foreign and beyond our native comprehension…

Accomplished through avarice and the bludgeoning of organized brutality…

Thus, Shackling us to a destiny soon to be our (American) legacy!”

(Essence Of A Saga 1990, Rev. Herbert T. Owens, Jr.)

“The previous statement is Black Americans’ “saga.” Close inspection and careful retrospection bring about detailed scrutiny, which, in turn, enhances contemporary societies’ perspective on Black History. Crucial to a general understanding of black people’s experiences in the U.S. is that we have never been far removed from the struggle. (African American’s entire existence in this country has been steeped in almost insurmountable struggle wrought by racism, that which we call “the struggle.”) Kidnapped from our native land, raped of our arrested culture by a systematic denial process, black Americans have experienced an almost total destruction of the nuclear family…brutalized, maimed, imprisoned, demoralized, dehumanized, ostracized, and crushed into the ground. Every evilly conceivable means has been devised to stamp out all contributions and worth of an entire race. Hence, our destiny was shapen and our American legacy thus begun.

In August of 1619, a Dutch Slave ship ventured off course and landed in the harbor of Jamestown Virginia, the first permanent English Colony in North America. It has been recorded by many historians that the captain of the ship came ashore seeking what he called “victuals” so that he might continue his journey. Supposedly He offered to barter 20 of his slaves in exchange for the “victuals.” If so, this is one of the first incidents that black slaves were categorized as chattel property/…black slaves considered nonhuman, hence property.

Technically, these first blacks in Jamestown Virginia were not slaves. They were involuntary indentured servants. The English “rule of law” at that time had not issued a law to legalize slavery in their colonies. This official ruling did not take place until around 1643 or 1644. The 20 slaves were the first blacks in English America. Historical research reveals that the first black child born in English America in 1624 was born to a black marital couple, Mr. And Mrs. Antony and Isabella (slaves had no sur-names). They named their son after a local planter, perhaps the person that they were indentured to, William Tucker (Anthony and Isabella eventually adopted Tucker as their last after they were released from indenture). Infant William Tucker was the first, first generation black citizen in English America…uh not a slave…thus “crowning America’s good with brotherhood.”

The majority of blacks in the United States are descendants of slaves, thus steeped in a heritage wrought with pain, suffering, and struggle. In 1619 Jamestown Virginia the scarce population and harsh environment made the addition of 20 blacks welcome. The African population increased, and so did the number of laborers and fighting men. At that time, the mutual goal of survival was far more important than the relegation of social status to the people of color. Fighting side by side against Native Americans and tending to the constant demands of wilderness living shaped the first social relationships into one of co-existence. Mutual progress amid adversity was the glue that kept the pioneers forging ahead. Life in the new world was summed up in one word— STRUGGLE—for both whites and blacks.

Antony and Isabella and the other 18 involuntary African indentured servants, the first black settlers in English America, were grafted into a socio-economic system in 1619 that was devoid of racial inferiority. Unfortunately, that came later. Historian Lerone Bennett, Jr. wrote, after 1619, “In the in the interim, a period of forty years or more, the first Negros accumulated land, voted, testified in court, and mingled with whites on a basis of equality. They owned other Negro servants. And at least one Negro imported and paid for a white servant whom he held in servitude.” Kenneth Stampp, another historian also wrote, “Negro and white servants seemed to be remarkably unconcerned about their visible differences. They toiled together in the fields, fraternized during leisure hours, and, in and out of wedlock, collaborated in siring/(producing) a numerous progeny/descendants.”

Lerone Bennett, Jr. also wrote that, “The racial situation, at this juncture, was fluid; it contained the seeds of several alternatives. Indentured servitude could have continued for Negro and white servants or both groups could have been reduced to slavery.” (As per the prayer stanza of the national anthem… “God shed His grace on thee (America), and “crown thy good with brotherhood” (brotherhood of black and white indentured servants) Bennett went further and posited that, “Other possibilities were Native American slavery and a free labor system for Negroes and whites, Native Americans and immigrants.” Ponder these alternatives along with the concept of our theme, COMMON SENSE REVISITED…

TO BE CONTINUED: