Celebrating Black History at Carter Knowle

Sabbath 18th October saw the annual Black History Day in Carter Knowle organised by Rita Saddler and her Team.

Each year Rita and her Team come up with an innovative programme to celebrate the contribution Black people have made that acknowledges the past but is always looking forward. 2008 was no different.

The Church was enhanced with displays of the contributions made historically by Black people in the areas of commerce, education, science, religion, industry, music, sport, the arts, indeed in every area of human endeavour.

Additionally, displays were put up of local Church members when we were young(er) which caused much fun.

The Service this year took on a different format also.

Zephon Thompson singing his own composition

Time was given over for Testimonies, interspersed with songs of encouragement and thanksgiving.

This approach was clearly a big ‘hit’ with those attending. So many people wanted to share their testimony of what God had done and was doing in their life, not just stories of years gone by, but an active, daily experience of God impacting lives in 2008.

There were tears, there was laughter, there was a full range of emotions associated with the Holy Spirit doing its work in the Service.

Prayer was also an integral part of the Service as would be expected, with three special times of Prayer, thanking God for where he had brought us from in the past, led by Deacon Dennis Roper, what He was doing for us in the here and now, led by Sis. Hyacinth Gayle, and asking for his guidance and protection for the future led by Deacon Ashton Wynter.

Ashford Mackay brought the Sermon for the day to us. He spoke with passion about his humble start in Zimbabwe, never believing that God would have brought him to where he is today.

The power and conviction of Ashford’s ministry was so challenging to all who heard him.

The afternoon Programme was just as powerful as the morning with just as much humour.

The theme was:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles: they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isa 40:31”

Each item, where possible, was introduced by a picture of the presenter as a child/teen – no one will forget the picture of John Saddler in his little bow tie!!

Two particularly poignant presentations were those of Sis Vinnie Millin and Sis Iva Gayle.

Shontelle & Joysiah talking about Grandma

Sis Millin now lives with Alzheimer’s, and was once one of the most vibrant and mischievous women of the church.

Her two granddaughters, Shontelle and Joysiah gave a lovely historical presentation of Sis Millin’s life. Her daughter’s Coral and Brenda still get Sis Millin to church every week, and she is still as mischievous as ever.

Sis Gayle, will be remembered by those who grew up in Carter Knowle as always singing. She died 28 years ago, so it was particularly touching to see her two daughters, Vivine and Hyacinth, stand and talk about their Mother, focussing on her home life and her church life.

Other Senior Members lives who were ‘featured‘ were Sis Hazel Dwyer, who’s daughter Tracey did her Mother’s Profile, and Elder N. T. Bussue, who at almost 85 is still going strong in the Carter Knowle Church.

It couldn’t be Carter Knowle without lots of music, and we were blessed by the Praise and Worship, Songs from Alicia Saddler, Kimberley, Jemima and Lerato and much, much more.

Roll on 2009 – should the Lord tarry!!!

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Celebrating Black History at Carter Knowle