St. James A.M.E. Zion Church in San Mateo is a historically African American Methodist congregation that is intentional about becoming a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic ministry. In addition to more than 20 different ministries and its many community partnerships, since the pandemic started St. James has hosted a weekly COVID-19 testing site and several vaccination clinics.
Rev. Dr. Marlyn Bussey has been the church’s pastor since 2009 and is a member of SVCF’s Community Advisory Council. She answered several questions for us about the congregation’s work and what Juneteenth means to her. The following has been edited for clarity and brevity.
1) What is the most vital work you are doing right now?
In our current ministry, we’ve partnered with San Mateo County to support the Latinx, African American and Pacific Islander communities in the North Central neighborhood of the city of San Mateo. The church, county and Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council began our work together by establishing a community-based census outreach and education center. We registered hundreds of people in hard-to-reach populations of San Mateo. The county then invited us to provide voter education and registration. That, too, was a successful effort. The church became a weekly COVID-19 testing site in November 2020 and in March 2021, we partnered with Sequoia Hospital to provide four vaccination clinics for hard-to-reach populations in the area.
2) What are you most excited about next?
We are currently in negotiations with San Mateo County to provide a weekly community health clinic for blood sugar and blood pressure screening. This clinic will be in addition to the weekly COVID-19 testing, which will continue through the end of 2021. I’m also excited that we [reopened] the church for Sunday worship on June 20. Ministry and worship in the age of COVID-19 is necessarily different but is also exciting as we work to continue ministry in the virtual world and also reach new people.
3) What are your feelings and thoughts about Juneteenth?
I have mixed feelings about Juneteenth. On the one hand, I understand the need to celebrate victory, regardless of how delayed it was. But I struggle with the fact that Black people in Texas were kept in chattel slavery two and a half years longer than they should have been, then invited to continue working for a pittance for the same masters. It doesn’t feel like freedom, in the true sense, to me. On the other hand, making this day a national holiday feels patronizing when what the Black community needs is to have Congress pass the George Floyd Policing Act, to stop allowing bad cops to continue working in law enforcement and to ban any law that prohibits people from voting without suppression. That would give me something to celebrate! Congress has the power to do what needs to be done in order to form “a more perfect union.” They proved that when the Senate overwhelmingly passed the anti-Asian hate crimes bill. I am thrilled that my Asian siblings now have some real protection. I just wonder if and when the same will be done for Black and Brown people.
4) What role has the complex legacy of Juneteenth played in your work in San Mateo and beyond?
The majority of my senior congregants are from the South, many from Texas, so they are well acquainted with the Juneteenth celebrations. As their pastor, I feel a responsibility to stand on the front lines of social justice issues so that as “the freedom church” we can continue to give voice to the struggle for authentic freedom. The church is represented as taking a firm stand against inequality in any form and is a welcoming, affirming fellowship. In that spirit, I am also the co-director of the Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, a group of 40 interfaith leaders who work together to provide leadership for San Mateo as we strive to make our county the most moral, welcoming county in the state of California.
All right, why is Martin Luther King Jr. Day such a big deal?
1. It’s Our Holiday
How many holidays are dedicated to a pastor? We have got a couple for saints (Valentine and Patrick), but whatever Christian origin those holidays had they’re now drowned in romantic love and beer. In an age when marketers will use George Washington to sell anything, it is at least still considered tacky to offer MLK Day sales (though as Stephen Colbert pointed out in 2011, it’s happening).
“This holiday should be a big deal for churches,” our founder Brad Abare wrote about MLK Day, “Outside of Christmas and Easter, no other holiday represents the heart of God so much.”
Martin Luther King Jr. is our people. Churches should be embracing and celebrating this holiday like no other.
2. We Are Not Innocent
We tend to look back on the civil rights movement with rose colored glasses. It was a just cause and simply inevitable, right? Wrong. King went to jail. While sitting there, he wrote a letter and referenced the many Christians who stood silent:
“All too many others have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the anesthetizing security of stained-glass windows.”
While the church may be able to claim the greatest civil rights hero of the 20th century, we are also complicit in the injustice King stood against. For all the marches and lunch counter sit-ins, we forget that there were also “kneel-ins” targeting segregated churches. Yeah, the ‘bad guys’ weren’t just swinging batons and fire-bombing buses. Churches barred the doors and would not let people in.
Churches must own our broken past and work for a better future.
“This holiday should be a big deal for churches. Outside Christmas and Easter, no other holiday represents the heart of God so much.”
3. We Are Not Free at Last
We have not made it to the mountaintop yet. Electing (and reelecting) a black president is an incredible milestone, but it does not mean racial issues are behind us. See: Ferguson. People still argue about the details, but similar incidents—including Eric Garner and Tamir Rice—spark even more debate and protest.
If the headlines do not convince you, maybe the research will. We have come a long way in racial relations (say 74%), but 81% say we have a long way to go.
Your church should care about MLK Day because it is a ready-made opportunity to bring the gospel to this often-divisive issue. We are still short of King’s dream and we’ve got some work to do.
4. Speak Up for the Minority
“On the surface, most Americans agree that racial reconciliation matters,” says Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research. “But we’re divided about how important this issue is. For many white Americans, progress on issues of race is a good thing but not urgent. For many African Americans, it’s front and center.”
Even if this issue is not pressing for you personally, it is an opportunity to speak up for the minority. That is something the Bible continually champions with calls to care for the “alien, the fatherless and the widow.”
I cannot say it enough: MLK Day is the church’s holiday.
How Can My Church Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
OK, we get it. MLK Day is a holiday we should get behind. So, what can we do?
Lots. It is probably too late to plan your own event, but there is plenty you can do to take part in Martin Luther King Jr. Day and celebrate the legacy of this Baptist minister.
5. Not a Day Off
First and foremost, do not take the day off. Yes, it is a federal holiday. But it is also an opportunity to do good. Make it a day to volunteer. Look for local opportunities to serve and mobilize your church to take part.
6. Confront Racial Realities
A recent study showed there’s not much diversity among our friends. On average, for every 91 white friends a white person has, they have only one black friend. Blacks do better with 8 white friends for every 83 black friends. But a full 75% of white people have zero black friends.
Not an easy conversation is it? Kind of awkward.
But it is a conversation we need to have. Use MLK Day to address racial issues in your church, your families, your friends, and neighborhood.
(And let us be clear: A lack of diversity does not make anyone racist. These stats are the simple reality that were segregated, hopefully unintentionally. Let us change that.)
About the Author
Kevin D. Hendricks
When Kevin isn’t busy as the editor of Church Marketing Sucks, he runs his own writing and editing company, Monkey Outta Nowhere. Kevin has been blogging since 1998 and has published several books, including 137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading, The Stephanies, and all the Center for Church Communication’s books.
The Bible is full of beautiful language and theology for celebrating God’s creation. Yet sometimes, in the rhythm of the liturgical year, it can be challenging to find a specific time in the Spring to focus as a church community on the theme of God’s creation. Earth Day Sunday provides just such an opportunity. Since 1970, communities have taken one day each year to be especially mindful of the Earth and its many gifts: April 22, Earth Day. Soon after, churches started celebrating God’s creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day. This day has ecumenical and bipartisan roots.
This year’s theme, “The Fierce Urgency of Now”, comes from a quote from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.”
During the month of
March, we give a little extra attention to all of the amazing accomplishments
of strong, determined women. Since 1987, the United States has formally
recognized March as National Women’s History Month. Every woman has a story to
tell and gifts to share with the world. So get ready, because this month is
about honoring magnificent ladies, and we are ready to celebrate it to the
fullest.
The National 2020
theme celebrates the women who have fought for woman’s right to vote in the
United States. In recognition of the centennial of the 19th Amendment, we will
honor women from the original suffrage movement as well as 20th and 21st
century women who have continued the struggle (fighting against poll taxes,
literacy tests, voter roll purges, and other more contemporary forms of voter
suppression) to ensure voting rights for all.
How many holidays are
dedicated to a pastor? We’ve got a couple for saints (Valentine and Patrick),
but whatever Christian origin those holidays had they’re now drowned in romantic
love and beer. In an age when marketers will use George Washington to sell
anything, it’s at least still considered tacky to offer MLK Day sales (though
as Stephen Colbert pointed out in 2011, it’s happening).
“This holiday should be
a big deal for churches,” our founder Brad Abare wrote about MLK Day, “Outside
of Christmas and Easter, no other holiday represents the heart of God so much.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
is our people. Churches should be embracing and celebrating this holiday like
no other.
2. We’re Not Innocent
We tend to look back on
the civil rights movement with rose colored glasses. It was a just cause and
simply inevitable, right? Wrong. King went to jail. While sitting there, he
wrote a letter and referenced the many Christians who stood silent:
“All too many others
have been more cautious than courageous and have remained silent behind the
anesthetizing security of stained-glass windows.”
While the church may be
able to claim the greatest civil rights hero of the 20th century, we’re also
complicit in the injustice King stood against. For all the marches and lunch
counter sit-ins, we forget that there were also “kneel-ins” targeting segregated
churches. Yeah, the ‘bad guys’ weren’t just swinging batons and
fire-bombing buses. Churches barred the doors and wouldn’t let people in.
Churches must own our
broken past and work for a better future.
“This holiday should be
a big deal for churches. Outside Christmas and Easter, no other holiday
represents the heart of God so much.”
3. We’re Not Free at
Last
We haven’t made it to
the mountaintop yet. Electing (and reelecting) a black president is an
incredible milestone, but it doesn’t mean racial issues are behind us. See:
Ferguson. People still argue about the details, but similar incidents—including
Eric Garner and Tamir Rice—spark even more debate and protest.
If the headlines don’t
convince you, maybe the research will. We have come along way in racial
relations (say 74%), but 81% say we have a long way to go.
Your church should care
about MLK Day because it’s a ready-made opportunity to bring the gospel to this
often divisive issue. We’re still short of King’s dream and we’ve got some work
to do.
4. Speak Up for the
Minority
“On the surface, most
Americans agree that racial reconciliation matters,” says Ed Stetzer, executive
director of LifeWay Research. “But we’re divided about how important this issue
is. For many white Americans, progress on issues of race is a good thing but
not urgent. For many African-Americans, it’s front and center.”
Even if this issue isn’t
pressing for you personally, it is an opportunity to speak up for the minority.
That’s something the Bible continually champions with calls to care for the
“alien, the fatherless and the widow.”
I can’t say it enough:
MLK Day is the church’s holiday.
How Can My Church
Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day?
OK, we get it. MLK Day
is a holiday we should get behind. So what can we do?
Lots. It’s probably too
late to plan your own event, but there’s plenty you can do to take part in
Martin Luther King Jr. Day and celebrate the legacy of this Baptist minister.
1. Not a Day Off
First and foremost,
don’t take the day off. Yes, it’s a federal holiday. But it’s also an
opportunity to do good. Make it a day to volunteer. Look for local
opportunities to serve and mobilize your church to take part.
2. Post to Social Media:
Free MLK Day Graphics
Share something on
social media honoring King. There are plenty of inspiring quotes to choose from
and ways to connect the dots between King’s life and the work of your church.
Ask people to share their dreams. Ask about people’s memories of King. Ask
people to confess their embarrassing stories of confusing Martin Luther and
Martin Luther King Jr. (at some point we’ve all been there).
3. Confront Racial
Realities
A recent study showed
there’s not much diversity among our friends. On average, for every 91 white
friends a white person has, they have only one black friend. Blacks do better
with 8 white friends for every 83 black friends. But a full 75% of white people
have zero black friends.
Not an easy conversation
is it? Kind of awkward.
But it’s a conversation
we need to have. Use MLK Day to address racial issues in your church, your
families, your friends and neighborhood.
(And let’s be clear: A
lack of diversity does not make anyone racist. These stats are the simple
reality that we’re segregated, hopefully unintentionally. Let’s change that.)
About the author
Kevin D. Hendricks
When Kevin isn’t busy as the editor of Church Marketing Sucks, he runs his own writing isn’t writing and editing company, Monkey Outta Nowhere. Kevin has been blogging since 1998 and has published several books, including 137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading, The Stephanies, and all the Center for Church Communication’s books.
