Douglas Presbyterian is predominantly white, and Pleasant Ridge is mostly black. About 20 Pleasant Ridge members showed up and brought their toe-tapping, hand-clapping and amen-giving to the usually reserved Presbyterians of Douglas. Altogether, about 100 people enjoyed worshipping together.
“This was a little more upbeat than what we are used to,” said Douglas member Debbie Crenshaw. “I enjoyed it! It had a little more spirit to it.”
It began with the idea of asking Pleasant Ridge pastor Lorenzo Small to preach at the service. Then the invitation was extended to the choir, then to all 50 active members, according to Dr. Harris Ricks, pastor of Douglas Presbyterian.
“With all the racial unrest in the news across the country, we thought this would make a wonderful statement that it is not like that everywhere,” Ricks said.
Small and Ricks got to know one another when Small was assigned to an internship under Ricks’ guidance a few years ago while studying at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Charlotte.
Small called Sunday’s event “something different and unique…. We are all tied to one another, and that is what I am hoping comes across more than anything else. God is calling us to look past what we can see and really hold to that which makes us the same.”
Small and his church have been worshipping with white congregations sporadically the past two years in an effort to break down barriers that exist in the church.
“If the church is just as divided as the community, it’s a hard sell,” Small said.
The music, the sermon and the tone of the day were about unity. The word “together” was a common refrain. Without being told, a visitor would not have known that the gathering comprised two separate congregations. One felt a sense of belonging, of being safe, of being one.
Pastor Ricks made a few announcements and turned the pulpit over to Pastor Small, who walked to the lectern as he was loosening his tie and collar.
“I came here to preach,” he said.
Small began by thanking the senior Ricks for the part he played in Small’s journey and for the invitation to blend church families on the anniversary of Douglas.
Small’s voice is big and booming. It resonated off the arched ceiling of Douglas Presbyterian. No one nodded off. He set the rhythm, and the well-placed amens kept him on pace.
Small preached on the importance of a strong faith community and the transformative power of living that faith with no barriers. Live with such radical love that others will want what we offer, he preached.
“What connects us is our faith,” Small said. “It is not about our differences and society’s barriers, but rather who we put our faith and trust in.”
Genuine concern for other people comes from getting to know them, he said.
“God uses community. Love one another. Prefer one another. Break bread together. Pray together. Study together,” Small proclaimed as he rhythmically delivered the tenets of his faith.
“Love in such a way that it is obvious to people outside the church that there is love here.”
Just before freeing the congregation for the meal, he reminded them of the importance of eating together.
“Sitting down at the table with each other, we learn who people are,” Small said. “If you spend time with someone, you will come to know who they are and you will learn to love them.”
The energized and united congregation of 100 made their way to the fellowship hall. Casseroles, chicken and vegetables awaited, along with pies, cobblers and strawberry shortcake.
“I truly enjoyed the sermon, the food, the fellowship,” said Pleasant Ridge member Meredith Rembert. “Everyone was so welcoming.”
Douglas church members expressed feelings of exaltation and euphoria.
“I want this every Sunday. I was moved to tears. I’m not usually like that, said Douglas member Kelsie Carter. “It was euphoric, and I felt more spiritual than I have in years.”
Both Small and Ricks spoke of looking forward to uniting the congregations again.
Small said there is still work to be done. His goal is to have a diverse congregation, not an African American or a white congregation, but a faith community where everyone is welcome.
Both pastors offered thoughtful reflection on reasons the two races worship separately. Separate worship was once important for blacks to give them a sense of identity and power rather than being segregated within a church, Ricks said.
“Separate worshipping reflects some of the racial biases of society,” Small said. “But when we come together all the differences slip away.”
9/14/16
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