EMPHASIS ON SHILOH: Then and Now Page 1

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1 SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH OF WAUKEGAN WALSTONE E. FRANCIS, PASTOR VOLUME VII ISSUE 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 On the steps of the U. S. Supreme Court is the battery of attorneys for the NAACP who argued the school segregation cases, Brown vs. Board of Education, which resulted in the U. S. Supreme Court decision segregation of in May 17, public 1954 banning education. Page 1

2 It is so good to have this medium and to thank all of you for all that you do for the Lord and for Shiloh. I am grateful for the return of Sister Norma Harris to the church office (God is good) and grateful to Minister Thomas Johnson for volunteering to carry on in her absence. He and Sister Paulette Freeman did an excellent job. There are no words to thank them for the difference they made. I am grateful for this first edition of our Newsletter for So Happy New Year to everyone. I am also grateful for the great leadership that Brother Rojah Banks, Vincent Bolden, Paulette Freeman, Charlie Jordan and the many other volunteers for our Children and Youth Ministry. It is also great to see the reviving of our Children s and Youth choirs So grateful to Dr. Clency and Sister Dyonna Derrick and others who have stepped up to also give leadership to this critical ministry. There is new excitement in the air, and to see our youth and children sharing in the worship hour is a priceless gift. Much, much more of this will occur. And this change in the air is on time, as we come once again to celebrate African American History Month. It was first called Negro History Week, then it was called Black History Month, and today, it s called African American History Month. It was Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves, who met all the challenges and road-blocks to earn his Ph.D. from Harvard. Dr. Woodson was disturbed that in the historical books there was no information written on African Americans. And when reference was made to us, it was in a demeaning way, describing only the inferior social position we held. He took on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation's history. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) in 1915, and a year later founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. He chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. He also invented this week to ensure that school children be exposed to African American history. As we celebrate this month, we must see to it that each generation of African American youth understand the struggle and sacrifice African Americans endured to achieve equal rights and tolerance in American society. We need generational leaders, who will accept the responsibility to guide and give each generation leadership throughout the 21st century. Youth today have a great handle on technology, the ability to contribute to the nation and world through digital manipulation, nurturing and educating hearts and minds. The appreciation of African American History Month is important because of what it represents. It represents a culture that rises because of the contributions of individuals. Each success is a bridge that other African Americans can cross to contribute to the betterment of the United States and the world. This celebration is still needed in a country where racism is still are alive, even with having the first African American President. A nation that shows racism even in the 21st century by openly disrespecting the President and his family. African American History Month is about education, appreciation, dedication, and getting many others to have authentic participation for our continuation. African American History month is a celebration of what Blacks have accomplished, building pride and dignity in developing viable Christians and citizens. "Any person who questions the grounds of the society, who raises a primary question of human values, is in truth a disturber of the peace and a troublemaker. Such an accusation is entirely correct. Most often men do not want to be seen as troublemakers. Rauschenbusch used to tell his students that there are many good people in the world, but there are a very few who are good enough to disturb the devil." A quote from Dr. Howard Thurman's book "The Luminous Darkness. He was among those who strongly influenced Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Page 2

3 The intent of this issue of the Spirit of Shiloh Newsletter is to recognize the long rich heritage Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan has through this sampling of photographs. Let us remember those who made tremendous contributions through their faithfulness and commitment to Shiloh and have now either passed on or are not pictured. Let us continue to pray for each other; we who remain behind to do the work of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and let us continue to pave the way for those to come after us. As we celebrate this proclaimed African American History Month, we thank God for all those who have come before us opening doors through their pain and suffering; knocking down barriers and availing to us opportunities to succeed. So we proclaim and thank the Lord for the might of the many who didn t give up and made it possible! Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16:3 Page 3

4 Rev. F Herbert Davis and a small contingency of members departed from Shiloh; hence the beginning of Antioch Baptist Church in Page 4

5 Unidentified women s group do you recognize any faces? New church completed. Dedication was Sunday, July 5, Page 5

6 Catherine and Lucius Copeland: First couple married in 1959 in the new edifice Ann and John Adams: Among the first couples married at Shiloh by Pastor Francis Page 6

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10 Couples renew vows: Celebrating 50 years of marriage are: (L-R) The Speeds the Taylors and the Springs. Pastor Lightfoot, officiating. (L-R) John Stackhouse: Deacon, SS Teacher & choir member. Rosetta Lockett: SS Teacher & Mother of the Church. Theresa Stackhouse: SS Teacher, Deaconess Christian Education Teacher Page 10

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15 In celebration of the building expansion, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place in Pictured: Pastor Francis and Father, Dr. Earle Francis (Mother, Mrs. Marjorie Francis pictured separately) from Nassau, Bahamas; Architect Henry Onochie and Pastor Francis; Shiloh Troop 805; Patricia Jones, CEO Waukegan Township with Mrs. Angelia Francis and volunteer ribbon cutters. Pastor Meeks in background. Page 15

16 Shiloh Baptist Church of Waukegan 800 South Genesee Street Waukegan, Illinois Telephone Fax WALSTONE E. FRANCIS Pastor SERVICES: Dawn 7:15am Chapel 10:30 am CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 8:00 am 6:00pm ASSOCIATE MINISTERS Charles Ivy, Assistant to the Pastor John Cobb Eugene Edwards Perry Pullum Gregory McBride Perry Kelly Thomas Johnson Shawn Holmes Warren Thomas DEPARTMENTS Deacon Board Deaconess Board Trustee Board House Committee Transportation Mother s Board Christian Education Sunday School Music Department Masterbuilders General Mission Usher Board Health Unit Children & Youth Youth Church PADS Jackie Gardner January 1 Lance Greathouse, II January 1 Karen Harris January 1 McClain Graham January 2 Sentoria McBride January 2 Vernon Randolph January 2 Katherine Morris January 3 Michael Braswell January 4 Rena M. Geater January 4 Whalen Peete January 5 Eva P. Williams January 5 Ella M. Cherry January 6 Mary Gardner January 6 Collins Holmes January 6 Vickie Jackson January 7 Walstone Francis January 9 Christoria Bellamy January 11 Mary Milton January 12 Byron Turman January 13 Ezra Wells January 13 Malachi Brown January 15 Danzie Dicker Jr. January 15 Ariel Mojica January 15 Autumn Mojica January 15 Marcella Adams January 17 John Courtney January 17 London Jones January 17 William Stepney Jr. January 17 Kenneth Jones, III January 18 Antoneette Perez January 18 Paul Agronomoff January 19 Cliff Smith January 19 Susie Stackhouse Visor January 19 Lillie Cobb January 20 Johnny Gardner Sr. January 21 Vernon Shelton January 22 Roy E. Gardner January 23 Chandra Williams January 24 Joy Grace January 25 Patricia Ann Starks January 25 Kinzie Bates January 26 Cameron Lezine January 26 Pam McKenzie January 26 John Baymon January 28 Vincent J. Bolden January 28 Tamira Hadnott January 29 Gerald F. Jones January 29 Ethel Kelly January 30 Website: shiloh.b@shiohwaukegan.org Paulette Freeman February 1 Alexjandra Samuels-Zecher February 1 Melanie Taylor February 1 Stephanie Watson February 1 VaShawn Cunningham February 2 Fred Hoye February 3 Olevia Payton February 3 Frank Walker February 4 Milan-Moore Jones February 5 Margaret Davis February 6 Domonique Kyle February 6 Toya M Davis February 8 Jarrett Taylor February 8 Richard Kelly February 9 Sandra Phelps February 9 Ozie M. Washington February 10 Shirley Ivy February 11 Christopher Porter February 11 Julia F. White February 11 Aubrey Sanders February 13 Martha L. Stevenson February 14 Ethel Peete February 15 William Peete February 15 Jean E. Range February 15 Emery P. Daniel Jr. February 16 Edward Jones, Jr. February 16 Jean A. Quinn February 16 Arius Smith February 16 Ann B. Christian February 17 Phyllis L. Kincaid February 17 Lorraine Glover-Harris February 19 James Charleston February 20 Theresa Davis February 21 Kadi Morris February 21 David Strickland February 21 Joseph Climons Jr. February 22 Laura L. Cotton February 22 Spring Feliciano February 22 Jaelon-Lee Kelly February 22 Jeff Mowright February 22 Ray Cooper Sr. February 23 Donald C. Davis February 23 Tiara Jones February 23 Ervin Stewart February 24 Joseph Ammons February 25 Ronald` McKissick February 27 Yolanda Baker February 28 Page 16