Feb. 12 Black History Month worship service set at The Commons

In what is seen as an often fragmented world, the local African American Pastors Alliance members are literally joining forces for a sense of togetherness amid February as Black History Month.

Leaders of the local group representing seven area churches have planned a community Christian worship service open to all from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Commons, 300 Washington St.

The clergy acknowledge that this is the most predominantly Black Christian local churches brought together for worship in a long time. Many of these houses of worship last gathered for a Father’s Day service at Donner Park during the heart of the pandemic in June 2021.

“We had a good number of attendees back then,” said the Rev. Fred King, who will present message “Jesus, Our Great, Sympathetic High Priest” from Hebrews 4:14-16 at the upcoming gathering. “And we are still trying to do everything that we can to unify the Black community. We believe that this scheduled celebration is a great effort toward that.”

The seven-member pastors alliance has long stressed themes of unity and communitywide relationship building since it first loosely formed some 20 years ago. Its leaders have theorized that a sense of togetherness in good times allows people to better handle challenges in tougher times.

Churches involved in the planning of the service are Calvary Community, Faith, Hope and Love Church of God In Christ, Faith Ministries, Dayspring Church of God Apostolic, Second Baptist, Second United Methodist in North Vernon and Golden Harvest Community in North Vernon.

“This is the most comprehensive service of predominantly African American churches,” said Frank Griffin, newly appointed pastor at Calvary Community.

The Rev. James Wood, pastor of Golden Harvest Community, will serve as emcee of the get-together.

“We want the unity among us to continue (beyond this),” Griffin said, adding that the alliance hopes to plan more unified activities. King mentioned that, in the future, that might even include the alliance or a larger group of Black clergy serving as a resource for new Black residents to the area, much like Sans Souci does with Latino and related families.

“And overall, we’d ideally like to be a little more formally organized than we have been,” King said.

Griffin said he hopes the planned service attracts people of all races and backgrounds locally.

“I think it’s very important that we see participation from all different groups,” Griffin said. “None of us can do alone in Bartholomew County all the work that we’re called to do.

“If we go back to the example set by Dr. Martin Luther King, he broad support from many groups in order to have the broad impact that he had.”

The Black History Month worship service

Open to all 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Commons, 300 Washington St. in downtown Columbus.