Black History Month 2024
Black History Month @ Myers Park Baptist Church
Theme | Total Praise: Black Music and the Black Church
Since its conception music has been an integral part of the Black church experience. Whether hymns, spirituals, gospel, or jazz, Black music serves as a conduit to experience God, liberation, and bodily expression. Through February, we will celebrate diverse Black histories with a bevy of spiritual growth opportunities, screenings, and guest performers, speakers, and preaching. We cannot wait for you to join us.
Programming & Dates
Monday Matinee
Each Monday in February at 2:00 pm we will gather to screen and discuss The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song. This four-part docuseries from PBS and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the 400-year-old story of the Black church in the United States. Discussion topics include:
- Black church and musical formations,
- important Black leaders from the pulpit
- the importance of the Black choir
- the historical links between West Africa, enslavement, and the Black church experience
Facilitator | Rev. John D. Blackshire, Ph.D.
Dates | February 5, 12, 19, 26 at 2:00 pm
Location | TBD
African Spiritualism, Black Praise, & the Fight for Liberation
a Q&A session with Rachel Cantave, Ph.D.
Often a dislike for Black elements of praise is viewed as simple differences in liturgical preference; however, Dr. Cantave’s work explores the links between anti-African sentiments and white views towards Black spiritual practices. In celebration of BHM and in preparation for our conversation on decolonization in April, we will sit down with Dr. Cantave to discuss her work, ask questions, and reflect on our beliefs. This event is a part of our Mosaic Monthly Community Night, participants will walk away with a full stomach and an active mind.
Date | Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Location | Heaton Hall
Spiritual Growth opportunities
Jesus Justice w/ Rev. John D. Blackshire, Ph.D.
More than catchphrases or buzzwords, this course covers the foundations of understanding oppression and how to combat it. Each week we will look at a different system of oppression, its formations, and what the Bible tells us about fighting it. Join us!
Dates | Sundays at 11:15 am starting January 28 (8 weeks)
Location | Room 250
Mysticism in Uncertain Time | course emphasis on Howard Thurman
While the entire course over mysticism begins January 28, the month of February sessions will cover the life, works, and theology of Howard Thurman.
Lead | Various Special Guests
Dates | Sundays at 11:15 am starting January 28 (8 weeks)
Location | Library
Guest MUSICIANs
February 11 | Voices of Life Fellowship Chorale
February 18 | Carolina Social Music Club with Dawn Anthony
February 25 | Jazz Logan
Preaching for BHM
February 4 | Dr. Drew G.I. Hart
Sermon Title | Come Down From Your Tree
Text | Luke 19:1-10
February 11 | Rev. Tara Gibbs
Sermon Title | Worship in the Wild
Text | Luke 18: 9-14
February 18 | Rev. Dr. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr.
Sermon Title | TBD
Text | 1 Kings 19: 7-9
February 25 | Pastor Anthony Smith
Sermon Title | God is Real
Text | 1 John 4: 7-12