Bishop Weeks, III Apologizes to Juanita for his book.

1 Dead, Eight Injured in Tennessee Church Shooting (VIDEO)

1 Dead, Eight Injured in Tennessee Church Shooting

A man wielding a shotgun entered a church and opened fire as congregants watched a youth performance Sunday, killing one person and injuring eight others, Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen said. Police said the gunman was taken into custody. They didn't immediately release his name. No children were injured. A hospital spokeswoman said five of the wounded were in critical condition.


Owen said the man killed was Greg McKendry, 60, a longtime church member and usher at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church.

"It appears Mr. McKendry was the first person he (the gunman) encountered when he walked into the sanctuary," Owen said. "It's going to be a while before all the facts are cleared up."
A church member who arrived moments after the shooting said the gunman fired three times and was tackled. Officials wouldn't say exactly how many people subdued the gunman.

"It was a large group and we are thankful for them for without it, this situation could have been even worse," Mayor Bill Haslam said.

There were about 200 people in the church at the time of the shooting watching a youth performance being put on by 25 children.

Police had cordoned off the church with yellow and red tape, and were taking statements and collecting video cameras from church members who were taping the performance.

The church's minister was on vacation in western North Carolina at the time of the shooting but returned Sunday afternoon.

"We've been touched by a horrible act of violence. We are in a process of healing and we ask everyone for your prayers," the Rev. Chris Buice said in a statement outside the church.

The Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church is a community that meets to worship and work together for social change, according to the church's Web site. Since the 1950's, the congregation has worked for desegregation, racial harmony, fair wages, women's rights and gay rights, according to the Web site. The congregation also has provided sanctuary for political refugees, fed the homeless and founded a chapter of the ACLU. (AP)

Pastor and Gospel Singer, Timothy Wright still in Critical Condition--Was told of Wife's Death on Monday

Family members say the Rev. Timothy Wright is conscious and alert but still on a respirator at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. Relatives say they told the 61-year-old clergyman about his wife's death on Monday. They hope to move him to a rehabilitation facility next week.
A Grammy-nominated gospel singer from New York City remains in critical condition three weeks after a car crash that killed his wife and grandson.


Family members say the Rev. Timothy Wright is conscious and alert but still on a respirator at the Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa.

Relatives say they told the 61-year-old clergyman about his wife's death on Monday. They hope to move him to a rehabilitation facility next week. (AP)

Active Prayers – Garments of Praise Launched May 30, 2008!

H-Corporation will launch Active Prayers its inspiring factory-direct garments of praise, designed for drama, worship and praise dance via their e-commerce site www.activeprayers.com on May 30, 2008. Active Prayers e-commerce site will be open to individuals, praise teams, dance ministries and worship teams, allowing them to shop factory-direct, saving them both time and treasure.

Active Prayers draws its design inspiration from the music and choreography of praise to create comfortable garments for men, women and children. “Our garments of praise are designed for the spiritual side of dance, drama and worship using a unique MicroMatique material customers love,” touts Nan Hurlburt Owner and Head Designer of H-Corporation. ”Our amazing fabric is lightweight, durable, and fade resistant. The MicroMatique fabric will not fray if a customer is inspired to cut the fabric to bring about his or her own look. Dancers will also love that the fabric breathes so they won’t get hot like they do with traditional polyester garments.”

Pastor Lynn Hayden with Dancing for Him Ministries says, “I wholeheartedly endorse Active Prayers garments. They feel luxurious and move beautifully in worship. I love that dance ministries have the opportunity to adapt the garments in color and pattern to suit their needs and customize their unique look. My workshop participants will definitely see me dancing in Active Prayers garments.”

Active Prayers knows all dancers’ bodies are different so they will offer garments in sizes from Child S through Adult 4X. Active Prayers will offer customers the option of altering patterns and fabrics to make designs unique, including embroidery and heat-seals along with their Active Prayers Custom Shop where customers can customize their look from scratch.

Active Prayers believes in passing factory-direct pricing to their customers so they can go about the ministry of dance. Active Prayers believes those in ministry should have the finest garments at the best prices to save God’s treasure for what really matters. That is why Active Prayers will be manufactured “on-time”. In a time when sewing manufacturers are moving overseas, the dancewear industry continues to thrive with businesses like H-Corporation. Active Prayers will endeavor to keep costs low and quality high so the savings can be passed to the customer. Active Prayers will produce their garments “on-time”, which means garments will be manufactured after an order is placed. Customers see the saving immediately and benefit from the quality.

H-Corporation is a woman-owned, vertical manufacturing facility. All design, pattern making, computerized cutting, sewing, inventory, distribution and business offices are accomplished in our 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Ludlow, Mass. All garments are proudly manufactured in the USA.

Active Prayers founder, Nan Hurlburt was a freelance designer working in dance, regional theatre, children’s theatre, puppet theatre, summer stock and historical costuming with illustrators and publishing houses prior to starting the DesignWorks Recital Portfolio Costume Company in 1992. The Grex Bodywear line was launched in 2003.

DesignWorks/Grex/Active Prayers is a member of the United Dance Merchants of America (UDMA) and SEAMS. Nan Hurlburt serves on the Board of Directors of the UDMA.

Sacred Apparel

I need your help, and it will only take 2-3 minutes tops!!

As most of you know, we at Sacred Apparel (SA) are in the process of upgrading, and making some major changes. We're in the process of getting everything in order to advance to a full fledge clothing line, and not be just another T-Shirt company.

This poll will determine the decisions, and the changes that we make with SA.

If you feel led to forward this message to someone....please by all means do. There is no way to find out who put what, so please be brutally honest!!!

Just click the link below to fill out the poll....PLEASE!!!!

http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/349330

Thank you again for your love and support!!!

New Tyler Perry Movie Trailer

http://tylerperry.com/look

HOMEGOING SERVICES FOR CO-PASTOR BETTY WRIGHT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:


THE WRIGHT FAMILY FINALIZE HOMEGOING SERVICES FOR
CO-PASTOR BETTY J. WRIGHT AND DANIEL (DJ) WRIGHT JR.


ROOSEVELT, NY (July 17, 2008) The Homegoing services for Co-Pastor Betty Wright and grandson Daniel (DJ) Wright Jr. are finalized announced son David Wright.


The plans are as follows:

WAKE / VIEWING: SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2008 @ 12 NOON UNTIL..

GRACE TABERNACLE CHRISTIAN CENTER C.O.G.I.C.
1745 Pacific Street
Brooklyn, New York 11213

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION: MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008 @ 11:00 AM
WASHINGTON TEMPLE C.O.G.I.C.
1372 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11213

INTERMENT
GREENFIELD CEMETERY
Uniondale, New York

In lieu of floral tributes and to absorb costs, please consider financial tributes to be sent directly to:

Rev.Timothy Wright - 15 Meyer St, Roosevelt, New York 11575

The family would like to thank you for your expressions of prayer and concern. Rev. Timothy Wright had a successful surgery on yesterday and is responding well to treatment and therapies. There is still a long road yet to be traveled. We all must continue to pray. In addition, please keep Danny, his wife and sons in prayer for the loss of their son and brother.


Please allow the family a moment to deal with the days ahead by holding your phone calls and e-mails to a bare minimum.


Thank you for your understanding in this time of bereavement!

Men of God Cheat?

Do men who love God cheat on their wives? Instances of infidelity go back as far as Abraham and Sarah. The bible records men who loved God but had issues with their flesh. Abraham cheated on Sarah with Hagar and even had a child with her. Talk about baby momma drama! David had a reputation for being “fond” of women. Actually to say he was fond of them is an understatement. David’s son Solomon was a notorious cheater with 700 wives and 300 concubines. Did these instances of indiscretion negate their relationship with God? It most certainly did not. What would cause a man of God to cheat?

When asked, “Do men cheat?” Men unanimously responded, “All men don’t cheat”. The follow up question was, “Have you ever cheated?” Some men honestly said yes. When asked why they cheated, the men were surprisingly candid. Men gave a plethora of reasons why they cheated on their wives. Some men admitted that they simply were not ready to be married. Some got married because their wife was pregnant or it just seemed like the right thing to do. Let’s park there for a second. This is a real issue and a valid point, not a valid reason but a valid point. It started with Adam. In the Garden of Eden, Adam desired a mate. It is interesting to note that to prepare Adam for his help meet, God put Adam to sleep. We could gather that a man must be prepared to become a husband. It is also interesting to note that Eve just appeared on the scene. That may explain why a woman is ready to commit after a few good dates but it takes a man much, much longer. At any rate, men who cheated admitted they did so because they simply were not ready for that level of commitment.
Men also admitted to cheating because of feelings of inadequacy. In other words, they felt like less than a man because they were less educated, made less money, or felt overshadowed by a wife who was called to ministry. These men said they were not belittled by their wives. They just were not able to cope with their own insecurities. One man shared that he and his wife always talked about being entrepreneurs. He started a business and his wife worked with him for years. Eventually, when the business was stable and doing well, she started her own business. The man felt abandoned and jealous because her business turned a bigger profit. Subsequently he cheated causing the demise of the marriage.

Sex is not a weapon! That bears repeating, sex is not a weapon. The most popular response to “Why men cheat?” was the wife withheld sex. The bible clearly teaches that if you withhold sex from your mate, you are asking for trouble. When that is done, it opens the door for the enemy to come in and wreck havoc on your marriage. Honestly, women are guilty of using sex as a mean to control or punish a man. Another popular response among the men was, “She just didn’t have time for me.” Ladies, do not make the mistake of being so busy with work, the children, and church that you are too busy to cater to your husband. The men shared that like women, they enjoy feeling wanted. Translation- Call him just to say hi. Leave him love notes in his car or briefcase. Men love affection. So ladies, walk up behind him and wrap your arms around him not just when you want him to do something on the “honey do” list. If you don’t someone else will.

Do men of God cheat? Unfortunately, it happens from time to time. Does it happen as often as the media would like you to believe? No, it doesn’t. They are many more faithful men than unfaithful ones. Since there is no insurance that you can buy to protect your marriage, there are some things you can do to safeguard it.

1.Keep Christ in the center of your marriage. When you leave the altar, don’t leave Him there.
2.Communicate- Tell your mate how you honestly feel. If you have unmet needs express them. Don’t expect them to just know.
3.Romance- Keep the fire burning. Continue to date even though you’re married. Be affectionate. Dress up for your mate.
4.Work, work, work- Marriage is hard work. However if you are willing to work at it, it will work.
5.Keep God first. That brings us back to the first point. A wise woman once said, “If he falls out of love with God, you’re next.”

Lance Williams announces the True Worship Retreat 2008: “Worship Beyond Measure: An Intimate Experience”

The retreat kicks off Thursday, September 11th, with featured performances by Tye Tribbet, with multi-Stellar Award winning artist Dewayne Woods & many others. The retreat will be held at the Christian Pentecostal Church, 971 Clinton Avenue in Irvington, NJ from Thursday September 11 – Saturday, September 13. On Friday, September 12 “The Intimate Place” Concert will highlight the ministries of Lance Williams & True Worship, Maurette Brown-Clark, and JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise, along with other premier Gospel artists. Each nightly event begins at 7:30 p.m. and general admission is free (preferred seating has a fee).


For preferred seating or to register for the seminars/workshops logo onto www.TrueWorship.org.

Fire at Greater St. Stephen

The 2,000-seat building was still standing after a predawn fire, but a ruin nonetheless. Members are sure the church would come back from the fire, as it came back from flood after Hurricane Katrina three years ago.

By late afternoon no cause had been disclosed. But Bishop Paul S. Morton, who built what was once a small Baptist church into a major congregation, said investigators suspected the fire started in the choir area behind the pulpit.

While Smith chatted with friends, Morton and his wife, Senior Pastor Debra Morton, who now leads the church, stood nearby and greeted well-wishers. Paul Morton, who spends much of his time in Atlanta, had preached on South Liberty Street on Sunday night, members said. Paul Morton said the congregation was insured. "We'll be back, bigger and better," said Debra Morton. The Mortons said they were summoned to the church well before dawn and watched a three-alarm blaze ruin the sanctuary. The building's loss presents the congregation with a major challenge.

Before Hurricane Katrina, Greater St. Stephen was by far the largest church in the city, perhaps the largest in the state. It claimed about 20,000 members worshipping at three campuses: a large church in eastern New Orleans, a new acquisition in Marrero, and the church's original location on South Liberty Street in Central City.

Monday's fire was the second major blow in three years. Katrina scattered the congregation, knocking its number down to about 5,000, the Mortons said recently.

The eastern New Orleans church is still closed; Monday's fire ruined the congregation's only remaining New Orleans home. Although the Marrero site is in use, Paul Morton said it is probably too distant to be of much use to the Central City congregation.

But like Debra Morton, he pledged that the burned church will recover.

After the storm, Paul Morton launched an offshoot of Greater St. Stephen in suburban Atlanta. He announced recently that he was placing the New Orleans congregation in Debra Morton's hands while he concentrated on building up the Atlanta church.

Source: The Times-Picayune

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Rev. Timothy Wright

Reverend Timothy Wright, otherwise known as the “godfather of gospel” was in an automobile accident Friday night that killed his two passengers, which were his wife, Betty Wright and D.J, his 14 year old grandson. The Reverend was driving on Interstate 80 in Greene Township, about 60 miles west of Manhattan according to state police. They were on their way home to Roosevelt Long Island. They were returning from a church conference in Detroit when they were hit head on by a car going the wrong way down the interstate.

The car going the wrong way was driven by John Pick, 44, of Lewisburg, Pa. Pick was also killed in the crash. Police are waiting for a toxicology report to see if he was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The Reverend is the pastor at Grace Tabernacle Christian Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY. He has released more than a dozen gospel recordings. The parishioners from Grace Tabernacle gathered at the church doorsteps Saturday night to place candles in front of a photograph of Betty Wright. Inside the church they covered her chair with a shroud.

“I would have to say she was a jewel,” said Phillip Culver, a congregant. “She was right by her husband’s side and gave so much support to the church.”

Cynthia Boone said “I’m believing in God now.”

Bishop James Gaylord, a prelate with the Church of God in Christ said, “They were like a match made in heaven. She will be a tremendous loss to the community as well as to Christendom.”

Reverend Wright was listed in critical condition late Saturday night at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville Pa.