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he Second Annual Spiritual Baptist Recognition Day in New York City was celebrated on Saturday, July 16^th. Attired in their beautiful church garments, around 11 AM about 1,000 congregants from various parts of the United States, the Caribbean and South America began to gather at Café Omar in Flatbush, Brooklyn. To the delight of neighborhood residents, they then marched through the streets singing, ringing bells and drumming, all the way to P.S. 181 where they filled the large auditorium to capacity for an award ceremony.

The day’s Chief Celebrant was His Eminence Norris V. Ashton, Apostolic Patriarch of the Spiritual Baptists Archdiocese of New York, joined by Archbishop Richard Thomas and Bishop Agustus Dalymple. They were also accompanied by Archbishops Dr. Voni B. Johyn, Vernon Vaun, and Carlisle B. Clarke, all of whom delivered stirring remarks during the celebration.

Under the energetic chairmanship of King Shepherd Carlton Callender, assisted by Sherwin Borneo, the program opened with the US National Anthem sung by Wendy Mitchell. Dr. Ingid Armstrong delivered salutations, and pastors from the many out of town churches gave greetings as well.

The theme of the day was "Where There Is Unity, There Is Always Victory." In that spirit, Callender gave a very warm reception to Spiritual Baptist congregations from all over the Caribbean – each of whom celebrate the faith a little differently in their own way – as well as the American-born brothers and sisters in the faith whose ancestors were left off the slave ships in North America. To all he said, "We give you welcome!" He then went on to speak of the importance of mending bridges between the varying factions of the Spiritual Baptist faith.

Rev. Patrick Roberts, who had come all the way from Trinidad and Tobago to deliver the day’s sermon, spoke on "Unity in Pursuit of Excellence." He said that as Spiritual Baptists, "our individual churches can be independent, and yet we can have objectives that are the same. The only way to achieve those objectives is through unity."

Council Member Kendall Stewart, who hosted the celebration in conjunction with the Spiritual Baptist community, thanked Mother Denise De Priest because it was she, accompanied by Matron Cheryl Phillips, who first brought to his attention the needs and deeds of the Spiritual Baptists in New York City. Mother Denise gave him the idea of holding a Spiritual Baptist Recognition Day each year.

Stewart was very pleased to be joined in the marking of this day by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz who also issued a proclamation declaring it Spiritual Baptist Recognition Day. Stewart conveyed greetings from the Mayor as well as Speaker Gifford Miller who stated, "Church life is very much alive and flourishing in this city thanks to people like you teaching and spreading God’s word. We are deeply grateful for your efforts."

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, clearly moved by what she had witnessed during the ceremony, also expressed her heartfelt support for the Spiritual Baptist community. Council Member Yvette Clarke and former Council Member Una Clarke joined in the celebration as well.

Aided by his Assistant, Cislyn Boucher, Council Member Stewart gave out the awards. Archbishop Dr. Voni B. Johyn, Senior Pastor and founder of Isaiah Temple of Mount Hope Spiritual Baptist Church, received a City Council citation, followed by Carlton John, Bishop of Mt. Hope Spiritual Baptist Church #2. Next, Sovereign Queen Mother Marjorie Ashton, co-founder of Mt. Moriah Spiritual Church, was honored, as was Bishop Allan Baxter, founder of the United Spiritual Baptist Council of America. Dr. Maureen Coppell Haley, Pastor of the Christ Spiritual Church, also received an award, as did Bishop Dr. Edward Barrow, Suffragan Bishop of the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of New York, and Bishop Philip George and Queen Mother Esmey George, founders of the Church of the Living God Free Episcopal Spiritual Baptists. Also among those honored were Estleyn Muriel Pierre, Rev. Dr. Kathleen Scott, Mother Naomi Harper, Mambo, and Mother Hazel Lynch.

During the ceremony, Abbess Lynette Jones and Bishop Dalymple were elevated to the position of Masters in the Spiritual Baptist Church, signifying the high level of knowledge about the church and its teachings that they have attained.

King Shepherd Callender also mentioned that Grace Dillon, who had worked so hard to make the day a success, was not with them because she had been rushed to the hospital the night before to undergo emergency surgery. All of the congregants joined in a song sending her their prayers and good wishes for her recovery.

The award ceremony was followed by a delicious meal, served up in abundance to all attending. An open air Thanksgiving Service with full Spiritual Baptist rites completed this very moving day.

Read more of Donna's articles at http://www.donnalamb.com/