Kerry's Visit

"When You Pray Move Your Feet." African Proverb or Old Quaker Saying depending on who you talk to.. and quote used to speak to the congregation of Hope and Resolve by Senator Kerry during his appearance at New Northside Baptist Church on 3/28/04.

"When You Pray Move Your Feet." African Proverb or Old Quaker Saying depending on who you talk to.. and quote used to speak to the congregation of Hope and Resolve by Senator Kerry during his appearance at New Northside Baptist Church on 3/28/04. Hope and Resolve later shook hands with churchgoers and kissed babies.

As the daughter of a long time member of the New Northside Baptist Church I was quite titillated to hear that Sen. Kerry would be digging his heels in for their recent Sunday service. Needless to say my mother was beside herself with praises to the Lord that I had called her to ask about going to church together.

The notice of his appearance was only a day in advance to the congregation but news spread like wild fire and in proper church lady form my mother arrived on my doorstep an hour early and ready to beat the crowds of worshippers hoping to get in on the special guest appearances. We arrived with plenty of seats available and the juxtaposition of older church ladies in flamboyant Sunday hats next to FBI officers and bomb sniffing dogs was priceless. Media filled the upper level on the church and roamed a bit through the crowds very much detached from the service. I would add this is the most diverse group I've ever seen in the church.

Kerry came on the fourth Sunday of the month which my mother informed me was the youths day to shine. The children's choir made a grand entrance and took their propers on the stage after singing all the way down the aisle. And an awkward young lady read the announcements with the days "nobility" looking on. Kerry and his group sat on stage in front of the choir pit with the deacons. He was flanked with Lacy Clay and Nancy Farmer. The announcement went out early that they were registering voters there. And our Reverend Ellis was jubilant that the church had made history by hosting it's first ever presidential candidate in it's 100+ year history. He was not so jubilant about the sniffer dog in his office (most likely got under his robes).

Clay gave a hearty intro. for Kerry that reiterated on his plans concerning problems with social security, employment, Medicare, 43 million with no health care, bad schools, the right to vote, protection from terrorism, 9/11, and war. Clay did a good job getting the place warmed up and many "yes, lord's" and "amens" rang throughout the church. Sen. Kerry thanked the congregation and spoke of working together to redeem promises on a road paved with broken promises. And building a government of the people. Not a government of the privileged. Kerry spoke for a round about 20 minutes.

In return there were multiple joyous solo singers, choir tunes, praise dancers (two young ladies in matching unitards making artistic down the aisles), a few people "fallin' out" moved by the spirit...or the promise of the pasta dinner in the church basement. One woman was wheeled down to the front of the church to have the reverend lay hands on her. She promptly snatched off her wig and squealed in delight at receiving the blessings of God and was whisked away to a less prominent area.

Kerry, Clay, and Farmer seemed to enjoy every bit of the service and felt the joy of the Lord. And dang if those tambourines don't get me going every time.

Seriously this was huge for that church and really helped put a face to the name for many of the people. Many of these people feel left behind and are lost to political interest. They are wary and don't believe what they hear and this could cause them not to vote if they don't feel a connection. This was certainly a showing of respect to this group of people albeit good photo op's for many. Spirits definitely got a boost all the way around.

p.s. We parked right next to Clay. He jetted after the handshaking got going. Kerry & Farmer shook each and every hand as sections came up by rows. Dude is tall.

Joyce Gorrell