The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Kwanzaa celebration brings many together
First day of holiday observed at Second Baptist Church
To celebrate the first day of Kwanzaa on Dec. 26, a celebration took place at Second Baptist Church in Lorain during the congregation’s weekly luncheons to the public.
Every Tuesday, members of Second Baptist, 300 W. 13th St. in Lorain, prepare meals for the public who are in need of food.
And the first installment of the seven-day long celebration, the church provided the public with much more.
Guests received meals and drinks, and were provided with different items of clothing, holiday performances and gifts for children.
Marcella Bryant, a church member and organizer of the Kwanzaa celebration, said during their luncheon events, they provide clothing every once in awhile for people who are in need of clothes.
During Kwanzaa, Bryant said the church wanted to give more to the public, such as hats, gloves, shirts, jackets and because of the holidays and the weather is getting colder.
She said they also wanted to
“Getting people together to celebrate and come to the church is what this church needs.” — Church member Martha Pye
finish off the year with a fun celebration for all with performances and music.
Gift bags for youngsters 12 and younger which included toys, stuffed animals, coloring books, dolls and more were brought as stocking stuffers.
With the end of the year celebration, Bryant said she and the church believed having her husband, the Rev. Gregory Bryant, who also serves as the church’s associate pastor, lead in prayer before feasting on the meal.
Also, Rapper Worth Beaman III and others concluded the celebration.
Bryant also said church member Martha Pye, a former member of their choir, wanted to add the meaning of Kwanzaa to the celebration.
“Getting people together to celebrate and come to the church is what this church needs,” Pye said.
To celebrate as a community, Joanne Eldridge, a community activist, was invited by Pye to share her knowledge of the Kwanzaa and educate others.
Eldridge said she has celebrated Kwanzaa since the 1970s and goes to many events to shares what the holiday means to the African American culture.
Eldridge, retired director of the Lorain Public Library System, has appeared at Second Baptist before to share facts about the African American holiday and said she shares it with other races throughout the community.
Maulana Karenga created the holiday in 1966 because he wanted people to celebrate their family,
their community and culture in a positive way, she said.
Eldridge said she follows Karenga’s mission for the non religious and non heroic holiday.
“It’s a sense of pride,” she said. “I want to share my knowledge with others. I’ve been to Africa. It’s nothing like going home and nothing like knowing where you come from.
“I don’t know it specifically, but I feel at home there. I can’t take a group of people to Africa, but I can bring it to them.”
Eldridge said to her it’s the values of the holiday.
“I celebrate Kwanzaa every day because it affirms who I am,” she said. “It’s part of my identity to love my African American Heritage.”
Bryant said having more sources to reach out to others in different ways may help save people and
make them feel better.
“Reality is, it might make them feel better,” she said. “Hopefully, we’re touching their spirits, because you need hope and faith with what’s going on these days.”
With many getting together at an event like Kwanzaa, it can give many hope, Bryant said.
Performances throughout the celebration, Bryant said the church can help encourage others to keep doing better.
Artie Lewis, wife of the Rev. Loversier Lewis, pastor of Second Baptist, said the church receives large numbers of groups — around 50 people — to attend the luncheons.
During this event, Lewis said having a holiday event seems more meaningful because it’s near Christmas and the new year where giving is the most important thing.