By Kazembe Batts
IG: @kazbatts
On Sunday, November 2nd during the morning service Bethany’s congregation was informed about the upcoming propositions on the November 4th ballot by City Council President Adrianne Adams, arguably the most powerful person in NYC government right now. Later that day at 3:00 pm the sanctuary was the site for a Black Solidarity Day “Unity in the Community” rally. Community leaders including Dr. Molefe Asante, Inez & Charles Barron, Dr. Segun Shabaka, Dr. James McIntosh and Erica Ford presented and facilitated three hours of Black empowerment directives, mixed in with poetry, dance and drumming. Whether a regular service or being open for community events Bethany Baptist Church, located at 460 Marcus Garvey Blvd. is the place to be.
A month ago on Sunday, October 13th, the pews of the Bed-Stuy church were filled for the annual Homecoming & Hospitality Ministry service. Starting at exactly 10:45 a.m., Senior Pastor Reverend Adolphus C. Lacey, who celebrated his 10th anniversary as pastor on Sunday, June 2nd, stepped into the high-mounted podium and started service. Soon, the highly regarded choir had the congregants clapping and singing along at the 141-year-old history-making church. Sharing the service Rev. Lacey facilitated scripture reading by Brother Justin Nelson, prayer by Sister Janet Nichol, a presentation on hospitality by Sister Marcella Lee, and reflections by Deacon Marlienne Christian. This special service honored Executive Pastor Reverend E. Tyrone Pittman and church members who are 90 years young and above!
Rev. Pittman delivered a powerful and thought-provoking sermon. His clear annunciation had the two hundred-plus attendees, including Assemblyperson Stefani Zinerman who sat in the front row, focused on his every word. Preaching and teaching he stated his comfort at being Bethany’s number two leader behind Pastor Lacey. He stressed the importance of number two being their best and how that will complement and empower number one. Near the end of the service, new church members were warmly greeted with hugs by two dozen church officers who lined up at the front of the congregation to welcome them.
Present at the front table sat Alberta Holt, Annie Hubbard, Densil Fagan, Gladys Drake, Jeannette Waiters, Mamie Thomas, Miriam Hassell who ranged in age from 90 years to 105 years young. They each reminisced about how much Bethany Baptist Church has meant to them. Some went back to the 1940s. The microphone was then passed from table to table and members spoke fond memories of Rev. Pittman who grew up in the church where he held many important positions before becoming Executive Pastor. While the post-service celebration took place participants were served delicious barbeque chicken, mixed vegetables, salad, cake, and fruit prepared in the recently renovated kitchen. Many ate the mouthwatering food and then danced away the calories. As usual it was a great day of fellowship at Bethany Baptist Church.
Bethany Baptist Church has a wide range of ministries, including health, social activism, music, media, culinary, scholarship, ushers, Sunday school and other church organizations. Continuing the tradition of social activism embodied by the late Rev. William Agustus Jones, the building is often used as a meeting place by a variety of causes.