Events

NEW BRUNSWICK—February marks the start of Black History Month and a time to reflect upon this federally recognized celebration of the contributions made by African Americans to our country and to the world.  It is also a time to reflect upon the continued struggle for social and racial justice.

On Saturday, February 13, we will present “An Evening of Gospel Choirs” with the Faith Hope Baptist Church of New Brunswick.  Pastor Michael Ryan Buckland will deliver the homily entitled “Understanding Uncertainty.”  Pastor Ryan Michael Buckland was licensed to preach in the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of seventeen, and after many years of practicing his gift God called him to Pastor Faith Hope Baptist Church in New Brunswick NJ.  Under his leadership Faith Hope Baptist Church has grown both numerically and spiritually.  Over the years, Pastor Buckland has loved preaching and teaching the word of God through revivals, lecturers, conferences, seminars, and various services throughout the tristate area. Not only is Pastor Buckland blessed with the call to preach, he is also known for being a talented musician who has played for various churches over the past 25 years.

This will be followed by a gospel music concert. Here Braxton Turner will serve as worship leader, along with Antoinette Vann and Debra Darby-Dennis as singers.  They will be backed up by Ernest Parker on keyboards, Derrick Armour on drums, and Stefan L. Godley on bass.  The program will be available on Facebook Watch Party at this link:                                     https:/www.facebook.com/faithhope.church.18

On subsequent Saturdays in February, there will be additional programs. This will be followed on Saturday, February 20th, by the First Baptist Church of South Bound Brook, under the leadership of Rev. Iley Earle Bright.   Finally, on Saturday, February 27th, the program will be concluded by Mt. Calvary Missionary Church of New Brunswick, under the leadership of Rev. Brenda Lumzy.  

This virtual, free, series of public concerts is sponsored by the New Jersey Folk Festival and the Middlesex County Commissioner’s. The program is produced by Pastor Brenda Lumzy Hicks in New Brunswick with Professor Angus Kress Gillespie of the American Studies Department of Rutgers University.