Twelve years ago I wrote a column that was a thank you letter to my mother. My mom is 90 years old now and not doing so well. I know she will not be able to read this column, but I wanted to publicly say how much I appreciate her. A lot has changed since that first letter.
“Dear Mom, thank you for taking care of me when I was sick, I can’t believe that now I’m taking care of you. I remember when I was sick you gave me that castor oil and orange juice cocktail. I disliked orange juice for so long after that, but that concoction did make me feel better. You taught me how to fry fish outside so the house would not smell like fish all week long.

DAYTHEN WALLACE JR. sings

by Jesse Irwin
For New Pittsburgh Courier
If one were to give a definition of the word family, the Greater Allen AME Church would exemplify it beautifully.
In a program run by the church’s Christian Education Department on April 12, families from around the city came together to watch their youth demonstrate their natural talents and show the need for religion in our lives. From praising the Lord to playing the piano, children of all ages performed in front of a lively audience in the Bethel’s basement.
Coordinated by Evangelist Dorothy Stubbs and Linda Hughey, the education department’s dynamic duo brought in kids from all over Pittsburgh to give them a chance to express their gifts. Having seen a need for encouragement and religious involvement in Brighton Heights’ adolescents, the two reached out to as many as possible to promote the event.
“Our entire department networked through local families, neighborhoods, communities, and even just people I knew,” said Stubbs. “We need to come out of the box and show these kids that there’s more to church than just Sundays and holidays.”
This isn’t the first event the church has hosted to bring the neighborhood together. A “Fun Night,” which included board games and more, occurred on Jan.18.
Evangelist Stubbs started off the night with some opening words and introduced the first act to a full room of 50 plus. Charles Grayson, also known as GA Rebel, then took the stage to perform two of his songs titled “Spiritually Fly” and “Yeah YUP.” Everyone was up and clapping their hands, kicking off the night perfectly.
Grayson is a deacon in training and is currently part of a fellowship program with CORO, a non-profit organization that teaches leadership skills for public affairs.
From there, performances of several classic records lit up the room. Surrounded by congregants and corned beef sandwiches, those present listened to beautiful renditions of Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” and Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.” Local rappers Young Fire and Big-D also played, praising the Lord with a different flair, but with the same intentions.
Theodora Cotton, PhD, the church music teacher, said that she feels members of the congregation all have something to offer and that this is a great setting for them to share it.
“Families are in trouble right now,” said a concerned Hughey. “And anything we can do to bring them together to do positive things and introduce them to Christ is really what it’s all about.”
The Greater Allen AME Church, led by recently appointed Rev. Floyd W. Alexander, is home to 105 members, only twenty of which are children. Originally located a few blocks over on Columbus Avenue, the church switched to their current location at 3600 California Ave., in November 2000.
With the success of this program the congregation’s education department plans on holding similar events in hopes that youth are inspired and motivated to continue coming back.
“Kids mean everything to me,” said Stubbs. “So once they know we’re doing this quarterly, they’ll know what we’re really about.”

GALA STARS--Christine Johnson (Magic Johnson's mom), Alison Vaughn, Founder, Jackets for Jobs & Lucille O'Neal (Shaq's mom)

Detroit, MI (BlackNews.com) -- Jackets for Jobs has done it again. The non-profit organization led by superstar businesswoman Alison Vaughn has set the city of Detroit on fire with water cooler talk. The topic: The 13th anniversary gala that took place April 11, at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton-Downtown Detroit.

Women’s Brunch
    APRIL 27—The SHOUT (Sisters Hanging Out United in Truth) Women’s Ministry of Union Baptist Church of Swissvale, 2117 Collingwood Ave., Swissvale, will host a Women’s Brunch from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Every fourth Saturday of the month, women will come together for food, fun and fellowship to praise the Lord and hear a Word from a woman of faith. This month’s special guest will be Rev. Terri Pennybaker. For more information, call Synthia Brown at 412-466-1150.
A Time for Tea With Me
    APRIL 27—The Sunday School Department of Clark Memorial Baptist Church, 1301 Glenn St., Homestead, will host “A Time For Tea With Me” from 1-3 p.m. Guests will enjoy fellowship, food, fun, prizes and more. For more information, call 412-462-1011.
Missionary Conference
    APRIL 27—Christian Tabernacle, 2601 Centre Ave., Hill District, will host a Missionary Conference. The theme is “Where There is No Vision-The People Perish.” There will be a Prayer Breakfast at 10 a.m. and a Worship Service on April 28 at 10:30 a.m. For more information, email Charles Mosby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Prophetic Workshop
    APRIL 27—Restoration Wellness Ministries will host the Prophetic Worship at 7 p.m. at 238 Penn Circle, East Liberty. This is an evening with the king, and the praise of healing, restoration and refresh. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.rwm-ministries.com.
Brotherhood Tea
    APRIL 28—The Brotherhood Ministry of Shiloh Baptist Community Missionary Baptist Church, 6940 Frankstown Ave., Homewood, will host its annual Brotherhood Tea at 4 p.m. There will be a worship of the Lord in song. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 412-441-8710.
Gospel Concert
    APRIL 28—The Pittsburgh Gospel Choir will host a Gospel Concert at 4 p.m. at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church, 299 Center Ave., Aspinwall. This will be a performance from the multi-age, multi-ethnic musical ensemble that performs American gospel musical in the western Pennsylvania area. For more information, call 412-781-0884.
Spring/Summer Training
    APRIL 29—Christian Life Skills will host its Spring/Summer Training Registration Deadline. The training will be held at the Lincoln Park Community Center, 7306 Ridgeview Ave., Penn Hills. The training will effectively address the pull of popular culture on youth and families. The training will be held one weekend a month in May, June and July. For more information, call 412-889-4065 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Gathering
    MAY 1—Northside Institutional COGIC, 302 W. North Ave., North Side, will host the “The Gathering” When Women Pray at 7 p.m. The three-day event will feature guest speakers such as Evangelist Roberta Watkins, co-Pastor Sharon Robinson and Rev. Wanda Sawyer-Flipping. For more information, call 412-231-5683.
Financial Seminar
    MAY 4—The Young Women’s Initiative of Bethel AME Church, 2720 Webster Ave., Hill District, will host a Financial Seminar at 10 a.m. The seminar, which will be facilitated by Rhonda Carson Leach, director of the Urban Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Pittsburgh, will give women the tools needed to ensure a successful financial future. Registration is requested. For more information, call 412-683-2160.
    (To have items listed on the Church Circuit, send information at least two weeks in advance to: 315 E. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219; Fax: 412-481-1360 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .)