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Oakwood Church Celebrates 40 years in Current Edifice
by Dr. David Richardson and Debbe Millet
The Oakwood University Church celebrated 40 years in its current church edifice this past weekend. When Elder Eric Calvin Ward answered the call to pastor the Oakwood College Church, it included the building of Oakwood's first sanctuary. Many Oakwood alumni remember the Church congregation marching from the Ashby Auditorium to the current church edifice, in 1977.
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Lynda Ward-Stevenson describes finding her father's pre-need documents that included his wishes for burial. (Photo: V. Joiner.)
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Dr. Leslie Pollard read a text in Revelation from Elder Ward's well-marked Bible, during the reinterment service on Friday. (Photo: V. Joiner)
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The Ward Family and close to 100 friends gathered at Oakwood Memorial Gardens for a reinterment service just before sunset on Friday, September 8. Elder Ward had been buried in Los Angeles, California, near his parents. However, his daughters Lynda Ward-Stevenson and Della Ward-Gershowitz, found a pre-need document he had written in February 1977, indicating that his first preference was to have been laid to rest on the grounds of "the Oakwood College Church Graveyard." Elder Ward served on the initial planning committee for the Oakwood Memorial Gardens Cemetery, which was opened and dedicated two years before his death.
Several ministers who served as interns and assistant pastors with Elder Ward participated in the reinterment service, including Oakwood University President Dr. Leslie Pollard. There were no good- byes, but we simply stated that we "will see you later as we meet again walking on the streets of gold, sitting together at the welcome table, and most importantly sitting at the feet of Jesus."
"I clearly remember," said Dr. David Richardson, vice president of Spiritual Life & Missions, "as a young man sitting in the pews of the Oakwood Church, listening to my Pastor and friend Elder E.C. Ward's voice, 'In the morning, when I rise give me Jesus, you can have all this world give me Jesus.' In the words of Mahalia Jackson, 'See you in that great gettin' up morning,' my friend. Your wish for interment on the grounds of the Oakwood Memorial Gardens has been granted. May you rest in peace until that eminent day when Christ shall return."
The services on Sabbath, September 9, highlighted the ministry of the Oakwood Church during the last 40 years. Pastors following Elder Ward include Dr. Leslie Pollard, Dr. John Nixon, Dr. Craig Newborn, and Dr. Carlton Byrd. The celebration featured the music of Grammy Award-winning Christian Artist, Sandi Patty, the Oakwood University Aeolians, the Oakwood University Orchestra, and the preaching of Dr. Carlton Byrd, Speaker/Director of Breath of Life Television Ministries.
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School of Religion Marches for Justice
by Dr. Dedrick Blue
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Oakwood senior Jacaues Laguerre
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In the wake of the Charlottesville, VA, tragedy, School of Religion & Theology Dean Dedrick Blue led a bus delegation of 24 Oakwood University faculty, students, and ministers to Washington, D.C., on August 29 to join an interfaith Minister's March for Justice. The March, organized by the National Action Network, convened nearly 5,000 faith leaders in commemoration of the 54th anniversary of The Poor People's March on Washington in 1967.
Originally envisioned to call attention to voting rights and criminal justice reform, the event took on a spirit of healing as Christians, Jews and Muslims prayed for the end to hatred and bigotry in the United States. Oakwood University was the only HBCU to bring an organized delegation to the event. Oakwood students marched carrying an OU banner and wore matching t-shirts. Noted for their decorum and dignity, they were interviewed by press from around the world.
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Pastor Alan Martin of New York with Oakwood students.
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Maya Walters with Jesse Jackson
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The greatest impact was upon the students themselves as they listened to Civil Rights icon Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, leaders from the SCLC, the NAACP, and various organizations from around the country. Remarked one student, "This day has changed my life."
Faculty members Ifeoma Kwesi, Trevor Fraser and Jesse Wilson marched with the students providing leadership and historical context. Said Dean Blue, "It is now time to pass the torch of liberty to the next generation and teach them that social justice is not an option and freedom isn't free. There is a moral imperative in the Scriptures to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God."
While the School of Religion led the delegation, many departments and individuals from around the campus supported their participation, including Enrollment Management, Integrated Marketing & Public Relations, Thompson Hospitality, and Francis Hughes of Transportation.
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Oakwood's Aeolians Participate in 9/11 Honor Walk
by Kristen Conner, WHNT.com
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During the 9/11 Honor Walk at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on September 10, the Aeolians of Oakwood University led attendees into the walk, singing songs of inspiration, and were followed by law enforcement and at-risk students, and the general public who decided to join the walk.
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Many in North Alabama are still struggling to overcome the impact of September 11, 2001. The events of that day affected lives across the country and around the globe.
Organizers of the 9/11 Honor Walk in Huntsville said their event on Sunday was meant to bring reflection, remembrance, healing and celebration. The walk honors military, first responders and their families.
"It's a way to really move toward spiritual and internal healing," explained organizer David Person. "It is this communal process of walking with other people, and walking in a way you are being reflective and meditative, that just seems to be healing for people "
But this year also had a special focus on law enforcement and their relationship with at-risk youth and communities.
"It takes a lot of courage to strap on your heart and mind as an American police officer. Nobody knows that more than those officers and their families. It also takes a lot of courage to strap on a strong heart and mind to go to school if you live in at risk communities," said Rev. Kerry Holder-Joffrion, one of the event's organizers. "And often we see at risk youth and police officers erroneously pitted against one another. So we wanted to give them an opportunity for them to know each other's faces, each other's names."
This event is all about unity within the country and the community. It's through that sense of unity and togetherness that brings many peace while walking along the Labyrinth Walk to put stones in a basket to symbolically lay down their troubles.
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Dykes-Rivers Lecture Series Presents Alvin Chea
Oakwood University's Department of Communication is schedule to host award-winning vocalist and author Alvin "Vinnie" Chea for the Dykes-Rivers Lecture Series on September 14 at 7:00 p.m., in the Peters Media Center Studio.
An Oakwood alumnus, Chea is possibly best known as the bass vocalist in the Grammy-award winning group Take 6, and is a published author. The event is hosted by David Person and the Department of Communication, and is free to the public.
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Oakwood Getting Ready for UNCF North Alabama Golf Classic
The first fundraising event of the 2017-18 UNCF North Alabama Campaign is the UNCF Golf Classic, scheduled for Monday, October 30, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Cource. The fee for individual golfers is $250. The following sponsorships are available:
| Individual Hole: $1000 |
1 foursome at the UNCF Golf Classic |
| Bronze: $2,500 |
1 foursome at the UNCF Golf Classic OR 1 table of 8 at the 40th Annual UNCF Gala |
| Silver: $5,000 |
1 foursome at the UNCF Golf Classic AND 1 table of 8 at the 40th Annual UNCF Gala |
| Gold: $10,000 |
2 foursomes at the UNCF Golf Classic, and two tables of 8 at the 40th Annual UNCF Gala |
All proceeds from the campaign support the 37 UNCF member colleges and universities, including the five schools in Alabama: Miles College, Oakwood University, Stillman College, Talladega College, and Tuskegee University, and the thousands of students attending member institutions.
For more information about the local UNCF campaign and to register for golf, visit
www.ougiving.com
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About Oakwood
The mission of Oakwood University, a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution, is to transform students through biblically-based education for service to God and humanity.
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| 1-844-FRUIT OU
STORE #819
5000 Whitesburg Dr. S, #148 Huntsville, AL 35802 (256) 881-7575 STORE #759 6290 University Blvd. Huntsville, AL 35806 (256) 721-7999 Share Love, Support Students |
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| Click here to see the Summer 2017 issue of Oakwood Magazine or visit www.oakwoodmagazine.com |
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