Verse I: A Spiritual Revolution is Brewing in Abyssinian ⛪️

Verse II: Poetry From The Pews ✏️

Good Morning! ☀️

I hope you’re ready for a deeply personal and entertaining newsletter.

The first piece is about the social revolution we’re building at my church.

After that, you’ll enjoy special poetic vignettes inspired by the people of my church community.

The Winding Road Of Faith 🧭

Over the last few years, faith and spirituality has become a prominent facet of my life.

I have dedicated myself to submission of something greater than myself.

It powers my work and instills purpose into my daily living.

Taking a back seat to a higher power has motivated me to a be a more sacrificial man – one who creates for the sake of the greater good, and lives a life on behalf of God, and therefore, others.

“The least of these …”

From Catholic school in my teens, to a faithless wandering during my early 20s, my connection to God has been something of a roller coaster. 

I will save the entire story of my faith journey for another day.

I’m grateful for such chaos, because the stillness I feel now is that much more rewarding.

I have a strong relationship with the creator, and I lend so much of that credit to The Abyssinian Baptist Church, my place of worship, and my home in divinity.

The Powerful Legacy of Abyssinian 📖

Abyssinian is the largest and most historically significant Black church in New York City.

It’s one of those places that radiates power.

At 217 years-old, Abyssinian is mystic archive, rich with a legacy of social justice and Black excellence.

Every inch of its walls are rife with meaning and spiritual significance.

Many great people have spoken and received the word between its walls, from Martin Luther King, Jr. to James Baldwin.

Abyssinian’s leaders embody greatness, too.

The Church Is Our Revolutionary Headquarters📍

It is no surprise that I find myself here – revolutionary ancestral spirit echoes all throughout this place, from the vestry to the balcony.

And now, my role as a leader is growing within the community at Abyssinian.

That’s because I understand the importance of faith and worship, but further, I know the necessity of service and leadership.

We are starved for leaders of strong character in the United States.

Institutions and supporting infrastructure across the country are crumbling.

Communities are disconnected, and values are disjointed.

It’s clear: the time for faith and community is now.

That is why this historic place has called me to serve and profess the word of God and Black excellence to the world.

The places to cultivate these virtues are in the halls of worship houses across the country, and in city streets, where the people in need of blessings and salvation are plenty. 

These are the only places we are allowed to exist (somewhat) freely.

And I don’t mean to be preachy here.

No person is more or less valuable based on what or how they believe.

But there is dysfunction in our world, and the society we live in is aching for purpose and meaning. 

We are longing to come together.

We don’t even care to believe the same things – we just want to be in communion.

But with widespread suffering, a fractured digital and political landscape, and vanishing venues for communal gathering, how can we strive toward growth as a people? 

It is the solid cohesion of faith that brings Black Americans together for a cause larger than themselves.

It is my belief, that in these bleakest hours, faith and community will bring the masses together again.

You can already feel it now – when people eagerly anticipate my next media event, what are they seeking? Purpose.

When the RSVPs for the Down to Earth Hiking Club overflow, what are participants pursuing? Community. 

When loved ones join me in worship at Abyssinian, what do they realize they have been missing? Meaning. 

So I suspect that billions across this confused world are in similar positions.

Inspired? Join Me In Faith & Service 🙏🏾

Soon enough, many people will come face to face with their habits and their priorities, perhaps feeling dissatisfaction with a life of aimless consumption and passivity.

Perhaps they will realize that their calling in life is not self-service, but to belong to a community, to serve others, and to place their faith in a force that rewards goodness.

Curious to join me in worship at Abyssinian, or want to serve the Harlem community alongside me?

Reply to this email, and we’ll come together! 📧

Portraits From The Pews🪑

Every Sunday, I stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of God.

There is purity, love, and an abundance of good will flowing all about during every moment of service.

Also, some very strong perfume.

As a man, this ocean of healing is rejuvenating.

As a creative, the conduit of God’s love fills my soul with inspiration like none other.

When I’m not serving as an usher in the sanctuary, I’m sitting in the pews with a receptive heart and a blazing engine of creativity.

When I get a moment between songs or prayers, I scribble some of these ideas in my notepad.

Recently, my ideas have come in the form of vignettes, or, more accurately, Faith Portraits, depicting real people and events in the church.

You’ll see that they are brief (stained) windows into the vibrant world of Abyssinian, characterized by the individuals who embody God’s mission of love, kindness and transformation.

These are moments of real joy, depicting the humanity of people in a divine place.

This work is deeply personal to me, (I have never shared this kind of creative work in this newsletter before!) and draws inspiration from ancestral writers like James Baldwin, Nikki Giovanni and Langston Hughes who painted the picture of the divine Black journey through America with rare beauty and grace.

I hope to evoke the same essence here, and I hope that you are inspired and entertained! 

A New Song 🌻

Bernadette was absent from the choir this morning. 

For once, she was out of the spotlight. 

But she was still in church.

In the pews,

with the people.

Worshipping,

praising,

And Singing.

Ahead To the Altar 👣

Ronell comes from a tough place.

“The Old School” 

Back when code was king  

And men were men.

When Ronell lost his freedom to the law,

He could not cry. 

But that was then.

At church today,

Ronell made a choice. 

He walked the aisle. 

Toward the Altar.

He joined hands with the pastor.

And for the first time, he cried.

They were the tears of Freedom.