One Event, over $20,000 raised. End of story.The First annual "MY PASTOR CAN SING", benefit was held on behalf of AIDS Interfaith Network,Inc. on Sunday afternoon February 28, 2010 at the Immanuel Baptist Church. As Black History Month concluded with the sun setting on Chapel St,there is no doubt that the spectacle and scourge of AIDS has been written large in the last 30 years of Black History. The "MY PASTOR CAN SING" fundraiser was momentous in itself, $20,000 raised on one night for New Haven's pioneer Black Community AIDS abolitionist and prevention community health freedom fighting non-profit.Founded of course by New Haven's own Sojourner Truth, Dr.Elsie Cofield there was a mood of surreal celebration and exaltation in the house of Cofield.Surreal for something like this had only been dreamed about. Exalted for everyone present recognized that they were participating in history.
Yes Rev. Samuel T. Ross Lee has been passed the mantle and has continued to pursue the mission of the Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, but this was a night that honored implicitly and explicitly the blood,sweat and tears and the stony roads as mentioned in the Negro National Anthem, literally traveled by the deceased Rev. Dr. Cofield and his dear Elsie. It is no accident that daughter Bonnye Cofield is now the AIN Executive Director. Bonnye's jubilation was righteous during this inaugural baptism of spiritual barn raising and literal fund raising artfully conducted by Rev. Bosie Kimber during the presentation of the gifts segment of the program. Bonnye's gracious remarks at the conclusion of a very majestic afternoon and evening and the stirring reminder from her mother, 88 year old Dr. Elsie Cofield that we have come thus far by faith but that faith without deeds and actions can not bear fruit positioned the evening on the solid rock of the black history tradition.The event was surreal for to have pastors sing one after the other, before a standing room only congregation of almost 1,000 worshipers I am certain had some angels singing in the background as well. Revs Kimber, Williams, Newman, Bellamy,King,Lee,Turner and Robinson glorified their calling and brought the congregants to their feet frequently.This was a church,so the ebb and sway of call and response was the operative formula. However let's just say that American Idol had better watch out. The Bobbi Jones Show a well known gospel program on Black Entertainment Television better not sleep. The aforementioned ministers from First Calvary, Mt.Bethel, New Freedom, Friendship,Christian Tabernacle, Immanuel Missionary, Community Baptist and First Baptist led the way and there might be no stopping them now. To hear retired school principal Eleanor Turner exclaim "Wasn't that a joyous evening" and to hear Immanuel Baptist member, Cheryl Huckabey almost singing say " Can you believe it" just points to the collective sense of something truly extraordinary that was orchestrated with passion and purpose.
Mistress of Ceremonies, former News Channel 8 staffer and new mother Mrs.Veronica Douglas wove this history in the making together with a beautiful blend of humor, seriousness, comedy and timekeeping at one point even she remarked that she forgot she was the mistress of ceremonies for the songs,musicianship and the moment could easily sweep you away.
AIDS Interfaith Network Inc has been serving the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and the minority community since 1985.The theme for the evening was HIV is the battle and AIN is fighting the war....are you in? There was a resounding affirmative answer on this evening. Part pep rally, part revival meeting, part political convention, (yes some of the churches brought signs which were held up as their favorite pastor took the microphone) the AIN army on the ground has received a much needed resupplying but in keeping with Black History Month and in the word's of Frederick Douglas, " The Struggle Continues."
Yes Rev. Samuel T. Ross Lee has been passed the mantle and has continued to pursue the mission of the Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church, but this was a night that honored implicitly and explicitly the blood,sweat and tears and the stony roads as mentioned in the Negro National Anthem, literally traveled by the deceased Rev. Dr. Cofield and his dear Elsie. It is no accident that daughter Bonnye Cofield is now the AIN Executive Director. Bonnye's jubilation was righteous during this inaugural baptism of spiritual barn raising and literal fund raising artfully conducted by Rev. Bosie Kimber during the presentation of the gifts segment of the program. Bonnye's gracious remarks at the conclusion of a very majestic afternoon and evening and the stirring reminder from her mother, 88 year old Dr. Elsie Cofield that we have come thus far by faith but that faith without deeds and actions can not bear fruit positioned the evening on the solid rock of the black history tradition.The event was surreal for to have pastors sing one after the other, before a standing room only congregation of almost 1,000 worshipers I am certain had some angels singing in the background as well. Revs Kimber, Williams, Newman, Bellamy,King,Lee,Turner and Robinson glorified their calling and brought the congregants to their feet frequently.This was a church,so the ebb and sway of call and response was the operative formula. However let's just say that American Idol had better watch out. The Bobbi Jones Show a well known gospel program on Black Entertainment Television better not sleep. The aforementioned ministers from First Calvary, Mt.Bethel, New Freedom, Friendship,Christian Tabernacle, Immanuel Missionary, Community Baptist and First Baptist led the way and there might be no stopping them now. To hear retired school principal Eleanor Turner exclaim "Wasn't that a joyous evening" and to hear Immanuel Baptist member, Cheryl Huckabey almost singing say " Can you believe it" just points to the collective sense of something truly extraordinary that was orchestrated with passion and purpose.
Mistress of Ceremonies, former News Channel 8 staffer and new mother Mrs.Veronica Douglas wove this history in the making together with a beautiful blend of humor, seriousness, comedy and timekeeping at one point even she remarked that she forgot she was the mistress of ceremonies for the songs,musicianship and the moment could easily sweep you away.
AIDS Interfaith Network Inc has been serving the needs of those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and the minority community since 1985.The theme for the evening was HIV is the battle and AIN is fighting the war....are you in? There was a resounding affirmative answer on this evening. Part pep rally, part revival meeting, part political convention, (yes some of the churches brought signs which were held up as their favorite pastor took the microphone) the AIN army on the ground has received a much needed resupplying but in keeping with Black History Month and in the word's of Frederick Douglas, " The Struggle Continues."
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