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Faith Over Fear: How Churches are Helping Their Congregations despite Service Cancellations

CHICAGO DEFENDER — Father Michael Pfleger, the Senior Pastor of The Faith Community of Saint Sabina, has chosen to combine both. In a brief interview, he said the doors of Saint Sabina are open daily for prayer, their youth building is open to children for parents who have to report to work and don’t have places for their children to go and they are live streaming Sunday services. He continued by stating, “Do I wish the church doors remained open? Yes, but we have to use our wisdom and faith. God has given us both faith and wisdom, and one does not negate the other. We are people of faith but we use wisdom. Do all of the wise things we would normally do (wash our hands, drink water, eat healthy), but at the same time, do not feed your fear. We have to decide. What am I going to give my energy to? Who am I going to feed? The voice of God whom we know or the voices on TV?”

Published

6 years ago

March 31, 2020

Oakland Post

Many of Chicago’s pastors have transitioned to virtual services for the safety and spiritual support of their members. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By Elizabeth Lampkin, Contributing Writer, Chicago Defender

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered life across the world. From restaurant closures, flight cancellations and school closings, the freedom and interpersonal interactions often taken for granted have been seized away from society. In times like these, people seek guidance and hope from a higher power and develop a renewed faith in God. That creates a sense of urgency to gather together for comfort and support from their church families. However, with the stay-at-home order, self-isolations, and quarantine practices, large gatherings in churches have been put on hold. This leads to pastors and parishioners practicing alternative ways of praise and worship.

To stay connected as one body, many churches are live streaming worship services, conducting YouTube broadcasts, and going live on Facebook. Other church leaders are also hosting conference calls for counseling and prayer needs, video chats for ministry meetings or activities, and hosting virtual Bible studies. For the young believer, some churches have prepped online Bible activities that include videos and questions to teach them about the Word of God. For weekly life groups, zoom video chats and conference calls have been arranged to maintain interaction.

These alternate measures have fulfilled parishioners’ needs, but some pastors have chosen to keep their church doors open using other precautions during service. Some leaders preach their sermons with protective face gear while encouraging people to sit a row apart. If people are on the same row, they’re seated three to six feet apart. Instead of greeting each other with warm embraces, people are bowing to each other or smiling with a friendly nod of approval. When it’s time for offering many, have transitioned to online giving through various apps. Still, for those who haven’t, they’ve placed collection plates or boxes in the back of the sanctuary and strongly urge parishioners to give online.

Many of Chicago’s pastors have transitioned to virtual services for the safety and spiritual support of their members.

Father Michael Pfleger, the Senior Pastor of The Faith Community of Saint Sabina, has chosen to combine both. In a brief interview, he said the doors of Saint Sabina are open daily for prayer, their youth building is open to children for parents who have to report to work and don’t have places for their children to go and they are live streaming Sunday services. He continued by stating,

“Do I wish the church doors remained open? Yes, but we have to use our wisdom and faith. God has given us both faith and wisdom, and one does not negate the other. We are people of faith but we use wisdom. Do all of the wise things we would normally do (wash our hands, drink water, eat healthy), but at the same time, do not feed your fear. We have to decide. What am I going to give my energy to? Who am I going to feed? The voice of God whom we know or the voices on TV?”

He’s also encouraging believers to positively feed their faith by praying, reading scripture, listening to music, and reflecting on what you’re giving your energy to during this time. He went on further to offer words of encouragement:

“In every one of our lives, God has brought us through so much. If He takes us through that, He will take us through this…feed your faith…God has brought us through things before; God is more than able to carry us through this time.

The Reverend James T. Meeks, Pastor of the Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, has also transitioned to conducting all services online. He shared that Salem’s services have live-streamed for the past ten years. They also have weekly televised Wednesday Bible Study, inspirational sermons online for the growing believer, services for those who are struggling with their faith, and other means of spiritual support for those in need, all online. He went on to say,

“There is too much that we know. People find their comfort level in what we can control. Sometimes God will dial up something that nobody has control of. And for those of us who have always trusted God to meet our needs every day will continue trusting God. For those who have never trusted in God will now find ways to trust in Him.”

He also stated that those who are “Faith-shaming” others for not attending physical services means that they are simply people who do not have faith. Pastor Meeks’ message of hope and encouragement for those who need uplifting is simple: “We are never in control. People of faith, we realize we are not in control…God is in control.”

Another of Chicago’s leaders of faith is keeping the safety of his members in mind amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, the Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, is continuing to live stream Bible Study on Wednesdays and host Facebook Live sessions with Pastor Moss who delivers uplifting messages on mental and spiritual health, prayer Calls on Thursday’s at noon and live stream Sunday worship services.

“What we are experiencing now is human encroachment on God’s’ creation. Hopefully, this pandemic will shift our focus to compassion. We are seeing an outpouring of deep compassion that is changing our hearts. We need more compassion and love for humans. We are now seeing how we are our brother’s keeper due to this pandemic.”

When asked about his perspective on “Faith-shamers,” he said,

“I still have deep faith when I put on my seatbelt. I still have deep faith when I go to the doctor. I still have deep faith when I check on my children when they’re playing. There’s something called responsibility, and we are called to be responsible people of faith. People who are “Faith-shaming” are not speaking from a place of love, compassion, and care. They are infecting people with another virus of hate, shame, and destructive activity.”

He continued saying that God is the Creator of all, so why would we operate outside of what He has already determined? Why would we put ourselves in a position to harm other people? In closing, Rev. Moss provided a timely reminder of how our ancestors have seen and survived moments such as these before. He further noted that they had to gather in hidden places, in secret, to worship Christ. There were no designated spaces for slaves to show reverence to God, but they managed to do so, and we don’t want to make the church building an idol.

This is a difficult moment in our modern history, and it’s vital to stay connected to each other, but it’s also essential to keep each other safe. Practicing different ways to worship is not a sin. If you’ve chosen to engage from the comfort of your own home to maintain a balance between your commitment to God and abide by laws, it doesn’t mean your dedication to your faith in Him is wavering, nor does it mean you love God less than the next person. If live-streaming services don’t work for you, then take some time to meditate on the Word of God on your own, read uplifting scriptures and play your favorite praise and worship music at home. You can also listen to sermons or create daily Bible reading plans to water your spirit with positivity and truth. No matter what you do, remember it’s up to you to continue your relationship with God no matter where you are and not just on Sundays. Praise and worship can happen anywhere because God is present everywhere.

The post Faith Over Fear: How Churches are Helping Their Congregations despite Service Cancellations appeared first on Chicago Defender.

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COMMENTARY: Jim Crow 2.0 at the Pentagon

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 3, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Pete Hegseth insists that he is restoring “merit” to the United States military. But after months of dismissals, blocked promotions, and ideological purges, the evidence tells a different story. His campaign against so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” has become something far more dangerous: an assault on equal opportunity that falls with particular force on African Americans, while also targeting women, Latinos, gay Americans, and transgender service members.

The latest example is both troubling and infuriating.

Once again, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly blocked the promotion of an exceptionally qualified woman—Rear Admiral Amy Bauernschmidt. Bauernschmidt is no ordinary officer. She became the Navy’s first woman to command a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, one of the most demanding leadership assignments in the world. Her career reflects decades of exemplary performance, operational excellence, and leadership under extraordinary pressure.

Yet once again, a distinguished military career appears to have been subordinated to an ideological agenda masquerading as “merit.”

I call BS!

The American people are expected to believe that one extraordinary officer after another suddenly fails to meet some undefined standard of excellence. We are expected to ignore impeccable service records while accepting that political appointees alone possess the wisdom to determine who is worthy of advancement.

The pattern has become impossible to ignore.

General Charles Q. Brown Jr., only the second African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was dismissed despite a career that placed him among the most accomplished military leaders of his generation.

Admiral Lisa Franchetti, the first woman ever to serve as Chief of Naval Operations, was removed despite decades of distinguished command experience.

Reports have documented interventions that blocked or delayed the promotions of Black officers and women selected through the military’s rigorous promotion system.

Now Rear Admiral Amy Bauernschmidt joins the growing list of highly accomplished officers whose careers have been derailed for reasons that have never been persuasively explained.

Where is Congress?

Its silence has become deafening.

Congress has an independent constitutional responsibility to oversee the armed forces. Instead, too many lawmakers have watched silently while one of the nation’s most respected institutions is subjected to ideological litmus tests and political interference.

This is not military reform. It is testosterone-fueled performative masculinity disguised as a philosophy of military excellence.

The irony is impossible to miss. Hegseth repeatedly invokes “merit,” yet his rhetoric begins with the assumption that Black officers, women, and other historically excluded Americans must somehow justify their achievements in ways that white male officers are rarely required to do.

That is not meritocracy. It is prejudice wrapped in patriotic language.

No one is asking that anyone be promoted because of race or gender. Americans simply expect that promotions be based on demonstrated competence, leadership, integrity, and service. The officers being targeted have already proven themselves repeatedly under one of the world’s most demanding evaluation systems.

Their records speak for themselves.

The attack on African American military leadership has been especially pernicious.

For generations, Black Americans fought in segregated units, earned decorations while denied equal treatment, and repeatedly demonstrated loyalty to a nation that often failed to extend them full citizenship. They broke barriers not because standards were lowered but because excellence finally overcame institutional discrimination.

Today’s campaign against “diversity” threatens to revive old assumptions under new slogans.

The implication that Black generals and admirals somehow owe their success to affirmative action rather than extraordinary performance echoes some of the ugliest stereotypes of the Jim Crow era. Yesterday’s segregationists claimed Black Americans were inherently less qualified. Today’s culture warriors simply employ more politically acceptable language while inviting the same suspicion about Black achievement.

That is why Hegseth’s campaign increasingly resembles Jim Crow 2.0.

The targets may now wear stars on their shoulders instead of military patches on segregated uniforms, but the underlying message is hauntingly familiar: Black excellence is presumed suspect, while white excellence is presumed earned.

America’s military became the finest fighting force in history because it opened its doors to talent wherever it could be found. It grew stronger after President Truman desegregated the armed forces. It became stronger when women assumed greater command responsibilities. It became stronger when every qualified American was given the opportunity to serve to the fullest extent of their abilities.

Diversity is not a concession. It is a strategic advantage.

The nation’s adversaries do not fear an American military because it is racially homogeneous. They fear it because it draws upon the talents of more than 340 million Americans whose diverse experiences, perspectives, and abilities make our armed forces unmatched anywhere in the world.

Every politically motivated dismissal of a distinguished officer sends a chilling message throughout the ranks: excellence alone may no longer be enough if you belong to the wrong demographic group.

That weakens morale. It weakens recruitment. It weakens retention.

And ultimately, it weakens national security.

Pete Hegseth has every right to pursue military readiness. He has no right to redefine merit in ways that repeatedly cast suspicion upon the accomplishments of Black officers, women, and others who have devoted their lives to defending this nation.

America deserves better. The men and women who wear the uniform deserve better. The Constitution deserves better.

And unless Congress finds the courage to exercise meaningful oversight, history may well remember this period not as a restoration of military excellence, but as the moment political ideology attempted to resurrect, in modern form, the old poison of exclusion.

Jim Crow did not strengthen America. Jim Crow 2.0 will not strengthen America’s military. It will only diminish it

Wade Henderson
Strategic Advisor
Civil and Human Rights
wade@wadejhenderson.com

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New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial

By Emilie St. John (Contributor) Karmelo Anthony will return to court next month in his first step to overturn his murder conviction. Anthony was found guilty last month in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His new legal team has filed motions seeking the recusal of State District […]
The post New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 31, 2026

Oakland Post

By Emilie St. John
(Contributor)

Karmelo Anthony will return to court next month in his first step to overturn his murder conviction.

Anthony was found guilty last month in the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison. His new legal team has filed motions seeking the recusal of State District Judge John Roach Jr. from overseeing the appeals process.

Two hearings have been scheduled on the motion for Aug. 9 and 10 in the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney, Texas, according to Fox4 News.

On July 14, Senior Judge Sid L. Harle of the 226th District Court was assigned to preside over the defense’s motion to recuse Collin County Judge John Roach. The assignment took effect immediately and authorized Harle to handle all matters related to the recusal request, the filing read.

The Collin County District Attorney’s Office continues to defend its handling of the case by issuing a statement to NBC 5 DFW.

“The defendant’s new lawyers have filed a motion containing several inaccurate characterizations of the trial proceedings. The entire prosecution team and I conducted this trial ethically and in full compliance with the Court’s rulings and any agreements with defense counsel. We look forward to addressing these claims thoroughly in a Court of law in the coming weeks. The jury heard extensive evidence over the course of the trial and returned a unanimous verdict. We remain confident in that verdict and the fairness of the proceedings.”

Anthony’s new legal team, made up of appellate, civil rights, and criminal defense attorneys, was retained following Anthony’s conviction.

“Our responsibility is to determine whether a legal error occurred and to ensure that every issue supported by the record is fully and vigorously presented on appeal,” the team said in a statement.

“We recognize the profound loss suffered by one young man’s family and the uncertainty facing another, and we extend our respect to everyone whose lives have been forever changed by these events,” the release reads.

Anthony was charged with the stabbing death of Austin Metcalf during a track meet in Frisco, Texas, April 2, 2025. Anthony has long maintained it was an act of self-defense.

The attorneys are representing Anthony pro bono. The nearly 200-page notice of appeal seeks a new trial because his Sixth Amendment right to a public trial was violated.

“The cumulative and practical effect of these provisions was to exclude members of the public from proceedings at every stage,” the filing reads.

The filing also focused on an alleged “handshake deal” that kept Anthony from taking the stand in his defense.

The defense filing said the agreement was that the jury would not hear that Metcalf and his twin brother had been accused of racism and bullying in the past. In exchange, they also would not see Anthony’s cellphone records or his school disciplinary record, according to court documents reported by the Dallas Morning News.

Anthony’s former defense attorney, Mike Howard, said the defense relied heavily on that deal. The team chose not to ask certain questions of witnesses or call on a separate expert witness based on that agreement. It also abandoned plans to introduce testimony and evidence about the allegations against Metcalf and his brother.

Appellate attorney Russell Wilson is now handling post-trial proceedings and Anthony’s appeal. He recently sat down for an interview, stating, “The court committed multiple errors during the June murder trial, preventing him from receiving a fair trial.”

“You know, we file motions that we expect to prevail on, but we understand that there’s two sides to every story. And at the end of the day, it’ll be a judge that has to make these decisions, but we feel confident in the positions that we’re taking,” Wilson said during an interview with WFAA. “There were substantial issues that we thought a reviewing court needed to look at. We thought these were constitutional irregularities, and we could have them addressed now. And so, we put them into a motion for a new trial.”

Bree West, a former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney, found it startling that so little time was given to Anthony’s team for such a serious “life or death” situation.

“I do think that it’s really challenging that potentially a court decided that you have 10 minutes to make that level of decision when it has the potential of being life-altering,” said West during an interview with Fox 4 News.

Judge Harle is no stranger to high-profile cases, having presided over the prosecution of a police officer charged in connection with the 2022 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.

Anthony was convicted on June 9 of the murder of Austin Metcalf and sentenced to 35 years in prison.

The post New Judge Could Decide if Karmelo Anthony Gets a New Trial appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump!

WESTSIDE GAZETTE — The author criticizes Donald Trump’s rhetoric, noting his use of terms like “Dumbocrats” and “Communist” to describe Democrats and democracy. The column asserts that Trump’s current strategy involves creating doubt about midterm elections due to a lack of Republican agenda.
The post COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump! appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

July 31, 2026

Oakland Post

Frankly Speaking

Wow! Wow! Wow! The swamp drainers have truly stepped down to new levels of stupidity. You remember Weapons of Mass Destruction? We now have Weapons of Mass Distraction. Trump has introduced Dumbocrats and Communists into the conversation about Democrats and Democracy.

Trump lies so much, and his current strategy is to set up doubt about midterm elections because he and Republicans have no agenda!

He has no “Trump “ card, but Iran has a strait! He called it a skirmish; it’s now a War. He said five days; now it’s five months. He said few casualties; now it’s 18 deaths. He knew nothing about Project 2025 but hired its architects! Trump lies about the lies and often forgets these little inventions called cameras and phones

We see and hear and then see and hear the inconsistencies.

I didn’t like 45 and dislike 47 even more!

The post LSMFT! Lord Save Me From Trump! appeared first on The Westside Gazette.

Based on reporting by Westside Gazette.

The post COMMENTARY: LSMFT! Lord Save Me from Trump! appeared first on BlackPressUSA.