With warm remarks, Bishop Cecil G. Riley, New York ACLC Co-Chairman, welcomed our ACLC members and guests to the Freedom Hall Church of God on Saturday, March 10. After greeting everyone, he asked us to move around and sit at different tables other than with the people we came with, in order to get to know each other and make new friends. Bishop Riley then introduced Rev. Bruce Grodner, New York ACLC Co-Chairman.

Rev. Grodner started by saying that not only is Bishop Riley the bishop and pastor to his congregation but he also stands in the position of parent. He emphasized the need for unity and cooperation between different denominations and religions. Recently, he said, a friend had asked him if he knew the reason why God was not residing at the UN. In answering the question for himself, his friend said God was not at the UN because of religion. Religions are not represented at the UN because they have such a hard time getting along with each other. He continued by saying that the body of Christ, the Christian denominations, must come together in order to accomplish God's will and make this possible. Rev. Grodner asked, how does the human spirit grow? He answered, through good action. In concluding, he said, the more you invest, the more you will receive, and he encouraged all, as Bishop Riley had done, to get to know each other.

Evangelist Beryl Green was called on to give the invocation. Bishop Riley asked for a moment of silent prayer for the victims of the terrible Bronx fire during the previous week. As breakfast was served, a youthful nearby church choir from the Truth Center for Higher Consciousness sang, "Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel?" Rev. Kennard Davis, pastor, was scheduled to give the day’s sermon but was not able to attend due to an emergency. In his reflections on the song, Bishop Riley commented that when we get delivered, racial barriers disappear. A sumptuous breakfast was enjoyed by all.

After breakfast Bishop Dr. Margie de la Rosa of the Christ Family Church in Mount Vernon, NY, led us through a reading of the ACLC goals and objectives, which is captured in its closing statement: "to rebuild the family, restore the community, renew the nation and world." In preparation for the day's main message a Bible reading was taken from Matthew 19, verses 4-6. It was read by Rev. Yasuhiro Hori of the Brooklyn Family Church. Dr. Gilda Price read the ACLC founder’s words, a short excerpt from his speech, "God's Model for Absoluteness, Peace and the Ideal."

In introducing Dr. H.G. McGhee, Jr., our speaker for the day, Bishop Riley said we are here to receive a word from the Lord through his messenger. He said Rev. McGhee is a fourth generation pastor whose sister is also a preacher, and Rev. McGhee is a proud husband and father.

The title of Dr. McGhee’s message was "Who’s Got Your Ear?" He said we have to be careful about what we allow into our hearts, that we should take time to look in Deuteronomy Chapter 18, Verses 18-19, where Moses gives guidance about who the Israelites should listen to. He shared about growing up in Virginia and being familiar with the flying of bats. He and his brother spent time observing the bats and noticed how they were always able to avoid collisions, not because of their sight, but because of what they heard, that what they heard influenced their direction. In essence, we have to be careful who we listen to; if we study the Word about the beginning, we would discover that we were all together prior to the time of Babel. We were the children of the family of God, he proclaimed. He said society would have us believe that anyone who associates with Rev. Sun Myung Moon is headed for destruction, but it depends on who we are listening to. We have to learn how to listen critically to the voices we hear in the world. We have to understand that God would have us come together as one family.

We also have to be careful when we get to the gate of the Kingdom of Heaven because there are people who have set traps for us. When you get to the Kingdom you will find wells that you did not dig, vineyards that you did not plant. Let us not forget how we got there. Moses warned the Israelites as they were heading into the land of Canaan that they had to be careful who they listened to. You will find people who tell you that you are not what you think you are, so you have to be careful who you listen to. You have to listen to the right voice. You have to walk with the right crowd. He continued: "I am here to tell you that you are in the right place. The right voice will always give you hope. Who’s got your ear? I can’t tell. However, I know who I’m listening to. All of us are to become one family under God."

Following Dr. McGhee's sermon, Rev. Grodner introduced the Holy Wine ceremony and invited three couples to the front as representative couples. Rev. Kendricks of the First Grace Baptist Church in Harlem was invited to say a few words and to lead the offering for our keynote speaker. As the offering was taken, the choir from Dr. Kennard Davis’ church blessed us by singing, "We Are Blessed." Rev. Kendricks concluded the offering with a prayer. Rev. Grodner welcomed new members and reminded everyone about renewing their membership as it comes due each year. Rev. Desmond Green was called on to encourage those who were not yet members to join. He concluded his talk with a song sung together with his wife Beryl entitled, "This Is My Island In The Sun," which transported us all to the Caribbean, if only for a few minutes.

Miss. Sophia Kirkley, a representative from the student organization CARP, was introduced. She shared how Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, during his recent tour, had asked youth from CARP to work together with the youth from the ACLC churches. After a short personal introduction she said the purpose of CARP was to create a desire in our youth to live for the sake of others. She stated that we would serve better through working together with local pastors and churches, as they are more aware of what is needed in the community. Sister Maria Vargas introduced the Kingmaker magazine, a magazine that highlights role models in the African-American community, as an inspirational publication that can assist churches in their efforts to raise funds for local activities. The Houston convocation was announced, to be held March 22-24.

In closing, Bishop Riley noted that black folk get a hard time when they associate with Rev. Moon. However, we are proud to do so, he said, and when we read the scripture we must remember that it was a black man who helped Jesus. He complemented the many people behind the scenes who worked hard to bring the monthly breakfast meetings together, and concluded the meeting with a prayer.

Reported by Rev. Tom Corley
Editing assistance from Mrs. Alan Thibideau

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