Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 12-29-15 Edition

Local
Second Annual Emancipation Proclamation Service Planned
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On September 22, 1862,
President Abraham Lin- coln issued the first Emanci- pation Proclamation, stating that it would go into effect January 1, 1863, if the South- ern states did not cease their rebellion. The Southern states did not heed his warn- ing and the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863.
As news of the proposed document spread, the Black community, both slaves and freed Blacks, waited in antic- ipation. On January 1, 1863, Blacks rejoiced in their new- found freedom. And, al- though the news of freedom reached communities by word of mouth, most African Americans gather to cele- brate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1st.
In keeping with this tradition, members of the community will
BISHOP ADAM J. RICHARDSON, JR. ... 11th Episcopal District of the AME Church
gather at Allen Temple African Methodist Epis- copal Church, 2101 N. Lowe Street, on Friday, January 1, 2016, at 11 a.m. for the Emancipa- tion Proclamation Serv- ice. The event is being hosted by Dr. David A. Green, Sr., Senior Pastor of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, and sponsored by the Tampa Bay Coali- tion of Clergy.
DR. DAVID GREEN, SR. Host Pastor, Allen Temple AME Church
This year, the keynote speaker is Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr., `the 115th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is assigned to the 11th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church.
A Tampa native, Bishop Richardson attended the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County, graduating from Middleton High School. He continued his education at Florida A & M University.
BISHOP THOMAS SCOTT Chairman, Tampa Bay Coalition of Clergy
He continued his education at Turner Seminary at the In- terdenominational Theologi- cal Center, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Bishop Richardson earned his Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at the ITC through the Atlanta Theolog- ical Association.
He was elected and con- secrated as the 115th Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1996.
Bishop Richardson is married to Dr. Connie
Speights, and they are the parents of two adult chil- dren.
Dr. Green said, “This is the second time that we have hosted the Emancipation Proclamation Service. It is something that is needed in the community.
“We need to pause to rec- ognize where we’ve come from and educate our youth about our history and where we are going.”
Bishop Thomas Scott,
Chairman of the Tampa Bay Coalition of Clergy said, “Last year, we had an excel- lent turnout and we are hop- ing for the same thing this year.
“We have invited all elected officials to attend and bring greetings as we begin this annual event.
“We are going to recog- nize the accomplishments of people of color and highlight the accomplishments of our elected officials. We are inviting the community to come out and join us.”
FYI
FDOT To Close Lanes For Construction
Several roads are under construction during the Tampa Bay Area. However, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to close several non-interstate roads between De- cember 27, 2015 and January 2, 2016.
The closures are as follows:
Hillsborough County
21st/22nd Street between Adamo Drive (State Road 60
and Hillsborough Avenue (U.S. Highway 92); Corridor Enhancements and Utility work – Lane closures Sunday – Satur- day 24 hours per day.
Nebraska Avenue (S.R. 686) between Hillsborough Avenue and Sligh Avenue; Repaving – Nightly lane closures Monday and Tuesday from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am.
U.S. 41 between Fletcher Avenue and the Pasco County Line; Repaving – Intermittent lane closures Monday – Wednesday from 7:00 am to 5:00 am.
PAGE 10 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015