Philadelphia Tribune - Index

Philadelphia Tribune - Friday, September 18, 2009 - Index

Germantown women’s
group gets ‘Hattitude’
Knowles adds star power to rising gospel singer
Friday, September 18, 2009 Page 5-D
Stephanie Guerilus
Tribune Staff Writer
The Presbyterian Women of
Germantown Community
Presbyterian Church sponsored
their first ever “New
Hattitude Fashion Show and
Luncheon” last Saturday.
One hundred and sixty people
came out to support this
unconventional affair. They
purchased hats from various
vendors who showed off their
stylish chapeaus.
The men got in on the act,
too, as they showed their haberdasheries.
All of the proceeds went to
support missions of
Presbyterian Women locally,
nationally and internationally.
“We wanted to do something
different aside from just having
a regular fashion show,” Diana
Taylor said.
“One of our church members,
Ruth Johnson, had
attended a hat fashion (show)
at another church. So she
wanted to bring that same type
of affair to our church.”
Taylor, who served as the
commentator, further commented
on the sentimentality
that most women share for
hats.
“It was letting people tap into
their hattitude, like having a
new attitude,” Taylor said.
“Hats are really like your
crown and glory and so, when
you put on a hat, it just might
change your whole attitude.”
Maureen Prillerman helped
to organize the event and finalize
all the details. The planning
began last June. She was
pleased with the outcome.
“I think it was wonderful.
Everyone was very happy. They
enjoyed themselves,”
Prillerman said.
“The audience had time to
participate and come up and
model their hats.”
Donna Newman, moderator
for Presbyterian Women of
Germantown Community
Presbyterian Church, was
another reveler who enjoyed
the show. She hoped that the
others were able to take away
the true meaning of the showcase.
“The Presbyterian’s
Women’s Association is really
an intentional association or
organization within the
Presbyterian church and our
sole purpose is to nurture our
faith in prayer and bible
study and to support the mission
of the church worldwide
and to work for justice and
peace,” Newman said.
“The bottom line is that all of
the women were very committed
not only to the fashion
show but more so committed to
our goal, which is to support
the missions of the world.”
The next big event hosted by
the ladies will be a Christmas
bizarre on Dec. 12. For more
information, contact (215) 438-
0500.
Diana Taylor, commentator
of the
“New Hattitude
Fashions and
Luncheon” program
exhibits the power
of a red hat before
taking her place at
the podium to guide
the show. See more
photos at
www.phillytrib.com.
— PHOTO BY SHIRA YUDKOFF
Michael Robinson
Tribune Correspondent
The soulful music that bellows
from Brian Courtney
Wilson is so spiritually
enriched with passion and
praise that he is quickly
becoming gospel music’s
newest sensation. The
Tribune had an opportunity to
sit down with this humble hit
maker to chat about his rise to
stardom and acclaim.
Wilson‘s current album
“Just Love” peaked at No. 2 on
the gospel music chart, and
during the time of our interview
this week, it was ranked
as the 16th highest selling
gospel album in the country —
surpassing perennial gospel
legend Yolanda Adams’s
recent album (ranked No. 22),
according to Billboard.com.
A phenomenal feat, given
this is Wilson‘s debut album.
Wilson‘s rise to stardom wasn’t
an overnight happening. It
was a long journey riddled
with adversities.
Wilson, 36, grew up in the
Chicago area. In his early
years, he attended the Rock of
Ages Baptist Church, where
he was an active singer with
the youth and adult choirs.
“This was a perfect platform
to cut my teeth in the music
ministry,” adds Wilson. As an
adult, he later transitioned to
become a member of St.
John’s United Methodist
Church, in Houston, Texas,
serving under the Revs. Rudy
and Juanita Rasmus, senior
pastors. Wilson said he enjoys
the unpretentious and committed
atmosphere of St.
John’s and he actively supports
the Bread of Life
Ministry, an outreach ministry
that serves the needs of the
homeless.
Skeet Boyle, lead clerk of
guest services of St. John’s
United Methodist Church,
said, “Wilson is an active and
involved member of the
church. He and his family are
very well liked.”
While growing up, Wilson
confesses, “I had my own feelings
of isolation … sometimes
church can make you feel like
that.” His hit song “Already
Here” was an original song he
wrote for the music ministry
at St. John’s. His other hit
song “All I Need” is a chart
burner, currently ranked
No.13 in the country.
Pastor Rudy, a gospel artist
on the Spirit Rising/Music
World Entertainment record
label, discovered Wilson.
After hearing Wilson‘s music
and befriending him, Pastor
Rudy introduced Wilson to
Mathew Knowles, founder of
Spirit Rising/Music World
Entertainment.
Knowles is the father and
manager of megastar Beyoncé.
Wilson recalls some life
challenges that helped
strengthen his faith and spiritual
resolve to remain steadfast
in pursuing his calling in
gospel music. He was greatly
influenced and encouraged by
his great uncle who recently
died.
“I just buried my uncle, he
struggled to make a living. He
was making it. He was a great
man, he had a family he was
supporting, but no one wrote
an article on him.” Wilson
admired his great uncle and
strives to duplicate his strong
work ethic. Wilson shared a
very humble and heartfelt
tribute to his mentors, “I ask
myself, ‘Am I man enough to
do what I need to do? Will I
measure up to the men who
helped me, like my great uncle
and dad?’”
Wilson’s mother is another
person who greatly influenced
his life. He humorously recalls
how his mother is so transparent
in her Christian life, that
he would worry about what
she would openly testify or
confess in church. Because of
her example, Wilson said “I’m
trying to be open and honest
in my ministry.”
Gospel singer Brian Courtney Wilson shown here in a publicity
photo. – SUBMITTED PHOTO
CHURCH AT WORK
Elmwood Community
Methodist Church
4523 Chester Ave
he Elmwood Community
ethodist Church will be celerating
the third anniversary of
he church’s Pastor Rev.
ayne Antoine. The celebraion
will be from Sept. 13-20.
arious guest speakers will be
peaking throughout the week.
or more information call (215)
87-1771.
Zion AME Church
21 & Tasker St.
he First Episcopal District
frican Methodist Episcopal
hurch and the Philadelphia
onference Board of
hristian Education will be
aving its 2009 Jubilee celebration
at the Zion A.M.E.
Church on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
Awards will be handed out
and refreshments will be
served.
Mt. Hebron Baptist Church
1415-19 Wharton St.
The Mt. Hebron Baptist
Church will be having a free
clothing and items giveaway
from Sept. 18-19. There will be
items for kids, men, ladies, and
home. Please bring your own
shopping bag or cart. For more
information call (215) 217-
1991.
Union Baptist Church
1910 Fitzwater St.
On Sept. 20 the church will
e celebrating its 177th
nniversary during the
hurch’s morning service.
Teacher, author, and Pastor,
Rev. William L. Banks will
be the guest preacher. The
Rev. Donald K. West is the
Pastor. For more information
call (215) 735-7273.
Cedar Park Presbyterian
Church
7740 Limekiln Pike
On Sept. 25 the Cedar Park
Presbyterian Church will be
having its “Funtastic Friday”
on Sept. 25. Activities will
include games, music, line
dancing, and karaoke. Dr.
Carroll Jenkins is the Pastor.
For more information call (215)
549-6297.
Oak Grove Baptist Church
2853 N. 21st St.
The Deacon’s ministry and
trustee board of the Oak Grove
Baptist Church will be having
a prayer breakfast on Sept. 26
at 9 a.m. The guest preacher
will be Rev. Louise William. For
more information call (215)
226-5862.
Mt. Pisgah AME Church
428 N. 41st St.
Mt. Pisgah AME Church will be
hosting the Festival of Hymns
Choir on Sept. 27 at 4 p.m.
This event will be presented by
The Chancel Choir. The director
is Dr. Harrilese DuRant
Miles. Rev. Jay B. Broadnax is
the pastor. For more information
call (215) 386-6181.
Bethlehem African Methodist
Episcopal Church
215 South Pine St.
The Bethlehem A.M.E
Church will be having several
upcoming events. On Sept.
27 the Bishop Jeffry N. Leath
of the 19th Episcopal
District of Johannesburg,
Republic of South Africa will
be the guest speaker for the
church morning service. On
Oct.10 the church will be
having its 200th anniversary
open house worship service.
Bishop Richard F. Norris will
be the guest preacher. On
Oct. 17 the church will have
its 200th anniversary banquet.
Rev. Vernard R. Leak
will be the guest preacher.
For more information call
(215) 757-5313.
James Varick African
Methodist Episcopal Church
2001-09 Reed St.
On Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. the
church will be having its annual
mission day observance. The
guest preacher will be the Rev.
Rachel McNeil of the Union
AME Zion Church of New
Castle, Del.
First Corinthian Baptist
Church
5101 Pine St.
On Sept. 27 the church will
be having a reunion concert.
The concert will include the
1974-1976 Overbrook
singers along with the New
Life Singers. Rev. Dennis
Earl Thomas is the Pastor.
For more information call
(215) 748-0571.