Ursula Holmes was settled into her usual pew toward the rear of Washington’s Nineteenth Street Baptist Church when President-elect Barack Obama saw her. Both he and his wife, Michelle, paused, stooped down and took hold of her hand as they left church after a Sunday service in January.
Holmes was too excited then to whisper the advice she now has for them, advice that she says has helped her survive in this city for 92 years. “Find a church family,” she wants to tell them. “There’s no place like the black church.”
Holmes is far from alone in that sentiment. Everyone in Washington’s church-going community seems to have an opinion about where the first family should go to church — and nowhere is hope higher than among the city’s scores of predominantly black churches, which are in the mix for the first time. Their pastors and members are asking: Will Obama choose one of us? Like so many choices the first family is making in this city, the search for a church has spurred discussions about the state of race relations and a hot competition for its mark of approval.
An old children’s hymn has a phrase in it. Quote: “..red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight !!…” I confess I haven’t worshipped with my American Indian Christians, but I have met with Oriental, African-Americans, and White Christians. And by their words and actions glorifying our Lord it was quite evident they worshipped our Lord as Christians not denominations.