Issue 159
June 5, 2022
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SECOND’S GAZETTE STAFF Nadine O. Harris, MBA, Founder/Publisher Ferrari Y. Green, Production and Design
Editors: Sharon Durall, Jaylyn Harris, Kathy Jackson, Apryl Harris
Operations and Distribution Sherry Joiner, Del Cain
Contributors
In loving memories of Nadine Harris Founder and Chief Editor of Second’s Gazette, May She Forever
RIP.
Peggy LaBon, Lois Gaston, Jessie Anderson, Vanessa Jenkins, Vera Reeves, Betty Thomas, Felicia Dickson, Keith D. Holmes, Judy McCulloch, Donna Burke, LaTricia Brown, Lula Boyer
Photographers: Adele Davis, Jerel McLendon, Victoria Johnson, Media Ministry Staff
SBCCM Consultant: Avian Westby
SEED—The Bible often uses seeds as symbols of faith or God’s Word. In the Old Testament, seeds also refer to offspring. Jesus said people who believe in Him can perform mighty deeds with “faith the size of a mustard seed” (Luke 17:6, NRSV). Many of Jesus’ teachings use seed imagery; for example, in the parable of the four soils, He said the seed, God’s Word, can grow only when people hear it, “hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance” (Luke 8:15, NRSV).
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Pastor Chris and his crew were at the annual Community Birthday party called Monrovia Days (held on May 13, 14 and 15th) where the youth display an wide array of talents. The first Monrovia Day Parade was in 1892.
Fun Fact: Monrovia Days is only 10 years older than Second Baptist Church that started in 1902.
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African-Americans,
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s Father’s Day approaches, there are many African-American men and fathers suffering from mental health issues, as they’re unconsciously isolating themselves, wallowing in their ruminating thoughts without wanting assistance in treating their mental illness.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 63% of African-American men believe seeking mental health services is a sign of weakness because they have difficulty seeking assistance in making sense of whatever is prohibiting them from being their best version of themselves mentally. Part of
this shared cultural experience, family influences, values, expression through spirituality or music, reliance on community and religious networks are enriching and can be great sources of strength and support. However, another part of this shared experience is facing racism, discrimination and inequity that can significantly affect a person’s mental health. Being treated or perceived as “less than” because of the color of your skin can be stressful and even traumatizing. Additionally, members of the AfricanAmerican community face structural challenges accessing the care and treatment they need. Despite the need, according to the American Psychiatric Association’s Mental Health Facts for African-
Americans, only 1 in 3 African-American adults receive mental health treatment. 63% of African-American men believe seeking mental health services is a sign of weakness because they have difficulty seeking assistance in making sense of whatever is prohibiting them from being their best version of themselves mentally.
For many in the Black community, it can be incredibly challenging to discuss the topic of mental health due to this concern about how they may be perceived by others. This fear could prevent people from seeking mental health care when
they really need it. Additionally, many people choose to seek support from their faith community rather than seeking a medical diagnosis. In many Black communities in the U.S., the church, mosque or other faith institution can play a central role as a meeting place and source of strength. Faith and spirituality can help in the recovery process and be an important part of a treatment plan. For example, spiritual leaders and faith communities can provide support and reduce isolation. However, they should not be the only option for people whose daily functioning is impaired by mental health symptoms.
Men, and Mental Health While we recommend seeking help from a mental health professional, a primary care professional is also a great place to start. A primary care professional might be able to provide an initial mental health assessment and referral to a mental health professional if needed. Community and faith organizations may also have a list of available mental health providers in your area. When meeting with a provider, it can be helpful to ask questions to get a sense of their level of cultural awareness. Providers expect and welcome questions from their patients or clients, since this helps them better understand what is im-
portant and if the provider is a good match. It’s okay to ask questions pertaining to ethnicity because cultural competency plays a vital role in successful treatment. Questions like “Do you have a history of treating African-Americans in therapy? Have you had any success providing therapy services with African- Americans? Is your approach the same with all of your clients, regardless of ethnicity?”
Mental health services is a business and before allowing a mental health professional in your world through sharing one’s experience, please ensure your time, comfort and level of openness is established within a nurtured and safe space by the mental health professional. If not, the best business decision for one’s mental health is to end the therapeutic relationship. If you feel you need assistance in locating a mental health provider, ask your primary care provider, and they should be able to submit a referral to the appropriate service provider.
~ Keith Holmes, AMFT
June 2022 Special Days
Day of Pentecost June 5, Trinity Sunday June 12, Flag Day — June 14, Father's Day — June 19, Summer Begins — June 21,
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The average age of ministers in America is 57 years old. 80% of ministers are more than 40 years old. Only 4% of ministers in America are under 30 years old! National Congregations Survey, 2020 Faith Communities Today, 2020
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"We would like to thank the City of Monrovia, our Health Fair vendors and workshop speaker, Second Baptist Church, and our dedicated volunteers for making the 2022 Health Fair a success! As an allvolunteer organization, we could not continue to accomplish our mission without you.
Pictures By: Jason Jenkins, Jr.
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Titus 2:3-5
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:4-5
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17:21
Pictures By: Laura Bullock
Bishop Dillard recently wrote a piece in response to the resent massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvaled, Texas. This is an exert from his piece. Find and Read it in its entirety at: https://www.facebook.com/wm.dillard MY BISHOPRICK’S PRAYER To Change the Spiritual Climate of our Nation!
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lmighty God, our heavenly Father, we recognize who You are as the Omnific creator of heaven and earth. With confidence and a humble spirit I come before You.
Thank You for making me a part of Your family by the vicarious death of Your only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ. Thank you for making me, and thousands of others a part of Your heavenly family. Receive my supplication to You; to change the climate of our Nation and World. Out Father, I think of all the pain and heartaches, the tears and sorrows, the hurt, the greed, and cruelty unloosed in these United States of America, and
around the world. Help me to be an instrument of Yours to alleviate the pain, in so many lives by sharing Your blessed Word today: Returning good for evil, Returning soft answers for sharp criticisms, being polite when I receive rudeness, being understanding when I am confronted by ignorance and stupidity. May I in gentleness and love, check the hasty answer, choke back the unkind retort, and thus short-circuit some of the bitterness and unkindness that has overflowed this Nation and World. Every parent, child, spouse, sibling, grand-
parent, and friends join me in this prayer to You. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen. Until He Comes, I Am Serving Christ Joyfully, Bishop Dr. William LaRue Dillard, An apologist of the Faith (Jude 3).