Publisher’s Letter
Where have we been for the last year and a half,? Renewing! Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Our 10th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet printed in November 2022 was our last issue. I was so excited about the milestone and made plans for our next season, which I called, “A Season of Abundance.” Instead, we entered a “Job Season” where we encountered delays, dilemmas, and denials. Delays with content, dilemmas in ministry, and denials with funding. It seems as if we were hit with every possible unturn, bumps, no’s, and disappointments known to man. To include sickness, and death. Just like Job, I questioned God. “Lord, what is it? What am I doing wrong?” I just couldn’t understand the storm. Though not immediately God did respond. “I need to get you ready” At that moment I realized that I was doing so much for others I was neglecting my work. I was then reminded of a quote by Tyler Perry… “focus on one thing” I decided to focus on me.
The renewing started with getting “me” ready. I started with my health I successfully lost 103 lbs.! I reevaluated the services I was doing for others and formed a plan to make me better at them so that I may better service my family, the ministry, and the community. As highlighted on page three. I also restructured and realigned plans created for Good News back in 2022.
Although not completely out of the storm. I am thankful and fortunate for going through it. Going through these things has allowed me to gather great resources, make positive connections, and release overdue disconnections. Like Job, I will remain faithful no matter life’s circumstances. As we continue to spread the Good News you will witness the work and have an opportunity to share in it more to come.
God’s blessings,
Linda E. Edwards
Founder/Publisher
The Mighty Traveling Stars Where Are They Now
Chaplin James Whitfield
Cislyn E. Edwards
Jeanette “Kathy Bunton
The Exciting Gospel Warriors
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GOOD NEWS is a free monthly publication, printed copies are only available while supplies last. Disclosures: We would love to feature your ministry, leaders, and/or youth and children who are doing extraordinary things for consideration for the upcoming issues. And share your community events on our social media pages. There is no cost for the mentioned sections of Good News but is subject to availability. Written communication may be edited for length and clarity and cannot be returned. The Publisher/Editor reserves the right to change policies without prior notice. The editorial and health content presented in Good News is for informational purpose only. It should not be substituted for advice from a competent professional. Any similarity in stories and articles, other than those indicated to be factual, by characterization or name, to persons living or dead, is unintended and purely coincidental.
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Start your month with a Laugh! Read it on Social Media When they go low. I’ma go medium cuz GOD still working on me! 1 Thessalonians5:16 Contents 4 Publisher’s Notes: Linda E. Edwards 6 It happens this month 7 On The Cover: Marie J. Miller 10 Brain Games 12 Food & Nutrition: Summer Break Spot 13 Health & Awareness: June National Health Observances Be the Salt & the Light Impact the world right where you are Matthew 5:13-16 CHURCH SIGN JESUS The Light of the World 5
Happy 8th Pastoral Anniversary to our very own Rev. Ikie T. Bunton
Rev. Ikie Bunton & Lady Kathy Bunton Celebrating 8 Years of Service. The Mt. Moriah M.B. Church cordially invites the community to commemorate this joyous occasion with them on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at 11:00 am. Rev. William Bunton Jr., Pastor of Mt. Olive M.B. Church, Akron Ohio, will lead the service. A second service will be held at 4:00 pm this service will be lead by Rev. Frank Watson, Pastor of Friendship MB. Church, Tampa, FL. The Exciting Gospel Warriors will be their special musical guest. Services can be witnessed in person at 5909 Vel St. Wimauma, FL 33598 or Facebook Live: Mt. Moriah M.B. Church.
Father’s Day - Sunday, June 16, 2024
Father’s Day, the third Sunday in June is a national holiday to honor fathers. Credit is given to Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington, whose father, a Civil War veteran, raised her and her five siblings after their mother died in childbirth. She is said to have had the idea in 1909 while listening to a sermon on Mother’s Day, which was becoming established as a holiday at the time. Local religious leaders supported the idea, and the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, the month of the birthday of Dodd’s father. In 1924 U.S. Pres. Calvin Coolidge supported the observance, and in 1966 Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation that recognized the day. It became a national holiday in 1972 when Pres. Richard Nixon signed legislation designating the third Sunday of June as Father’s Day.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Father s Day". Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Fathers-Day. Accessed 2 June 2024.
Juneteenth - Wednesday, June 19, 2024
On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day.
"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer." Gordon Granger, Union General, June 19, 1865
In 2021, Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday, opening it to symbolic and global interpretation and providing a better understanding of the evolution of our nation and its people. Juneteenth celebrations then, like now, recognize the ongoing fight for human rights and equality and are commemorated through family cookouts, faith services, musical performances and storytelling. Today, Juneteenth celebrates African American resilience and achievement while aiding in the preservation of those historical narratives that promoted racial and personal advancement since Freedom Day.
U.S. President Joe Biden signs the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law in the East Room of the White House on June 17, 2021 in Washington, DC. The Juneteenth holiday marks the end of slavery in the United States and the Juneteenth National Independence Day will become the 12th legal federal holiday the first new one since Martin Luther King Jr. Day was signed into law in 1983.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images https://nmaahc.si.edu/juneteenth
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Marie J. Miller is the Founder and President of The Tampa Bay Gospel Legends in Tampa, Florida.
“My uncles sang in gospel quartets, and I sang in my church choir. I can say gospel music is in my blood.”
Mrs. Miller was born and raised in Blakely, GA. She was married to the late John Miller for 52 years and is the motheroffivewonderfulchildrenandtheproudgrandmotheroftwograndchildren. SheretiredfromtheHillsboroughCountySchoolsHeadStartProgramafter29½yearsofservice. SheisafaithfulmemberofSt.JohnCathedral,aborn-againchildofGod,adedicatedprayerwarrior,andawomanofvision.
Asawomanofvision,Mrs.Millerisreveredthroughouthercommunityandstatesideforherloveofgospelmusic, her belief in the power of prayer, and her compassion for people. Because of this and her strong roots in the church,shewasinspiredtoorganizeandestablishTheGospelLegends,ThanksgivingDinnersforSeniors,Afamilyprayergroup,theSt.JohnSanctuaryChoir,PotterElementarySchoolChoir,andtheMeachamChorus.
TheTampaBayGospelLegendswasorganizedin2013. Thegroupnowconsistsof35+membersandcomprises morethantenquartetgroupsandfriendsoftheTampaBayArea. TheLegendsisanoutreachministrystrivingto makeadifferenceinthecommunitythroughtheirworksuchasvisitingthesickintheirhomes,visitinghospitals and nursing homes, and rendering musical services to churches. Their motto is “Working together in unity and love”andtheirGoalistoreachlostsouls.SheisassistedinherworksbyBroGeorgeShivers,VicePresident;PastorKarlaBowick,SecretaryandSisNorettaShivers,Treasurer.
Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner Ministry was formed over 32 years ago to feed seniors 65 and older for Thanksgiving. Thisministrybeganwithdeliveringdinnerstothehomesofabout15seniors. Astheyearspassed, thenumberofseniorsincreasedandshestartedhostingthedinnerinafacility. Sheisnowfeedingover100seniorseachyear.
FamilyPrayerGroupisthenewestvisionofthevisionary. Participantsmeetonceamonthforprayerwithoneof thegoalsbeingtoteachyoungpeoplethepowerofprayerandthevalueoffamily.
St.JohnSanctuaryChoir,thischoirwasformedatherhomechurchover30yearsagoandisstillgoingstrongtoday.
Potter Elementary School Choir was composed of faculty and staff during her time at the school. They also joined together in prayer for one another and the students.
Meacham Chorus: The Meacham Chorus was formed during her time at the once historic largest black school in HillsboroughCountyMeachamSchool. Theretheygatheredandsangforalltolistenandenjoyministrythrough music.
Duringherlifetimeofministry,hermusicalgifthasdrawnthousands,youngandold,towitnesstheanointingofa womansoldoutforJesusChrist. Herprayeristhatchurchescometogetheranduniteasoneandprayforpeace forthisnation.
If you’d like to support Marie Miller in everything she does contact her directly at 813-340-5874. You may also sendanofferingoflovetoCashapp $cbmiller73 Yourmonetarygiftswillbeusedtowardscontinuedsupportof theministry,a commercialvanpurchase,andtheannualThanksgivingDinnerforSeniors.
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How
HowIt’sGoing2024
It
11 years of working together in unity and love and achieving their goal of reaching lost souls. 9
Started2013 Celebrating
BIBLICAL FATHERS
Down
Word Bank:
Across
1. The father of a righteous child has great joy
2. The Lord is like a father to his children
4. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him
6. Father of the fatherless
7. Honor your father and your mother
3. Train up a child
5. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children
8. for you have one Father, and he is in heaven
9. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts
10. the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them
CANDLE BE HID OUT
DESTROY
EARTH
LIGHT
REJOICE
REWARD SLAT
SHINE
TRODDEN WORKS
FATHER FULFIL GREAT HOUSE
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SUMMER BREAKSPOT 2024 IS HERE!
To help ensure that Florida children have access to wholesome meals during summer break, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services partners with schools and organizations to provide free meals to kids and teens from low-income areas. The Summer BreakSpot Program provides meals at no cost to children 18 and under, while schools are closed for the summer. There are several ways to find a Summer BreakSpot site:
Dial 2-1-1
Text “FoodFL” to 304-304
Visit SummerBreakSpot.org
Summer BreakSpot sites include open sites and camps (residential and non-residential). Open sites are sites where meals are available to all children in the area on a first-come, first-served basis Acceptance and participation requirements for the Program are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
Summer BreakSpot is part of the National Summer Food Service Program, a federally-funded program operated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). For more information, please visit SummerBreakSpot.org
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at:https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/115493/file/Complaint-Form-English-ad3027.pdf from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
fax:(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
email:program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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JuneNationalHealthObservances:Alzheimer’sDisease, SickleCellDisease,andHIVTesting
Posted on May 29, 2024 by ODPHP
Eachmonth,wefeatureNationalHealthObservances(NHOs)thatsupportourmissiontoimprovehealthacross theUnitedStates.InJune,we’reraisingawarenessaboutAlzheimer’sdiseaseandbrainhealth,sicklecelldisease, andHIVtesting.
UseourlistofresourcesbelowtopromotetheseNHOswithyournetworks.
• Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’sandBrainAwarenessMonthisatimetosharefactsaboutAlzheimer’sdiseaseandotherdementias thataffectthebrain.TheNationalInstituteonAging(NIA)hasmanyresourcesyoucanshareaboutAlzheimer’s diseaseanddementia,brainhealth,andcaringforapersonwithAlzheimer’sdisease.Ifyouworkwitholder adults,checkoutHealthyPeople2030’sevidence-basedresourcesrelatedtodementias.Lastly,MyHealthfinder hasinformationonhowtoprotectyourhealthasyougrowolder.
• World Sickle Cell Day (6/19)
WorldSickleCellDayisobservedeachyearonJune19toincreaseknowledgeaboutsicklecelldisease.Learn aboutsicklecelldiseasefromtheNationalHeart,Lung,andBloodInstitute(NHLBI) andexplorethesefact sheetsinEnglishandSpanish.TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)alsohasmultimediamaterialsyoucansharewithyourcommunity.AndbesuretocheckouttheHealthyPeople2030objectivesonblood disorders,aswellasourMyHealthfindertipsforexpectingparentsaboutgettingtheirnewbornscreenedforsicklecelldiseaseandotherhealthconditions.
• National HIV Testing Day (6/27)
OnJune27,NationalHIVTestingDayhighlightstheimportanceofgettingtestedforHIV,knowingyourstatus, andlearningaboutoptionsforHIVpreventionandtreatment.HelppromotethisobservancebysharingCDC’ssocialmediatoolkitsandotherresourcesfromtheLet’sStopHIVTogethercampaign.CheckoutthistoolforinformationonfindingHIVtestingcentersnearyou.HealthyPeople2030hasvariousresourcesyoucanuse topromoteHIVtestingandpreventioninyourwork.Finally,sharetheseMyHealthfinderarticlesongettingtestedforHIVandstartingaconversationwithyourdoctoraboutHIVtesting.
Wehopeyou’llusetheseresourcestopromoteimportantNHOswithyournetworks.Together,we’llcontinueto improvehealthacrossthenation!
Categories:NationalHealthObservances
Tags:HealthLiteracy
https://health.gov/news/202405/june-national-health-observances-alzheimers-disease-sickle-cell-disease-and-hiv-testing 13
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KNOW THIS! 15
GOOD NEWS June 2024 - Contents 4 Publisher’s Notes 7 On The Cover Marie J. Miller
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Photo by Tekah Clarke Hall
