Fort Worth ISD Approves Plan to Close and Consolidate Campuses Over the Next Five Years
May 20, 2025 – The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees approved a plan to close and consolidate campuses starting in June 2025.
Those funds will be reinvested into district classrooms, programs and academic support which will give every child better spaces and greater opportunities.
To see a list of all campuses, new attendance zones, and where students will attend, please visit www. fwisd.org/betterspaces for your convenience.
Like many Texas school districts, Fort Worth ISD has experienced a decline in student enrollment — a trend that is projected to continue over the next five years. As a result, many of our schools, especially elementary campuses, are operating well below capacity.
Priority 4 of the Fort Worth ISD strategic plan, the district took a thoughtful and extensive look at building efficiencies, capacity, age, and conditions. Based on extensive data, stakeholder feedback, Fort Worth ISD made recommendations to close or consolidate 18 campuses, primarily elementary campuses. The Board of Trustees approved the recommendation at Tuesday night’s meeting.
A list of potential campus closures and consolidations
Court In The Community to Be Part Of Re-Entry Fair
Fort Worth Municipal Court will stage a Court in the Community event at the Continuing the Climb ReEntry Job and Resource Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at the Resource Connection Gym, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76119.
Why it’s important: The focus will primarily be on employment opportunities for individuals with challenged backgrounds.
What’s offered: Meet with 70-plus re-entry and veteranfriendly employers looking to fill vacancies. Organizations will also be onsite to connect attendees with programs and services such as clothing, education, financial literacy, health, job search tips and training opportunities, legal services, rental assistance, shelter, transportation, utility assistance and more.
Class C criminal case filed with the court (traffic violations, ordinance violations and penal code violations through the issuance of a citation).
Court in the Community: Individuals with outstanding citations with Fort Worth Municipal Court can preregister and appear without fear of arrest for their cases. Individuals may be able to resolve their outstanding cases and may be eligible for alternatives such as community service or a reduction in their fine based on ability to pay. This event is only for Fort Worth citations such as any
Fort Worth
For more information on Court in the Community, call 817-392-6700.
Event partners: City of Fort Worth, Cornerstone Assistance Network, Envision Center, Goodwill North Central Texas, Redemption Bridge, Reentry First Stop Center for Tarrant County, Tarrant County, Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative, Unlocking Doors and Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County.
ISD Names Tierney Tinnin as Chief of Communications and Community Partnerships
Fort Worth ISD is proud to welcome Tierney Tinnin as the district’s new Chief of Communications and Community Partnerships. A nationally respected expert in strategic communications and public relations, Tinnin brings more than two decades of leadership in K12 education, government affairs, and broadcast journalism.
Tinnin most recently served as the Chief of Communications and Marketing for Cedar Hill ISD, where she spearheaded award-winning marketing campaigns, expanded community engagement, and elevated the district’s brand identity. Her leadership was instrumental in the successful passage of a $282 million bond and the district’s first-ever tax ratification election— both landmark achievements that will
benefit CHISD students for years to come.
“Telling the stories of public schools is more than just a profession—it’s a calling,” said Tinnin. “I am deeply honored to join Fort Worth ISD and look forward to partnering with our students, families, staff, and community. Together, we will shine a bright light on the successes happening in our schools every day and ensure our message reflects the progress, promise, and potential of this incredible district.”
Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar shared her enthusiasm for Tinnin’s arrival, stating, “Tierney Tinnin is a dynamic communicator with a proven track record of building trust, strengthening relationships, and elevating public education. Her passion for storytelling, deep understand-
ing of urban school systems, and commitment to serving diverse communities make her an exceptional addition to our leadership team. We are thrilled to welcome her to Fort Worth ISD.”
FWISD Board President Roxanne Martinez also expressed her support, saying, “Strong communication is the foundation for strong schools and strong communities. Tierney Tinnin brings a bold vision, proven experience, and deep authenticity to this work. We are confident she will help amplify the voices of our students, families, and staff while reinforcing transparency and trust across our district.”
Throughout her career, Tinnin has served in key communications roles in large urban districts, including Irving ISD and Oklahoma City Public
Schools, managing messaging for school systems with student populations of 30,000 to 46,000. Her career began in broadcast journalism as a news anchor and reporter for ABC affiliates in Texas and Oklahoma, where she became known for her authentic storytelling and trusted voice. In addition to her leadership experience, Tinnin has earned numerous accolades, including the National School Public Relations Association’s Gold Medallion Award and recognition as one of School PR’s Top 35 Under 35. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the National and Texas School Public Relations Associations, and the Council of the Great City Schools Communications Committee.
Students from Fort Worth ISD's Edward J. Briscoe Elementary School hold up signs reading "Keep Briscoe Open!" and "Don't let Briscoe close" during a board meeting May 20, 2025, at the District Service Center. (Mary Abby Goss | Fort Worth Report)
Edward J. Briscoe Elementary School
Tierney Tinnin
The Impact of Inflation on Real Estate What Buyers and Sellers Need
to Know
As inflation continues to shape the national economy in 2025, its influence on the real estate market particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area remains significant. Rising prices, shifting mortgage rates, and ongoing supplyand-demand imbalances have created both challenges and opportunities for today’s buyers and sellers.
Home Prices and Local Market Shifts
Inflation typically drives up the cost of goods, and housing is no exception. The DFW area has seen continued growth, but more moderate price growth compared to the explosive increases of the last few years. However, signs of softening in the market are
Trump Demands Probe of Celebs Who Backed Harris
By Stacy M. Brown, BlackPressUSA.com Senior National Correspondent
President Donald Trump’s latest tirade marks a new chapter in what critics call one of modern history’s angriest and most vengeful post-election victory laps. Despite reclaiming the White House, Trump and his inner circle continue to lash out— not at rivals in government, but at celebrities who backed his 2024 opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. In a series of overnight social media posts filled with capital letters and accusations, Trump called for a federal investigation into pop and cultural icons Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen, and Bono. The reason: their support for Harris during the campaign. Trump baselessly accused them of being “illegally compensated” under the guise of performance or production contracts, calling the endorsements “a desperate effort to artificially build up her sparse crowds.” “Candidates aren’t allowed to pay for ENDORSEMENTS,” Trump wrote. “This was a very expensive and desperate effort… IT’S NOT LEGAL!” Springsteen was already in Trump’s crosshairs after criticizing the administration during a concert in England, calling it “corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous.” Trump fired back by attacking the New Jersey rock legend’s appearance, labeling him a “dried out prune of a rocker” who should “KEEP HIS MOUTH SHUT.” Springs-
teen didn’t stay silent. During his next performance, he fired back. “Donald Trump is an unfit president who persecutes people for exercising free speech,” the “Born in the U.S.A.” singer insisted. That response only fueled Trump’s fury. In another outburst, the president accused Springsteen—along with Beyoncé,
with Stephanie Spann
emerging. Over the last seven days alone, there were 4,924 new listings, and 6,817 properties had price reductions. This shift suggests that while home values remain strong, sellers are beginning to adjust to a more price-sensitive buyer pool. Sellers are recognizing that overpricing in today’s market can lead to longer days on market and missed opportunities. Price corrections reflect increased competition among listings and evolving buyer expectations, many driven by higher borrowing costs.
Mortgage Rates and Buyer Affordability
Inflation also affects interest rates. To tame infla-
Winfrey, and Bono—of violating campaign finance laws. The Harris campaign, which raised over $1 billion, has disclosed payments to Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment ($165,000) and Oprah’s Harpo Productions ($1 million). Both companies confirmed the funds covered staff and production costs, not personal payments. Oprah addressed the issue directly. “I did not receive any personal fee,” she wrote online. “However, the people who worked on that production needed to be paid. And were. End of story.” Beyoncé’s mother also publicly defended her daughter, calling the rumors “fake news” and stating unequivocally, “She did not receive a penny.”
Still, Trump appears determined to weaponize the Department of Justice against entertainers who oppose him. “At 1:34 AM, Trump called for DOJ to investigate Kamala Harris, Beyon-
tion, the Federal Reserve keeps lending rates elevated, which directly impacts mortgage rates. Today’s 30year fixed rates are hovering around 6% to 7%, a sharp contrast to the 2%–3% rates seen just a few years ago.
Higher rates have eroded purchasing power, especially for first-time buyers. As a result, many are opting to wait, downsize their expectations, or consider loan programs such as adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) to keep monthly payments manageable.
Active Market Activity Despite Headwinds
Despite these challenges, the DFW market remains active. In the past week: • 2,455 homes went under contract
cé, Springsteen, Oprah, and others for crimes,” said Ron Filipkowski, editor of MeidasTouch.com. “Then he made another deranged post about it at 9:11 AM.” Critics say the president’s obsession with silencing his critics has become more than a personality trait—it’s a strategy. “Trump isn’t threatening Beyoncé, Springsteen, Bono, and Oprah because he expects them to be charged with anything,” said Navy veteran Jared Ryan Sears. “He is threatening them to intimidate others from speaking up or supporting his opposition.
• 2,862 properties are pending closing • 3,010 homes successfully closed
These numbers indicate that while buyers may be more selective, they are still making moves especially when a property is priced appropriately and well-presented.
Inventory and Market Balance Low inventory remains a defining factor in our market. Although new listings are increasing, overall supply still trails demand. This continues to support a slight seller’s market in most DFW neighborhoods, meaning wellpriced homes in good condition are still selling quickly, often with multiple offers. Advice for Today’s Market For Buyers: Continued on page 3
That is because Trump fears your voice; he fears the power of the people.” Fox News contributor and host Jessica Tarlov added, “Donald Trump spent the night ranting about investigating Beyoncé so that you would forget that House Republicans just moved a bill forward that would cut Medicaid. Don’t let them get away with it.”
Official portrait of Vice President Kamala Harris.
(Wikimedia Commons / Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
Commentary Commentary
Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Cruelty is a National Scourge
–and Would Be Made Worse by the MAGA Budget Bill
“Our neighbors are living in fear. And that’s what the administration wants. They want people to be scared. So, we’re combatting that by bringing the neighborhood together and saying, ‘you’re not going to frighten us into complicity; you’re not going to frighten us into hiding; we’re one neighborhood, regardless of anyone’s immigration status, and we’re going to stay one neighborhood.’”
That is how Gabe Gonzalez, an organizer in Chicago’s Rogers Park, described how his neighborhood has responded to Trump’s immigration crackdown – both during his first administration and throughout the first months of his current one.
On Martin Luther King Day this year, I gave the keynote at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s annual MLK Day breakfast. It was Inauguration Day. The contrast between the hope in that room and the fear outside – especially among Chicago’s immigrant communities – was sharp. Reports had already confirmed that Donald Trump’s new administration would make Chicago “ground zero” for an intense national sweep by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Raids were imminent.
The mass Day One sweep did not materialize quite as advertised by Trump’s border czar Tom Homan. But thousands of people were still swept up across the country that first week of the current Trump administration. The fear these ac-
Tinnin
Tinnin holds a degree from Langston University. She lives in Mansfield with her husband, Robert, a Nuclear Medicine Technician, and their daughter, Lola, a thirdgrade student in Mansfield ISD.
Real Estate:
• Be Prepared and Pre-Approved: With high competition, getting your financing in order is critical.
• Watch for Price Drops: Use recent price adjustments to your advantage during negotiations.
• Don’t Delay on the Right Property: Homes that are move-in ready and priced well still sell fast.
For Sellers:
• Price Realistically: Don’t rely on last year’s prices, listen to your agent and the market.
• Stage and Market Strate-
tions are still creating is very real. And for good reason.
Since then, the Trump administration’s deportation campaign has spread. What started in Chicago has become a national scourge. Families are being separated from Denver to Worcester. Parents arrested in front of their children. Kids coming home from school to find their homes ransacked and caregivers gone.
When armed agents grab someone without a warrant, haul them away from their family, and disappear without explanation – that is not just cruel. It is lawless. That is why community groups like Gabe Gonzalez’s have set up rapid response teams, legal observers, and know-your-rights trainings. In some cases, their efforts have stopped ICE in its tracks.
The cruelty of these raids is matched only by their chaos. ICE has arrested green card holders. Detained US citizens. Deported people who know the US as their only real home to countries they barely remember – or had fled for safety. All of this is meant to send a message: no one is safe.
The message is loud. And so is the silence that often follows it.
People are afraid to report wage theft or unsafe working conditions. Parents fear school pickups, or taking their kids to church on Sunday. Victims of domestic violence stay silent, worried that asking for help will get them deported. And even documented immigrants
Continued from page 1
Fort Worth ISD is excited to welcome Tierney Tinnin to the leadership team as she helps drive forward the district’s mission to educate, inspire, and prepare all students for success in college, career, and community leadership.
Continued from page 2
gically: Professional photos, staging, and digital exposure make a difference.
• Know Your Leverage: In a slight seller’s market, you still hold an advantage but only if you’re competitive.
The DFW housing market is adjusting to economic pressures brought on by inflation, but it remains vibrant. Whether you’re buying or selling, understanding how inflation affects real estate combined with real-time local market data can help you make confident, informed decisions.
live in fear.
This is not security. It is terror. And it is why so-called “sanctuary cities” like Chicago – and "sanctuary states” like Illinois have put policies in place
By Ben Jealous
making it illegal for local law enforcement to participate in immigration crackdowns. Police already face enough trust barriers with many of the communities they work in. That makes their job harder. Being part of Trump’s anti-immigrant terror campaign would in some cases make it virtually impossible.
It also could be about to get even more dangerous. The Republican budget bill moving through Congress would supercharge ICE with $80 billion in new funding. More agents. Fewer guardrails. And a leadership culture that seems more interested in punishment than justice.
And the strategy is broader than immigration. This is a movement that spreads fear, then exploits that fear to divide us – Black from Brown, citi-
zen from immigrant, neighbor from neighbor. But as Gonzales and other organizers in Chicago have shown, solidarity still wins.
This fight is about more than policy. It is about who we are. It is about remembering that every person – no matter where they were born – deserves dignity. Deserves due process. Deserves safety.
The poem engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty reads, “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” It makes no mention of any race, religion, or country of origin. It
speaks to immigration making our country what it is. Making us stronger. Making us what Frederick Douglass called the most "perfect national illustration of the unity and dignity of the human family that the world has ever seen."
That is the American Way.
Back in January, at Rainbow PUSH, I said that when a nation is divided, we stop seeing our own reflections in our neighbors. But our neighbors are still there. They are helping care for our kids, growing our food, rebuilding our towns after floods and fires. They are us.
So, all of us must respond as if it were happening to us – because one day, it could be. That means fighting the cruelty with clarity. Standing shoulder to shoulder with immigrant communities – and sometimes, in front of them. Supporting Congress to pass good bills and reject bad ones that undermine due process. Organizing non-violently. Voting. Showing up for our neighbors and the rule of law. And it means calling this what it is – immoral, unjust, and defiantly at odds with the real American Way.
Sunday School Lesson Sunday School Lesson
A Covenant Renewal
Nehemiah 8:1–10:39
Key Text: We will not forsake the house of our God.— Nehemiah 10:39b
Introduction: Identity in Uncertain Times
One of the great challenges of our time is maintaining our identity as Christians. This is important for reasons listed in Matthew 5:13–16; John 13:35; 2 Corinthians 8:21; etc. The apostle Paul stressed a personal goal to be “made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). But he knew there were lines he could not cross lest his identity as a Christian be compromised. The enduring challenge is ensuring we do not allow surrounding culture to draw those lines. The Judeans of the mid-fifth century BC faced a similar challenge.
The year was about 444 BC, and the Judeans, led by Nehemiah, formed a tiny part of the vast Persian Empire. Nehemiah held a high post in that empire as the king’s cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:11). Most of the empire’s subjects worshipped numerous fictitious gods. Therefore, the Judeans had to draw firm lines between themselves and their neighbors in order to maintain their distinctive identity as the consecrated people of the one true God. A failure to do so was what had led to the Babylonian exile in the first place (13:17–18). The stakes couldn’t be higher!
The book of Nehemiah as a whole recounts the story of a later generation of Judeans having returned to Jerusalem and Judah in the third of three waves to do so. As such, the Lesson Context from last week’s lesson also applies here. In particular, the original purpose of Nehemiah’s trip to Jerusalem was to rebuild the city’s walls (Nehemiah 1–4; 6:1–15). That was nearly 100 years after the first wave of exiles had returned!
Nehemiah, working with Ezra—a scribe of the law (Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8)—understood that while physically protecting the city was vital, maintaining the spiritual defenses of the people was even more critical. Nehemiah 8 records a time of concentrated teaching from God’s law followed in chapter 9 by confession of sin.
This recommitment to God involved two general categories: commitments to stop doing certain things and commitments to start or continue doing other things.
I. People’s Commitment (Nehemiah 10:28–29) Various Identifiers (v. 28)
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims.
The identifiers here are sometimes distinctive, sometimes overlapping. The Levites, those descended from the tribe of Levi (Genesis 35:23), were solely in charge of the items and duties asso-
ciated with the tabernacle and temple. However, they were not included in a census of Israelites and did not receive an inheritance of land (Numbers 1:47–53; 18:1–7, 20). All priests were Levites, but not all Levites were priests. The word translated porters is also translated “doorkeepers” in 1 Chronicles 15:24, and that is the sense here; it was one of the specific jobs of certain Levites (26:1–19). The word singers includes those skilled in vocal music, instrumental music, or both. These same four identifiers are repeated in Ezra 2:70; 7:7; Nehemiah 7:73; 10:39; 13:5. The word Nethinims is a transliteration (not a translation); that’s where a word in one language is brought over into another language simply by swapping the originallanguage letters of the word into the letters that sound the same in the other language. The Nethinims first make their appearance, in postexilic times, in 1 Chronicles 9:2. They were part of a group that numbered 392 who returned during the first wave from exile (Ezra 2:58). The clue to their function as temple servants is found in Ezra 8:20. That text also gives us a precise numbering of those who returned in the second wave of 458 BC: “Also of the Nethinims, whom David and the princes had appointed for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty.”
In short, the entire workforce of the temple appears on this list! The priests carried out the sacrifices, the Levites cleaned up and made sure things ran properly, the gatekeepers provided security and ensured proper traffic flow (1 Chronicles 4:26–30), and the singers set the psalms to music.
And all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding.
Separation from the people of the lands unto the law of God is a key theme in this book (Nehemiah 9:2; 13:3). Everyone old enough to understand was to toe the line on this requirement (compare 8:2).
Singular Voice (v. 29) 29. They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God’s law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our LORD, and his judgments and his statutes.
People of all occupations and demographics swore an oath to commit themselves to following the Law of Moses. That law, given about 1,000 years prior to the writing of this verse, specified the curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 27:15–18; compare Daniel 9:11). The people seem to have been binding
themselves to suffering the punishments listed therein should they disobey. The Law of Moses seems to have been ignored and violated more times than it had been honored over the 10 centuries since its giving.
It may be tempting to put the three words commandments, judgment, and statutes under individual microscopes to detect different shades of meaning. But that would be to miss the forest for the trees. The idea, rather, seems to be to leave no requirement out.
The three words in the original language are found together in nine other places: Deuteronomy 5:31; 6:1; 7:11; 26:17; 1 Kings 8:58; 2 Kings 17:37; 2 Chronicles 19:10; Nehemiah 1:7; 9:13.
II. Law’s Restatement (Nehemiah 10:30–39)
Rejecting Intermarriage (v. 30)
And that we would not give our daughters unto the people of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons.
The danger of intermarriage is specified in Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:3–4. The threat was that of resulting idolatry. When the Lord tested the Israelites in this regard, they failed (Judges 3:1–6). And this is where King Solomon erred and suffered accordingly (1 Kings 11:1–13). This prohibition helped to mark the boundary between God’s holy people and the pagan gods’ unholy peoples.
One might think that such marriages might allow for the conversion of the pagan spouse to Judaism. The book of Ruth offers an example of this happening. But that seems to have been the very rare exception.
Ezra, the teacher of the law, had arrived in Jerusalem in 458 BC (Ezra 7:8). Intermarriage and the resulting idolatry seems to have been the most significant problem he noticed. The entirety of Ezra 9 addresses the problem itself; the entirety of Ezra 10 records the confession of this sin and the names of the guilty. Nehemiah confronted the same problem about 25 years later (Nehemiah 13:6, 23–27).
Keeping the Sabbath (v. 31) 31a. And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the sabbath, or on the holy day.
The longest of the Ten Commandments is the fourth, which concerns keeping the sabbath day. The Israelites had been warned about failing to honor that day as God had prescribed (Jeremiah 17:19–27). Their failure in that regard was a factor in their exile (Nehemiah 13:16–18). The pagan people of the land cared nothing for the Sabbath. Conducting commerce with them showed that God’s covenant people cared nothing for it either.
As the text moves from the Sabbath to the holy day, the movement is from specific to
general. Any day the Lord declares holy is such. The most frequent of these is the day of the new moon (last week’s lesson on Ezra 3:5; also Numbers 10:10; Psalm 81:3; Amos 8:5).
To decline to engage in commerce on the Sabbath required some advance planning and even temporary hardship. However, it also resulted in a day of rest (Exodus 31:15). If God himself decided that it was good for Him to rest one day out of seven, who are we to think otherwise?
And that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt.
The weekly Sabbath had a counterpart in the Sabbath of the seventh year. That was a time when every debt owed to a fellow Israelite was to be canceled (Deuteronomy 15:1–3).
The sabbatical seventh year was also the year to leave the fields unsown and unplowed. Whatever the land produced on its own that year would be sufficient for both poor and not-so-poor alike (Exodus 23:10–11; Leviticus 25:1–7).
Those Hebrews who were working as indentured servants for their fellow Israelites were to be set free in their seventh year (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12). With the passage of seven cycles of seven years came the Year of Jubilee in the fiftieth year, with special rules applying (Leviticus 25:8–55).
The practice of periodically eliminating personal debts was known elsewhere in the ancient Near East. It was seen as a way of ensuring that grave inequalities among people did not worsen with time. Since their world had no banks, loans usually came from neighbors or the temple. These loans were designed to help the borrower survive. The forgiveness of debt was, therefore, a deeply personal act and a way of addressing social imbalance among neighbors.
Supporting the Temple (vv. 32–37)
Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with the third part of a shekel for the service of the house of our God.
This verse begins a list of obligations the people agree to for temple upkeep and ongoing operations. The first item is the annual temple tax. A shekel was a silver coin weighing about three-eighths of an ounce. At a modern exchange rate of, say, twentyfive dollars per ounce of silver, the third part of a shekel would equate to no more than five dollars. But, the changing levels of supply and demand for silver, like other precious metals, fluctuate through time (1 Kings 10:21). Thus, a comparison with modern exchange rates, while interesting, may be misleading. A better approach is to investigate what could actually be purchased with a shekel, although this too will fluctuate (compare 2 Kings 6:24–25; 7:1). Placed on a timeline, the concept and implementa-
tion of the temple tax can be traced back to Exodus 30:11–16 and forward to Matthew 17:24–27.
For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
This verse itemizes expenses incurred for the functioning of the temple. To modern eyes, this may all seem to be a lot of repetition. But we need to keep a chronological framework in mind. By Nehemiah’s day, the second temple had been completed about 70 years prior, in 516 BC. Thus, at least one generation had passed off the scene, and those who followed needed instruction. Therefore, these reminders:
shewbread: Leviticus 24:6
continual offerings: Leviticus 1–2; Numbers 28:1–8 sabbaths: Numbers 28:9–10; Deuteronomy 5:12–15 new moons: Numbers 10:10; 28:11–15 set feasts: Leviticus 23; Numbers 28:16–29:40 sin offerings: Leviticus 4:1–5:13
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law.
Leviticus 6:12–13 specifies that the fire on the altar at the Lord’s sanctuary must never go out. That requirement demanded a lot of wood. The payment in wood, therefore, became a shared responsibility. With no objective means for assigning this rotating task, the selection method is to cast the lots. This method of leaving the choice up to the Lord is seen also in the choosing of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16:8), allocation of land (Joshua 18:6–10), division of duties (1 Chronicles 25:8; 26:13), and identifying an individual (1 Samuel 14:38–42; Jonah 1:7; Luke 1:8–10; Acts 1:26).
And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees, year by year, unto the house of the LORD.
The foundation of the offering of the firstfruits is found in Exodus 13:1; 22:29; 25:19; and Numbers 17:12–13. The idea is that when a harvest starts, the very first of that harvest goes to God for temple support. Giving the first of the harvest demonstrated trust in God that the rest of the harvest would sustain life. The Israelites even had a specific harvest celebration called Day of Firstfruits; it is the same as the feast of weeks, the feast of harvest, and Pentecost (Exodus 34:22; Numbers 28:25; Deuteronomy 16:9–10, 16). In the New
Church Directory
Testament, the concept is reversed: God gives us the firstfruits of His Spirit (Romans 8:23).
Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law, and the firstlings of our herds and of our flocks, to bring to the house of our God, unto the priests that minister in the house of our God.
The firstfruits principle applied to the firstborn male of children and livestock as well (Exodus 13:1–2, 12–13, 15; 22:29). This concept seems alien to modern readers, but it speaks to the life of gratitude that biblical law wishes to cultivate.
The reason the firstborn are to be brought to the house of our God is for a redemption ritual as specified in Exodus 13:1–16; 34:19–20; Numbers 18:15–17).
And the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.
Now we come to something new: tithes, which have not been mentioned in the book of Nehemiah until this point. But what’s new in Nehemiah is well rehearsed in the Law of Moses. The Levites were to be wholly devoted to the functioning of the temple. As such, they weren’t to be growing crops like everyone else (ideally, that is; contrast Nehemiah 13:10). The giving over of the tithes (one-tenth) of crops, etc., to the landless Levites allowed them to focus full time on their work in the temple (Numbers 18:24; Deuteronomy 18:1–2). Tithes also provided sustenance for the fatherless and widows (Deuteronomy 14:27–29; 26:12–15).
Tasking for Levites (vv. 38–39) 38. And the priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes: and the Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes unto the house of our God, to the chambers, into the treasure house.
When Ezra led the second wave of returnees from exile in 458 BC, he took great care to ensure proper handling of funds (Ezra 8:24–34). The same seems to be evident here.
The direction concerning the tithe of the tithes shows how meticulous Nehemiah was in obeying the Law of Moses. The concept is founded on the command in Numbers 18:26. Just as the people, in general, were expected to tithe to support the Levites’ service in the tabernacle and temple, so also the Levites themselves were expected to tithe from the tithes they had received.
For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the
Continued
Health & Fitness Health & Fitness
What Women Should Know About Their Heart, Kidney and Metabolic Health
(Family Features) Some women may be unaware they’re living with risks for heart disease, kidney disease and metabolic conditions like diabetes, which drive risk for cardiovascular disease.
The interplay among these conditions is called cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, according to the scientific experts at the American Heart Association.
Consider these facts women should know about CKM syndrome.
Cardiovascular Disease is the No. 1 Killer of Women
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes heart disease and stroke, affects nearly 45% of women ages 20 and older, and 1 in 3 women will die from it, according to the association.
“Despite heart disease being the leading cause of death for women, most women are not aware of their risk for heart disease,” said Sadiya S. Khan, M.D., M.Sc., FAHA, American Heart Association volunteer and a member of the science advisory group for the association’s CKM Health Initiative, supported by founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer In-
gelheim and champion sponsor DaVita.
Women may develop heart disease differently than men and experience symptoms uncommon in men. Women are more likely to have blockage in smaller blood vessels around the heart and, while chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, women are more likely than men to experience pain in the arms, jaw and neck, too.
Early Action is Key
According to a study presented at an American Heart Association scientific conference, women with either Type 2 diabetes or chronic kidney disease are predicted to reach elevated risk for CVD 8-9 years earlier than women with neither condition while women with both conditions may reach high risk 26 years earlier. Risk Factors are Connected
The health factors that comprise CKM syndrome are connected. They include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, excess weight, high blood glucose sugar and low kidney function. If something goes wrong in one area, it affects others.
“Knowing your health numbers is critical to optimize your
CKM health and prioritize prevention of heart, kidney and metabolic disease,” said Khan, who is also the Magerstadt professor of cardiovascular epidemiology and an associate professor of cardiology and preventive medicine at Northwestern School of Medicine.
Since high blood pressure and early stages of kidney disease and diabetes often don’t have symptoms, regular screening is necessary to be aware of your risk.
Pregnancy and Menopause Affect Women’s CKM Health
Each pregnancy is a window into later heart and kidney health, according to Janani Rangaswami, M.D., FAHA, professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and co-chair of the scientific advisory group for the American Heart Association’s presidential advisory that defined CKM syndrome.
Pregnancy complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension are risk factors for future chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease, Rangaswami said.
Changes during menopause
continued on page 7
In Cinque: Life Is For Living
By Renetta W. Howard
Life is for living, enjoying every moment of your being and hopefully living in such a way that anyone who knew you while living, and still lives will miss you. Life is for living but if you live you will eventually die. It is a sad time in all of our lives when someone does die. It was a most feared time in my life from the moment I learned that I would die until the time in my life when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I was very, very upset when I learned as a child that I would eventually die, that all people die. To me, I felt that I should never have been born if I were slated to die. Why be born? I thought that I would be a child forever, enjoying all the amenities of childhood. It was shocking to learn that I would grow to become an adult with adult responsibilities.
The question of dying lingered long in my mind until the learning process and the various tenets of education helped me to realize that life is for living and enjoying every minute of it and putting something memorable in that dash between the time you were born and the time you die.
Death is a part of life. It is inevitable. It is certain. Somehow, we all must prepare for that time and day. There are many ways to prepare but the most logical and practical way to prepare in these times is to have some form of insurance which will help to defray the cost of your final resting place without being a burden to your family. Pauper funerals are unusually sad for everyone minimally involved. Times are difficult and any death is a difficulty to one’s loved ones and friends. Many families, these days post a Go Fund Me on Facebook to help with funerals and some are successful. The only profitable entity is the funeral home. The other trusted way to prepare for death is to live each day with trust in God and according to HIS teachings.
The longer I live, the more I am discovering that
I am quietly losing all of my childhood and younger days friends and relatives. When you have known more people who are gone on to their heavenly homes than those alive, it is kind of difficult to dream without them. I lost a friend this past week who helped to make each of my
weeks fulfilled with social activities, physically, spiritually, and mentally. Grieve, we must, but we must also get ‘in cinque;’ live without regrets and be thankful for long, blessed and prosperous lives through faith in God, so that our rest will be in love and peace.
Lynx Spoil Wings’ Home Opener behind Collier’s 34-Point Explosion
By Cedric Bailey and Andrea George-Carrington
Arlington: In a night filled with anticipation and high expectations,
the Dallas Wings were handed a tough 99–84 loss by the Minnesota Lynx in their home opener at College Park Center. The defeat not only marked a disappointing start to the season for the Wings but also dimmed the WNBA debut of rookie phenom Paige Bueckers.
Minnesota’s Napheesa Collier delivered a masterclass performance, racking up 34 points — including 20 in a commanding second half — to lead the Lynx to victory. Her explosive third
quarter, where she dropped 18 points, helped Minnesota break open a game that had been tied 46-46 at halftime. The Lynx outscored the Wings 35–20 in that pivotal third frame and never looked back.
Bueckers, the No. 1 over-
A Covenant Renewal
house of our God.
The words translated corn, wine, and oil occur together frequently in the Old Testament in various contexts of blessing (example: Deuteronomy 7:13) and woe (example: 28:51). Since these commodities would tend to arrive in large batches at harvest time, appropriate storage rooms (the chambers) were needed. The rebuilt temple indeed had such rooms (Ezra 8:29). The task of their oversight was the responsibility of four Levites in particular (1 Chronicles 9:26). These rooms were abused later in Nehemiah’s absence (Nehe-
Women
also influence long-term heart and metabolic health. This includes declining estrogen levels, increased body fat around the organs, increased cholesterol levels and stiffening or weakening of blood vessels, per the American Heart Association. Early menopause (before age 45) is linked to a higher risk for kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes and CVD.
“Women can mitigate those risks by getting appropriate treatment for their menopause
miah 13:6–13).
Conclusion: Practical Spiritual Life It has been said that there are two great days in a person’s life: the day we’re born, and the day we discover why. This story concerns a religious community’s discovery of why it existed. Its goal was not merely to survive, or live a rich material life. Rather, the Israelites lived in order to grow closer to God and show others how that could happen. Nehemiah’s community made practical commitments that allowed them to do that. Pitting religious teaching
Continued from page 6
symptoms,” Rangaswami said.
Social Factors Affect Women’s Health
Negative economic, environmental and psychosocial factors are associated with lower levels of preventive health behaviors like physical activity and healthy eating and higher levels of conditions like obesity and diabetes. Some factors affect women differently than men. For example, marriage is associated
all pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft out of UConn, struggled with efficiency in her professional debut, shooting just 3-for-10 from the field. She finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and two turnovers.
Continued from page 4
and practical actions against each other is both easy and popular. In fact, they go together. We do good things because we value the right things, and doing good actions reshapes our values and ideas. Nehemiah’s community understood this as they sought to follow the law of Moses. Their actions followed God’s desires for human well-being.
Thought to Remember: Commitments translate into action; action translates into character.
Standard Publishing. KJV
Standard Lesson Commentary® 2024-2025 (p. 897). (Function). Kindle Edition.
with worse health for women, and women are more likely than men to delay medical care because of costs, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement. Women are also more likely to have their health concerns dismissed, Khan said.
Women should know their risk and self-advocacy is critical. They should request thorough screenings that assess heart, kidney and metabolic health at visits with their health care providers. Visit heart.org/ myCKMhealth to learn more.
Veteran
14 points, while Courtney Williams impressed with 19 points and nine assists. DiJonai Carrington added 13 points and showed promise
on both ends of the court.
Jessica Shepard and Diamond Miller also contributed for Dallas with 13 and 10 points respectively.
“The pace and physicality of the WNBA is a whole
different ball game,” noted analyst Andrea George-Carrington, who attended the home opener. “For players like Bueckers, adjusting to the defensive three-second rule and the strength of opponents will be key.”
George-Carrington also sees growth potential in Carrington. “Improved defensive communication, consistency across all four quarters, and sharpening her outside shooting could elevate her impact significantly this season,” she said. Despite the loss, Dallas has little time to dwell on the result. The Wings return to action Monday night with a home matchup against the Seattle Storm. They’ll then travel to Minnesota for a rematch with the Lynx on Wednesday before heading to Atlanta to face the Dream on Saturday, May 24.
For full coverage of the WNBA and more in-depth analysis, tune into Sports In the Mix with the Crew on the BGC Sports Network at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m., or visit www.bgcsports.net.
Cedric Bailey Sports
Dallas Wings #5 Paige Bueckers introduction against the Minnesota Lynx Photo Courtesy of the Dallas Wings
guard Arike Ogunbowale led the Wings with
Dallas Wings #2 Myisha Hines-Allen in the season opener vs the Minnesota Lynx Photo Courtesy of the Dallas Wings
Andrea GeorgeCarrington
Here’s What’s Happening Here’s What’s Happening
Ongoing Events
Are you a resident of the Rolling Hills area? Join the Glencrest Civic League Neighborhood Association and become part of our mission to create a safe, secure, clean, and well-maintained community. We actively seek residents’ support for our mission by spearheading neighborhood committee initiatives, coordinating, supporting, and planning various community events, actively engaging local leaders and nurturing a strong sense of community unity.
Join us for our Monthly Community Meetings:
• When: 10:00 AM on the 3rd Saturday of Each Month
• Where: C.R. Bradley Center, 2600 Timberline Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119. For more information and to become a member, check out our Facebook Page (Glencrest Civic League Neighborhood Association) or visit our website at https:// www.glencrest.org. You may also email us at glencrest. na@gmail.com.
Fort Worth Wiley College Alumni Club Membership Meeting: Second Saturday of each month, 1 p.m., Carter Metropolitan CME Church, 4601 Wichita St. Fort Worth 76119. For additional information, contact one of the following members: Helen Crowder (817) 688-8937, Larry Pugh (817) 293-6543, Daisy Kahn (817) 292-1077.
I.M. Terrell Alumni Association Membership Meeting, 1st Tuesday of each month, 5 p.m., I. M. Terrell
Recieve
Stem/VPA Academy, 1411
I M Terrell Way, Fort Worth 76102.
M.L.Kirkpatrick Alumni Association Membership Meeting: First Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 2823 North Houston Street, Fort Worth 76106.
P.L. Dunbar Alumni Association Memberships Meeting: 3rd Saturday of each month at 3p.m. at The CenterFor STOP SIX HERITAGE, 5100 Willie St. next to Young Men’s Leadership Academy, Fort Worth. pldalumniassoc@gmail.com
Como Alumni. Every third Tureday, 7 p.m., Como Community Center, 4900 Horne Street, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Join the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats! We meet every fourth Saturday of the month from 5-6 p.m. at the Charles F. Griffin Sub-courthouse, 3500 Miller Ave. Fort Worth 76119. New Monthly Speakers.
United Methodist Church, 522 Missouri Ave. Fort Worth 76104. The Food pantry is open on the third Saturday of each month from 8 -10 a.m. For questions or concerns, please contact the Church Office at (817) 336-2117. Forest Hill Ushers Union, “Welcomes All Church Ushers/Doorkeepers in Tarrant County” Juniors & Young People (7-18) Young Adults (19-35) Seniors (36+)
Affiliations: Texas Church Ushers
Southern Region Ushers National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. (NUCUAAA) For more information contact: Wanda King (817) 821-3017, Helen Moore (817) 584-7370, Thomas E. Troupe (817) 2292509
AARP Southeast Chapter #4508. Meets the 4th Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m., Southside Community Center, 959 E. Rosedale, Fort Worth, TX 76104. For additional information contact Debra Rivers by email:riv3ers@sbcglobal.net.
Sat. June, 7, 2025
Junteenth Strong: Ecumenical Breakfast of Prayer. www.juneteenthstrong..com
Junteenth Strong: Miss JuneteenthDFW Scholarship Pageant. www.juneteenthstrong..com
Thur. June, 19, 2025
Opal’s Walk For Freedom,Farrington Field, Fort Worth, TX . Walk starts a 9: a.m. register at www. juneteenthstrong.com
Public Transportation Help
Are you in need of transportation services? Here’s a list of resources that are available to you across Tarrant County. Trinity Metro TEXRail operates daily between downtown Fort Worth and DFW
International Airport’s Terminal B. Serving Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Grapevine. RIDETRINITYMETRO.org/texrail or 817-2158600
Trinity Railway Express operates between downtown Fort Worth and downtown Dallas. Serving Fort Worth, Hurst, Irving, Dallas. trinityrailwayexpress.org or 817215-8600
ZIPZONE on-demand service areas: Alliance, Crowley,
Mercantile. Trinity Metro has expanded the Southside ZIPZONE to reach the TCU campus, the Fort Worth Zoo and the entertainment district along the West 7th corridor, including Crockett Row and Montgomery Plaza. Formerly known as the Near Southside ZIPZONE, the service area will continue to include access to the hospitals and facilities within the Medical District and the many popular destinations along Magnolia Avenue, plus grocery stores and other services throughout
the Southside. Southside ZIPZONE riders may also connect to TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express at Fort Worth T&P Station or to bus routes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 24 and The Dash.
org/zipzone or 817-215-8600
