AME Zion Church of Kingston

On this (snowy) first day of February, we celebrate the beginning of Black History Month 2021and the listing of the AME Zion Church of Kingston and Mt. Zion Cemetery by the New York State Office of Historic Preservation. The congregation was formed in 1848 and the church has been at its current site since 1863 (rebuilt three times); the cemetery is the final resting place for over 30 veteransfrom the Civil War (including the USCT 20th Regiment), WW I, WWII and three Buffalo... Soldiers. We are grateful to all of our local and state representatives, and our wonderful Congressman, Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-NY, for supporting the listing and nomination to the National Register! Their commitment to celebrating and protecting our collective heritage and military history is exceptional. For many of us, the struggle for racial and socioeconomic equity is daily: surviving a pandemic that has exposed the (growing) gap between those with much and those going without. Yet, even in these difficult times, we are reminded that we’ve survived through (seemingly) insurmountable odds: Since 1848, our congregation has seen war(s), the Great Depression, and weathered 43 election cycles. We have also seen peace, prosperity, and reaffirmation of our commitment to this grand experiment. Today we celebrate our Churchits leadership, Rt. Reverend Dennis Proctor and First Lady D. Dianne Proctor; Presiding Elder, Rev. Isidoa Branch, and First Lady Susan Branch; and Rev. Mary Shelley-Bruce. We celebrate the Mothers of our churchHarriet Tubman, Isabella Baumfree (Sojourner Truth), and Sarah-Ann Hasbrouck. We celebrate the Fathers of our churchRev. James Varick, Frederick Douglass, Rev. Ben Judd, Bro. Everette Hodge and Bro. Leonard Van Dyke, Sr. . We celebrate little known war heroes, like Rev. J.R. Smith, who preached the word, wrote for the Democrat & Chronicle, spoke to Fred Douglass and John Brownfought for the Union (and the promise of this country to ALL of its people). We celebrate the many congregations which grew and cultivate such peopleour familywho are going through these difficult (and beautiful) times together. We celebrate everything we have gone through, will go through, and will survive through. We celebrate BLACK history because it is US historythe history of US. https://parks.ny.gov/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx

In Dr. Martin Luther King's Letter From a Birmingham Jail he said that " Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". Today, this is relevant than ever as we saw with protests across the nation this past summer, which called for a new generation of resistance to the status quo. We are once again stand up against injustices inflicted upon the African American Community and to speak up and stand for truth and justice. We must never remain silent when faced with injustice.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Family of Rev. Arthur Coston, Sr. and the congregation of New Central Baptist Church. His was a life well lived and lived for the Lord. His light will be missed! John 14:1-7 1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.... 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

At times, it is difficult to be hopeful when surrounded by such sufferering and loss. People are hurting. People are angry. People are tired... These are the times where we must stick together, steadfast in our faith. Jesus came into this world as a bright light, to guide us to a better future. All things are possible through him. 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with ...us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus. Matthew 1: 18-25

So how do we handle Thanksgiving 2020? In the face of a pandemic, economic and social turmoil; loss and longing for friends and family. It’s a difficult time for many. It’s important to remember that we are not only defined by how we celebrate in good times, but how we weather the difficult ones. We should remember what is truly importantthe love we have for God, family, community, and each other. It’s what carries us through loss and turmoiland, yes, even pandemics. We’ve through a lot this yearand still, we give thanks because there’s much to be thankful for: The ability to gather, even virtually; the ability to dream of better days and a better collective future. Being appreciative of the struggle and the ability to persevere through. The ability to give thanks is reason enough to celebrate Thanksgiving.