SUNrise

By Constance Garcia-Barrio A galaxy of superb singers took part in the 68th annual performance of “Messiah” at Tindley Temple United Methodist Church on December 7. This popular oratorio — an opera-like musical composition for choirs, soloists, orchestras or other musical ensembles — was composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. “Messiah,” which tells the…

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By cj December 2025 has arrived! As we approach the end of the year, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on how quickly it went. If you were not paying attention, you may have missed what took place this year. It was hard to miss the events occurring at home and abroad in 2025, including…

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FILE – A volunteer waves to a student as she waits in line at Miles Intermediate Elementary School in Atlanta after receiving new shoes from Mercedes-Benz USA, as a part of their Season to Shine holiday program, on Dec. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Sharon Johnson, File) By Christina Larson associated press WASHINGTON — The holiday season…

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By cj While driving through Philadelphia this glorious morning, I observed the latest season of leaves and thought about how it relates to the seasons of our lives. We experience fall, winter, spring, and summer, each lasting about three months — not a particularly long time frame. However, when going through those seasons, the weather…

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By cj Have you found yourself just sitting and meditating in silence, doing absolutely nothing as time passes by? And you realize that you have not been engaged in anything other than yourself? It is in such quiet moments that I feel at peace. While listening to an episode of Oprah Winfrey’s “Supper Soul Sunday”…

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By cj We all encounter “nouns” in our lives — people who we choose to keep company with, places we desire to explore, and things we have either been blessed with or have blessed ourselves with, honestly and legally. Yet, sometimes when we are interacting with these “nouns” something happens that just causes us to…

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By cj Waiting on God can be one of the hardest things to do. God is my Creator and Savior, and in charge of what I need to do in my life. You may have different experiences with waiting on God or how it looks to you. Whenever I wait on God, I experience many…

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By cj Umoja is a Kwanzaa principle which means unity. The definition of umoja is: “Umoja (Unity) is the first and foundational principle of the Nguzo Saba for without it, all the other principles suffer. Unity is both a principle and practice of togetherness in all things, for good and of mutual benefit. It is…

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By cj Life is not promised, and constantly changing, but there is one thing that never changes — the stories of our ancestors and elders. The life stories that are told — and retold — by family members and other loved ones. You can learn a lot from them through these stories; they share their…

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What is Black August? Black August is honored every year to commemorate the fallen freedom fighters of the Black Liberation Movement, and to renew the call for the release of political prisoners in the United States, condemn the oppressive conditions of U.S. prisons, and to emphasize the continued importance of the Black Liberation struggle. Observers…

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