“We honor God, when we tell the story. Africana liturgy teaches us to honor the lives of the saints. To tell the story of the saints is honoring an ancient art that engages the hearts and minds and of all the senses,” says the Rev. Marylyn Thornton, lead editor of African-American Resources at the United Methodist Publishing House and pastor of Emery United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Thornton spoke to worshipers October 29 during an All Saints Day and dedication service in the Upper Room Chapel, cele- brating The Africana Worship Book: Year C, published by Discipleship Resources, one of the United Methodist Board of Discipleship’s three book imprints. “How can African-Americans tell the story of God’s deliverance without know- ing or referring to Africana heritage, with- out knowing about or celebrating the saints that went on before in the path of deliver- ance,” asked Thornton, a contributor to each volume in the series. Rev. Darlene A. Moore, pastor of Camphor Memorial UMC, is also a con- tributor to this latest volume. Africana is the term used to describe those persons, regardless of where they live, who can trace their ancestry back to Africa. “Through storytelling we are bound together in a common narrative and sys- tems of belief and spirituality, methodology and value structure. We’ve got to tell the whole story about Jarena Lee and Julia Foote who preached even though black men who clamored for their own freedom refused them freedom. We must tell the story of Leontine T. C. Kelly the first black female bishop in any denomination,” says Thornton. “More than 30 writers of African descent have answered our call to articulate the common faith through the lens of African experience,” said the Rev. George Donigian, editorial director of Discipleship Resources. As Donigian introduced and dedicated each volume of The Africana Worship Book series, he presented them to Associate Editor, Safiyah Fousa, GBOD director of invitational preaching, who lov- ingly held them in her arms, as a mother holding her infants. “The results have overwhelmed us and the worldwide community of faith has been given an opportunity to ‘overhear’ the sacred conversation through the publication of four distinct volumes: three books of liturgy written to support the use of the Revised Common Lectionary for years A, B and C, and a fourth volume with essays on worship in the black church,” he said. Drawing on Psalm 107:1-3 as her text, Thornton said the text admonishes that the redeemed of the Lord should say so. “The story of God’s deliverance is peculiar and particular to the heritage of the people.” she said. “The redeemed of the Lord cannot say so unless they know.” “We honor God, when we tell the story. Africana liturgy teaches us to honor the lives of the saints. To tell the story of the saints is honoring an ancient art that engages the hearts and minds and of all the senses,” Thornton said. Following the pattern of the two earlier Africana volumes, this book offers calls to worship, litanies, choral readings, confes- sions, creeds, benedictions, and many spe- cial prayers. Africana Year C includes resources for special days, including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Juneteenth Day, World Communion Sunday, and All Saints Day. This hardcover book includes a bound-in CD that includes interviews and comments on the series from Bishop Linda Lee, Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., Eric H.F. Law, Rudy Rasmus, Tyrone Gordon, and others. As with the earlier editions, users may cut and paste materials from the CD for use in congregational worship. This resource can be ordered online through Cokesbury. 8 DECEMBER 5, 2008 Louisiana Conference Now! Staff members will pair up with each resident, helping them in their transition and providing mentoring. “Getting to know each woman better gives us the capacity to be a building partner. We will work with each person to establish goals and timelines, and to discover what each resident wants to do. With the setting of the permanent facility, we can incorporate more life planning. We can empower the women to be independent in an atmos- phere of creativity. The house is on the street car route, giving the women easier access to the city,” said Davis. Finding adequate funding for Hagar’s House consumes a lot of Eric Gremillion’s time,  taking every opportunity he can to apply for grants. Those wanting to know more about the organization’s financial needs may inquire by calling (504) 210- 5064 or emailing hagarshouse@gmail.com The facility will be funded through First Grace Community Alliance, a non profit organization which facilitates the social ministries of First Grace UMC. The staff of Hagar’s House continues to be amazed by the turn of events over the last three years. “Starting the shelter defi- nitely was not what I expected when I came here, but this experience has rooted me more in New Orleans,” said Angela Davis. Sarah Fleming said that when the repre- sentative from Unity of New Orleans asked First Grace UMC for help, some- thing “clicked” inside of her. “I realized that this is the best way I can serve the city and this church. I have a mission.” Eric Gremillion has also been touched by the experience. “Working with the vol- unteers and the residents of Hagar’s House has shown me more of what is divine and holy about people.” Hagar’s House, from page  3 Africana Worship Book series helps ‘redeemed of the Lord to say so!’