I also remember when my sister was ready to join the church. Now I went to college locally in Queens and most weekends during the off season I would come home. Leslie went to Syracuse University so she wasnt. I joined Easter Sunday 1989, Rev. Jesse Jackson was the guest preacher and took Revs robe if I recall. My mother was out of town that weekend and she joined soon after me. After Leslie graduated and came back to Mount Vernon she was preparing herself to also join. Now my Dad was best friends with Rev. Mervyn David so he was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church in Peekskill until he moved south. Leslie kept asking me all these questions, I said Les as a Christian its not going to be easier, actually it will be harder, but how you react to those who do and mean you harm that is the difference. Truth be told if we wait until we think were worthy we will never join the church. None of us deserve Grace or Mercy but because God loved us enough....wait Leslie is the preacher. A couple of years after joining Les got a job in Alexandria, Virginia and never came back. Rev sent her to Metropolitan Baptist Church and she made some life long friends there. She called me again when she got the call to preach. I knew way before her but anyhow. When she did her trial sermon, it was during the week, and Rev. Richardson flew in for it. Uncle Jimmy, Jill Cole Walker also attended. I was more nervous than she was I couldnt sit still. I mean she tore the roof off that day, I was so proud of her; and to this day when I hear her preach I am just in awe of her because despite all she has gone through her Faith is unwavering. So, Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland Tune I salute you today, you are in my spirit today I am not sure why but I am lifting you up in the name of Jesus, Amen. Arnette Georges Laurie Coker Reid Stacey Hamilton Shawyn Patterson Howard Mamie White Cheryl Mathews Lacey Patrice Wallace-Moore
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 12:40:55 +0000