spiritual life, writing

When church goes right … and it makes the national news!

JOY journal
The Rev. Darrell Cummings of Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in Wheeling, W.Va., jokes with Dallas Cowboys player C.J. Goodwin, who grew up attending the church. Photos by Rebecca Kiger, story by Nora Edinger. Reprinted with permission from The Washington Post Magazine.

“We’re not a Black church or a White church. We’re just a church,” the Rev. Darrell Cummings

If you’d like to read something joyful, here is a free-read Washington Post Magazine story and photo essay I was blessed to work on with documentary photographer Rebecca Kiger.

The story features the Rev. Darrell Cummings, a Black pastor in Wheeling, W.Va. who has fostered a church so racially diverse and charitably minded it may be nationally unique given Wheeling’s small and overwhelmingly White population.

It went live electronically today and will release in print Dec. 5. Ironically, because the story package is part of an edition that examines the loss of local news as American newspapers continue to buckle financially, you can read the story for free if you use an email account to sign in.

The story of Bethlehem Apostolic Temple is a beautiful one, indeed, as are the photographs taken by Rebecca Kiger, who, oddly enough, is my neighbor.

This was a blessing to write and, I hope, a blessing to read. Thank you to the Rev. Cummings, the good folks at Bethlehem Apostolic Temple, Rebecca Kiger, editor Alexa McMahon and the rest of the team at Washington Post Magazine for bringing this story into the light of day.

Yes, feeling thankful in so many ways! Have a blessed Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year, dear blog friends!

Published by JOY journal

A longtime journalist, Nora Edinger also blogs and writes books. Her Christian chick lit and faith-related non-fiction are available on Amazon and on this site. She lives in Appalachia with her family and a goodish puppy named Finn.

15 thoughts on “When church goes right … and it makes the national news!”

  1. Heartwarming. Religious worship is the most segregated time in American society, everywhere. Perhaps this will change in time with examples of groups such as this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. 🙂 Thanks, Beth Ann! This really was a God opportunity. I, too, would love to see more positive stories. I don’t think things are as bad as the news (and social media) makes us feel they are at times.

      But, as messy and unhappy to read as it is, I sure hope there are journalists out there watching government at every level, too. Watchdogging really helps keep people honest! A look at any place in the world that doesn’t have a free press is evidence of that.

      Have a blessed Christmas!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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