February - CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE! 

For many years America was called a melting pot, but more recently the trend is toward multiculturalism, not assimilation.  The old notion of a "melting pot" is now more accurately referred to as a "salad bowl" – a mixture of various ingredients that keep their individual characteristics, while coming together as one.  They maintain and celebrate their cultural heritage, while living together in one society.

For example, since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.  Traditionally, Black History Month celebrates all the significant historic events related to Blacks since 1915, when the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution abolished slavery in the US. And, because Grove Church is predominately comprised of African Americans, we embrace and showcase our heritage every February.

Our cultural heritage is rich in music, dance, the spoken word and other creative artistry. This year at Grove Church we are celebrating our rich, cultural heritage through the arts, but we also encourage our brothers and sisters who are Hispanic, Asian, Caucasian and other cultures and ethnicities to celebrate their heritage and share it with others.

To the youth, I urge you to celebrate your personal heritage, embrace it and ask questions. Middle and high school students can start exploring their journey by participating in Grove’s Essay Contest.

To parents, I encourage you to discuss YOUR cultural history with your children, share with them and help them know and appreciate their roots, and challenge them to not only explore their heritage but become contributors to it. In the words of Dr. Maya Angelou, “For Africa to me... is more than a glamorous fact.  It is a historical truth.  No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.”

Peace & Power,
Pastor Melvin O. Marriner