LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church upon
the occasion of hosting its Annual Black History Luncheon on February
27, 2016

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body, in keeping with its
time-honored traditions, to recognize and pay tribute to those events
and individuals who foster ethnic pride and enhance the profile of
cultural diversity which strengthens the fabric of the communities of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize these
important events which remind us of the rich and diverse heritage of our
great State and Nation; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church upon the occasion of hosting its Annu-
al Black History Luncheon on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at the Unita-
rian Church, Albany, New York, in conjunction with the observance of
Black History Month; and
WHEREAS, February has been designated as Black History Month in our
Nation to celebrate and recognize the contributions of the Black commu-
nity; this joyful month-long celebration is held across New York State
and America to fittingly note the contributions of African Americans
throughout history and in all fields of endeavor; and
WHEREAS, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the struggles and
victories of African Americans throughout our country's history and to
recognize their numerous valuable contributions to the protection of our
democratic society in times of war and in peace; and
WHEREAS, To celebrate this auspicious event, the Mount Pleasant
Baptist Church, under the luminous leadership of Reverend William Edward
Morgan, will explore the theme, The Black Church in America - This Far
by Faith; and
WHEREAS, During the decades of slavery in America, slave associations
were a constant source of concern to slave owners; for many members of
white society, Black religious meetings symbolized the ultimate threat
to white existence; and
WHEREAS, Despite this, former slaves established and relied on their
church after being emancipated; Africans held fast to their faith in God
and found refuge in the church; and
WHEREAS, However, white people were not always willing to accept the
slaves' involvement in Christianity; the religious habits of slaves were
carefully watched by whites in order to discover information regarding
any uprising plans after insurrections such as Nat Turner's in Virginia;
and
WHEREAS, Churches have long been the focal point of Black communities,
providing the greatest source for religious enrichment and development;
and
WHEREAS, The term "The Black Church" is derived from many details of
racial and religious lifestyles particular to Black history; this label
is actually a misnomer, it implies that all Black churches share or have
shared strategies and aspirations for creating cohesive communities; and
WHEREAS, There were actually numerous differences found among Black
communities which were reflected within their community churches; Black
communities differed from region to region, and were often divided along
social lines, comprised of people from various economic backgrounds, and
believed in various political opinions; and
WHEREAS, Traditionally, Black communities within the inner cities of
the United States have traditionally differed from those in rural areas;

in THE NEGRO CHURCH IN AMERICA, sociologist E. Franklin Frazier noted,
"Methodist and Baptist denominations were separate church organizations
based upon distinctions of color and what were considered standards of
civilized behavior."; and
WHEREAS, C. Eric Lincoln's book THE BLACK CHURCH IN THE AFRICAN EXPE-
RIENCE with Lawrence H. Mmaiya, describes the seven major historic Black
denominations: "The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church; African
Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church; Christian Methodist Episcopal
(CME, first known as the Colored Christian Episcopal) Church; The
National Baptist Convention, U.S.A.; The National Baptist Convention of
America, Unincorporated (NBCA); The Progressive National Baptist Conven-
tion (PNBC); and The Church of God in Christ (COGIC)," as comprising The
Black Church; and
WHEREAS, The Convention movement of the Black Baptist Church has
undergone several changes since the beginning of the 21st century; indi-
vidual organizations are still important to Black religious life; and
WHEREAS, In addition, The Black Church is also at a crossroads due to
"white flight", systemic resources and gentrification; and
WHEREAS, The Mount Pleasant Baptist Church stands on the threshold of
tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming decades while
retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church upon the occasion of hosting
its Annual Black History Luncheon on February 27, 2016; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Reverend William Edward Morgan, Pastor, Mount Pleasant
Baptist Church.