A
VISIT
TO
EBENEZER
A.M.E.
CHURCH
FT WASHINGTON, MD
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| One of our larger AME churches |
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On the first Sunday in July, my 3 sisters,my mom and I visited Ebenezer in Ft Washington, MD. We wanted to visit a large AME church so this church was recommended by our pastor. At first, we were at the "earlier" sanctuary and it appeared large to us. We were directed across the street about a block up to the left and saw a large sanctuary with outstanding landscaping and huge parking spaces that were marked with "in" and "out" arrows to ease traffic coming and going.
The church is pastored by a "Mr& Mrs" leadership. The choir of about 75 ladies all dressed in white was led by a choir director who put a lot into his directing. Monitors were on both sides of the "pulpit area". On some instances, this gave us a closeup of other worshippers. The worshippers were a lively bunch and everyone appeared to be happy to be in that number--one more time! On this day, the guest preacher was one who had served in other capacities in the church, before becoming a clergy-person. He was thoroughly entertaining--he had us "cackling" the whole while.
The music ministry was outstanding. (They sang different types of church music.) My sister called it a "kissy-feely" church because ever so often (4-5 times) we were asked to give out a specified number of "holy hugs" to the persons sitting nearby.
I always like to see how AME churches vary their worship services. For this church, the communion was last. You went to the altar where bread & wine has already been placed there. (Sort of like the AME churches in old historic churches). You approached the altar from the side aisles but departed through the center aisle. At the end of that aisle, near the door, were disposal bins where you deposited your "cup" and kept walking. I'm sure there were very few worshippers remaining for the benediction. We kept walking!
My mom uses a walker and an usher took her walker, stored it and let us know where it has been placed. As typical in most AME churches, the ushers were warm and accommodating.
I contend that the Maryland churches do things the same way( I've only been to 2 lately, but in the past visited Bethel, Baltimore. (On another visit to the area, we visited Empowerment Temple on a first Sunday.) They seem to be in there for the "long haul"---meaning that they take time with everything. You might be there for 3 hours minimum!
I love this "AME church" hopping. To God be the glory!
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| Jean in the foyer |
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| in front of the sanctuary |
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| Main Entrance |
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| My postcard view |
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