Greensboro Daily Photo

It is not entirely clear who thought up the concept of the church marquee. They are often pun-laden and always clever. "Fall Closer To Jesus", with its double use of the word "fall" is so clever. Hopewell Weslyean Church is located at 2825 Pleasant Ridge Road, at the corner of Lewiston Road. Technically, it is located in Summerfield, as opposed to Greensboro. Somewhere along the way, a member told us that the church was over 100 years old. However, our efforts to uncover a church history online failed to yield results.

Regardless, the church is on a well-maintained lot, with a cemetery on the property. It is surrounded by cornfields. The gravel parking lot is lined with crepe myrtle and rose of share. The front entrance to the sanctuary has white mums about ready to open. Sunday services are at 11:00. Perhaps we could attend a service and learn more about the church history. As always, we encourage churches to document their history and, if possible, share it online. The connections people make when reading the history are often happy and unanticipated moments. Once the older members pass, a lot of history goes with them. Happy Sunday, happy archiving! And remember, it is fall; and for Christians, it is time to fall closer to Jesus.

Glenwood Presbyterian

Glenwood Presbyterian Church is located in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood at 1205 Glenwood Avenue. The church is due south of Gate City Boulevard and UNCG.  According to the cornerstone, the church was established in 1916, and rebuilt in 1943. The education building on the left was erected in 1960. The lawn is beautifully maintained and the lot is ample, the church is right across the street from Morris Farlow Park, adding to the open feel of the property.

We're sure the church has a lot of interesting history, and one curious thing is that on the northwest corner of the property is a tombstone of an E. Gray, son of W.G. & Tracy Smith who died just before his third birthday on January 23rd, 1923. It appears to be the only grave on the property. Another curious aspect of the property is that there is a set of stone stairs that don't appear to lead anywhere. We're betting they were part of the property that was once the Glenwood Park Sanitarium. The Greater Glenwood Neighborhood Association has done a nice job of maintaining and sharing some of the neighborhood's history (see here). If Glenwood Presbyterian has maintained written down any of its 104 year history, it would be wonderful if they would share it online. Happy Sunday and enjoy this cool, fall-like weather.

Newlyn Street UMC

This is Newlyn Street United Methodist Church, as seen from the Community Gardens on Golden Gate Drive- a block off of State Street. The Community Gardens is such an amazing resource for the community and the UMC looks so lovely from this view. Newlyn St. UMC has beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary and a very generous parking lot and mowed lot behind it. They also have a cornerstone which makes dating the church easy. The church was organized in 1921 and rebuilt in 1954. Summer 2006, a west wing was added to the building.

Nathan A. Harris is the minister. In reading the church website (here) you will learn that Rev. Harris has a Doctorate of Jurisprudence and a B.S. in business from Howard University, and a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He has worked at several federal agencies and has even worked in The White House! Greensboro is lucky that he decided to return to Greensboro. But then, if you read a little more, you will learn that his best friend is his father, John H. Harris III. How wonderful to have such a strong bond with family.

We didn't realize until publishing the photo that a young man stepped into the photo at just the right time to be seen between the raised okra beds! As we pause and reflect on the week ahead, let's all make it a goal to continue to build community in Greensboro, whether it is through a house or worship, a community garden, or both! 

CHURCH FOR SALE

This church, at the corner of Summerfield and Parsonage Roads, is for sale. It is almost 6 acres and includes a church, youth center, and great yard. It used to be the Cathedral of Faith Christian Center. It must be hard for small churches to remain viable during these COVID times. The mega churches offer to much to their congregations, it can be hard for the smaller churches to retain membership, even in the best of times. This church began with a congregation of three in 1990. Hopefully, current members have found a place where they can continue to worship together.  If your own house of worship has not started back yet, check on the others who attend. This is a time to make every effort to help sustain and lift each other up. 

Thank you for being with us for the last 11 1/2 years. At least Greensboro Daily Photo has always been virtual and we haven't monetized the site; so the only pressure we have is figuring out what to feature daily- and, as we like to say, every day comes around pretty often. Happy Sunday! 

 

Church Cornerstones

Cornerstones are a permanent, convenient way to know when a church was established. The above cornerstones are on the Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church on Huffine Mill Road. We featured the church, here, earlier in the summer. Cornerstones make it possible to begin to research church history. The cornerstone to the right dates Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church back to Aug. 29, 1909, and explains that it was rebuilt in 1924, and it was led by Rev. Timberlake. The stone on the left says, Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, built April 30, 1954. with J.R. Cheek, Pastor.

In the pre-internet era, it was a lot harder to trace information, and cornerstones were so helpful. They provide the provenance, the earliest known history of the congregation. It appears that Mt. Zion on Huffine Mill has been meeting and praying together for over 111 years.

Happy Sunday, and if you ever have a chance to influence a new congregation, encourage them to install a cornerstone. Happy Sunday!

St. John's Anglican Church

St. John's Anglican Church is located at 6722 West Friendly Avenue, very near where the I-73 interstate crosses over Friendly and at Forsythia Drive. Like Catholic and Orthodox services, the Anglican Church has a set worship service. They are Christian and Bible based; however, they also use the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. In 2013, the small congregation of about 30 purchased the former Lutheran Church of the Resurrection on Friendly Avenue, above. Previously, the Anglicans and the Lutherans shared this 100-seat sanctuary. The story is a special one with the Lutherans accepting the offer of the Anglican congregation, even though theirs wasn't the highest bid.  (Reference and News and Record article from 2013, here).

The building is small but the lot is very nicely appointed. There is a playset and a place to picnic in the front. Around back, are very mature trees, including a hickory tree that has been very prolific this year. If you are looking for a small church with a big heart, make contact St. John's through their website or their Facebook page.

St. John's is one of about a dozen Anglican churches in North Carolina. The religion dates to 1534, when King Henry VIII of England split from the Roman Catholic Church. Even though the word "Anglican" means "of England", St. John's is proof that the religion extends beyond the British Isles. Look for the red doors.  Happy Sunday!

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is located on Cedrow Drive in High Point. However, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians throughout Guilford County attend services here. According to the African Services Coalition, there are between 250-300 Ethiopians in the Guilford County.

Christianity became established in Ethiopia in the 4th century. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo  Christian Church is one of the few pre-Colonial Cristian churches in sub-sarahan Africa. Worldwide, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a membership of about 36 million. We're not sure how members the church has in Guilford County, but this little white house of Worship looks well cared for in its sparkly white fence and building.

You can see something you have never seen before and learn something new every day; all it takes is getting out and exploring. Happy Sunday!

Church Under the Bridge

The above photo is of the praise band that played last night at the meeting of the Church Under the Bridge at 300 Spring Garden Street. The 16 Cents Ministry sees to it that every week at 6pm, Under the Bridge, there is worship through music and prayer. Additionally, a hot meal is served, and other items are distributed. Everyone is welcome and it is not uncommon for 250 people to attend. Last night, the weather was nice, the music was inspirational, and the meal was very hearty, colorful, and perfect for summer. It seemed like everyone was enjoying this time together with food, music, and prayer. Perhaps the homeless in attendance could put in the back of their mind, for this one hour, the stress of being in an insecure living situation. Perhaps, if the recent rains flooded out their tents, someone helped find some dry clothes or higher ground. 

Here is the wish list of the 16 Cents Ministry.  If you belong to a group that is able to help, or if you can yourself, Church Under the Bridge is money and effort well spent. The resources, financial and otherwise, are put to use directly in Greensboro. We encourage you on a Saturday, at 6:00 pm (or a little earlier) to head downtown and see for yourself, just how beneficial this mission is to the community. You will see, firsthand, just how much work there is to be done and how much help is needed, right here in our own community. If you know the name of the band, let us know. We didn't want to interrupt them to ask and didn't see a sign or information about the group on the website.

Church Under the Bridge

The above photo is of the praise band that played last night at the meeting of the Church Under the Bridge at 300 Spring Garden Street. The 16 Cents Ministry sees to it that every week at 6pm, Under the Bridge, there is worship through music and prayer. Additionally, a hot meal is served, and other items are distributed. Everyone is welcome and it is not uncommon for 250 people to attend. Last night, the weather was nice, the music was inspirational, and the meal looked delicious. It seemed like everyone was enjoying this time together with food and music. Perhaps the homeless in attendance could put in the back of their mind, for this one hour, the stress of being in an insecure living situation. Perhaps, if the recent rains flooded out their tents, someone helped find some dry clothes. 

It is really nice to know that those religious organizations that are in a position to do so are helping with this initiative. Here is the wish list of the 16 Cents Ministry.  If you belong to a group that is able to help, or if you can yourself, Church Under the Bridge is money and effort well spent. The money, time, effort, and other resources are put to use directly in our community. We encourage you on a Saturday, at 6:00 pm (or a little earlier) to head downtown and see for yourself, just how beneficial this mission is to the community. You event is well organized and will help you see, firsthand, just how much work there is to be done, right here in our own community.

Mt. Zion AME Church on Huffine Mill Road

Mt. Zion AME Church is located at 1422 Huffine Mill Road. According to their Facebook page, "Mt. Zion AMEC is a Christ-centered, Bible-based, Justice-seeking, and Holy Spirit led global faith community, committed to bring all persons into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ." We wish they had church history available online, and even more importantly, that they have as much history archived as possible. It is so important for religious communities to document their history and to gather oral histories from their oldest living members. Mt. Zion has very nice cornerstones that provide very important information. The oldest cornerstone is dated August 29th 1909 and states the church was rebuilt in 1924 with Reverend Timberlake, Pastor. The second cornerstone, inlaid beside the first, says "built April 30, 1954 J.R. Cheek, Pastor. Just from the cornerstones, we learned that they have had three buildings and that the congregation dates back 111 years. While nobody will remember all 111 years, we're betting there are members whose memories of their church community go way back!

The day we were doing a photo shoot on Huffine Mill Road was a Saturday and someone was on site mowing the lawn at Mt. Zion and removing weeds that had snuck their way into the parking lot. As you can see from the above photo, the grounds were in tip top shape for Sunday service. Typical of so many churches, short of a drone photo, it is impossible to capture the size of the building and complete details of the property from one street-view photo. If you are looking for an AME church to attend, here is a great one to consider.

Happy Sunday!

Laughlin Memorial Methodist Church

We stumbled upon Laughlin Memorial Methodist Church while taking the back way home from the farmers market at Providence Farm. The triangular roof and cross on the brick church really stand out as you are driving past the property at 1417 Huffine Mill Road. According to the cornerstone at the church, Laughlin Memorial was organized in 1911 and rebuilt in 1949 and then again in 1967. According to UMC data, there are only 87 members, with an average attendance of 45. Regardless of size, the building is beautiful and the property is very well maintained. If you are looking for a church home in the eastern end of Guilford County, this would be a great option to consider. If you are out for a Sunday drive, Huffine Mill is a step back in time, but still close to everything. 

Have a great Sunday!

 

Kernersville Wesleyan Church

Kernersville Wesleyan Church is just over the county line on Highway 150 in Forsyth County. Many people go from Greensboro to Kernersville for church and many from Kernersville come to Greensboro for church. The first photo shows the street view of Wesleyan. As you can see, it is quite large and the architecture is impressive. Unfortunately, on their website, we can find nothing about the history or the year the church was built; however,  from the looks of the building, it appears to be relatively new. In searching the Internet, we found a farewell video to Pastor Phil who left in 2016 after 26 years of pastoring at Kernersville Wesleyan, which means, the church is at least 30 years old. Currently Scott Simmons is lead pastor.

The second photo shows the BIG TENT installed in the parking lot behind the church, where the congregation will be meeting at 10am today. Summer services are being held there for the entire month of July. With the current health concerns of large gatherings in enclosed speces, the decision to worship outside makes sense. The contrast between photo one and two is stark; however, they are proof positive that where there is a will, there is a way and you can still worship and celebrate God, even in the most humble of ways. If you are interested in attending, they will make room for you under the BIG TENT! If you go, see if the crows are still on the roof of the church. It seems the birds are convinced they have found a giant perch.

If anyone has a link to the history of the church, please share it with us and we'll link it to this post. Thank you and happy Sunday!

Virgin of Guadalupe Right Here in Greensboro

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexican Catholics. She is tied with Mexican identity and is seen frequently around Greensboro. You may have noticed her picture on truck windows, on candles, and as paintings and wall hangings in Mexican restaurants. The above photo is of a front yard in a neighborhood near Pinecroft Road and the Four Seasons Mall. For a Mexican family, having a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe is an expression gratitude for life's successes and joys, and a way to cope with infirmities and sorrows. See this list of prayers, if you are interested in learning more.

The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to an Aztec peasant, Juan Diego in 1531. The Basilica to the Virgin, located in a suburb north of Mexico City, has as many as 20 million visitors a year. The feast is celebrated every December and the local Catholic Churches with Mexican members hold ceremonies and celebrations. Here is an article in the News & Record about one such event in Greensboro. As for the family who built the above shrine, they must feel tremendous comfort returning from work every day and seeing the shrine. Likely, the family believes they have been helped by the Virgin and want to show their gratitude. In this yard, she sits at the top of a hill, as if watching over the whole neighborhood!

Happy Sunday!

 

 

Sanctuary Deliverance Church Of The Living Word

Sanctuary Deliverance Church Of The Living Word is located at 3631 Summit Avenue in Greensboro. That location is really getting pretty far north of the city. The church sign above has a very powerful message, "Appreciate today because tomorrow is not a promise"! As we learned from their website, the church was formed in 1982. Vander D. Purcell Sr., and Vander D. Purcell, Jr. are the pastors. They meet at 9am on Sunday and are taking every precaution to keep COVID at bay. If you are interested in becoming d disciple through the word of Sanctuary Deliverance Church may be the spiritual home for you.

If you look at how nicely the lawn is maintained, you know that a lot of love goes into keeping this church looking nice- inside and outside! Happy day after the Fourth of July. If you are out on north Summit Avenue, stop by to see this church.

Bethel Baptist Church on Lees Chapel Road

Today's photo is of Bethel Baptist Church at 2230  Lees Chapel Road. Lee's Chapel is located on the eastern side of Greensboro and actually turns into Pisgah Church Road as it gets closer to Elm Street. Bethel Baptist has the architecture of so many churches. Brick veneer, A-line roof in the front, and white steeple with a cross on top. It was built in 1953 on almost an acre of land. It is possible the congregation pre-dates the building of the church. Unfortunately, they don't have a history on their website. If you have more information the church, please share with us and we'll provide the additional information through Greensboro Daily Photo.

If you are looking for a traditional, independent Baptist Church, contact the pastor, Reverend Gunter, read more about them on their website, here, or consider attending a service.

Happy Sunday!

Lee's Chapel UMC

Lee's Chapel United Methodist Church is located on Lee's Chapel. The church was established in 1824 and is quickly approaching its 200th birthday! This church has so much history and has done so much for their church community. The building is a simple rectangular structure, but the stained glass windows absolutely make the sanctuary glow. There is also a large fellowship hall and several Sunday school classrooms. 

Outside, the property itself it so beautiful. As seen in the above photo, the lot has several mature oak trees. Beyond the church is a large cemetery. There is also an area for children to play. a covered pavilion, and a large parking lot. If you are a Methodist looking for a church, Lee's Chapel will welcome you with open arms. As a matter of fact, even if you aren't Methodist, they will welcome you! However, they are still not holding services in the sanctuary, but online. Happy Sunday!

Burnett's Chapel United Methodist Church

Burnett's Chapel United Methodist Church is one of the southernmost churches in the Greensboro/Guilford County area. It is located on Burnett's Chapel Road at Old Randelman Road. The building has the traditional look of a southern church. As seen in the photo, it is brick, with stained glass windows and a white steeple. What is not obvious form this photo is that they are getting a new pastor; and, the pastor is a woman! Today, from 2-4 pm will be a drive through meet and greet. Her service to Burdett's will begin on July 1st.

It is always an exciting time when a congregation gets a new pastor. Let's wish her the best and hope that the congregation will embrace her and that she will lead them through the trials and tribulations we are facing today. We encourage her to have someone post the church's history online. It is so important to not only get the dates and facts about a church, but to hear the stories and memories of the faith community from members. Happy Sunday. 

We have been posting house of worship (almost) every Sunday for over 11 years, which is nearly 600. While we have been known to feature the same house of worship more than once, we are still finding places that we have not featured before. Burnett's Chapel UMC is one such place. Maybe when the Covid times wane, we can get inside to see those beautiful stained glass windows!

Happy Sunday!

Eller Memorial Baptist Church

Eller Memorial Baptist Church is located on 4th Street, behind the McDonald's on Summit Avenue. The architecture  is a traditional, one-storey,  brick building with a white steeple. Eller Memorial has resumed worshiping live and Sunday service is at 11:00 am. The history of the church is inextricably intertwined with the textile mill history of Greensboro. In May 1896, plans were underway to organize a church for the community in the Proximity Mill area. One of the founders was Brother W.H. Eller. Mill owner, Ceasar Cone provided first a log cabin, and later a lot on Cherry Street for a church to be built. In 1901, the congregation moved to the 4th/Walnut Street area, where they have remained for the last 119 years.*

East Greensboro has a rich church history. If you are looking for Baptist church family, Eller Memorial will welcome you with open arms. Or, call Pastor Bruce Vaughn who has been the minister there since 2007. If you are out on a Sunday drive, stop by and have a look at this church with a rich history that can actually be traced back to the First Baptist Church of Greensboro.

 

* see more about the church history, online, here.

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church is located near Four Seasons Mall, at 3100 Creek Ridge Road. The church continues holding services remotely during this COVID-19 period. Given all of the issues in the news lately, many people report needing their church community more than ever. Given the fact that Mt. Tabor's congregation is largely minority, it will be especially important for congregants to assemble- even if virtually- to pray about all that has happened in the United States, especially in the minority communities.

Christians mark Mt. Tabor as the sight of the transfiguration of Jesus. It is also the place in the Middle East where the Israelite army was victorious over the Canaanites. It would be nice to see battles become obsolete in our lifetime. Perhaps, we can all pray for bringing people closer together, as equals. Happy Sunday and may you have some time to pause and reflect. If you believe in the power of prayer, set aside some time to pray. If you are looking for a church community, log on to Mt. Tabor through Facebook and pray with them. With so many online options, now is the best time ever to learn about church communities.

Cross Current Church

Cross Current Church is located at 212 West Main Street in Gibsonville. They are a church that tries to attract young adults in their 20s and 30s. The church explains that it has fundamentalist/evangelical roots but works hard to remain relevant to young adults of today. The staff members have Baptist training in their backgrounds, but the church does not appear to be affiliated with the Baptist denomination.

This location on Main Street looks like the building was formerly an office building. This just goes to show you that churches come in many shapes and sizes. They don't even need to be "open" to be touching people's lives, because a church is never closed and the work of the church is never done, even when the lights are out and the door is locked. We hope you are having a beautiful Sunday and that your spiritual needs are being met, regardless of your religion. If you are feeling alone or in need of worship, reach out to someone. And to Cross Current, what a great idea being right in the center of a community! Happy Sunday!

Little Free Library and Mini Food Pantry at College Place UMC

Religious communities are more than people and buildings. They are the sense of community and good deeds done, the mitzvah. The little free library is one such good deed, where you take a book and, leave one- optionally. The little free library began in Hudson, Wisconsin in 2009* and spread quickly to other communities, including Greensboro. Currently, there are over 100,000 little free libraries in over 100 countries. The little free food pantry, a completely different initiative, started in 2016. As seen in the above photo, both are available at the corner of Tate and Spring Garden Street at College Place United Methodist Church. 

According to the cornerstone of the church, College Place UMC was erected in 1919, just about the time of the flu pandemic of 1918. Tucked between Greensboro College and UNCG, this church has been doing good deeds, especially for students and staff, for over a century. While two little boxes don't solve all of Greensboro's food insecurities and need for good books in every home, this kind gesture, indeed, helps nourish the body, mind, and heart. It looks like both boxes could use a little restocking. If you get a chance, drive by and leave a book and a grab-and-go snack or two. Especially popular are vienna sausages, cans of tuna, cans of chicken, and cans of fruit cocktail with a pop top lid. Let us all pause and think of a good deed we can do for our respective communities, in Greensboro and beyond.

 

* read more about the little free library, here.and the little free food pantry, here.

Proximity United Methodist Church

Proximity United Methodist Church was built in 1925, among the mill houses and between Revolution and Proximity Mills in east Greensboro. Specifically, Proximity UMC is located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Vine Street, not too far from Summit Avenue. The church is very visible as it is at the top of a small hill and oriented to the corner of two streets. The brickwork, rock entrance stairs, and stained glass windows, and glorious columns make this property a real stand-out. The church is much bigger than the view from this angle. Back behind it to the right, is an education building, built in 1957, as well as a large playground.

Currently, membership is at 106, with an average attendance of 16. The church has so much mill history and as far as we can tell, it is not available online, if it exists at all. If there isn't a history, this would be a great project for a student at one of the local universities. It would be really nice to record a history while there may still be members living who remember some of the early years of the church. Greensboro had so much rich history, especially in the religious communities. Happy Sunday!

The First Baptist Church and Lincoln Financial Building

Underneath that glorious sky, two Greensboro institutions peek out at us. In the middle half of the photo, the First Baptist Church of Greensboro is featured prominently. It has been a Greensboro institution since 1859. However, the above facility in the present location was constructed in the middle of the last century.* Today, the expansive church, that does so much for the community, takes up almost a whole city block on the south edge of Westerwood at Friendly Avenue.

The Jefferson Pilot building, now part of Lincoln Financial Group, is the 20 story tower in the middle of the leftmost church building. The JP Building is the iconic beacon that blinks the time and temperature for all to see. On Greensboro Daily Photo, we like to see how many different ways we can capture the JP building and even tag it every time it is in a photo. See here for over 60 other shots, which isn't too excessive, considering we've shared over 4,000 photos of Greensboro since 2009.

If we're counting, First Baptist has been delivering services for 161 years which amounts to over 8,000 Sundays. That is a lot of spiritual guidance. To worship with them today, watch their online sermon, here.

* more church history, here.

Faith Bible Christian Church

Sunday is a day we like to post something spiritual on Greensboro Daily Photo. It is a chance to pause and reflect on the beauty of life and the thought of something bigger guiding us along in life. Exploring the Guilford County/Forsyth County line yesterday, we stumbled upon Faith Bible Christian Church. This church is located on North River Road in Oakridge, at the corner of Goodwill Church Road and Haw River Road. While Faith Bible was founded in 2002, the building and cemetery indicate there has been a Christian community on the spot for a very long time.

As we walked to the side, we noticed the cemetery. As you can see above, there are many markers that are simply stones. While some graves had engraved headstones, some had these stone markers with lichen growing on them. We saw some newer graves, but need to go back and find the oldest one. If you know about the rocks, let us know. 

Happy Sunday!

 

Friendly Avenue Baptist

Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, like the rest of the churches in Greensboro, is holding its services online today, as opposed to in person. For the young and tech savvy, this arrangement is not much of an issue. However, for the older members and the ones without internet access, the arrangement is a real hardship. Some members have attended for decades, rarely missing a Sunday. The origins of the church actually date to 1899, but the present building wasn't constructed until 1963. If you are interested in reading more about the history, see the website, here.

For those members who are really missing their church, not to worry. The geese have promised to keep a watchful eye for you. Happy Sunday!

Resurrection and Eternal Life...

Today, we share a robin's nest with one, beautiful, blue egg. The nest was found in a Greensboro backyard when owners were preparing to cut down a shrub and replace it with a blueberry bush. Always check trees and shrubs before cutting them down. If a bird is nesting, bees swarming, possum hanging out, if at all possible, hold off on your yard work. Greensboro is beautiful not only because of the great people, but also because of the beautiful flora and fauna. 

The egg is a symbol of fertility, resurrection, and eternal life. As Christians today revisit the story of Christ's resurrection and their belief in eternal life, may this robin's egg serve as tangible symbol of the beauty of life and believing in things we can't always see. Where there is life, there is hope!

Palm Sunday on Bach Terrace

^{It is hard to believe on this holiest of seasons for Christians, people are having to self-distance and stay home. Sadly, Easter services will needed to be celebrated at home this year. As you drive around Greensboro, it is interesting, and touching, the way people display their faith. This house, just off North Church Street on Bach Terrace, has a painted, wooden Jesus. To be sure, they will be mindful that today is Palm Sunday. Hopefully, they have internet service or cable and can participate virtually. People seem to be finding ways to keep in touch with their school, work, and religious communities during this quarantine.}

^{On another note, thank you to the readers yesterday who helped us solve the mystery of that ugly ball on a cedar tree. Susan Johnston likened it to pictures of the corona virus. JE and Tom Davis accurately identified this cedar/apple rust fungus. Maybe we'll have to seek out more "what is it" curiosities to publish! In the meantime, Happy almost Easter and almost Passover, dear readers.}

Dogwoods Are Starting to Bloom

Today is Sunday and, in Greensboro, dogwoods are starting to bloom. Regardless of your religious beliefs, the flowers signify beauty and rebirth. In Christianity, the dogwood symbolizes rebirth and resurrection. Some believe the the cross Jesus was crucified on was made of dogwood. However, there is no reference to that in the Bible, and dogwoods don't grow naturally in Israel. 

As we weather this quarantine, together, but apart, today would be a great day to spend outside. If you are a Christian and missing your church community, likely, they are offering services online. For that matter, even though we are in Greensboro, through the Internet, you can listen to about any church service you want to today. Most are being recorded and you can watch them any time you want- even at a future date. Regarding these dogwoods, better hurry. They wait for nobody and spring is quickly springing! Happy Sunday!

Virtual Church

For those who belong to a church, today will be a day of virtual churching. Houses of worship are finding ways to keep in touch with members and be personally present, while maintaining a social distance. The above photo was taken yesterday from the parking lot of Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road. Usually, this church is a hub of activity on Saturday afternoon. Often, they are selling hot dog lunches and there is a hustle and bustle of people preparing the church for Sunday services. However, yesterday, the property was eerily quiet. There were no cars in the parking lot and no sign of people.

The purple cloth draped over the cross at the entrance reminds us that we are in the Lenten season. Lent is a time of penance, repenting one's sins, self-sacrifice, and reflection. Perhaps it is fitting that the world is making the sacrifices that some with self-quarantining at the same time Christians remember Jesus' making an arduous journey into the desert for forty days. On Easter Sunday, the drape will be changed to white to represent purity and resurrection. Wouldn't it be nice if it could also be a visual sign that the quarantine was lifted.

May you have a great day today and find a safe way to stay connected to people and to be spiritually fulfilled in a way that fits with your personal beliefs. The beauty of the trees and the sky and clouds in the photo remind us of just how beautiful Greensboro is in the spring.

Nature's Rebirth

Signs of spring are popping up all over Greensboro. The above photo features tulip magnolias growing above a stone wall with a woodshed and field in the background. The tulip magnolia was first cultivated in southwest China, but grows well here in Greensboro. Unlike the other white magnolia that is so popular in Greensboro landscaping, the tulip magnolia is not evergreen. It loses its foliage in the winter and, each spring, it blossoms and then gets leaves.

The photo was taken in northwest Greensboro earlier this week. The sky was a stunning shade of blue. As we all work to redefine leisure time activities, consider walking around and enjoying nature. It can be very spiritual. Nature never disappoints and, spring especially is beautiful in Greensboro. Everything begins to flower and leaves cover trees. Soon, it will be hard to believe that winter was ever here. Happy Sunday!

Spring Is Springing... A Little Early

Next Sunday, Daylight Savings Time begins. Not only is the amount of daylight expanding, soon, it will be daylight longer into the evening. March 19th will be the Spring Equinox. The above photo shows that, in the Piedmont Region of North Carolina, spring is trying its hardest to move into the area.

Greensboro was so beautiful yesterday. The skies were a bright, clear blue. It looked fabulous, especially when contrasted with white blossoms and green foliage. Happy Sunday, may it be a day of rest and, if you have to work, carve out a little time to enjoy the natural beauty all around us.

Pleasant Garden Baptist Church

Today's photo features Pleasant Garden Baptist Church. Pleasant Garden is a community on the southeast side of Greensboro. In 2012, we featured the front of the church from Neelley Road (here). The above view is from the side, as seen driving in from Franklinville. The cars in the parking hint at just how busy the church was on Saturday afternoon. Local basketball teams had just finished playing. Located in the heart of Pleasant Garden, for many PGBC is, indeed, the heart of their community. It is the kind of church that holds many community events and had meetings in addition to the great sermons each Sunday.

As one example, this afternoon is the Upward Sports Celebration. The Trampoline Dunk Team from Liberty University will be at the church inspiring those in attendance. Today will be a busy day at the church. One of the most touching things the church does is visit the homebound members of the church. It would be really nice to get those older members to tell their stories of the history of the church over the years. It would be nice to get a church history online. Does anyone know the year the church was first established?

Congregational United Church of Christ

This photo is of Congregational United Church of Christ last weekend when the sky was filled with a low-lying strip of puffy clouds positioned from west to east above the city. We noticed this backdrop when driving by on Friendly Avenue and simply had to turn around to come snap a photo. This church, actually located on Radiance Drive, comes by its name honestly. In the Greensboro community, they are leaders in working for issues of social and racial justice. They are a progressive, liberal and welcoming Christian community.

Founded in 1900, the congregation built and moved to the above location in 1952. Julie Peeples has served the congregation as head pastor since 1991. She is very well liked not only by church members, but also by the Greensboro community. Hopefully, she will remains in her position for a very long time.

The weather is supposed to be good all day today, but we have a feeling the above clouds were a rare phenomenon and not likely to be seen again for a very long time. Please enjoy your day, regardless of what the weather brings our way.

New Life Worship Center

The New Life Worship Center is located on Clapp Farm Road in Eastern Guilford County. It is just off Mt. Hope Church Road, near Replacements, Ltd, The fact that the church is only one story tall makes it very convenient for people in the congregation, or visitors, who may have challenges with mobility. The long and skinny shape really differentiates it from a lot of traditional churches. However, with the Stainglass windows in the cross in the front, there is no mistake that it is a church. You can visit on Sunday mornings or attend Bible study on Wednesday evening.

over the last decade, we have featured approximately 500 churches or religious organizations around Greensboro. Sometimes, we wonder when we will run out of things to post. Then, Especially when riding on rural roads throughout the county, we find a place that is new to us. Recently, this church held at 55 year homecoming reunion, so, it is not new to the people near McLeansville and Gibsonville.

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

The  iconic  roofline of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church looms large  alone  Horse Pen  Creek  Road  at New Garden  Road.  However,  the above view is one that only attendees  are likely see.  It was taken from the back of the property,  on the side  with the children's playground and the picnic area. Yesterday,  the clouds were especially beautiful and the sky was crisp and clear as people gathered for the Saturday evening service. The ever green to  the left  enhances the  natural  beauty of the property.

The history of the congregation of  St.  Paul dates to  1974 in Greensboro.  The present sanctuary, with  the exaggerated/curved  triangular roofline,  dates  to 1993  and what a  beauty it is, on the  inside  as well as the outside. Happy Sunday!

Linville Chapel ORMA

 

The above photo was taken  yesterday on Highway 150 at  Linville  Chapel on the campus of Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA). The  photo is wavy  because it was taken through  the car  windshield,  reflecting  how  everything looked with the cold rain.

The  chapel is not very large, but is so  charming and would be a perfect place for a young cadet  to go to work through  difficult times and to nurture spiritual needs. Above the door,  there is a  sign  that reads, "REMEMBER THY CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THY YOUTH." To  the right of the doors  is a brass plaque that explains the  chapel was  renovated in 1991 by  R.N. "Buster" and Edna  Linville  in honor of Bishop Kenneth Goodson  and wife  Martha. Bishop Goodson  had his first  Methodist appointment in  this church in 1935. ORMA dates  to 1852, and with  he  heavy columns and the texture of the brick,  the chapel  looks like it could be  from the same time  period as the other early buildings. The stained  glass  windows  are still  lovely and would look even  nicer  from  inside the chapel on a sunny day!

Here is a photo of when  we  featured  Linville Chapel about  three years ago. Happy Sunday!

Buddha Guilford College

Guilford College is an  institution of higher education  in Greensboro founded by  Quakers in 1837. It also played an  instrumental role in the Underground Railroad (especially in the mid 1800's), helping slaves  find their way to freedom. The Guilford College campus is lovely and it  backs up to  a wooded area. There  are also  several private residences  on  the grounds where families with  links to  the college  and Quakerism  reside.  

One lovely residence has a few  Buddhas  on their property. The above photo is one of their  Buddha statues, on the stump  of a tree that had to  be  cut down. Buddhism sees trees  as worthy of recognition and protection. Even though  this tree had  to  be cut down, there are several on  the property thriving  under the good care  of the residents.  If you look closely, you can  see  antlers on  the side  of the bust. A deer left them not too  far from  the Buddha  and the  owners felt it fitting to  attach  them to  the side.  Perhaps the gesture is a nod  to the indigenous cultures once in the area. There is so  much history on the college's 340 acres! Happy Sunday!

Shalom Community Christian Church

Shalom Community Christian Church is located behind Four Seasons Mall at 2227 Pinecroft Road. It is one of those churches that is a lot bigger than it appears from the front. With the red brick and white steeple, the architecture is very typical of southern churches. 

Shalom is very community oriented and in the summer, they offer a summer academic and enrichment program for children from 4years of age to 8th graders. At only $65 a week, it is very affordable. Churches that reach out to help families with not only their spiritual needs, but also their social, emotional, and academic, are so important to a community. Happy Sunday!

Sang Popu Ana Cu Montagnard Church

The Montagnards are an ethnic group from Vietnam. Many have come to the United States as refugees. Given their help to the Americans during the Vietnam War in the 1960s, life for these "mountain people" is difficult in Vietnam. North Carolina has the largest population of Montagnards outside of Southeast Asia.*

The above photo features Sang Popu Ana Cu Montagnard Church, located on Pinecroft Road, just behind the Four Seasons Mall. The dynamic church not only holds religious services, it is also a gathering place to celebrate culture and to address issues relevant to the Montagnards community. Pinecroft Road reflects the diversity of Greensboro. If you take a Sunday drive there today, you will see so many different ethnic groups and people from all walks of life. Happy Sunday!

* reference an more information, here.

Away in a Manger

Centenary United Methodist Church in Greensboro is located on Friendly Avenue, very near Friendly Center. Every year, they display their nativity scene for all to enjoy. The display is on the edge of Sunset Hills neighborhood and visible if you are driving towards Friendly Avenue on Ridgeway.

The scene marks the wise men's arrival to the manger bringing gifts, on Epiphany, January 6th. If you are Catholic, and especially from the Spanish speaking world, the nativity scene is very special to the little ones. Children are much more likely to receive gifts on January 6th rather than on Christmas Day. If you want to start another gift-giving tradition in your community, in early January (Old Christmas) you can leave shoes filled with hay for the camels out to be replaced with treats once the camels have gone.