African American Church Processionals - Nurses & Usher Boards

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post features two videos of Mount Calvary Holy Church of America Inc. (MCHC) nurses & usher board processionals. Information about the roles of the nurses and usher boards in MCHC denominations and in many other African American Christain denominations is also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT ADDING COMMENTS ON THIS BLOG
With considerable regret, I have disabled the comment feature on this blog (and on my other blogs except for https://pancocojams.blogspot.com, because of the large number of spam comments that I received on those blogs.

Comments for those blogs can be sent to my email address azizip17 dot com at yahoo dot com for possible inclusion in a specific post on those blogs.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROLE OF CHURCH NURSES & USHER BOARDS
From http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupCulturalAid.asp?LRID=293
"The role of the usher board (which can include a nurses guild) is considered one of importance and honor within black churches. Ushers are the first people we encounter during a worship service; they meet us at the door. They ensure that we are welcomed and comfortable. Their smiling faces and pleasant demeanors set the atmosphere for our worship experience. However, they do more than show us to our seat or tend to the congregation during worship. They are more than the collectors of the offering during worship. And their role is more important that readying the sanctuary in anticipation of that day’s worship attendees...

As a result of the work, sacrifice, and dedication provided by usher boards and nurses guilds, one day of every year is set aside for the church and its members to express their appreciation for the work and commitment given by these individuals. Often, ushers and nurses guild members from other churches will attend the festivities in support and celebration, and all programming is centered around showing appreciation to the usher board and all of its departments. We appreciate all who serve as nurses guild members and as ushers and are thankful as they assist in maintaining order and decorum and extending hospitality in the house of God.

II. History and What Ushering Offers
Psalm 84:10 is lifted as the “ushers’ text.” The text highlights the role of the “doorkeeper in the house of God.” Doorkeeper in the Hebrew is caphaph, a verb that means to stand at or guard the threshold.1

Ann Brock, on her blog, The Old Black Church, highlights the role of usher boards. She writes that one of the important roles the usher board—as well as the music department—plays in the church is the development and training of younger generations “for future service in the church.”2

Regardless of one’s age, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, talents, etc., anyone is capable of serving on an usher board. And it is through ushering that many learn about order, precision, and obedience. In some cases, being on an usher board is similar to the military, without the physical training and head shaving."...

****
FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Mount Calvary Nurse & Usher Meeting



etcarvil76, Uploaded on Oct 6, 2008

Mount Calvary Nurse & Usher is having their yearly meeting in
South Florida this year and they is marching in joy

****
Video #2: MCHCA Ushers & Nurses Grand March


Mount Calvary Holy Church Inc, Uploaded on Aug 19, 2009

This is the annual International Nurses & Ushers Convention Grand March. This year's event took place at the International Headquarters of Mount Calvary Holy Church of America Inc. Washington D.C.
April 3, 2009
www.mchca.org

****
RELATED LINK
Click this post on my Pancocojams blog for Part 3 of a series of posts on Marching For Jesus- Black Church Processionals: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church_9901.html

****
ADDENDUM: INFORMATION ABOUT ZUMALAYAH
This is zumalayah's first post.

I made up the word "zumalayah" (pronounced zoom-ah-LAH-yah) for the purpose of this blog. I consider it a noun which means "the spirit that people express when they joyfully move to the beat of percussive music". That said, I haven't used it in any sentence but the following:

Zumalayah showcases videos of dances & singing games done in circles or in lines, and other movement performance arts from African American culture, from African cultures, and from other cultures of the African Diaspora.

****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the Mount Calvary Holy Church of America Inc. (MCHC) nurses & ushers and all other church nurses & ushers for the service that they provide. Thanks to the editor of the article which is quoted in this post and thanks also to the publishers of these featured videos.

Thank you for visiting zumalayah.

Visitor comments are welcome.