Letters To The Editor

Response To Issues At Mt. ZionDear Editor, Your comments featured in the immediate past two issues of The Seattle Medium newspaper are highly appreciated. They have been read with great interest and certainly address some of the issues that Mount Zion’s membership is facing. The historical perspective was outstanding and bears repeating. It seems that three historical things have happened recently which greatly impact the church.1. Loss after 21 years of Live Radio Broadcast with the Only Black Radio Station in the area.2. Phasing out of services provided by a Black Accounting Firm with more than 20 years of service to the church, and3. Movement of the Credit Union that was formed in the basement of the church over 35 years ago to a new off site location.As with the radio station, the services of the accounting firm were free initially. Is this the tip of the iceberg and what in the history of the church will fall next? Rev. Braxton has been the Senior Pastor of Mount Zion for the duration of these events and should be held accountable for the divide that we are weathering at this time.Sincerely,Robert HaynesReader Response To Letter From Mt. Zion DeaconDeacon Stephen Gray; I am writing to you after having read your 4/2/05 email to the Seattle Medium News and their response. I too have been a member of Mount Zion for at least four decades! I must state this correspondence reflects my opinion just as your 4/2/05 reflects your opinion! First Mt. Zion, at this time, is a divided church. The division has developed as a result of the retirement of its former pastor of forty something years and the commission of a new pastor. It is not unusual for a church that had has the benefit of decades of administrative and pastoral leadership to struggle with the changes that occur with a new pastor and his leadership style. It is not unusual for disgruntled membership to seek to make their concerns public, especially when the church, like Mt. Zion, has been a valued public trust of the community, and to use the community newspaper as the vehicle for their public disclosure. And there certainly is nothing Satanic about the newspaper providing the opportunity for dissent as part of its constitutional obligation of freedom of the press. Leadership has many challenges. I applaud you for accepting the role of leadership that goes with your Deacon title. However leadership must be able to accept criticism as part and parcel to the role a leader must play without blaming the vehicle that communicates the criticism. To forward corrections of perceived inaccuracies is justifiable and appropriate, however to accuse the vehicle of Satanic representation is extremely troublesome at best and inappropriate at worst. Judge not that yea not be judged! I do not have knowledge of who comprises the “Concerned Members” group that has taken the time to submit articles to the Seattle Medium as an expression of their frustration. Nor do I care about the make-up of this group. It is their right to express any concerns they collectively may have in any vehicle they choose. However, if I were in a leadership position at the church I would be more concerned that a group of members feel so disenfranchised by the church’s internal communication process to the point of electing to air their concerns via the local newspaper. If the church leadership focuses on the church, and the continued evolution of the church and less on what others say about the church any rift will heal with the successful evolution. Maybe returning to allowing church Members to communicate concerns at Advisory Committee meetings, or at other times without ostracizing them for their opinion we can all move forward in a productive and Christian fashion. Remember, Jesus, the founder of the conventional Christian Church was roundly criticized and rather than call his detractors Satan inspired he asked for their forgiveness. Brother Deacon please forgive me if you believe this to be in support of Satan!Carl Smith Thank For Your SupportTo Our Friends, The Seattle Medium Thank you for your support of First A.M.E. Church and the 15th Annual Youth and Law Forum. Every time we call upon your community support and excellent journalism, you respond without wavering. Keep up the good work and integrity of your communication. Lead by example and faith for the truth, and success will be your blessing.William Lowe