A Celebration Of Fathers At Rosa Parks Circle

**BobV01** · 4th-August-2011

Hundreds came to sing, dance, and pray for a commitment to fatherhood.
Please note this affirmation of Fatherhood closed with a prayer for Fathers and Fatherhood, for young Brothers, for families and for the community. Before several area Pastors, representing area Churches invoked God’s Blessing upon the assembled Fathers and those Fathers in the community but not in attendance, the Pastors asked the Fathers to form a circle. Circle formed, women, children and families were asked to stand inside the circle. The Pastors asked the Fathers to link arms and stand shoulder to shoulder. An unbroken circle of Fathers, arms interlinked bowed their heads as the Blessing was proclaimed.
A Celebration Of Fathers At Rosa Parks Circle 07.31.11 -- FOX 17
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan USA
It was a celebration of fathers.
Sunday Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids was packed with families singing, dancing, and praying for a commitment to fatherhood.
Revolution Christian Ministries, Kentwood Community Church, and Grand Rapids First teamed up to launch what they call "Fathers in the Circle".
The event was a local community outreach initiative to encourage, empower, and support fathers being active in the family lifestyle.
"We're here to show support to the men of the community,” participant, Linda Kinde said. “And to show them that we love them and that we want them to be all the man that they can be."
Hundreds gathered to promote that sentiment.
It was an especially important day for Jerdonn Thomas of Grand Rapids, who believes more men in the community need to step in and take responsibility for their actions and for their children.
"I think it is a problem in our community especially with the Black culture in our community,” Thomas said. "It's important because you need a father in your life."
The free, family friendly event also featured a public declaration of fatherhood.
"It looked like they were coming together and making some new commitments to take hold of their roles as fathers in the house and that's a good thing,” Dick Rolfe, CEO of the Dove Foundation said.
Many hope the message spreads nationwide.

Fathers celebrated in Rosa Parks Circle with singing, dancing, prayer, and ice cream. - FOX 17

**PWCM** · 4th-August-2011

And who said Christianity/Religion shouldn't be involved in the fight...

Beautiful Article

**Douglas** · 4th-August-2011

Great to hear of this event. This is an area where the Church can really show the rest of society a good way forward.

It was an especially important day for Jerdonn Thomas of Grand Rapids, who believes more men in the community need to step in and take responsibility for their actions and for their children.

Whilst I don't disagree with the sentiment expressed, I think it unrealistic to expect men to take more responsibility when they have almost no authority. Responsibility should always be matched by authority and vice-versa. One way to encourage men to take more responsibility in society - and therefore in families - is to give them equal authority over their families to women (and far greater authority than the state).

**outdoors** · 4th-August-2011

Oh geez...CBC just did an article on Rosa Parks promoting misandry against men;

Long before Rosa Parks was hailed as the "mother of the civil rights movement," she wrote a detailed and harrowing account of nearly being raped by a white neighbour who employed her as a housekeeper in 1931.

lots more...
Rosa Parks essay reveals rape attempt - World - CBC News

**BobV01** · 4th-August-2011

Perhaps Rosa Parks Circle was not the greatest of venues, it is an outdoor ampitheater in a core city, it is also the site of weekly Blues Concerts during the summer,and ice skating in the winter there are other venues that may be available.
Churches and their Parishes and Congregations already have a sense of community and have been helpful to Fathers. It is true that in the seventites divorce and single fathers were not well received by Churches that has and is changing.
Easiest way to enlist the support of Churches is for Fathers to take their children to Church.
Go to the beach and watch, especially with younger children: Dads are in the water with their children, Dads look at each other and nod, Dads end up being something of a safety net watching the children's safety.
For our children, shoulder to shoulder, we DADS can make the world a better place for our children to inherit.