Church event draws 300-plus
Sunday, April 20, 2008
By Monetta L. Harr
mharr@citpat.com -- 768-4972
A church rarely looks so festive, with red, white and blue balloons tied to doors and stairways leading into the building.
But the real giveaway was the faces of the people standing and sitting outside: smiles, hugs and conversations among all ages.
More than 300 people turned out Saturday afternoon for New Jackson Celebration `08 at City of Zion Church, at the corner of Greenwood Avenue and Wilkins Street.
``We're celebrating what God's doing in Jackson,'' said an exuberant Wendy Wight, an organizer and director of Together We Can Make A Difference, a nonprofit mission just down the street at 224 W. Wilkins St.
``The whole day is about meeting one another and ministering to one another, rich and poor, white and black, government leaders and church pastors and lay members,'' Wight said.
Sponsored by the Adopt-A-Cop Program of Jackson County, a growing relationship between church members praying for police officers, the goal was to continue making this area a ``happy place to live and work.''
Downstairs, more than 30 nonprofits displayed booths of what they are about and who they are trying to help. The upstairs sanctuary, which seated 170, was filled as people listened to music and testimonies.
A powerful one was delivered by Greg Hardrick of Jackson, a man built like a professional football player but who speaks with a soft voice. He had to stop at one point and compose himself, as he recalled the violence of his youth and where he is today.
``I asked my mother one day why God doesn't do miracles anymore, like he did in the Bible. And then it hit me. Wait, I'm proof of a miracle,'' he said, as the audience shouted ``amen'' and applauded.
Hardrick knows the power of setting a good example, in his personal and professional life. He is a street outreach counselor for Florence Crittenton Services.Hardrick shared his personal experience of getting shot 13 years ago. ``I lived through it, and that's amazing. The Lord saved me, because I was supposed to die,'' he said.
Downstairs, Josh and Jen Latocki of Jackson each cradled a sleeping infant in baby carriers strapped around their necks and backs. Aviah and Leevi, 5-month-old twins, took the crowd in stride as their parents walked among the booths. ``It's great seeing the community come together, celebrating the positive,'' said Jen Latocki, a teacher at Napoleon Middle School.
Kathy Wilson, director of client services for Center for Women, 434 Wildwood Ave., which offers pregnancy counseling services, had models of an embryo at five different stages of a healthy pregnancy at her booth.
``I've been answering questions about our organization. Many people are surprised we are a faith-based nonprofit,'' she said.
Wight, one of the organizers, said inviting nonprofits was a great idea for the second event.
The first took place in October, and plans are in place for another Sept. 27 at the Michigan Theatre.
Forbes Recognizes Jackson
as one of best areas to live and work.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Jackson community will soon be named by Forbes.com as one of the best small metropolitan areas to live and work.
A representative from the financial magazine's Web site contacted Jackson City Manager Bill Ross on Monday via e-mail and asked him to send pictures of the area.
Ross said he sent 11 photos, including shots of the downtown skyline, Foote Hospital, the 17th hole at the Ella Sharp Golf Course, SandHill Crane Vineyards, Michigan International Speedway and the Michigan Theatre, among others.
He said he is not sure how many will be used or when it will be posted.
Ross said being named as one of the best areas to live and work in the country was not an honor solicited by the city, but it is welcome.
``I think it's a sign that things are looking up,'' Ross said.
``Obviously we've caught someone's attention.''
-- Chris Gautz
Groups: Prayer can help
Posted by Fredricka Paul | Jackson Citizen Patriot April 07, 2008 09:39AM
They hope to solve many of Jackson's problems through unity, love and prayer.
Local groups that include Adopt-a-Cop, Together We Can Make a Difference and City of Zion Ministries will host the first New Jackson Celebration on April 19 at 620 Greenwood Place.
"We are a group of local people that love the city of Jackson, that want to see Jackson become better than it is," said Larry Rothman, a Michigan State Police trooper. "We all know we are losing jobs, and usually when the economy goes down, crime goes up. With the power of praying, the community can help bring new life to a city."
Rothman, director of the Adopt-a-Cop program of Jackson County that links police officers to churches, said the New Jackson Celebration will feature prayer, music, speakers and people from about 30 local organizations.
The event will allow local groups to showcase the many good things that are going on in the community, organizers said.
Special guests will include U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton; the Rev. Ira Combs, pastor of Greater Bible Way Temple; and Dan Evans, superintendent of Jackson Public Schools.
"This is an opportunity for people in this community to come together for one cause and one purpose," Rothman said. "It is really (being) used to break down racial, religious and governmental walls we created in the community."
The groups want to host another event in October, Rothman said.
Ken Rochell of Ypsilanti, a state police detective and sergeant who was the state's 2005 Trooper of the Year, will be one of the celebration's keynote speakers. He said being invited back to Jackson, where he used to work, is a great honor.
Rochell, who also heads Christian Law Enforcement Fellowship, said he wants to help people understand that "unity is the key that unlocks our community."
"I believe that we can all do it," Rochell said. "With God all things are possible. ... I don't think there is not too much we can't accomplish."
Regardless of people's backgrounds, religions and race, everyone should be able to unify on fighting drugs, domestic violence and crime because they affect everyone, Rochell said.
"They key is to come to the table as a unified group to really accomplish a whole lot more and a whole lot faster if we are all moving and doing the same thing," he said.
Example of God's hand on Jackson:
Eaton adds jobs after closing plant
Posted by Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot April 09, 2008 09:34AM
Eaton Corp. announced in January 2007 plans to shutter its Argyle Street facility by the end of March this year and it stuck to its word.
Workers at Argyle Street were initially told their jobs were headed to Mexico, but by the end of last year business had rebounded, and 70 workers were able to find jobs at another Eaton plant on East Avenue in Jackson.
Jackson Pro-Lifers Convince
United Way to Defund
Planned Parenthood
Family News in Focus
Grassroots activists keep money out of abortion provider's hands.
The United Way of Jackson County, Mich., was prepared to give a $10,000 grant to the local Planned Parenthood. But pro-life groups would have none of it.
Following an outcry from Jackson Right to Life, Spring Arbor University and others, United Way changed its mind.
"When they had all the information to make the decision with, they saw that it just wasnt going to be a good move," said Kathy Potts, president of Jackson Right to Life.
The grant was to be used for teen-pregnancy prevention, but that's not what Planned Parenthood is famous for.
Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the country," said Denise Burke, vice president of Americans United for Life.
She said the victory is a great example of what grassroots activism can accomplish.
Businesses, those supporting Planned Parenthood and others, may be less likely to do it," Burke said, "when they know theres a concerted effort by pro-life Americans to make their concerns known.
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