Rev. 2/29/04 FEBRUARY FEVER For some people, February can be a tedious month, with frigid air, icy roads, flu and fever, or at least cabin fever. First Presbyterian's antidote? Fellowship, festive feasts and mind-expanding experiences. Super Bowl Sunday (February 1) brought families together for large-screen viewing of a certain sporting event, plus alternative intellectual pursuits for those who prefer their pigskin with barbecue sauce. Laura Sharp conducted a music workshop for our younger members, while Sandra Camacho and Tim O'Toole presented Digital Photography 101 for those considering taking the plunge into new technology, and those who have already entered the baffling world of megapixels and jpg files. Yes there was plenty of pizza for all who attended mind-stretching or mind-numbing activities - and we aren't sure which was which. While these were all one-day events, the entire month of February is also devoted to Black History Month. Dr. James Foster Reese preached at our two morning services on February 8, then went on to regale us with tales of his fifty-plus years of ministry in black churches in Alabama and Tennessee, when he served our own Tillie Collier. He also recounted the role northern and southern churches played in educating African-Americans in the years before the Civil War, and the challenges the Presbyterian Church faces today, with our average member age of 57 years. Dr. Reese's entrancing words were accompanied by an excellent repast of authentic African-American dishes prepared by members of First Presbyterian who definitely know their way around a kitchen! Our thanks to the Committee, pictured below. The Underground Railroad was explored after worship on February 15, with a detailed presentation by local historians Paul and Mary Liz Stewart. Again our minds worked best with food in proximity. Paul and Mary Liz reminded us that slavery was not a remote reality in the history of Albany. Albany had its local heroes in the fight for freedom, including local ministers and business people, black and white, former slaves and fugitive slaves. Albany was a vital way-station in the flight to freedom. As reported by the Vigilance Committee in 1856 - in that year more than 287 fugitives passed through Albany, How many of us today would take the risks and legal liabilities to liberate oppressed people? Paul and Mary Liz Stewart will be conducting walking tours of two Albany sites come the Spring Thaw. Find out more about Albany's role in the history of abolition at the Stewart's Underground Railroad Workshop at http://www.ugrworkshop.com/tour.htm February 29th (Rev. Shook could not recall a February that had five Sundays in it), we were treated to a visit by Antonia Brown, whose Pilgrimage of African American Music gave us a taste of the wide range of sounds brought to America, and the impact African American voices and composers have had on world music. Her one-woman show offered samples of the sounds of Robert Johnson, Billie Holiday, Mahalia Jackson and Broadway's The Wiz. Antonia Brown's rendition of several spiritual's were more than reminiscent of Mahalia Jackson - they were a reminder that her influence lives on. We are always in a receptive mood, but this was enhanced by the Black History Month Committee, which once again shared heirloom family recipes with all, for a right-on Sunday Brunch. Notice to March - February is a hard act to follow!