Words from the Pulpit

Hard to see, I know, but that's the Rev. Joseph Darby, who was a bit out of the reach of my point-and-shoot today at Morris Brown AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church in Charleston. Rev. Darby is personally supporting Sen. Obama (I know this from an earlier conversation). But he made sure to publicly declare during this morning's sermon -- which was appropriately called "Let's Do A New Thing" -- that the church was making no official endorsement.

Recalling the times of Dr. King, it went something like this:  "I remember a time when they said, that boy is too young to lead people.  I remember when they said, he needs to get a little more experience -- you remember that? -- he needs to go slower. It's not time yet, it's not his turn. He needs to get a little older." The Rev. concluded, "The church cannot make endorsements, but I can tell you what I think about Dr. King. Let the church say, Amen." Amen.

Darby's sermon culminated with the passionate refrain: "We're tired of the same old heartache -- Do a new thing! We're tired of the same old disappointment -- Do a new thing! We're tired of the same old hate -- Do a new thing!"

Do the words "Obama" or "change" spring to anybody's mind? I wonder how many other African-American ministers gave similar sermons today.

BTW, Obama had a rep there who gave a 5-minute spiel. Others were invited to do so, but no Clinton or Edwards counterparts were on hand.