Valley church pastors celebrate cultural principles of Kwanzaa

By Elise Franco

YOUNGSTOWN — The Rev. Lewis Macklin II said he hopes to see Kwanzaa move past being a tradition celebrated only by blacks.

The Rev. Mr. Macklin, pastor at Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church in Youngstown, said the seven principles discussed and celebrated during Kwanzaa are principles all people can understand and embody.

“During this time, we all need to passionately examine and look at what we can do and should do to progress as a people,” he said.

Kwanzaa, a traditionally black American secular holiday, consists of seven days of celebration, each day representing a separate cultural value. It was created by Ron Karenga, a California professor, and was first celebrated in 1966.

Holy Trinity opened its doors for a service Sunday afternoon, the second day of Kwanzaa called Kujichagulia, or self-determination, to celebrate all seven principles.

The other six principles are Umoja, unity; Ujima, collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa, cooperative economics; Nia, purpose; Kuumba, creativity; and Imani, faith.

Mr. Macklin said a candle is lit on each day of Kwanzaa, saving Imani, or faith, for last.

“Faith represents that resilience that we know we’re going to move forward and make it,” he said.

The service is something Mr. Macklin said he implemented when he became pastor 13 years ago.

“Kwanzaa isn’t a religious holiday,” he said. “However, faith has always been important to the African-American community, so it’s hard to keep the two separated.”

Pastors from seven area churches were invited to the service, and each spoke about one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

“On the second night of this Kwanzaa experience, we are blessed to have some of the best men and women of the Gospel here with us,” Mr. Macklin said, addressing his parish.

Pastor Larry McCulloh of World Fellowship Interdenominational Church in Youngstown spoke about the first night of Kwanzaa, called Umoja, or unity.

McCulloh read from Ephesians and discussed why unity is so important.

“The greatest weapon the church and the community have is unity, and the greatest weapon Satan has is division,” he said. “We must work together to unite and help those in our community ... who cannot pull themselves up by their bootstraps because they don’t have any boots to pull.”

Unity is one of the principles Lillian Howell of Youngstown said was most important to her.

“There’s so much destruction and separation going on, and we need to unite as one unit,” she said. “I know that’s one of the things they teach during this time.”

This year’s service was the second that Howell has ever attended. She said she came to support the speakers and to gain a better understanding of Kwanzaa.

“I’m here to learn and get a deeper understanding of what Kwanzaa really is,” Howell said. “It’s good to know the history, and it’s important to come together and unite.”

Mr. Macklin said he encourages members as well as nonmembers to attend the services and bring the younger generations in their families.

“For this generation, there’s a detachment to the struggle as a form of progression,” he said. “This is an opportunity to revisit, refocus and celebrate.”

Mr. Macklin said it’s important for younger generations to learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa with their parents and grandparents because they can’t relate to many of the issues and events of the 1960s, when Kwanzaa was established.

“It’s a real teaching moment for this generation,” he said.