Harlem

Today, I attended the Sunday service at “Canaan Baptist Church of Christ” – 117th street north of Central Park. I does not get any more black and spirited.

After waiting in line outside with hundreds of other tourists, I finally got in the packed church room and was placed with a young French couple in the left side of the hall. Locals were sitting all around us. On stage were two gospel choirs, a sign language interpreter, a funky miniband and a huge, bald jazz-organ-man dressed in red robes. Plus the reverend himself.

“We are a congregation in mission”

Those are the first words I remember. I felt a kind of activist power and passion in every statement coming from the stage (in words, drama og songs) – regarding both social justice and the glory of God. The Holy Spirit was present, some might say. And he combined it all with a jazzy organ soundtrack, gospels tunes and yelling from the church.

After two and a half hour, the service ended by everyone standing hand in hand singing a gospel about how the Lord may be with us. I left the church spirited and with real Gods blessings from the Harlem girl standing next to me. And my life could continue.

Cameras were not allowed in the church. This photo is from a Gospel and Brunch -event at the legendary “Cotton Club” this same afternoon. But that is another story 🙂