The family tradition of attending church on Father’s Day kept going for the Obama family, but this time it wasn’t at their usual place of worship, Trinity United Church of Christ. Instead, they went where they still felt “at home”û Apostolic C
The White House hopeful recently cut his ties to his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright and severed his 20- year membership with Trinity. Obama was attacked by fellow candidates for his choice in a spiritual leader after seemingly anti-American remarks Wright made from the pulpit years ago garnered national and international attention, and from Wright’s speeches made after the media frenzy.
The Obamas, who are no strangers to Apostolic, made no indication it was their new place of worship. Michelle Obama spoke at the church last December, on behalf of the senator who had to return to Washington, D.C. at the last minute. Bishop Arthur Brazier, pastor emeritus of the church, has known the Obamas for years.
He was “overjoyed” that they chose to attend the Father’s Day Service. “He has changed the course of America. He’s a man who loves people, who is concerned about the poor; the working man; the middle class. That’s where his heart is. He’s a true patriot. I never thought I would live to see this day. I’m filled with emotion. America today is not the America years ago,” said an emotional Brazier, whose words brought Obama to his feet. Obama didn’t mince words either about Brazier and his work in the Woodlawn area; work that parallels what Wright has done in the Gresham community where Trinity sits, nor of the legacy Brazier leaves to his son. Rev. Byron Brazier inherited the South Side pulpit after his father retired earlier this month and also ran as an Obama delegate in the state’s 7th congressional district.
“In 48 years, he has built this congregation from just a few hundred to more than 20,000 strong. Because of his work and his ministry, there are more graduates and fewer gang members in the neighborhoods surrounding this church. There are more homes and few homeless.
There is more community and less chaos because Bishop Brazier continued the march for justice that he began by Dr. King’s side all those years ago,” Obama said as he looked at Brazier. Obama ended his visit by asking Brazier and the congregation to continue praying for him and his family.
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