Miami Herald - August 10, 2006
Bea Hines, bhines@MiamiHerald.com

It is a well-deserved honor. McRae, has worked diligently to improve the lives of HIV/AIDS victims, and he was one of the first ministers in the black community to offer pastoral services to hospitalized victims of the disease.

For more then 15 years, victims of HIV/AIDS found comfort in McRae's work. It was often a thankless job and one that, back then, many ministers would not touch. But McRae saw a need to reach out to the victims of the deadly disease and offer them compassion and help.

Often times, in the early years of AIDS, even the families of victims disowned them, leaving them to die alone. That's when McRae stepped forward, starting his mission.

Because of his work and dedication, a committee headed by retired Congresswoman Carrie P. Meek led an effort to have the street dedicated to McRae.

Meek and Tangela Sears, president of the African American Grassroots Committee, are asking the community to turn out at Mount Tabor to help honor McRae. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Sears, 786-286-7843.

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CHOIR ANNIVERSARY

The community is invited to share in the celebration as the Missionary Gospel Choir of St. Matthew Missionary Baptist Church commemorates its anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday at the church, 6100 NW 24th Ave. in Liberty City.

The Rev. Dr. Phillip Clarke Jr. is pastor.

For more information, call the church at 305-635-5177.

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WOMEN'S MONTH

Elder Kenneth A. Duke and the congregation of New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church, 777 NW 85th St., are celebrating the women in the church by declaring August Women's Month.

On Sunday, the women in the community are invited to the church's annual Women's Day worship services at 7:30 and 10:45 a.m.

The theme will be ''Christian women positioning themselves to get their house in order through faith and prayer.'' Women attending the service are asked to wear the theme color, white, with peach accessories.

For more information, call the church, 305-693-8303.

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HEALTH FAIR

The Church of the Open Door will host its annual Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the church, 6001 NW Eighth Ave. in Liberty City.

This is the fourth year that the church has sponsored this event. This year's theme, ''Gift of Life,'' will focus on organ and tissue donation for minorities.

The fair will include free testing for diabetes, cholesterol, HIV, sickle cell disease and high blood pressure. Free CPR training will be available for the first 10 volunteers.

There will be a bounce house for children, music and on-site demonstrations. Vendors representing healthcare organizations will be there and the South Florida Blood Center will be on site for blood donations.

A special gift to seniors will be free bus passes, compliments of the Miami-Dade Transit Authority.

For more information, call Colette C. Combs at the church office, 305-759-0373.

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TABERNACLE YOUTH

The Youth Group at The Church of God Tabernacle, 1351 NW 67th St. in Liberty City, will celebrate its 15th anniversary at 10 a.m. Aug. 20, at the church.

Youth groups from neighboring churches are invited to the service.

For more information, call the church, 305-691-4901.

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GOSPEL FEST

Eagle Care Productions will present Hype Fest 2, a Gospel festival, with television actor Tommy Ford as master of ceremonies.

Curtis Zackery, aka CZ, will be the headline act. Local artists will include Galilee 3:16, MDTC, Predator, Mozel, and City Heights. DJ Obadiah will also be featured.

The event will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at Equipping the Saints International Ministries, 1066 NE 215th St.

Donation is $8 and $10, with children under 10 admitted free. For more information, call Mareeta, 786-346-0021. Send all items at least a week in advance to Religion Notes, c/o Neighbors, 900 W. 49th St., Suite 500, Hialeah, FL, 33012, fax them to 305-819-8284 or send an e-mail to bhines@MiamiHerald.com. Pictures are accepted but cannot be returned.

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