Can there be any doubt that we are called to worship the Creator God and to celebrate the inherent divinity within each of us - humanity, the true apple of His eye. Further still, who among us does not honor the value and validation we receive from within our own respective domains?

To be recognized and acknowledged for an outstanding achievement, accommodation or accomplishment. Yes, It is purely natural to want to be lauded and applauded for a task “well done.”

This, dear friend, is precisely what the Apostle Peter exhorts in his first epistle to the Church.

Unlike the Apostle Paul, who is known as the peripatetic evangelist to the Gentiles - often depicted in paintings and other works of art with or as a sword – however, the symbol Christian literature and iconography most often associates with Peter is the Gates of Heaven, the Keys to the Kingdom and the Cross – the rock of offense.

Here in chapter 2, Peter highlights the four corners of  Christian Exaltation: ‘Chosen, Royal, Holy, Peculiar.’ Each salient word distinct and distillate, yet within the reachable realm of possession for all kingdom dwellers.

As the visionary people of the New Unity Baptist Church progress towards spiritual nationhood we are cautioned against xenophobia (hating outsiders/people from other countries), nativism, and all ugliness which separates and divides the Body of Believers.

Nations have borders (‘boulevard,’ meaning ‘walls’ is the word in the German language) and so intrinsically we could justify immoral behavior and ill treatment towards others, but this internecine, mutually ruinous conduct, we firmly  disavow.

We, the church, are set in a place of  Royalty, yet operating  with the common touch. For some, the late Princess Diana of England, had a special knack for this and now we see her daughter in-love, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, seeking to operate with much the same style and ease of grace.

At least once a year the women of our dynamic fellowship here at New Unity wear their tiara crowns to church in worship. No doubt it has to be nothing less than pure joy to be viewed as genuine royalty “Equipping and Empowering the People of God for the Work of the Kingdom!”

Remember, A Kingdom principally operates by the edicts of its ruling class, its royalty.

In the New Unity Church, we celebrate our New Year, our glorious Faith Year, the weekend following Labor Day - three (3) great days of preaching, teaching, and reaching during the annual Holy Convocation.

We celebrate  3 other great Festivals of Worship as well. Our First Fruits Sunday – occurring on the First Sunday of the new calendar year – even if Christmas has been only a mere 7 day past. Here, historically, our single largest day of financial giving, the Chosen Generation is amplified.

The lunar cycle of the year produces Resurrection Sunday (traditional Easter), and 50 days later we celebrate and commemorate with joyous abandonment our penetrating Pentecost.

This year, our Holy Convocation 2022-2023  (September  9 -11), plenary speakers include the Rev. Dr. Marvin Tiller, pastor of New Commandment Church of Baltimore City, Md.; the Rev. Dr. Marlow McGuire of Epic Fellowship Church, Mansfield, Tx (you may recall that his sister the Rev. Dr. Marteka McGuire Carroll of Charlotte, NC (now Grand Prairie, TX) set our souls afire in our celebration last year).

Rounding out this year’s roster is our very own Leading Lady, the Rev. Wanda N. Golden; and yours truly! Now isn’t that a “Peculiar People,” if ever?

Indeed! And what a time of great gathering virtual AND in-person it is going to be!

Start preparing now, won’t you? Minister Catherine Giles, Superb Leader of our Still Waters Prayer Ministry will be leading us in daily prayer and scripture readings leading up to the Grand Celebration.

Through the words of Scripture, CFO, steadfast and unmovable Deacon C. Vanessa Thomas reminds us to, “Let none appear before me empty” (Deuteronomy 16:16) rings loud and clear within our spirits. This year we are calling for the Full Membership, including our children, youth, and young adults to bring the Full Tithe and Offering to the Lord.

Chosen! Royal! Holy! Peculiar! Sisters and Brothers, Brothers and Sisters, I have an impression in my spirit and being that this is going to be an Occasion Extraordinaire! Put on your whitest of white and all of the gilded accessories you wish and together let’s come Celebrate the goodness of our God.

Rev. Johnny N. Golden, Sr.

Pastor-Servant-Leader