Saturday, December 26, 1998

Watchnight a time for celebration and thanksgiving

By LORETTA FULTON

Senior Staff Writer

The Rev. Andrew Penns remembers that as a child Watchnight services weren't high on his list of things to do on New Year's Eve.

His mother had different ideas.

"It was like mandatory," said Penns, president of the Greater Abilene Ministerial Alliance and pastor of Valley View Missionary Baptist Church.

But after graduating from high school and serving in the military, Penns, now 50, returned home to Abilene with a new outlook on life.

"It has become more of a joy," Penns said of the yearly observance.

This year's service sponsored by the alliance will be held at Macedonia Baptist Church, 608 N. 7th, with the Rev. Leo Scott, pastor of New Light Baptist Church, as guest preacher.

The Rev. K.R. White, pastor of Macedonia, will serve as host pastor. A fellowship hour will be held from 9-10 p.m. The Watchnight service will begin at 10 p.m. and will conclude at one minute after 12 midnight. Normally some guests stay for a while after the program ends for more fellowship.

"They want to stay and celebrate the New Year together," Penns said.

Watchnight services are a longstanding tradition in black churches, dating back to the days of slavery. However, they are also held in other churches.

The service at Macedonia is open to everyone, Penns said.

"We're inviting in everybody who wants to come," he said.

Normally that means about 400 people from babies to the elderly.

"We have all ages there," Penns said. "It's always been a great celebration and a joyous time."

The service includes testimonies, thanksgiving for the year past, celebration of the coming year, singing, and a sermon. This year Penns and his family will have something special to celebrate.

Last April Penns' 13-year-old daughter Shayla was hospitalized with a virus that enlarged her heart.

"They said she would not be coming home and after she did they said she would have to have a transplant," Penns said.

But Shayla improved to the point that doctors no longer believed she would need a transplant, and she is on her way to a full recovery.

"She's doing great -- she's just almost back to normal," Penns said.

Shayla's recovery will certainly be cause for thanksgiving in the Penns family, but it won't be the only one. Like everyone else present for the Watchnight service, Penns will have much to give thanks for.

"That's just one joy we will be able to celebrate in our family," he said.