Saturday, December 27, 1997

Celebrating the coming year with a spiritual twist

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Not everyone watches the New Year come in over a glass of champagne.

Several churches host Watchnight services on New Year's Eve in order to offer thanks for the year ending and blessings for the year to come.

Watchnight services are a tradition among African-American churches dating back to the days of slavery. But they also are held in other churches.

The main Watchnight service in Abilene, which has been held as far back as people can remember, will be at Macedonia Baptist Church, 608 N. 7th. A time of fellowship begins at 9 p.m. and the service is from 10-midnight.

"We have an opportunity to give thanks to God for completing another year and to rejoice for being able to see another one," said the Rev. Leo Scott, pastor of New Light Baptist Church.

The service is sponsored annually by the Greater Abilene Ministerial Alliance, an association of predominantly black churches.

Between 300 and 400 people attend the service each year. Guest preacher this year will be the Rev. Richard Green, pastor of Bethel AME Church.

The service includes singing, testimonies and a sermon.

"We close out with a song and an invitation to discipleship," Scott said.

Both Scott and the Rev. Andrew Penns, president of the Alliance, remember Watchnight services from their youth. Scott grew up in Rockdale in the 1940s and remembers the service being festive.

"It's kind of a celebration like shooting the guns or fireworks as the New Year comes in," he said.

Penns, who is pastor of Valley View Missionary Baptist Church, grew up in Abilene attending New Light Baptist. He, too, remembers the festive atmosphere.

"I was a little tot when I went," Penns said. "I can remember it well. It was just a joy to see the New Year come in."

At least two other Watchnight services also are planned in Abilene, one at Second Baptist Church, 901 Victoria, and another at St. James United Methodist, 3100 Barrow.

The Second Baptist service will be from 7 p.m.-midnight. It will include singing, games and snacks. At midnight, black-eyed peas and cornbread will be served.

The service at St. James will be a Covenant and Communion Watchnight, beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The congregation will covenant together with God to spend the new year in fellowship with him and harmony with others.