Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series about Black (African American) church processions.
Part II showcases eight videos of Black (African American) processions by church ushers or Black church nurses.
Selected comments from the discussion threads for some of these videos are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/black-church-marches-processions-by.html for Part I provides information about possible cultural influences on Black (African American) church usher, nurses, or choir processions.
Featured videos of what I believe are some of the cultural influences on contemporary African American Black church processions are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/eight-videos-of-black-african-american.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases eight videos of Black (African American) choir march ins during church services or anniversaries.
Selected comments from discussion threads for some of these videos are also included in this post.
[Updated March 24, 2019] - A bonus video of a Black Canadian church choir marching during collection is included in this post along with my description of a similar march that I observed in March 2019 that was done by an African Methodist Episcopal church choir that is directed by my brother Dr. R.E.B. Manning.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks for the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-church-ushers-nurses.html for other videos of African American church processions of ushers or nurses.
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
The note below each featured video indicate what type of music the group marched to.
Video #1: New Paradise Baptist Church San Diego 50th Church Anniversary
Rev.Anthony Long Ministries, Published on Apr 17, 2011
New Paradise Baptist Church San Diego
Rev. James Moore Jr Pastor
50th Church Anniversary
The Usher March
Adult Ushers, Youth Ushers, Children Ushers
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I think that the marchers used recorded Gospel music for this march.
Here's an exchange from that video's discussion thread:
1. Kth Mor. 2018
"And I wonder why so many church goers stay living as the world and not of god"
**
REPLY
2. david euclid, 2019
"What are you saying? Didn't you know that bible encourages a joyful approach to God."
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Video #2: PROGRESSIVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH USHER'S MARCH
Mary Valentin, Published on Oct 16, 2012
PMBC'S ANNUAL USHER DAY....PMBC USHER'S MARCH TO GOD IS GOOD AND HE WON'T CHANGE...LEAD BY DEAC. LEEROY OWENS AND SIS. MARY VALENTIN...MUSIC BY THE BADDEST BAND THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN....PMBC'S MUSICIANS...... [city/state?
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The ushers marched to instrumental Jazz sounding music that was played by a live band.
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only).
1. Jay Black, 2016
"Yawl have a lot of ushers? Is this all from one church?"
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REPLY
2. Mary Valentin, 2018
"Jay Black that was more than one church, but mostly our ushers"
**
3. VonD G, 2018
"Everybody has a march in the black church."
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Video #3: Greater Mt Sinai MBC #2 Usher Board Annual Day - Pastor Kalvin E. Cressel Sr.
GMS Sinai Pastor Kalvin E. Cressel Sr., Published on Dec 2, 2013
2013 Jr & Sr. Ushers Board Annual Day Program - Special Drill with the Past, Present and Future Ushers. Theme: "Reflecting on the Past, looking forward to the Future" Roman 15:4-7
Song: Past:"I'm Going to Wave my Hands" by New Direction, Present:"I Need a Little More Jesus" by Erica Campbell and Future:"Move" by Flame.
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These ushers marched to recorded Gospel music as given above.
MBC = Missionary Baptist Church [denomination]
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Video #4: Praise Jammin' - 19th Street Baptist Church Ushers Grand March January 8, 2017
william smith, Published on Jan 8, 2017
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I believe that this usher board marched to a Gospel record.
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Video #5: New Bethel MBC of Los Angeles Jr. Usher Board 2017 Annual Day March
ljhshorty, Published on Jun 18, 2017
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These ushers marched to live drum beats (not Gospel music).
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Video #6: 196th Session of the New York Conference Grand Usher March, Sunday June 25, 2017
Regina Hill, Published on Jun 28, 2017
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This video features members from a number of African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) usher boards. Each group (church ministry) marched to the same Gospel song which was sung by a choir. The host also sung that song, intermixed with his announcement of the usher's church and such conversational patter as
"Look at them step!. They got some pep in their step."
Look at them steppin. That’s what I’m talkin bout.
Look at them steppin. They look like the doin the Electric Slide. That’s what I’m talkin bout.
Look at them holdin up the blood stained banner... I wish we had tambourines and washboards.
Come on clap your hands.! Come on Zion, clap your hands!"
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Video #7: THE GRAND MARCH OF THE 64TH USHERS' SERMON AT WASHINGTON TEMPLE COGIC
Elder Robert L Madison, Published on Jan 25, 2016
THE GRAND MARCH OF THE 64TH USHERS' SERMON AT WASHINGTON TEMPLE COGIC
Held January 17th @ 3:30pm
We Thank Everyone Who Participated and Came Out to Support
This Grand Celebration!
Washington Temple C.O.G.I.C. [Church Of God In Christ]
1372 Bedford Ave
Brooklyn NY 11216
[...]
Elder R.L. Madison Pastor
Bishop F.D. Washington Founder
-snip-
Multiple usher boards marched in to the same Gospel song which I assume was sung live.
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Video #8: Usher's Grand March
Everett Dotson, Published on Sep 17, 2017
11th Auxiliary Ministry Day Celebration
Sunday September 17, 2017 3:30 P.M.
Theme: Working For Jesus Don't Hurt
Guest Church Pastor Gary Roberts & Mt. Sinai M.B.C. [Missionary Baptist Church -city/state?]
-snip-
This march was done during the church's collection. The march was done to the choir singing "We Are Soldiers". Note: Church ushers or church nurses don't sing when they march. To my knowledge, no Black church group chants when they march.
Here's my notes on how this march was performed:
The ushers left their pews and in single file marched with swinging arms around the entire sanctuary (below the altar). When they marched near the collection plate at the front of the altar, the ushers put money in the plates and continued marching to the top of the center aisle. The group then formed pairs and marched down center aisle with a dip in their step. When the pair reached the end of the center aisle, one person pivoted (made a sharp turn) to the left and began marching up that aisle. At the same time, the other person pivoted to the right and began marching up that aisle. At some point, each line walked forward sideways. When both lines reached the top of the center aisle, the lines formed a single file and began marching down that center aisle while swinging arms to beat. When they arrived at their pew, the ushers continued marching swinging their arms dance style left to right and then ended their march and sat down.
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This concludes Part II of this three part series.
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