Repetitive Songs In Contemporary Black Worship Service Collection Marches: "We Have An Anchor"

First United Tabernacle International Ministries, Published on Nov 26, 2016 

31st Pastoral Appreciation Celebration , Nov. 13, 2016
-snip-
FUTIM is an Apostolic church that is located in Orange, New Jersey. (Orange, New Jersey is about 24 minutes by car from New York City). 

Comments in various discussion threads of this churches' videos confirm that the pastor (when these videos were published) was from Jamaica and that church is heavily influenced by Jamaican Apostolic Pentecostal music styles and worship practices.
  
The choir and church congregation repeatedly sing the lyrics to "We Have An Anchor" while the choir marches in a processional during a church offering. The choir sings while exiting the choir stand in single file and continues singing throughout this march. They are joined by a few other people (church officials?) who march behind them down the right hand aisle and then down the center aisle. The choir then marches pass two men standing in front of the podium with offering bowls. Some choir members put their tithes or monetary contributions in those bowls and, remaining in single file, the choir returns to the choir stands still singing. Members of the congregation stand and sing  along with the choir. Some of the congregation show in different ways that they are feeling the Holy Spirit, but in this video, none of the choir members leave the pews to "do a holy dance" or otherwise show that they have "gone in" (to use African American terms that may not be used in Jamaica.)

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Last updated Oct. 16, 2021 to include expanded Editorical Notes 

This is the first post in an ongoing pancocojams series that highlights examples of repetitive songs in contemporary Black worship service collection marches (processionals). 

This post showcases two videos of a Jamaican influenced African American congregation and one Jamaican church congregation singing the gospelized hymn "We Have An Anchor".

"Gospelized hymn" is my term for a hymn that is performed in a Gospel style. 

This post also includes my Editorial notes that provides an overview for this series and also provides information and comments about this particular video.  

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Priscilla Jane Owens and William James Kirkpatrick for composing the lyrics and music for the hymn "Will Your Anchor Hold". The lyrics to "We Have An Anchor" are the chorus of that hymn.

Thanks to First United Tabernacle International Ministries for its ministries and thanks for sharing this video on YouTube.

-snip-
The title of this pancocojams series originally included the words "That Are Sung To Evoke The Holy Spirit". I changed that title because I believe that everything that these church does is to evoke and/or praise the Holy Spirit.

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DISCLAIMER: "Black worship services" in this title means that all or most of the people in attendance at these worship services are Black. However, these songs can certainly be sung by non-Black people. 

In the title for this ongoing pancocojams series I'm highlighting the fact that these songs (or "choruses" to use the Pentecostal term) are repeated over and over again while the choir marches. I believe that this is an important feature of these marches as repetitive singing or chanting and repetitive movements can help bring down the Holy Spirit.

Click the "repetitive songs in Black worship services" tag to find additional pancocojams posts in this series. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/10/repetitive-songs-in-contemporary-black.html to read why I began this pancocojams series on Black as well as the overview (purposes) of this pancocojams series on Black church collections marches.

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/10/excerpts-about-how-some-traditional.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Excerpts About How Some Traditional West African And Central African Music & Dance Patterns Helped Shape The Afro-Caribbean & The Black American Ring Shout". 

  

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE

Overview about this pancocojams series
This pancocojams series on "repetitive songs in contemporary Black Worship Services Collection Marches" is published to document the historical and present day traditions of collection marches in Black Apostolic churches during Sunday morning churches services and at other church events such as convocations. I have found videos of these collection marches occuring in Jamaica, the United States, and Canada. I have also directly observed two collection marches that occurred at a Black church in the United States (St. Paul's AME Church, March and June 2019).*

This series documents the tradition of church choirs collection marches in some Jamaican Apostolic churches and in some Jamaican influenced churches in Canada and in the United States. This series documents the use of clips (portions) of usually one, but sometimes two  hymns that are repeatedly sung by the choir (and the congregation) during the collection march. In each post I identify the title of the "source song" that is used for the collection march and provide lyrics for that song.

In addition, in some of the posts in this series I attempt to describe how the collection marches were and still are performed- the formations that the use, the use of ushers to lead some of these marches, the body posture and stance of the marches.

DISCLAIMER
I'm an African American who was raised as a Baptist at Union Baptist Temple Church, Atlantic City, New Jersey. I recall that church beginning every Sunday morning service with a choir procession and am aware (via my famiy who are members of that church)t hat that traditon was still followed up to 2019 (pre Covid-19 when that church stopped in-person services). That church did not (does not) have the tradition of choir collection marches.

I've  only observed church collection marches two times (as indicated above) when I visited the church where my brother is the director of St. Paul AME's choir, Pleasantville, New Jersey and his wife is a member of that choir.

I haven't found any online or offline information about or descriptions of these church collection marches besides a few comments on certain discussion threads of YouTube videos of these marches, and besides pancocojams posts published prior to this series, and pancocojams posts that are part of this series.  A large part of my motivation for publishing  pancocojams posts on this subject is to prompt people who are or were part of these choirs or who have directly experienced church collection marches to document their experiences and provide their ideas about how and why these church collection marches occur/ed.  

-snip-

* I didn't document how much of the song "Highway To Heaven" that the choir sung in the St. Paul's AME Church collection march that I describe in 

http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/two-videos-of-new-jersey-church-choir.html "Two Videos Of New Jersey Church Choir March Arounds & A Description Of That Church Custom That I Observed in New Jersey In 2019". That post was published prior to the beginning of this pancocojams "Repetitive Songs" series.]

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My comments about this song and video

I wasn't familiar with the song "We Have An Anchor" until I happened upon it in the first video in this post. I've since learned from surfing the internet that "We Have An Anchor" is a chorus of the 19th century (White American composed) song "Will Your Anchor Hold" which is a theme song for the "The Boys' Brigade", an international interdenomination Christian youth organization that started in 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boys%27_Brigade.

"We Have An Anchor" appears to be very well known in certain Afro-Caribbean churches.  I wonder how well this hymn or any of its gospelized versions are known in the United States, particularly in African American churches that don't have a large number of Caribbean members. 

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LYRICS: "WE HAVE AN ANCHOR" [chorus of "Will Your Anchor Hold"]
Words: Priscilla Jane Owens
Music: William James Kirkpatrick, 1882

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Praise & Worship--We Have An Anchor



FUTIM-Orange, NJ, January 18, 2010
-snip-
"FUTIM" is "First United Tabernacle International Ministries". This is the same church that is showcased in Video #1.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: Spiritual Baptist from St Vincent

The Admiral Quow, May 2, 2012

Leader Andrez Thanksgiving(Mother Amoy on the Field singing''We Have an anchor that keeps our soul''.

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"Let's March Forward For God (Fight Like Soldier Men) Gospel Song, & Praise Marches As Contemporary Forms Of Ring Shouts

FUTIM-Orange, NJ, April 3, 2011

Offertory Praise March-Men's Conference 2011
-snip-
This church is First United Tabernacle International Ministries (FUTIM),

Address: 425 S Jefferson St, City of Orange, New Jersey.

Based on information that I read online, FUTIM is an Apostolic church. All of the congregation who are shown in FUTIM's YouTube videos are Black.

Notice that this song has a Soca beat. Based on comments in several of its videos' discussion thread, this church's pastor is from Jamaica. Some comenters wrote that FUTIM's worship is like certain churches that they knew in Jamaica. It's likely that a number of FUTIM's congregation are of Jamaican descent.

[Additions and corrections are welcome.]   

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two YouTube videos of the choir and the rest of the congregation of First United Tabernacle International Ministries (FUTIM) church in Orange, New Jersey singing Let's March Forward For God (Fight Like A Soldier Man)".  In both videos the choir sings while leaving the choir stand and marching down the aisle of the santuary.

The lyrics to this song are included in this post along with selected comments from these video's discussion threads.
 
This post includes my notes about this type of "walk around" marching while singing that appears to occur during certain churches offering.

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the pastors, choirs, and the rest of the congregation of FUTIM, Orange New Jersey. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the composer of this song.

-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/10/repetitive-songs-in-contemporary-black.html

for the 2021 pancocojams post entitled "Repetitive Songs In Contemporary Black Worship Services That Are Sung To Evoke The Holy Spirit: "We Have An Anchor".

"Let's March Forward For God" (Fight Like Soldiers)" is another example of a repetitive song that is used in contemporary Black worship services to evoke the Holy Spirit.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Let's March Forward For God Praise Break

FUTIM-Orange,NJ, Oct 23, 2012

Sundayn Morning Worship Service, October 21, 2012

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LET'S MARCH FORWARD FOR GOD (FIGHT LIKE SOLDIER MEN)

'Lets march forward for God
Fight like soldier men
Don't give up
Don't give in
God have a army and we have to win,
The devil is a evil force fighting against the church
Pull out your armour
Pull out your sword
We are marching in the name of the Lord

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DESCRIPTION OF THESE VIDEOS
Video #1
All of the people in this video are Black. The congregation and the pastor/s and other people on the podium stand and ethusiastically sing along with the choir. The choir consist of only men.The men's choir (dressed in black suits with gold ties) sings while they leave the choir stand in single file and march (in a jogging/rocking motion) down the left side aisle. Some other church members -mostly women- stand down in the front of the podium and then join the march after the last man in the choir.

The choir and the other people who are marching continue singing as they march down the center aisle. There's no one holding offering plates. The choir then returns to the choir stand and the congregation continues singing this song for some time.

Video #2
All of the people in this video are Black. The congregation and the pastor/s and other people on the podium stand and ethusiastically sing along with the choir. The choir is made up only of men and boys. The choir sings while they leave the choir stand in single file and marche up the left aisle in a jogging/rocking motion. The choir then marches down the center aisle and then marches to the right aisle. When they reach the right aisle, they march up that aisle to the back of the sanctuary. They then march across the back of the sanctuary to the left aisle and then down the left aisle to the choir stand. Unlike video #1, no other people from the congregation join in this march. As appears to be the case with video #1, there are no offering plates and I'm not sure if this praise march (walkaround) was done during an offering (when people give money to support the church and the churches' work) .   
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJjqLEuOxwg&ab_channel=jonathanhunter for a similar video entitled "Let’s go Forward for God fight like a soldier man.. NY camp". The summary of that video indicates that the denomination for that New York camp was Seventh Day Church of God (reformed)

That 2019 video shows Black people (including children) marching down the center aisle while singing this same song. .    

SELECTED COMMENTS FOR THESE VIDEOS 

Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.

Video #1:

 1. Elaine Smith, 2019
"This u call church.That my branch here in Jamaica at his father churc in st Elizabeth beautiful gathering love to c men worship the lift my spirit hold on"

**
Minister Chad M Gross, 2019
"Nic to see. The praise dance break "

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Video #2

Duane Grimes, 2013
"Yo this is hype! I like this church.. I like this song."

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CURLETA MORRIS, 2013
"Great song!!!"

**
CURLETA MORRIS, 2013
"If you do not fight you cannot win"

**
Mr Coley, 2013
"MI LLIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

** 
Calipo Design, 2014
"Let's March Forward For God"

**
Snashema Palmer, 2016
"hallelujah ....ifany a time we need to put on our armour is now."

**

Rhonda Rhonda, 2017
"♪'Lets march forward for God fight like soldier men, don't give up don't give in, God have a army and we have to win, the devil is a evil force fighting against the church, pull out your Armour pull out your sword we are marching in the name of the Lord'♪ (London UK 18/08/2017)"

**
Reply
Jesus Is lord, 2018
"Rhonda Rhonda I really appreciate this I’ve been looking for the lyrics to this song for a longtime God bless"

**
Shae, 2017
"these kinda church me love. no dead church"

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES ABOUT THESE PRAISE MARCHES (WALKAROUNDS)
Two additional videos of  First United Tabernacle International Ministries (FUTIM) are showcased in a 2019 pancocojams post entitled "Two Videos Of New Jersey Church Choir March Arounds & A Description Of That Church Custom That I Observed in New Jersey In 2019" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/two-videos-of-new-jersey-church-choir.html.

As that title indicates, I observed a Black choir in Pleasantville, New Jersey (near Atlantic City) do a march around for offerring that was the same as the one I described in video #2 of this 2021 post.

I believe that both of these types of marches that I described (in that 2019 post and in this post) have their source in the 8th century Black American (and Caribbean) ring shout. 

Here's the full article entitled "Ring Shout" from The Jazz History Tree (no date given) https://www.jazzhistorytree.com/ring-shout/
"The ring shout is a spiritual expression in dance. It has its origins in a dance form, indigenous to much of Central and West Africa, in which the dancers move in a counterclockwise circle. “Wherever in Africa the counterclockwise dance ceremony was performed,” Sterling Stuckey wrote, “the dancing and singing were directed to the ancestors and gods, the tempo and revolution of the circle quickening during the course of the movement.”1

The ring shout as practiced by slaves was a religious activity, with Christianity augmenting the African elements. Participants moved in a circle, providing rhythm by clapping their hands and patting their feet. One individual would set the tempo by singing, and his lines would be answered in call-and-response fashion. In some cases, another individual rhythmically beat the (usually wooden) floor with a broomstick or other piece of wood.2

In his book, Slave Culture: Nationalist Theory & the Foundations of Black America, Sterling Stuckey proposes that ring shout was a unifying element of Africans in American colonies from which field hollers, work songs, and spirituals evolved, followed by blues and jazz. Samuel A. Floyd Jr. takes it a step further in suggesting that many of the stylistic elements observed during the ring shout later laid the foundations of various black music styles developed during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. According to Floyd, “all of the defining elements of black music are present in the ring.”3

These basic elements of ring shout—dance, calls, cries, and hollers; blue notes; call-and-response; and strong rhythmic aspects—are still alive and expressed today in this music. Improvisation remains an essential element. From the cakewalk of the 1890s to breaking in the 2000s, to dancing and shouting at black churches every Sunday, ring shout is still present and still evolving today".
-end of quote-

In the ring shout people move counterclock wise forming a circle. Moving around the sanctuary replaced dancing in circles when church pews became fixed to the floor. Moving up the left aisle and down the center aisle etc. appears to have been a somewhat institutionalized replacement for earlier moving in a circular formation in the middle of the worship space, and later the spontaneous act of running around the sanctuary when someone "feels the [Holy] spirit" (although that running around the sanctuary may still occur.

Here's a quote from https://etd.ohiolink.edu/apexprod/rws_etd/send_file/send?accession=bgsu1131054976&disposition=inline; a thesis written by Erica Lanice Washington, Bowling Green State University, December 2005
""Black American worship has its roots in West Africa, in the enslavement experiences in North America, and in the evolving black church. For example, I found time-honored African-styled Ring Shout traditions in a contemporary church, Friendship Baptist Church in Toledo [Ohio]...

The praise and worship of God at Friendship Baptist includes many African-derived practices: running in a counterclockwise motion around the sanctuary, shouting, and holy dancing, during which the drum beats change."...

Also, here's a quote about the significance of the circle in the ring shout from http://dancercitizen.org/issue-6/tamara-williams/  "Reviving Culture Through Ring Shout Reviving Culture Through Ring Shouts"
"Practitioners of the Ring Shout sing and move around in a counterclockwise circle with movement gestures relating to the songs and rhythms present. The circle represents life energy and its infinite cycle, which may change in quality but is never broken. The counterclockwise direction in Ring Shout tradition honors the ancestors, since this direction specifically connects beings to the ancestral realm. This may be viewed by some as a way of reversing or traversing time in order to unite with spirits. This type of connectivity to divine spirits is rarely found within the linearity of western spiritual practices.

This is a small sample of quotes about how the ring shout continues to influence Black worship services in the United States and in the Carribean. The fact that the pastor of the church that was highlighted in this pancocojams post was from Jamaica shouldn't be overlooked, as certain denominations of Jamaican churches are much more expressive than many African American church denominations. (I should also mention that I learned that the woman who was the pastor of the New Jersey church that I attended also had Jamaican roots.)

If you have had any experiences with these types of praise marches (walkarounds), please share them in the comment section below.

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One Video Of A Jamaican Choir March Around The Church Sanctuary & Two Videos Of A New Jersey Church Choir March Around)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - September 5, 2026

This is Part III of a three part pancocojams post about Black church choir "march arounds" during the church service.

Part III showcases one video of what I refer to as a "march arounds" by the youth choir of 

a Jamaican Free Baptist Church.

This post also showcases two videos of the choir of First United Tabernacle International Ministries' (Orange, New Jersey) performing a march around.

Selected comments from the discussion threads of these videos are also included in this post. (Note that a commenter in one of those discussion threads for the New Jersey church shared that the pastor of that church is Jamaican. That information helps explain why the choir performed a march around since this doesn't appear to be the custom of Black American choirs that don't have any Jamaican (or other Caribbean background).

This post also includes my description of a church choir "march around" that I observed in Pleasantville, New Jersey (near Atlantic City) on March 10, 2019.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/five-videos-of-jamaican-church-choirs.html for Part I of this series. Part I showcases several videos of Jamaican church choirs marching around their sanctuary during church service. Selected comments from some of the discussion threads of these videos are also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/video-of-black-canadian-church-choir.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II provides some information about Jamaicans in Canada and showcases a video of a Black Canadian church choir marching around the sanctuary during a church service for that church's collection. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post. A number of those comments note that this "march around" style is from Jamaica.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and religious purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/black-church-marches-processions-by.html for Part I of a pancocojams series that presents information about possible cultural influences on Black (African American) church usher, nurses, or choir processions. The links to the other posts in that series are found in that post.

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DESCRIPTIONS OF WAYS CHOIRS "MARCH AROUNDS" ARE PERFORMED
1. The church choir leaves the choir stand during the offering. They "march" in a single file while singing and continue up the left hand aisle. The choir then continues singing and marching down the center aisle pass two men standing in the front who hold the offering plates. Choir members put their offering in one of the plates while they continue singing and marching back up to the choir stand.

The rest of the congregation is standing singing along with the choir throughout this entire time. Some members of the congregation clap along with the song, hold their arm up. Some choir members and some members of the congregation may show that they are touched by the spirit (get happy, go in). If this occurs with a choir member, the person in back of that choir member helps that person along so that she or he continues moving in the line during the march around.

2. All of the above applies to this way of doing "march arounds" except that after the choir moves down the center aisle, they then move down the aisle on the right hand side and then move down the center aisle. At that point they give their offering and then return to the choir stand.  

The church choir may do a march around, in part, as a way of giving their collection. (Based on some YouTube videos) it appears that some church choirs in Jamaica do march arounds apart from collections to demonstrate their praise toward God and, in so doing, increase the presence of the Holy Spirit in that worship service.

Additions and corrections to these descriptions are welcome.

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DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH INS"
"Church march arounds" differ from "church march ins".

"March ins" - when a church choir or other church group/ministry (such as ushers or nurses) march into the church sanctuary-usually from the center aisle- to mark the beginning of the worship service or special program such as that group/s anniversary or a convention.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
In contrast to a number of videos of African American church choirs marching in to the sanctuary to begin the church service, I haven't found any YouTube videos of Jamaican church choirs doing "march ins". If you know of any links to those videos and/or if you know of this custom in Jamaica, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #1- Christian Warrior/Jubilee Medley

 

Jamaica Free Baptist Church Four Paths,  Jul 21, 2016

Youth Night - Convention 2016
-snip-

Selected comments from this video's discussion thread will be added ASAP.

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SHOWCASE Video #2: Jesus He Never Failed Me Yet Praise Break



First United Tabernacle International Ministries, Published on Aug 23, 2013

(FUTIM) New Jersey 

Upper Room Conference 2013
-snip-

Here's what I think the choir and congregation are repeatedly singing:

I have a God
Who never failed me yet
I have a God
Who never failed me yet
Jesus he never failed me yet
Jesus He never failed me yet.

[Additions and corrections are welcome.]
Here are very similar lyrics to this chorus: https://gospelchoruses.wordpress.com/2014/12/13/he-never-fail-me-yet/

"He never failed me yet.
He never fail me yet
Jesus Christ never failed me yet*
And everywhere I go
I want the world to know
Jesus Christ never failed me yet.

 

* This line may be sung as:

Jesus’ blood never failed me yet

or

Jesus’ love never failed me yet"

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Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with number added for referencing purposes only.
1. John Blackwood, 2013
"That man sounds Jamaican... Is he?"

**
REPLY
2. Melissa Fernandez, 2018
"Yes"
-snip-
I think that's very likely that this New Jersey church was founded by Jamaicans and/or that a number of people in the congregation are of Jamaican ancestry.

**
3. cclarke0786, 2013
"Praise Him saints.
The lyrics to this song are????"

**
REPLY
4. Steffi Solomon, 2013
"stumble and fall He never fail me yet, i did what i want He never fail me yet
Jesus He never failed me yet
Jesus He never failed me yet"

**
5. Crystal Chambers, 2014
"this video!!!!!!!.........Pentecostal in Worship, Apostolic in Doctrine"

**
6. ann D, 2016
"Powerful pure worship"

**
7. Gil Miller, 2016
"Bless the Lord. Is it in New Jersey or Canada? I am planning to visit there I'm from london UK."

**
REPLY
8. Rozell Vousden, 2018
"Gil Miller New Jersey"

**
REPLY
9. First United Tabernacle International Ministries, 2018
"We are located at 425 South Jefferson Street, Orange, NJ 07050"
-snip-
Orange, New Jersey is about 24 minutes by car from New York City.

**
10. IamKemi, 2016
"Can someone explain to me why they do that all the time? (choir dancing in the aisle) Is it a custom in their church?"

**
11. Ronin Williams, 2016
"I want to come to New Jersey just to go to this church"

**
12. Miss Harris, 2016
"Phenomenal ....real authentic Pentecostal Worship xx"

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: We Have An Anchor



First United Tabernacle International Ministries, Published on Nov 26, 2016

31st Pastoral Appreciation Celebration
Nov. 13, 2016

-snip-
Here's the words that are repeatedly sung by the choir and by the congregation:
"We have an anchor that keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!
-snip-
This is the refrain (chorus) to the song "Will your anchor hold in the storms of life" that was composed by Priscilla J. Owens, a White American who was born in 1829. Click https://hymnary.org/text/will_your_anchor_hold_in_the_storms_of_l  for the lyrics for this complete song. 

Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with number added for referencing purposes only.
HannahYael, 2018
"It’s wonderful to see people praising GOD"

**
2, WWJD ?, 2018
"Glory to God , nothing like a Holy Ghost party !"

**
3. dgreenja, 2018
"Good old time song"

**
4. Black Love, 2018
"Wonderful. ..old time way of worship"

**
5. Sylvia Hamilton, 2018
"Church like it should be! Praise God."

**
6. suebern330, 2018
"reminds me so much of Spalding New Testament New Church. Holy Ghost Pentecostal, my God I love it"
-snip-
Spalding New Testament New Church is located in Clarendon, Jamaica.

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ADDENDUM -MY DESCRIPTION OF A BLACK CHURCH CHOIR MARCH AROUND (CHOIR COLLECTION) THAT I OBSERVED IN NEW JERSEY (March 2019) 
by Azizi Powell, latest revision Oct. 14, 2021 
"St. Paul AME (African Methodist Episcopal) Church is located in Pleasantville, New Jersey about 14 minutes from Atlantic City, New Jersey. Reverend Lynda T. Rassmann is the pastor of that church.

Description:

These choir collection marches ("march around") occurred after all those in attendance at that church -starting from the back pews- stood up and walked in single file to the front of the church for the main offering. People placed money in one of two gold colored collection plates that were held by two female ushers standing on either side of the altar. This was the second collection, the first being the missionary offering. For that offering, people remained seated and ushers passed a collection plate to the end of each pew.

After the congregation returned to their seats, the choir marched out of the choir stands in single file from the left and the right while singing the classic Gospel song "Highway To Heaven". The body stance of each choir member was erect, and not the leaning forward with heads down stance and chugging forward movement which was done by the Black Canadian choir from Abiezer Pentecostal Church's collection march as shown in this 2009 YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ5xSuIMfuo.

 After the two lines of choir members exited the choir stand, one line marched up the right aisle and one line marched up the left aisle. The two single lines met at the top of the center aisle. Then the choir marched in twos down the center aisle. When they reached the bottom of the center aisle, the person to the right placed her offering in the collection plate held by one usher, and the person to the left placed her offering in the collection plate held by the other usher. The line on the right and the line on the left then marched to their respective aisles. When they reached those aisles, the marchers faced backwards while moving up those aisles. At the top of the aisles, the marchers faced forward again and then marched to the top of the center aisle. At the top of the center aisle the two single lines combined to march in twos down that aisle. The combined line then separated at the bottom of the center aisle to march back towards the right and the left to re-enter the choir stand. When they reached the choir stand, they continued standing to sing their song.
-snip-
Thanks to my younger brother, Dr. R.E.B Manning, the director of St. Paul AME's choir and his wife Charlotte Manning, who is a member of that choir for confirming my recollections about this collection march. [phone conversations March 24, 2019, and March 26, 2019]. Both R.E.B. and Charlotte used the term "collection march", not the term "march around".

In my separate telephone conversation with them, R.E.B. Manning and Charlotte Manning indicated that every Sunday this choir marches in to the sanctuary to begin the church service and marches for collection.

Charlotte Manning also shared with me that she remembers choirs marching in and choirs marching for collection being customs that were done every Sunday at Baptist churches and at AME churches- including St. Paul AME church- that she attended/attends in Pleasantville, New Jersey since the late 1950s. Charlotte mentioned that there were some people from the West Indies who belonged to those churches, although her family wasn't from there. Charlotte also shared that the pastor of St. Paul AME in Pleasantville had Jamaican roots.

I was raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey (about 15 minutes from Pleasantville) and I don't recall observing any choir march arounds at any church that I attended. This is probably because I usually only attended my own church, particularly on Sunday mornings, and I only remember attending an AME church for a choir competition. I also don't recall ever attending an A.M.E Zion church or a church of any other denomination during my childhood and my teen years. However, I have vivid memories of choir march ins at my church (Union Baptist Temple Church) being done every Sunday (since the mid 1950s). And the choir march in custom is still done at that church to begin the (main) Sunday service (as confirmed by my youngest brother Kenneth Manning in a telephone conversation on March 24, 2019. Kenneth is a member of one of Union Baptist Temple's choir) . Although I didn't ask him that question, I'm sure that my brother R. E.B Manning would also remembers choir march ins at Union Baptist Temple Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

I also recall attending an anniversary concert of the Spiral Chorus, the church choir that my mother sang in and observing them march down the center aisle to the choir stand singing "Move Up The King's Highway". 

**The St. Paul AME Church choir is under the direction of Dr. R. E. B. Manning who is also the choir's organist. The other musicians who accompanied the choir are Kenneth Moore (pianist & saxophone player), George Thomas, (snare) drummer, and Larry King, tambourine player.

To be clear, the St. Paul AME Church service was much more sedate that the First United Tabernacle International Ministries church service. In contrast to the exuberant expressions by the congregation at First United Tabernacle, the St. Paul's the congregation remained in their seats and didn't appear to express themselves in any way while the choir did their collection march. Also, as somewhat of an aside, notice that females (especially women) at First United Tabernacle wore hats (covered their head which is an old church tradition that I recall at my Baptist church in the 1950s to around the early 1960s). However, I don't recall any female wearing any hat or head covering at St. Paul's AME church.

Disclaimer: This description doesn't necessarily mean that each of St Paul AME Church Choir's collection marches are always done this way or that all march arounds by African American choirs fit this description.

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This concludes Part III of this pancocojams series.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Five Videos Of Jamaican Church Choirs Doing March Arounds During Church Services

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a three part pancocojams post about Black church choir "march arounds" during the church service.

Part I of this post showcases five videos of Jamaican church choirs marching around their sanctuary during church service. Selected comments from some of the discussion threads are also included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/video-of-black-canadian-church-choir.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II provides some information about Jamaicans in Canada and showcases a video of a Black Canadian church choir marching around the sanctuary during a church service for that church's collection. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post. A number of those comments note that this "march around" style is from Jamaica.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/two-videos-of-new-jersey-church-choir.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases two videos of what I refer to as "march arounds" by the choir of First United Tabernacle International Ministries' (Orange, New Jersey). Selected comments from the discussion threads of these two videos are also included in this post. A commenter in one of those discussion threads identified the pastor of that church as being Jamaican.

That post presents information about Jamaicans in the United States and includes a description of a church choir "march around" that I observed in Pleasantville, New Jersey (near Atlantic City) on March 10, 2019.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and religious purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/black-church-marches-processions-by.html for Part I of a pancocojams series that presents information about possible cultural influences on Black (African American) church usher, nurses, or choir processions. The links to the other posts in that series are found in that post.

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DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH AROUNDS"
"march arounds" - when the church choir leave the choir stand during the worship service and circles the sanctuary by moving up and down the aisles in single or double lines

The church choir may do a march around, in part, as a way of giving their collection. (Based on some YouTube videos) it appears that some church choirs in Jamaica do march arounds apart from collections to demonstrate their praise toward God and, in so doing, increase the presence of the Holy Spirit in that worship service.

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DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH INS"
"Church march arounds" differs from "church march ins".

"March ins" - when a church choir or other church group/ministry (such as ushers or nurses) march into the church sanctuary-usually from the center aisle- to mark the beginning of the worship service or special program such as that group/s anniversary or a convention.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
In contrast to a number of videos of African American church choirs marching in to the sanctuary to begin the church service, I haven't found any YouTube videos of Jamaican church choirs doing "march ins". If you know of any links to those videos and/or if you know of this custom in Jamaica, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!

I also haven't found any online articles about Black church processions (marches), including Jamaican church processions, except those pancocojams blog posts that I've published. If you know of any other links to information or comments on this subject, please share them below. Also, please share your experiences with Black church processions (marches), including when and where you observed or participated in those marches. Thanks!

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1. Bethel Born Again Apostolic Church (Hold on Out)



BROTHERTENNYSON, Published on Oct 22, 2010

Bethel Born Again Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic, 3 - 5 Oaklawn Road ,Jamaica The offering is collecting and the Bethel Born Again Mass Choir is singing "Hold on Out"
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/caribbean-church-choir-procession.html for a 2012 pancocojams post that showcased this video. The lyrics to this song are included in that post.
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Here are some comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
House of Hung Realness, 2012
"The people who go through the most really know how to praise God. Old folks used to say "I wouldn't have religion that I couldn't feel" That's how you know God is real."

**
2. green3263, 2013
"this is an apostolic church"

**
3. XR3iescort, 2013
"this is great, never seen worship like this before..love it!"

**
4. Janice rose, 2013
"When i want to wake up the holy ghost in me i watch this clip, cant say thanks enough."

**
5. Eleisha Tamiya, 2014
"Holy ghost fire!"

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Video #2: The Best is Yet to Come



Bethelapost Church, Published on Jul 12, 2013

The Voices of the Overcomers (Bethel Born Again, Oakland Road); Bethel Apostolic (Southfield, St. Elizabeth); Emmanuel Apostolic (Lancaster, St. Elizabeth) and Refuge Temple (Myersville, St. Elizabeth) Choirs ministering during the International Conference 2013 of Refuge Temple Ministeries on Tuesday, July 9, 2013
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The "march around" begins around 5:43 to the end of this video.

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Video #3: He roll the sea away- Bethel Born Again Apostolic



Recardo Campbell, Published on Apr 26, 2015

THE ANNOINTED OFFERTORY SONG AT BISHOP CHOYCE CODNER'S FUNERAL
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Here are some comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. Alethea Wright, 2015
"Keeno camp could you please put up the words to I rather be a old time Christian solider. Thanks I love the song but I can't catch the words"

**
2. Recardo Campbell, 2015
"When Israel out of bondage came,
A sea before them lay;
My Lord reached down His mighty hand,
And rolled the sea away.

Refrain

Then forward still—’tis Jehovah’s will,
Though the billows dash and spray.
With a conq’ring tread we will push ahead;
He’ll roll the sea away.

Before me was a sea of sin,
So great I feared to pray;
My heart’s desire the Savior read,
And rolled the sea away.

Refrain

When sorrows dark, like stormy waves,
Were dashing o’er my way,
Again the Lord in mercy came,
And rolled the sea away.

Refrain

And when I reach the sea of death,
For needed grace I’ll pray;
I know the Lord will quickly come,
And roll the sea away"

**
3. Mysteike, 2015
"God continually bless you Bethel. I love and miss you. Thank you Lord for Bethel. I need to go home for a refreshing."

**
REPLY
4. Jennifer Jones,2019
"I agree with you"

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5. Don Hendricks, 2018
"Absolutely love this worship, really miss this."

**
6. Jacqueline Fyffe, 2018
"When we speak of bethel we have to speak high as mount bethel which is a high high place thank you lord when muzic hit you you feel no pain."

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Video #4: Christian Warrior/Jubilee Medley



Jamaica Free Baptist Church Four Paths, Published on Jul 20, 2016

Youth Night - Convention 2016
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The march around begins at .55 in this video
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Here are two comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. SANDY BEACH, 2018
"When I watch Jamaican church services like this I always wonder if they just enjoy the rhythm and dancing or if their minds are totally on the Lord of heaven and singing for his glory and enjoyment."

**
REPLY
2. Miya Henry, 2019
"Trust me they are singing to God because the holy ghost will start move"

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Video #5: Jesus the Sweet Nazarene - Part 1



Jamaica Free Baptist Church Four Paths, Published on Jul 20, 2016

Convention 2016
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The walk around begins at around 3:13 in this video.
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Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:

Roy and Jacqueline, 2019
"Dance and sing and jump for JESUS ♥️💕💝❣️❤️💟💗 glory to GOD 😭😭😭AAAAAAAAAAAMEN 💞😃🕊️✝️"
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Here’s a link to Part III of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQZANWyX7Zshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQZANWyX7Zs I can’t find Part II.

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This concludes Part I of this three part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.