“A Heritage To Be Proud Of” 2-27-26

Since this is the last Sunday in February and African American History month is coming to an end, I felt that it would be proper to post something spiritual.  This is a mystery as to how the idea of the Narrative and Musical came into play. It was during the time of my membership at a rural church in Ruffin, North Carolina. The characters were enthused; the choir was cooperative and awesomely directed by the pastor’s daughter. That was the beginning of my playwriting. 

The pastor was my greatest supporter and he really saw potential and his continued encouragement motivated me to keep moving forward with my God given creative and innovative writing that has continued since the mid 1990’s. I would say that my writing ability is much more advanced than speaking before a large audience.

After my appointed time at that church, writing plays and skits broadened as it was spoken by my former pastor. At the next church in Greensboro, North Carolina, that same play was presented in 2000. This was such an amazing time; the people who were in the choir at the first church would travel about thirty miles one way to rehearsal as they merged with the choir members and what a blend.

They traveled through rough weather to be a support and a blessing to others as they joined in melodiously and harmonized with those voices that raised the roof off the place. What a joyful delight it was to me to see so many people that were not known to each join together and made it such a success that was long remembered.

Many years later I saw a sister from the former church at a restaurant that was in the first play and she asked me when it was going to be presented again, The sister said she loved the play.

I don’t know if any of the people had been thanked publicly, but today I would like to tell each of you from Mt. Hermon Baptist who so willingly participating and how you sacrificed your time to assist and play the role that was assigned to you.

From that time, many of us have parted from the place where we once worshipped the Lord. Nevertheless, we have not parted spiritually. I am profoundly grateful to the Lord for my former and late Pastor Watkins who was influential in my moving forward or as he prophesied “Betty, the Lord is going to take you somewhere” and it came to pass.

I am grateful to the choir director, Judy Watkins Southerland, who directed all my plays; sung  at my mother’s funeral and at my initial sermon. Thanks again Mt. Hermon how you drove that distance to support me when I preached my first official sermon. Pastor Watkins said that day was not the first; I preached everywhere I drove him; to and from certain destinations.

Much thanks to Pastor Fisher who encouraged me and never hesitated when it came to me presenting plays at St. Paul.

To Sister Fisher, thanks for asking me to use my creative and innovating ability (grace) to a couple of plays for the Woman’s Conference.

Who we are from a Biblical view. Many people did not understand the Bible was full of dark skin people including Jesus, so this play was truly and eye opener, to the point a friend from New York was sent a copy; he took it to someone else at the National Black Theater and the person called and said he was interested; that the people in New York needed to know about the play.

Tunde Samuel said he wanted to come to North Carolina to work with my people and produce it. Sadly, he passed suddenly not long after we talked on the phone.

To all who were from Mt. Hermon, and St. Paul, whatever part you played in making

“A Heritage To Be Proud Of” a success, thanks from the bottom of my heart. I am grateful and you are unforgettable.

I also thank the Lord for every challenge that I faced and endured by God’s grace. If it had been for iron sharpening iron and the friction that caused growth, there would be no success of which you were a vital part of.

Picture taken at the Women's Conference - I was blessed to Write and present the play "Keep On Pushing"

Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org