Solidarity and Harmony Church (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
The Solidarity and Harmony Church (Eglise Solidarité and Harmonie) located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA had its beginning in a Bible study begun in 2009 by Bernard Séjour in the Haitian community of Philadelphia. Séjour, a native of Haiti, had attended Hesston College where he came to appreciate the Anabaptist-Mennonite faith.
The initial group spent time getting to know each other, reading the Bible, and reaching out to others. Soon they moved from the small basement of a friend's home to another member’s larger living room. Eventually, the group outgrew any of their homes and decided to rent a gathering place.
Fred Kauffman, who worked for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), was instrumental in helping Séjour and the church get connected to the Eastern District Conference and feeling like a congregation.
In 2020 a typical worship service at Solidarity and Harmony saw many languages used because “God speaks all languages.” Songs were sung in English, Creole, and French. The children’s sermon was given in English. If there were guests, the rest of the service, including the sermon, continued in English and French. If everyone present was Haitian, then they proceeded using Haitian Creole.
Bernard Séjour continued as the pastor in 2020.
Bibliography
Howes, Sue Conrad. "Congregational profile: Solidarity and Harmony Church." Mosaic Mennonite Conference. 7 July 2020. Web. 14 July 2020. https://mosaicmennonites.org/2020/07/07/congregational-profile:-solidarity-and-harmony-church/.
Additional Information
Address: 4718 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141
Phone: 215-349-0258
Website:
Denominational Affiliations: Mosaic Mennonite Conference
| Author(s) | Samuel J Steiner |
|---|---|
| Date Published | July 2020 |
Cite This Article
MLA style
Steiner, Samuel J. "Solidarity and Harmony Church (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)." Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. July 2020. Web. 24 Nov 2024. https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Solidarity_and_Harmony_Church_(Philadelphia,_Pennsylvania,_USA)&oldid=171532.
APA style
Steiner, Samuel J. (July 2020). Solidarity and Harmony Church (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). Global Anabaptist Mennonite Encyclopedia Online. Retrieved 24 November 2024, from https://gameo.org/index.php?title=Solidarity_and_Harmony_Church_(Philadelphia,_Pennsylvania,_USA)&oldid=171532.
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