Men's Group Works on World and Personal Health
A men's ministry was launched by Rev. Dr. Anne Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey at Warwick Union AME Church a year ago, beginning growth in many directions
New skills, new vigilance about health habits, community involvement near and far, and frequent communing about life’s challenges have been among the fruits of joining the Son’s of Allen Men’s Ministry a year ago, according to Mark Kirton, now president of the group. These gains are not insignificant at a time when the U.S. surgeon general has expressed alarm about widespread social isolation, conducive to serious health issues, as documented by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
This men’s group was launched last June by Pastor Dr. Ann Marie Bentsi-Addison Posey, of Warwick Union AME Church. Posey invited six men who attend Union AME services regularly to join the group, described as a “connectional ministry” on the AME Sons of Allen website. The African Methodist Episcopal Church began the ministry in 1984 to help men connect with the church and support each other to address health, social and economic challenges.
“Several pastors ago, the church had a Sons of Allen group, but it disbanded,” Pastor Posey explained. “I reorganized it.”
“The pastor saw the need for men to come together,” said Kirton, who lives in Monroe and works as a computer consultant for a large company in Poughkeepsie.
Richard Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1816, focused on ways African Americans could support each other with education, organizing and other kinds of assistance. He was involved with the Underground Railroad, bringing slaves from the South to freedom in the North.
Kirton speaks enthusiastically about the Sons of Allen and their efforts. He remembers the first time the group led the Sunday service, which they do every third Sunday of the month.
“It was scary. We have to follow the service, know what to say and do. It fulfills the spiritual side of the group, but some men had never spoken in front of a group before. They were nervous. Now some of the guys feel comfortable about it, and they can use the skill in their lives outside the church.”
They also learned to set up a complex audio system, a technical skill Kirton sees as generally useful too.
Once a month, the group meets for lunch at whatever restaurant they choose. Next they will have a “men who cook” event with a barbeque, either at the church or in a park.
“We’re trying to reach men at their level, their issues that women don’t have,” said Kirton.
One focus is men’s health. The men encourage each other to eat balanced meals and get screenings.
“We make sure the men in the group do a yearly prostate screening, blood pressure check and a colonoscopy. All six guys did all of those,” said Kirton. “That’s a good accomplishment. Some guys I know haven’t had a physical in years.”
As for food, recommendations are basic. “Every meal should have a starch, a protein and a vegetable, no excess soda, caffeine or sweets,” Kirton said.
The men also collaborate in spiritual matters with their “prayer line.” On Wednesday nights, Sons of Allen members from Manhattan, Harlem, Brooklyn and Westchester—"prayer warriors”—gather on a conference call to pray about both community and personal issues.
“We may discuss the economy or what someone is going through, what a chapter is doing, a death, a divorce, a job change. We discuss and we pray and seek help from the support group,” said Kirton. “We call each other. Every day I hear from someone. We support each other and pray about issues—financial, spiritual, loss, friendship.”
Both Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Village of Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard have attended Union AME Church services led by the men.
“The men’s service on Sunday was new to me,” said Newhard. “There was a nice focus on men’s commitment to the faith. It was very powerful. What I love about that church is that they weave what’s going on in the world into church services.”
Newhard noted his long relationship with the church, which, before it was moved, was at the other end of the block where his father had a pharmacy.
“It’s an amazing congregation with a great spirit,” said Sweeton. “It’s great to be invited there. I was raised Roman Catholic, and I’m not a good one. But the Union AME Church is more intimate and upbeat. They have a women’s day of recognition and also men’s. These days there’s less focus on nuclear families. They’ve lost status in society. But the Union AME Church celebrates the role of partners in equal relationships in the family and raising children.”
Asked about how she saw the new group developing, Pastor Posey said, “They’re growing in ministry attention to sacred words.”
She also expressed satisfaction in seeing them collect funds for an orphanage in Ghana and organize a young people’s media ministry that provides appropriate music for services.
“My prayer for them is to be involved with other groups: that they tutor and mentor children at risk; do evangelism in the community and worldwide; and that they foster relationships with other congregations and Sons of Allen ministries.”
At their next meeting the men will plan their barbeque, and a car wash is in the works to raise money to fund Sons of Allen activities as well as an orphanage in Ghana, Kirton says.
For next year, they are arranging a “healthy living event”—a three bridge walk and ride across the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, Bear Mountain Bridge and Mario Cuomo Bridge.
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