Living Waters Ministries Monthly Quote
“There is nothing more powerful than a people, than a nation, steeped in its history. And there are few things as noble as honoring our ancestors by remembering”
~ Secretary Lonnie G Bunch
Inspiration
Designing a Culture of Love
By: Jennifer L Smalls
While this month we celebrate Black History, it is also the month of love and heart health month. It's not ironic that all three are intertwined. It's about love, love of self, love of a people, love of a community, and love equates to a healthy heart.
In this season I challenge us all to design a culture of love; equip ourselves to love ourselves and others. Celebrating who we are and how we got here does not take away from us loving others it equips us to love others better. His Word says "to love your neighbor as yourself". The key here is "as yourself" If you don't love yourself you can't love others. Celebrating us brings us into the true knowledge of ourselves and with these celebrations we become more proud of who we are, and who God created us to be. When we're proud of who we are, we learn, we grow, we love, we are healthy.
Design a culture of love by learning and being receptive to others and other cultures, inviting others in, and doing it with love. Bring love into your settings with your family and friends and even in your workspaces.
Remember GOD IS LOVE and on a foundation of love we can build anything! Celebrate you! Celebrate love! Love your heart!
Check out what Dr. Glen has to say about designing a culture of love.
News from Living Waters Ministries
Happenings Around St. Augustine
First Friday Art Walk, February 2nd, downtown St. Augustine 5-9 p.m. First Friday Art Walk takes place on the first Friday of every month, exhibiting creative artworks throughout St. Augustine's fine art galleries.
First Friday Art Walk Concert Series, February 2nd. First Friday of each month, 6-8 p.m. This organ recital at the Cathedral Basilica in downtown St. Augustine is free and open to the public on the first Friday of every month.
Join the LMCC for a series of special Museum After Hours open house dates throughout the month of February! Peruse the exhibits with over 500 years of rich African American history and cultural heritage in St. Augustine. Admission during this time will be reduced to $5 flat rate for all visitors with a Saint Johns County ID!
Dates:
Friday, February 2, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Thursday, February 15, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Thursday, February 22, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
"Bach to Blacknotes" Presented by the St. Augustine Music Festival at the Waterworks. Sunday, February 11th, 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM. Celebrate Black History Month with the St. Augustine Music Festival, showcasing the remarkable pianist Kyle Walker. Immerse yourself in his solo performance titled "Bach to Blacknotes," where the compositions of J.S. Bach are thoughtfully juxtaposed with the works of overlooked composers addressing themes of oppression and inequality. The concert kicks off at 3 p.m., and tickets are available for $20. 184 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. www.staugustinemusicfestival.org
Celebrate Black History Month with ACCORD. Historian David Nolan will be conducting free museum tours to be held on February 12, 19, & 26. RSVPs are required. To make a reservation, Email:
AAUW Black History Month Luncheon Thursday, February 15, 2024, 11:00 A.M - 1:00 P.M. The American Association of University Women (AAUW) presents The Blues and Beyond: Exploring the Roles of the Blues in the African-American Experience in honor of Black History Month.
There will be a speaker, Dr. Scott Swan who is a multi-instrumentalist. After the presentation, lunch will be catered by Heart and Soul Food Eatery.
The event will take place at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center.
The cost is $24.00 per person and advance registration is required. Send the check for $24.00 payable to AAUW to Carolyn Wilson, 44 Columbian Street, St. Augustine, FL 3204.
Black History Month Town Hall Meeting, Saturday, February 17, 10:00 A.M - 1:00P.M.
Join the Lincolnville Historic Preservation and Restoration Society (LHPRS) at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center for a Black History Town Hall Meeting. This Town Hall Meeting is free and open to the public to discuss current issues affecting the Lincolnville community.
The meeting will have speakers from the Supervisor of Elections Office, Representatives from the City of St. Augustine, Property Appraiser’s Office, and the Tax Collectors Office.
For more information visit www.LHPRS.org or call (904) 762-9338
Fort Mose Jazz And Blues Series 2024
For tickets go to
News For Us By Us
Black History Month February 1- March 1
African Americans and the Arts
This year's Black History Theme is African Americans and the Arts. It's impossible to think of American Art and not realize the African American influence. For centuries the contributions of people of African descent have been minimized and in some cases denied by Western intellectuals. Nevertheless, even today we recognize the presence and longevity of black art. African American artists used art to preserve history and community, to send political messages, and to empower. African Americans have led artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, Hip Hop, and Afrofuturism.
From suffering and bondage came the spirituals, and the blues.
"The black Arts Movement was politically militant; the goal was to create an art, a literature that would fight for black people's liberation." The black arts movement is described to be one of the most controversial literary movements in U. S. History.
Through their work, even today, black artists shine a light on systematic racism, discrimination, and social issues, raising awareness and advocating for change.
Dexter Scott King (January 30, 1961- January 22, 2024)
Dexter Scott King, the third child of Coretta, and Martin Luther King Jr died on January 22 at the age of 62 after a three-year battle with prostate cancer.
Dexter continued his parents’ legacy of civil and human rights activism.
He would come to know the importance of his father’s commitment to nonviolent activism attending public speaking events with his father and brother Martin Luther King III. Several personal tragedies deeply influenced his commitment to the principles of nonviolent activism. The assassinations of his father and grandmother could have made him bitter, but instead, they strengthened his resolve to continue to expand his parents' work in civil and human rights.
Dexter served as president of the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change. He also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the King Estate. In addition, Dexter was a voiceover for his father in the 1999 educational film Our Friend Martin and he also portrayed his father in The Rosa Parks Story.
WELLNESS
Matters of the Heart
February is American Heart Month. It's the month we take care of all matters of the heart; we pay extra attention to love and we're encouraged to focus our attention on our cardiovascular health. A healthy heart and a heart of love make for a healthier happy you!
African Americans are at a high risk for heart disease and stroke. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer for all U. S. adults, and stroke is the no 5 killer and leading cause of disability. According to www.heart.org "historical and systemic factors play a major role in these statistics. Among them are adverse social determinants of health, the conditions in which a person is born and lives. The determinants include lack of access to health care and healthy foods, and other societal issues."
African Americans have the highest prevalence of high blood pressure in the world. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke and can do permanent damage to your heart before you know it which is why it's often referred to as the "silent killer".
Dr. Christopher Irobunda, vice chair for Faculty Development, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University Vogelos College of Physicians and Surgeons advises:
Get your blood pressure checked each year. When high blood pressure goes unchecked for a long period it can wreak havoc on your heart. The normal blood pressure range for adults is 120 over 80. Keep tabs on your blood pressure and modify your lifestyle/habits as needed.
Understand the risk factors. There are two risk factors for heart disease: the one we can control and the one we cannot. We can not control age, gender, and family history but we can control/modify high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Know your family history, Knowing whether there is a history of heart disease in your family will give you the advantage of preventing heart disease it allows you to pay closer attention to your heart and start getting screened.
Chronic Stress plays a role
Be aware of v the warning signs of heart disease
Adopt healthy habits
January 2024
And just like that, with a snap of the finger January is now past tense...we have entered into February.
Living Water Ministries Upcoming Events
February 5, 6, & 7: Churchwide Fast and Prayer
February 11: Super Bowl Tailgate Party
February 9: Bowling Social
February 25: Black History Program at Greater St. Mary's Church
February 28: Wellness Wednesday, Zoom Bible Study
St. Augustine Monthly Weather
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