New Imani Temple Welcomes Visiting Clergy
Reverend George A. Stallings and the Imani Temple African-American Catholic Congregation (AACC) were rolling out the welcome mat Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12 in Suitland, Maryland just a few miles from the nation’s Capital. The occasion? Hundreds came to inspect and to celebrate Imani’s new home – a large dormitory and school building on 4 acres at 2420 Brooks Drive. The Temple congregation celebrated their move to a new home with a Community Festival on Saturday and a Dedication Service on Sunday.
During the weekend, Rev. Stallings several times expressed his profound gratitude to True Parents for their support throughout the years, and for the generous gift at the time of their relocation. During his Sunday message he stated, “Without the support of True Parents and the Unification movement, I can frankly say, we would not be enjoying this new facility.”
The Imani church was located on Capitol Hill for the past 26 years. The new building, a former Roman Catholic convent and residence hall, boasts a chapel/sanctuary, a three-story building with approximately 20 rooms on each floor, a basement with a large kitchen and fellowship hall with a 200 person capacity. The adjoining parking lot can accommodate more than 200 vehicles. The fifty plus rooms can be used for sleeping rooms for guests, offices and classrooms. The original wooden parquet floors were restored. They had been covered with glue and another floor coverings.
Rev. Gregg Carter, of the FFWPU of DC, is helping with the renovation. He remarked, “This facility and location could support a restaurant and catering service, a charter school, a seminary, and on-going programs for Biblical studies.
Rev. Stallings commented, “The new venue will house offices for the local congregation and serve as the Archbishop’s Cathedral for the national AACC. Someday we will host clergy prayer breakfasts and educational conferences, with participants coming from the Capital area and around the country.”
On Saturday, the Imani congregation warmly welcomed friends and neighbors to a five-hour Open House and Community Festival. There was an abundance of barbecue chicken, and lots of music. Children’s laughter filled the air from kids thrilled to play on the blow-up slides. Merchandise booths offered guests an assortment of attractive items and services.
On Sunday, mass was celebrated outside under tents. Clergy had come in from South Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Virginia, Georgia and West Virginia. These faith leaders included a Roman-Catholic priest, the former public relations director of the Nation of Islam, bishops of the AACC, American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC) clergy and many Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) members.
Rev. Stallings thanked True Parents, Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, FFWPU North America Continental Chair, and the FFWPU for their generous support throughout the years. He was especially grateful for the gift presented that Sunday on behalf of True Parents by Rev. Levy Daugherty, the National Senior Advisor of the ACLC. Representing Dr. Ki Hoon Kim at the service were Dr. Michael Jenkins, Chairman Emeritus of the ACLC, and his wife, Minister Reiko Jenkins, Co-Director of the ACLC – Women In Ministry. Dr. Jenkins praised Rev. Stallings for his support of God’s Providence and his work with the American Clergy Leadership Conference. Also present were Mrs. Angelika Selle, the President of the Women’s Federation for World Peace and her husband, Mr. Bob Selle; Archbishop Sulanch Lewis, one of the Co-Presidents of the ACLC; and Rev. Tom Cutts, the National Executive Director of the ACLC.
The rhythm of African drums began long before the service, and helped call the congregation to worship. During the service, the energy was high as the choir and a keyboard artist offered joyful praise. During one song, a dozen women, including Minister Reiko Jenkins, Mrs. Angelika Selle, and Sister Claudette Muhammad, danced together in praise of God. Later, Rev. Levy Daugherty, the National Senior Adviser for ACLC, gave a powerful rendition of the song, “When the Spirit of the Lord”.
Rev. Stallings delivered a brilliant sermon, entitled, “Praising, but Doubting”. He challenged listeners to not just be cheer leaders for Christ, but to become Christ. Rev. Stallings is the eldest of six children, and both his parents and many of his siblings, and their children were present.
“This is a wonderful location for the Imami Temple,” observed Rev. Tom Cutts, the National Executive Director of the ACLC. “They are now in a very attractive neighborhood with single family homes, and very nice apartments. The congregation now has ample parking, and there is much potential for growth and development.”
The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification congratulates Archbishop Stallings and the Imani Congregation on their historic move and pray that God will continue to bless them and their families.
Dr. Lawrence Ventline
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Awesomely vibrant and enthusiatically (ENTHEOS) alive in the Lord!
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Bernard Herrera
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You Sir have always been and inspiration and a True Brother….well deserve….well deserve
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mark calligan
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The new facility is welcoming as is the congregation and Archbishop Stallings was so excited about his new location. I look forward to supporting him in his new endeavors.
Mark A. Calligan
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Charles Pleasant
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I was impressed When I visit Archbishop Stallings new Temple I found that this was much better than the last church that he had more parking, bigger and better and no parking tickets congratulations.
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Anna Mukori Reynolds
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This is so profound that it brought tears on my eyes although I promised to not cry any more. Thank you, thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kalambay joseph
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vraiment un moment emouvant magique sensationnel et spirituel. j’aimerais etre physiquement la mais dommage je n’y etais pas la. le royaume de cieux est deja la…
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Bishop Carolyn Arnett
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Congratulations Archbishop Stalling and congregation, may God continue to bless you all to his glory. May your feet trod where God has ordered it and bring you true success, the way God has ordained it to be. Sincerely Bishop Carolyn Arnett
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Bruno Klotz
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To BECOME Christ is indeed the most important thing! That is indeed God’s greatest desire for all of us, that we become able to love like True Parents and Jesus! What a wonderful sermon title!
God bless Archbishop Stallings!
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