Gloria Ford: April Fools may have originated in 16th century
Last Updated on 3/20/2010
Published on 4/2/2009
By Gloria Barr Ford
"The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment."
Luke 12:23
April 1st started with April's showers and a comeback of "April Fool's Day.
My sister called me to look out of the window to see if the rain was doing here what it was doing there.
She said she had never seen anything like that before.
I hastily made my way to the window and back to report to her that the rain had mostly stopped where I was, and that there was nothing unusual. It's then that she told me she hated to do what she was going to do next.
By that time I had figured out that I had been caught and singled out to be "April Fool". She got quite a laugh from it, as most people usually do.
The most popular theory about the origin of April Fools Day involves the French calendar reform of the sixteenth century.
In 1564 France reformed its calendar, moving the start of the year from the end of March to January 1.
Those who failed to keep up with the change, who stubbornly clung to the old calendar system and continued to celebrate the New Year during the week that fell between March 25th and April 1st, had jokes played on them.
Pranksters would surreptitiously stick papers to their backs.
The victims of this prank were thus called Poisson d'Avril, or April Fish, which to this day remains the French term for April Fools, and that is how the tradition was born.
It was once popular to Christianize April Fool's Day by locating its origin in Biblical traditions.
For instance, the tradition was attributed to Noah's mistake of sending a dove out from the ark before the flood waters had subsided (thereby sending the dove on a fool's errand).
This is rooted in Christian Mythology.
Whatever the reason for the days of the months, we thank God for the changing of the seasons as we celebrate the glorious rebirth of the earth from cold and barren days to the full beauty of bird songs, blooming flowers, gentle rain and the serene moments we know as Spring.
Missionary Sunday
Missionary Sunday was celebrated at Trinity AME Church on Sunday, March 29th at 11 a.m. with Missionary Trudell Dease, presiding.
Others on program were missionaries Alethia Walker, Verdelle Steele, Erica Hicks and Vanessa Aklin
The speaker for the occasion was yours truly with a message from Proverbs 3:5-6 and entitled "Trust in the Lord".
Sister Hermenia Carr is the missionary president and Rev. Herman Ford, Jr., is the pastor.
District Conference
The Georgetown District Conference of the A.M.E. Church, was held on Friday and Saturday, March 27th and 28th at Arnett AME Church with The Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II in charge. There were various activities including the ordination of ministerial candidates, health topics and noted guest speakers, the hour of power worship service with Rev. Aundry Evans, the pastor of Thomas Chapel AME Church as the speaker.
The presiding elder of the Georgetown District is Rev. Rosalyn-Grant Coleman; and the host pastor was the Rev. Dr. Frankie D. White. Bishop Williams has also chosen to revisit all of the churches in the 7th Episcopal District to meet with the various pastors and their members and to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.
Good Friday presentation
The "Seven Last Words of Jesus on the Cross" will be held on Good Friday, April 10th, at Bethel AME Church, 417 Broad Street, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 8:30 p.m.
The speakers will be Reverends Carl Anderson, Thomas Drayton, Gloria Barr Ford, Dr. Joseph E. Jones, Kay Drake-Jones, Joe Knowlin and Johnny Vereen. For more information, you may call the church at 843-546-4898. Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Jones, Sr., is the pastor.
Spring Fling Festival
Hopewell A.M.E. Church located on the County Line Road will have their Spring Fling Festival on Saturday, April 4th beginning at 10 a.m. There will be various activities, vending, storytelling, etc. Come out and enjoy the day. Rev. Dr. Kylon Middleton is the pastor.
Anniversary
The Grimmage Family will be celebrating their final anniversary on Friday, April 3rd at 7 p.m. with groups, choirs and soloists rendering two selections; and then on Sunday at 4 p.m. with a concert featuring well known local and recording groups. Come lift up the name of Jesus. This will be held at St. Paul AME Church in the Oatland community. Ms Cynthia G. Green is the leader, and Rev. Melvin Coleman is the pastor.
Saturday Sunshine
Please don't forget to join me on Saturday morning at 11:30 for Saturday Morning Sunshine on 1470 AM, WLMC.
Prayers
Remember to pray for the sick and shut in, the bereaved, those in nursing homes, hospice homes, those in pain both physical and emotional, those facing surgeries, court cases, or family disputes. Pray for our men and women on the battlefield in Iraq and their families left behind.
Pray for the innocent victims in war torn lands, and let us always pray for each other. God bless you and may you have wonderful days ahead.
Thanks to Ms Rosa Hazel for making my day Monday.
