Church Folk & More

Guest Blogger, Rev. Theophilus Simmons

2010-08-01T17:43:00.001-07:00

More Church Folk is out. A copy arrived in the mail to Freedom Temple Gospel United Church 10 days ago--giving me enough time to read it before the release date. Plus, I wanted to have a chance to find out what was happening, so I could get ready for the Triennial Conference in Durham, North Carolina.

I thought Marcel and Sonny and their cronies were crazy in Church Folk. But they are headed to another galaxy in More Church Folk. To think that some old Hyenas really think they can handle WP21. That is as crazy as WP21 itself. I mean, who would have thought that watermelons could do all of that for a brother.

But hey...I guess some brothers need stuff like that. Me? Oh...no. I don't need nothing but that fine woman I'm married to. One dose of Essie is like 50 shots of WP21.

Ooops...Sorry, Lee Allie. Let me tone it down a bit. That is Essie's mother. And I don't want to tangle with Uncle Booker right now. I've got too much on my mind.

I have to pack. On my way to Durham, Theophilus Simmons.

Guest Blogger, Essie Lane Simmons, Rev. Theophilus Simmons' wife

2010-07-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

I can not believe that More Church Folk is out in the stores. I've been waiting a long time for this.

Theophilus and I have been busy since you all left us at our first official Sunday at Freedom Temple Gospel United Church in St. Louis, MO.

So much has happened. We have three babies, and that first baby is a girl, Sharon Simmons. Then, there is Linda Simmons, and the baby, Theophilus Simmons, Jr., or T.J. And my business has grown, as my love for my man.

Lawd, y'all know I love that man. And uhhh....ladies...I know y'all uhh...kinda enamoured with Rev. Simmons...but the brother is taken, and I still carry hat pins just in case one of y'all gets to acting crazy. Okay?

Well, I better get going because the debut book signing for More Church Folk is tonight at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, North Carolina at 7:30 pm.

Hmmm, what to wear, what to wear, Essie Lane Simmons.

Guest Blogger, Johnnie Tate, Rev. Eddie Tate's wife

2010-07-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

We are getting so close to the official release date of More Church Folk. I am excited and can't wait to get to North Carolina for the Triennial General Conference. Last time I was at a Triennial Conference for the Gospel United Church in a book, I was really there just to get Eddie to notice me.

Umph, umph, umph....if that wasn't a big, fine, high yellow brotherman, I didn't know who was. I remember dancing with Eddie at my girl, Thayline's house party in Richmond, VA, and I just about melted in that man's arms. I kept thinking, I'll go back to church and get saved and read my bible and live right if this man will make me his.

Little did I know that all of this wasn't about me, it was about the Lord. And while I am so happy that Eddie Tate is my man (and let's just keep this real...I will cut one of y'all loose-legged hussies if you try and roll up on my man...now back to church talk)...but I am overjoyed that coming to know Eddie was the way I walked to get to know the Lord. Can't get much better than that.

Huh? Miss Lee Allie is tapping her watch, and telling me that this is about More Church Folk and not me and my man. Well then, if I can't talk about Eddie, I'll just have to go. Y'all need to go on and get More Church Folk. Word on the street, is that some folks already have it and are reading it right now. Check the stores, Johnnie Tate.

Guest Blogger, Rev. Eddie Tate, Theophilus Simmons' best friend

2010-07-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

I wanted to write my blog earlier because I have to get ready for More Church Folk, and I have a lot to do. I thought those preachers in Church Folk were off the chain. But in More Church Folk? Whew eeee whew. They are going to work this Chicago boy hard to set things right.

I mean, I thought I was going to have to throw down and kick some butt in Church Folk. But I don't know...I might have to take my pistol with me for More Church Folk. I know my baby, Johnnie is carrying some heat. You remember, she was packing in Holy Ghost Corner. See, this story is set in 1986 and folks thinking they are some gangstas. But if y'all met me in Church Folk, you know 'I ain't nevah skeered.'

Oh...wait...Lee Allie is getting on me...So, I can't quote 'Bone Crusher' in my blog. I can't 'pop the trunk.' So, what can I do? Huh? Huh?

Okay, well then, I just go and finish packing so I'll be ready to head off to Durham, North Carolina, where it's gonna jump off, Eddie Tate.

Guest Blogger, The Bishop who got happy listening to The Battle Hymn Of The Republic on the piano at the Triennial Conference in Church Folk

2010-07-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Lawd, why did they worry me about this? And I ask you, why did they have to bring that up? The Battle Hymn Of The Republic is my favorite song and I get happy listening to it. Is there a problem in that?

What's wrong with these here folk, is that they don't like the way I do business. They didn't like it that I was not happy when Murcheson James earned all of those promised votes for bishop, making it clear that he was going to win in Church Folk. I didn't want him to win because I didn't want him joining the Board of Bishops, coming up in there trying to do right and be right.

There is a lot that I need to put my hands on under the table. You people following me? And the last thing I need is for a bunch of Dudley Do-Rights to sashay up in a meeting putting checks and balances on Bishops like me. I've gotten rich handling business like this....What?

Oh, it's like that, huh. Well, Mrs. Lee Allie Lane Hawkins, if you don't like the way I am then you can just go somewhere. 'Cause I'm off somewhere to do business the way I like it.

See, that's what I'm talking about. Do-gooders. They get on my nerves. And no, I not signing my name.

Guest Blogger, Bishop Otis Caruthers, Sr., Located Bishop in Church Folk

2010-07-12T15:24:00.000-07:00

The first thing I need to say, is why did these people feel a need to inform everybody reading this, that I am a 'Located Bishop.' That's none of their business. Now, folks will be calling me and asking what 'located' means, and then they'll want to know what I did to get 'located' in the first place.

You know what I did? I did exactly what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it, and I didn't give a hoot about my denomination. And do you want to know a secret that a lot of these wheelers and dealers in the Gospel United Church don't want you to know? They don't want you to know that if they acted right and voted right and weren't so afraid of real men running the denomination, a joker like me wouldn't have a chance of getting elected bishop.

Preachers like me get elected because preachers like Ernest Brown and Sonny Washington and Ernest's son, Marcel, are weak, and they are intimidated by real men like Murcheson James, Percy Jennings, Eddie Tate, and Theophilus Simmons. Yeah, I said it. They are some real men, and if you tell somebody I said that, I will lie. I will lie and say that you are crazy. But it is the truth.

What? That Lee Allie Lane says that my time is up, and that she wished I'd tell the truth for a change. But I can't do that because the truth sets folks free and I am not trying to have a bunch free and clear folk running around trying to do right and messing up my game and messing with all of my money, Otis Caruthers.

Guest Blogger, Rev. Roscoe Alexander, or the man whose teeth popped out of his mouth while preaching at the Annual Conference

2010-07-09T11:04:00.000-07:00

Lee Allie, baby, hand me that Fixodent real quick so I can get my mouth fixed up before I start preaching.

What? I'm not preaching? Then, what the heck am I doing here? You know I don't type on a typewriter. That's for the secretary to do for me while I tell her what to type.

What? I have to type this myself? But this ain't no typewriter, babygirl. This is a contraption--kind of like a fakehaired weave wig. It looks like it should be a typewriter but it ain't.

It's better than a typewriter? Says who?

Well, I don't have time to type nothing. All I know is that I didn't like that y'all let everybody know my teeth came out during a sermon in Church Folk. That should have stayed in house.

What? You thought it was funny?

Well then, Missy, you write this here report about More Church Folk on this thinagmajig your ownself.

Now...how do you like that? I'm going. Gotta go preach, Rev. Roscoe Alexander.

Guest Blogger, Rose Neese (Neese's Boarding House in Charleston, MS)

2010-07-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

My girl, Lee Allie, has been after me to write this blog for weeks now. Honestly, I didn't know what to say and kept 'dilly-dallying' on this assignment.

All I know is that I didn't like those no-count preachers like Marcel Brown, Sonny Washington, and Marcel's daddy. I wonder how in the world they made it through the system to even become preachers. And are any of them even saved?

I pray for the Gospel United Church all of the time. We need more good preachers. Theophilus, Eddie, and Murcheson can't carry it all by themselves.

I sure hope they set things right when they get to Durham, NC in More Church Folk, Rose Neese.

Guest Blogger, Precious Powers

2010-07-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting on More Church Folk for close to ten years. I thought something was going to jump off when I showed up in Second Sunday, working with Essie at her shop. But then, had to wait past two more books to be able to deal with the likes of Marcel Brown.

Umph! Y'all know I used to love me some of that man. I mean, I thought I wouldn't even be able to breath without him. And then, I caught that jacked up sucker with Bishop Giles' wife and it was on. Y'all know what happened next. I called my girl, Saphronia Ann and it was on. We tore Marcel's butt up in Richmond. Do you know that he has not spoken to me since? He'll see me coming one way, and run off in the opposite direction. But do you think I care? You know I don't. He got just what he deserved.

And now, we are all back, headed out to Durham, North Carolina, Tarheel Country. Well, I guess we will have to deal with Marcel and 'nem. But as I like to say, "don't start nothin', won't be nothin'. 'Cause I wasn't scared of those jokers back then, and I show ain't scared of them now. Plus, Marcel is scared of my husband, Tyrone.

You know ladies, sometimes the Lord will move trash out of your way, so your path will be cleared to the right brother. If I'd stayed with that no count Marcel Brown, I wouldn't have gone down to St. Louis and met my Tyrone. Do y'all know that I actually sent Marcel two dozen red roses on my wedding day, to thank him for being such a rat fink that I'd find my Tyrone. Ain't God good...He is good to us when we don't even have sense enough to be good to our ownselves.

But, Lee Allie is pointing to her watch so the next blogger can come and work this. See you all in a few weeks when More Church Folk hits the book stores, Precious.

Guest Blogger, Glodean Benson Washington

2010-07-05T11:28:00.001-07:00

I hope that by doing this blog-thingy, I can go back to working on things to make things happen for my hubby and me. I don't know what Essie's mother thought would be accomplished by inviting me to do a blog like this. She has to know that I can not stand Essie Lane Simmons--especially after the hussy stuck me in my behind with a hat pin. I'll never forget that. And that is why I'm always scheming and plotting and trying to help my husband, Sonny Washington, find a way to get back at Theophilus Simmons.

Theophilus made me mad back then in Church Folk. And he makes me mad now for More Church Folk. Who does he and his little wife think they are? And who made them king and queen of the Gospel United Church anyway? Why are folk always picking her over me and him over Sonny? They make me want to holler!

Lee Allie is pointing to her watch. And she can point until her eyeballs pop out of her head for all I care. Nobody told her to call me and bug me about this in the first place. So, she can just wait. Who does she think she is?

Wait. Lee Allie is snatching the laptop away from me. Oh, no she didn't just...Glodean

Guest Blogger, Bishop Sonny Washington, Glodean Benson's husband

2010-07-02T11:07:00.000-07:00

First, for the record, I don't like any of the people who are in any way connected to Theophilus Simmons and Eddie Tate. So, the only reason I'm doing this blog business is to look good to my Episcopal colleagues. You know a brother has to keep up appearances to make things happen at all levels at all times.

I've got it in for Theophilus and Eddie and 'nem. And I will show up in More Church Folk with some issues and a score to settle. Know that.

What?

Oh, well since Mrs. Lee Allie Lane Hawkins is having some issues with me and this blog, I'll just end it now. So, how you like me now? Huh? Huh?

Bishop Sonny Washington

Guest Blogger, Rev. Ernest Brown, Detroit, MI, Marcel Brown's Dad

2010-07-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

This last thing that I have wanted to do, is talk about anything that happened in that last book, Church Folk. The nerve..........

What!

It appears that I am not supposed to talk about what happened to me in Church Folk. Lee Allie Lane, naturally, is reading me 'the riot act.' And.....

What Now!

Oooops. My defense attorney is on the telephone giving Lee Allie instructions about what I should or should not, can and cannot say if I want to maintain my status of immunity from prosecution.

You know something, maybe this blog thing isn't such a good idea after all. I don't need this, Ernest Brown

Guest Blogger, Coral Thomas, Member of Greater Hope Gospel United Church, Memphis, TN

2010-06-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

When Bishop Percy Jennings appointed (well it was actually more of a mandate rather than an 'appointment') Rev. Theophilus Simmons to serve as the Senior Pastor of my church, Greater Hope Gospel United Church in Memphis, I wasn't so sure that was the best idea. Why? Because I knew the Bishop had done that because of all of the shenanigans and goings ons between Rev. Simmons and that alley cat, Glodean Benson.

Oh, I know she's been all 'doodied' up as a First Lady out in North Carolina and such. But that thang is what she is. I ain't never liked her back then, and I show don't like her right now. I don't know what was wrong with Rev. Simmons when all of that happened between him and her. You know folks don't like to talk about that now because of Essie and because Pastor turned his life around and got right with the Lord. But it still happened, so there.

I am so glad Rev. Simmons got himself right with Jesus. Folks can get so all caught up in the hoopla of church business until they forget about what the church is really about, The Gospel of Jesus Christ. All of those politics and maneuverings can make things so hard for folk, especially preachers, 'cause they, unlike us, do have to deal with the workings (good or bad) of their bishops. I wish it weren't necessarily so. But it is what it is. You know, if those bishops rule on something crazy, you can guarantee it'll get a little bit crazy for the pastors.

We, the regular church folk, can tell the bishop to go and jump in the lake if he (and now, she) ain't acting right, and listening to the Lord when He tells them yes or no on an issue. I mean, there have to be times, when the bishops come up with something and the Lord says....NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I mean, when we the regular folk in the church, the ones sitting in the pews hear about some things they are working on and trying to make as a new rule and such, we'll be like...WHAT? WHY? And then we'll scratch our heads, hard, trying to figure out what part of 'that is just pure-tee crazy talk and actions' that you don't understand.

Whew, I could write a book myself on that one. But I'd better slow this down because Lee Allie has sent me an email while writing that this, that the next guest blogger is on the way to her to get ready for tomorrow.

But anyways, all of this what I'm sayin' is just a good reason to make sure that the Gospel United Church gets good bishops. And I know that when they get to that General Conference in Durham in More Church Folk, it's gonna be on, Coral Thomas.

Guest Blogger, Mother Laticia Harrell, Saphronia McComb's Grandmother

2010-06-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

When first asked to author this un-refined form of communication, I wanted to decline the offer. How I long for the days, when you wrote notes on beautifully colored, fine linen stationary in creams and dove grays with real fountain pens.......

My bad...Lee Allie is glaring at me. You know, I never did like those Lanes.

Heavens me. What can I share with you about More Church Folk, other than I found it to be a delightful read...especially since I'm not in it...come to think of it, that little missy who wrote the book, had the audacity to send me on.....

I have to go before I start talking too much and I will have to dust the floor with Lee Allie...I wish...I wish...I wish she would come over here, Mother Harrell.

Guest Blogger, Dr. Saphronia McComb James, Essie Simmons' old church member

2010-06-25T09:01:00.001-07:00

I was touched and honored by Lee Allie Lane Hawkins' request to do a blog spot about More Church Folk. Now, I do have a few bones to pick with Ms. Bowen for the way she put me on blast in Church Folk. How you gone do a....

Forgive me...why was it necessary to tell all of my business like that in the book. I mean, no one had to know that butter really does melt in my mouth. I have a persona to maintain. And folk don't need to know that "I don't play..."

Heavens me! What has gotten in to me speaking so out of term like that. Okay, deep breath. I just get so charged up whenever I think about Church Folk. But to be honest, Church Folk was liberating for me. I never had so much fun, as when I rolled up on Marcel in that funeral home and beat him up good.

I need to get back on the subject at hand. Lee Allie is looking at me. Well, I'm reading More Church Folk right now, and all I can say is that you need to get the book when it hits the stores next month, Saphronia.

Guest Blogger, Cleotis Clayton of Clayton Funeral Homes, Glodean Benson's First Cousin

2010-06-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

I feel like writing this blog about as much as I feel like being hooked up with the likes of Marcel Brown and Sonny Washington again. Those two want all of the perks and none of the work. And they are always cooking up something, then come to me to help them because they are too dumb and lazy to do it themselves.

Oh...I'm sorry...Lee Allie just handed me a note to quit talking about those two and focus on the new book. I really don't know what she wants me to say. I mean, I can't stand Sonny, even if he is married to my cousin, Glodean. Shoot, she gets on my nerves, too, with her spoiled self. And what's up with all of that daggone pink? Who do you know wears the same color clothes and they have lots of clothes? Huh?

Oh...sorry for the second time. Lee Allie just cut her eyes at me. It's just that when I start thinking about Church Folk and now, More Church Folk, I can't help but think about them. Church Folk was a trip. And to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, something neither Marcel or Sonny would know anything about, More Church Folk takes what they did in Church Folk to a whole new level. It's like it's a trip to the second power, Cleotis Clayton

Guest Blogger, Lee Allie Lane Hawkins, Essie Lane Simmons' mom

2010-06-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

I was asked to coordinate folk being guests on Michele's blog page while we wait for More Church Folk to be released on July 28th. I had specific instructions and I am going to make sure the guest bloggers act right and like they have some sense.

I invite all to check out the blogs and comment on them. It's been fun, even if the bloggers have worked my nerves down to the last stran of DNA. And I am in the process of inviting new guests. Right now, waiting to hear from Saphronia's grandmother, and Saphronia herself. Sent an invite to Glodean Benson but she is not always the easiest woman to deal with. But I'm sure she'll get on board. She was never one to like being left out of the spotlight.

For those of you who haven't read Church Folk, go and get it...will make More Church Folk that much more fun to read.

Lee Allie

Guest Blogger, Vivian Jennings, Senior Episcopal Supervisor, wife of Bishop Percy Jennings

2010-06-22T10:11:00.001-07:00

Here I am in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which is just down the road from Durham, sitting in Mama Dips Restaurant about to dig into her scrumptious banana pudding, and Percy tells me that I have to find a computer and do this thing called a 'blog.' What, pray tell is a blog? And I have to talk about More Church Folk, as if there wasn't more than enough to talk about concerning Church Folk. What more could the likes of Sonny Washington, Glodean, Marcel Brown, Ernest Brown, Glodean's first cousin, Cleotis Clayton, do? Huh? Huh?

I understand that Essie Simmons' mother, Lee Allie, was given the task to coordinate this. That is why she's been on everybody's back. You know Lee Allie is very organized and a stickler for detail.......

Sorry, my husband is staring at me crossed-eyed because I'm veering off of the subject. But I'm taking my time. Sometimes, Bishops, especially powerful ones like my husband, can get kind of spoiled because they have a lot of authority in the church. But I'm not a preacher, and he can't assign or re-assign me to a church. And I'm taking my time. I'm not scared of Percy Jennings. I love him, I respect him but I am not afraid of the 'Bishop.'

There goes that look again...okay...I've read More Church Folk...and even tho' I honestly thought Church Folk had taken it to the bridge on preachers and 'church folk,' More Church Folk did that and then some, Vivian Jennings

Guest Blogger, Bishop Percy Jennings, Senior Bishop for entire Gospel United Church

2010-06-21T11:38:00.001-07:00

For starters, I'm glad that I am writing this blog from Durham, North Carolina, where I'm currently visiting to make sure all goes well for the upcoming Triennial General Conference in More Church Folk. This way I don't have to go toe-to-toe with Lee Allie Lane Hawkins for being so bossy about how to do this blog for this website.

Come to think of it, Lee Allie hasn't dotted one i, or crossed a t on this blog. She is just being the supervisor...I guess.

Well, let's get down to business because as soon as I'm done with this, I have to walk around Evangeline T. Marshall University's beautiful campus to figure out the best spot for the conference. Some folk wanted to go to a hotel but I told them no. We had the 1963 conference in Church Folk at an HBCU, and we are going to do the same thing for this 1986 conference. Altho' I don't plan on repeating all that jumped off at that 1963 conference. I was a bishop and couldn't even go and see for my self what all the hoopla was about at that funeral home fiasco business. I certainly heard a mouthful but couldn't go. Sometimes wearing the purple can make it hard on a brother...

I was about to write more but the phone is ringing in the university's event planner's office and it is Lee Allie. I don't think she has enough to do right now, Percy (aka, Bishop Jennings).

Guest Blogger, Bishop Murcheson James, Presiding Bishop of the 'Eighth Episcopal District' for the Gospel United Church

2010-06-20T13:29:00.000-07:00

With today being Father's Day and all, I thought it fitting for me to say a few words about Sister Bowen's upcoming book, More Church Folk, seeing that I've been blessed with wonderful sons, and now daughters, in the ministry.

I've read Church Folk several times and was always tickled by her protrayal of me. I'm just a country boy at heart and there are times when I'd rather be in my garden tending to the tender shoots of my prized collard, mustard, and turnips greens, instead of dealing with all of the complicated intricacies of presiding over an entire Episcopal District full of churches, preachers, pastors, presiding elders, and first ladies. It takes prayer, incredible bodaciousness, and just a little bit of Gospel Gangsta (to quote the younger preachers) to run a district.

'Cause you know folks can be just a little bit crazy. And those of you who've read Church Folk, know that the preachers in the Gospel United Church can turn it out. The good preachers are not to be messed with. And the bad preachers like that Marcel Brown and his daddy....oh, excuse me.......Lee Allie is eyeballing me to get back on track with the book. I don't know why Lee Allie is being so bossy about this blog spot....

Anyways...I've read the galleys for More Church Folk, and I like what the missy has done...she has served it up.

I have to go. On my way to Lambert Airport in St. Louis, to head up to Chicago. We just finished with the Missouri Annual Conference, which was held at Freedom Temple in St. Louis. I love that conference. I hope Eddie Tate will make sure to get me some of that fancy popcorn folks always talking about in Chicago, Murcheson (aka, Bishop James)

Today's Guest Blogger, Mrs. Susie James, Episcopal Supervisor and Former First Lady of Mount Nebo Gospel United Church in Charleston, Mississippi

2010-06-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hello, Hello, Hello to all. God is so good and worthy to be praised. I tell my husband, the bishop, that all of the time. You know that Murcheson 'ain't nothin' but a good ole, salt of the earth Mississippi Country boy with a mind like a steel trap and a heart of gold. You can't get much better than my Murcheson. Lawd knows I love me that man...there ain't nothing like a good old country boy....ohhh...sorry, I thought I was supposed to be giving accolades to the Bishop. Lee Allie is glaring at me to get on the subject and quit talking about my man, and talk about this new book, More Church Folk.

Why is Lee Allie Lane Hawkins suddenly the keeper of the blog spot lady? Huh? Okay...the book, More Church Folk. About time that girl, what is her name? Oh that Michele girl wrote the sequel. I was tired of reading Church Folk over and over and over and over and over again. I've gotten a peek at More Church Folk...laaawwwwddd...they are crazy.......oh...gotta go...the Bishop is waiting on me to go off and do some Episcopal District stuff with him...luv yall, Susie James.

ps, I hope yall like the color of my blog...kinda pretty, isn't it. :)

Today's Guest Blogger, Mr. Pompey Hawkins

2010-06-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

Oh...I'm supposed to type this? I thought I could just speak into a microphone or something and tell you about my thoughts and get back to work. You know that I moved up to St. Louis back in the 1970s but I still miss Charleston, Mississippi. I really miss being able to hang out with Murcheson, or Bishop James. But I like St. Louis, lots to do, and a lot folk from Charleston, Mississippi up here. Been fun celebrating Charleston Day.

Oh...back to the business at hand. Lee Allie is glaring at me for wandering off of the subject. So here it is. Them high-stepping folk in the Gospel United Church have been working my nerves. They just don't get it. And some of them like Sonny Washington and Marcel Brown make it hard for my step Son-in-law, Theophilus Simmons, and his boy, Eddie Tate, to do what's right by the church. Those boys love the Lord. But they sure do have a mess on their hands, as they get ready to go out and down to Durham, North Carolina for the 1986 Triennial General Conference. They are holding it up at the college...Evangeline T. Marshall University. Heard they have some gooooooddddd basketball out in North Carolina. Maybe its as good as my barbecue...ummmm...maybe not.

I'm out of steam and gots to go, Mr. Pompey.

Uhhhh....need to introduce today's guest blogger

2010-06-17T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hey All, it looks like "Uncle Booker" beat me to the blog spot today. But I'm kinda glad he did. For the next couple of weeks, I'll have "Guest Bloggers" from Church Folk talking about the up coming book, More Church Folk. I really didn't know who was supposed to go first. I always thought it would be Glodean Benson but Uncle Booker said he was busy and wanted to get that blogging stuff out of the way so he could get on with things. Don't know who is coming up next but check it out everyday to see what's up, Michele

Guest Blogger, Uncle Booker from Church Folk

2010-06-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

I've been down in Charleston, Mississippi for almost a decade doing what I do best. Play a good game of poker to buy parts to repair folks cars real cheap, driving my wife, Rose Neese, hither and thither to get stuff for her Bed and Breakfast. It used to be a boarding house but you know how folks are, they think it ain't a good place to be if it don't have the right name.

And yeah...I've been going to church more regularly. Although I do miss Rev. James being Rev. James at Mount Nebo Gospel United Church here in Charleston. I'm glad he's a big-time bishop. But I miss him something terrible. An old dawg like me needs his runnin' buddy. Plus, the new pastor nice and all but he kinda young. But it is what it is.

But now to the meat of the matter. What's up with that lil' girl in Durham making us wait so long for the sequel to Church Folk. Lawd...I'm glad More Church Folk coming back out. Lot been going on since that conference back in '63. Oh, sorry, for those of you who are younguns, 1963. If that wasn't a hot mess. But something tells me these new schoolers in More Church Folk are something else. And what about those squared off hair cuts in 1986...umph...I sho wish I could dance like that Robert, no Bob...aw heck...Bobby Brown...altho' don't think I'd look too good in those big pants and that little suit coat jacket...Let me hush. This blogging is taking up too much time, I've got a poker game to go to. Bye, Uncle Booker.

Welcome To My Blogspot

2010-06-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hey Readers!

First, I want to thank you all for supporting me and my books. That is a blessing. Secondly, I'm glad you stopped by the new website. It's been way too long since I worked on it. And then, last of all for right now, I am so excited about More Church Folk coming out in July.

You all have told me for years and years that we all needed a sequel to Church Folk...thank you for the nudges in the right direction. I look forward to hearing from you all. But since this is my first blog (I feel like such a 'grown up' now)...I'll keep it short.

Be blessed, Michele

MORE CHURCH FOLK on sale July 28, 2010

2010-06-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MORE CHURCH FOLK
By Michele Andrea Bowen

Grand Central Publishing Hardcover
Publication: July 28, 2010
$24.99 / 320 pages
ISBN: 978-0-446-57776-2

Contact: Tanisha Christie,
Publicity Manager
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Bestselling author Michele Andrea Bowen brings us the much anticipated sequel to her novel Church Folk!

It’s been twenty years since the good reverend Theophilus Simmons escaped humiliation at the most scandalous Triennial General Conference, where it was discovered that the top leaders of the church were running a brothel out of a local funeral home. Now the father of three, Theophilus runs a congregation in St. Louis with the support of his ever-loving wife Essie and is fully involved in the sometimes nutty national church community. Luckily, he’s not alone as his best friend, Eddie Tate, is with the fastest growing church in Chicago.

However, trying to stay on the “good foot” is hard in church business when Theo and Eddie discover that some rival churches are stealing from church funds and committing other misdeeds. Now on the eve of the 1986 Triennial General Conference, they just might have the power to take charge.

MORE CHURCH FOLK showcases an entertaining mix of humor, relationships and morality within the intimate world of church politics. Bowen takes readers to a satisfying end in the hilarious tradition of writing about the lives of real church folk.

Award-winning author Michele

Andrea Bowen graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with an M.A. in History and a M.P.H. in Public Health. She has previously written Church Folk, Second Sunday, Holy Ghost Corner and Up at the College. Church Folk was #1 on the Essence bestseller list for six months. Second Sunday was also a #1 Essence bestseller. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Visit www.micheleandreabowen.com.

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