By Janice K. Neal-Vincent, Ph.D.,
Contributing Writer,
Friends and members of the Jackson community assembled at Fresh Start Christian Church for Grandparents Really Do Matter 3rd Annual Luncheon Thursday, August 22, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Minister Nancy Gaynor, CEO/founder, noted that increasingly, grandparents “are volunteering or assuming the parenting role of one or more of their grandchildren.”
Grandparenting is crucial to the grandchildren’s growth and development, for it involves health care, social care, financial needs and spiritual guidance on a day-to-day basis.
“My daughter-in-law was killed over seven years ago. It was best for me to take custody of my grandson [because] my son was not in a position to raise his son full time. I found out that there is no financial, moral or social support. I [also] found out that there were many grandparents in the same position, and [that] no one was willing to help,” shared the founder.
The minister stated that the crowd came to approximately 300. “The large turnout of grandparents and seniors was more than ever before. We were blessed to have an overflow of pastors, elected officials, business owners and community leaders. We also had two gospel singers and a youth praise dance group from Emmanuel Christian School. The spirit was extremely high, and networking with the Celebrity Waiters was exceptional.”
Minister Gaynor sent a strong message to attendants: “Raising grandchildren is a tremendous job.”
Grandparents provide love, support, encouragement and prayer for their grandchildren’s well-being. They are demonstrators of unconditional love, fueled with experiences and wisdom. Roughly put, grandparents are the linkage to their family’s past, cultural heritage and historical data. Thus, when parents are unable or are unwilling to be there for their children, grandparents frequently spring forth and remain in their lives.
Joseph Wade, City of Jackson Chief of Police, called for unity among those gathered at the occasion. He highlighted “bad parenting” as one of the main issues for community disturbance. “Let’s continue to work together [because] I’m going to work with you with integrity and with dignity,” he stated.
Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones was on hand to address the crowd.
“You represent something that is positive in our community. It’s not going to happen overnight, but working together [and] being part of the neighborhood associations and community leaders are essential. We want you to feel safe in your homes, churches and community,’ Sheriff Jones said.
Minister Gaynor informed the assemblage of the “painful experiences” that grandparents have while working with their grandchildren. Understanding the need to relieve them of their pain, Members of Grandparents Really Do Matter spend time empathizing with them. Such empathy comes via laughing and crying with grandparents. Hence, according to Gaynor, “We’re all in this together.”
The Grandparent Unity Prayer Circle included ministers and other leaders who individually prayed for parents, children, grandparents and the City of Jackson. They appealed to God for His teachings. “Teach them how to look up, teach them how to be good parents and good children,” someone prayed.
With gratitude, a leader prayed, “Thank you, Alpha and Omega, for salvation and sanctification. We thank you that this is a new beginning for Jackson, and that your light is shining upon Jackson.” Then came, “Look upon every household. Keep children in school. Bless them from the north, south, east and west.”
Hallelujah utterances asked God to wash the grandparents, parents, children and leaders in the name of Jesus. “We need grandparents’ wisdom. We ask you, God to reward them specially. We plead the blood of Jesus over everyone in the room. Pour your spirit on the feet of those who have abandoned grandparents. We speak your blood over the city of Jackson that you take it back,” was the plea of another.
Recognizing that “the higher power” was the needed source for community needs, a member of the circle prayed accordingly. “Give parents and grandparents the strength to endure. Help grandparents to remember their grandchildren. We need your help to raise these grandchildren. Help us as we go forth in the grandparenting process. We need you as a role model for our grandparents. It is hard sometimes, Lord. Help the grandparents do the right thing by the grandchildren.”
Following the fervent prayers was the continued acknowledgement that God was the orchestrator of the healing process in the City of Jackson. Further, all in the room were part of that process in their accountability before God. Hence, closure to all the prayers came in the form of a chant: “And it shall be done in Jesus’ name.”
Dr. Mary Seay, board member of Grandparents Really Do Matter, gave deference to the gatherers. “Thank you so much for taking time to be here in honor of Grandparents’ Day. Thank you so much.”
Reflecting on the three years that Grandparents Really Do Matter has been in operation, Minister Gaynor emphasizes the following to the community. “This is a mission that is a ministry that is a movement. If we all do a little, [then] we can get a lot done. It does take a village to raise our grandchildren. They are unlimited resources in our community.”
For further information about Grandparents Really Do Matter and for donations, contact Minister Nancy Gaynor, CEO/founder, P. O. Box 642, Tougaloo, MS 39174, or call 601 942-6280.
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