Black History With The Seawrights

Jalen Seawright

Jalen Seawright

Former Troy Worship Leader
I urge every parent to teach their kids about our shared history. Even if you don’t know much yourself, choose to learn with them.

Black History With The Seawrights

Many of our social media feeds have been full of two darling little girls this month.

In fact, they’ve been on local news stations, the Washington Post, and Access Hollywood. Karington and Kaidance Seawright, ages 3 and 2 respectively, have become a sensation as they celebrate Black History month in the garb and character of notable Black women from the past and present, such as Rosa Parks, Amanda Gorman, Diana Ross, Ruby Bridges, and Shirley Chisholm. We asked Jalen to share more about what the month of February has been like in the Seawright home:

More Than Dress Up

This year my wife, Keyonna, and I wanted to be able to celebrate Black History Month with our girls in an experiential way.

Karington, my oldest is 3 and a few months ago we started realizing that she was noticing the differences in skin color as she has been one of a few black kids in the Kensington staff kid care group. We wanted her to start learning about women who look like her who have changed or are changing the world.

My Heart For Reconciliation

For me, like many others, the past year has really opened my eyes. I’ve realized that when it comes to relationships and community, very little of our time and effort is spent on deeply knowing one another.

I believe in order to truly love one another (in the way that Jesus asks us to) we must first know each other. I want to dedicate my life and time to healing the divides in our world that are there simply because we do not know each other – specifically in the conversations and initiatives surrounding racial reconciliation.

So, this past month I’ve been working on my speaking, studying, meeting with mentors and leaders, and doing this nebulous work of finding my voice and place in this battle for reconciliation and equity in the metro Detroit.

We believe it is so important to start teaching children about Black History early because they begin to notice the color of their skin much earlier than we think.

I think a lot of the issues in our world today happen because people, regardless of their color, have failed to engage with our shared history. I’ve heard it said, “those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.”

I want my girls to grow up knowing that the reason why they are able to experience the freedoms that they have are because of the women that came before them. And, I want them to be inspired and motivated by the black women who are making history today so they feel empowered to change the world too.

Karington as "Shirley Chisholm."

They celebrated Black History month in the garb and character of notable Black women from the past and present, such as Rosa Parks, Amanda Gorman, Diana Ross, Ruby Bridges, and Shirley Chisholm.

Dream Without Limits

Keyonna and I knew we wanted to be intentional about Black History Month and teaching our girls to dream without limits. We began by choosing women based in the metro Detroit area.

Our first figure was Rosa Parks. She lived the latter years of her life here in Detroit and the actual bus on which she refused to give up her seat to a white man is here at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. We wanted them to dress up and play pretend – pretend you are great, noble, and strong Black women.

These educational projects also needed to be experiential. We wanted to be able to go and do something. So, we went to places like the Motown Museum. We also felt it was very important to include Black women who are currently making history like Claressa Shields and Amanda Gorman. 

Media Coverage and National Interest

Our projects have gotten a lot of traction on social media and have been shared on news stories across the nation including the Today Show and E News. On Friday, February 26, the girls were featured on Access Hollywood.

The thing that especially excites me is that others are watching and learning.

Someone recently commented on a video I posted to Instagram, “I love your account! You may have thought you were teaching your girls about Black History, but you are also teaching a 50 year old white woman in Canada to read the background of the women you are featuring! Thank you!”

We are realizing that the impact we are having – just this month – stretches far beyond our two girls and beyond the month of February.

I Wish That All Americans...

African Americans have been more than just influential to our country’s success, we’ve been essential. From the involuntary work of slaves, to the voluntary contributions in industry and innovation, Black men and women have helped to build the America of today.

I wish that all Americans – no matter their skin color – would engage with Black History. Our history is shared but it’s incomplete when our stories go untold. Much is still being discovered and brought to light about Black History because documentation was a low priority during the times our nation considered Black men and women as less-than-human.

Black History is American History.

Jalen is a part of the Kensington community, former Director of Worship Arts at Troy campus, and often shares his gift of music from stage at churches in metro Detroit. When not making music and talking with local leaders about racial reconciliation, he can be found cooking! One of his recent ventures is a cooking show – follow Jalen on Instagram at seawright__

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Titus 1

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness– 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless– not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach– and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

Other Helpful Passages:
Ephesians 4
1 Corinthians 12-13
1 Peter 5
2 Timothy 2:2

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Divorce Recovery Winter Sessions

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Cost: $45
The cost includes a workbook, snacks at each meeting (including coffee), and dinner at end of session. Childcare available.

You are encouraged to join us on any week. Sessions are self-contained.

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At Kensington’s Grief Recovery support group, you can find hope and healing after the loss of a loved one. It’s a place where you’ll encounter caring people who can empathize with your pain because they’ve been through it themselves.

Winter Grief Recovery | Feb 6 – April 30 | Orion campus
Winter Grief Recovery | Feb 13 – May 7 | Troy campus (DAYTIME GROUP!)

Find a Grief Recovery group near you: griefshare.org

You are encouraged to join us on any week. Sessions are self-contained.

Kensington Visitation

Our dedicated volunteers bring encouragement and prayers of faith to those who are in local hospitals, medical centers, recovery centers and homebound. If you or someone you know would like to be blessed by such a visit, email visitation@kensingtonchurch.org or call the Troy Campus during business hours at 248-786-0600.

Pastoral Care

Members of our Pastoral Care Team are trained by the nationally known Stephen Ministry program and are compassionate listeners who walk alongside others to provide skilled and distinctly Christian care in times of need. They can’t promise to have all the answers, but they can promise their focused support. To receive care from one of our Pastoral Care Team members, call us at 248.786.0600 and ask for a Campus Care Provider – they can get the process started.

Interested in joining our Pastoral Care Team? Email us for more info.

1 Timothy 3

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Other Helpful Passages:
Ephesians 4
1 Corinthians 12-13
1 Peter 5
2 Timothy 2:2

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Before the Last Resort

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Troy

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
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11am | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

1pm | 12/24
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3pm | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

5pm | 12/24
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Orion

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
No children’s programming

11am | 12/24
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1pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK and Elementary programming

3pm | 12/24
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5pm | 12/24
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Clinton Twp

5pm | 12/23
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

7pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

1pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

3pm| 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Birmingham

11am | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming


1pm | 12/24
Birth-PreK programming

Traverse City

2pm | 12/24
No children’s programming

4pm | 12/24
Birth–PreK programming

Clarkston

10am | 12/24
Birth-PreK and Elementary programming

12pm | 12/24

Birth-PreK programming

Marriage and Blended Family

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Birmingham Campus

We are offering a time for our congregation to gather after the 10am service for prayer in the Groves Auditorium, 20500 W 13 Mile Rd, Beverly Hills, MI 48025.

On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

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Parents – self care is critical. It’s important to do your own processing with another adult so that you can be more present as your child processes. Here are tools that you can use to get you started.

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“The aftermath of the Oxford shooting tragedy will undoubtedly result in traumatic symptoms and experiences across our communities for quite some time. Healing the brain through evidence-based therapies is absolutely possible with clinical guidance. There is a valuable village of Trauma Therapists with collective resources standing by for Oxford, for both direct and secondary survivors to engage in therapy. Until then, we honorably hold a sacred space, as students, families, staff and school partners continue to mourn.” -Laura Azoni, LMSW, Founder of Sanctuary Services

Orion Campus

We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

We will have several grief and trauma specialists on site this Sunday evening at our Orion Campus (4640 S Lapeer Rd Lake Orion, MI 48359) from 5-6:30pm and will have a night of prayer, worship and an opportunity for students to process with each other.

Tate Myre Funeral:
Monday, 12.6 Visitation 1 to 8pm
Tuesday, 12.7 Visitation 10-12pm and funeral at Noon

Clinton Township Campus

We will be offering a time for our congregation to gather after each service for a time of corporate prayer in the Greatroom. Prayer will be offered at 10:15 am and 12:15 pm. (25000 Hall Rd, Charter Twp of Clinton, MI 48036)

This Sunday at 3:30 pm as a community we want to gather, pray and mourn together. We are all looking for answers and wondering why tragedy happens but we can find hope and peace in Jesus. 

Troy Campus

Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

Following the Vigil, at 7:00 pm, there will be breakouts for students and for parents to process and be equipped in caring for themselves and those around in times of tragedy.

Marriage Classes

What grows marriages? Focusing on the two of you and being in community!
The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

Please email marriage@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Financial Compass

Financial Compass is designed to help you discover the freedom found in wisely managing the resources God provides. To find out more, please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org.

Bible Basics

Whether you are brand new to the Bible or have been reading it for decades, Bible Basics is a course that will help you understand the overall flow of the Bible. Over the course of several weeks, learn how the Bible came from the original writers to the English versions we have today. We’ll look at the big-picture story of the Bible and how all the individual books add to the whole. We’ll even learn a little about the history of the Jewish nation. But most of all, we’ll grow in our awe of the amazing author of this amazing book!

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Clarkston

Clinton Twp

Orion

Troy

Alpha

What is my purpose? What value does the Bible have in my life? How do I pray? How can I grow in confidence to share my faith? These are the big questions that are at the heart of what it means to have a relationship with God. Alpha is a space to explore life’s big questions, to say what you think and to hear other people’s points of view. Over ten-weeks you will explore and discover while listening to weekly topics, participating in table discussion, and developing community. Alpha courses meeting in-person gather around a meal.

You don’t have to come for the whole series—just check it out for the first session and see what you think. No pressure.

Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Registration coming soon!

Birmingham

Clinton Twp

Orion

Traverse City

Troy

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