[June 30, 2009]

Honoring an icon: Service held for Michael Jackson [The Frederick News-Post, Md.]

(Frederick News-Post (MD) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jun. 30--The Rev. LaDelle Brooks, pastor of Asbury United Methodist, grew up in Southern Maryland and recalled going to see Michael Jackson and his brothers on their reunion tour at RFK Stadium.

"It was phenomenal," the 38-year-old said. She joked that in the '80s, "I had a Jheri-curl when he had a Jheri-curl." For Brooks and members of Asbury United Methodist Church in Frederick , Jackson represented more than simply fun childhood memories and the latest fashion. The congregation offered special prayers Sunday in honor of the pop star who died last week, and also for the families of Ed McMahon and Farrah Fawcett.

Brooks said she wanted to honor and remember how important Jackson's music was "to people across all ages and races, all over the world." As part of the service, the congregation signed a book of condolences and offered prayers for the pop star's family. Pastor M. Moses Andreda of Silver Spring was invited and came to sing the hymn, "Jesus Walk With Me" for the occasion.

Rocky Twyman, an Asbury United Methodist member, helped organize the service and runs a small public relations company. He said he is friends with popular Washington-based D.J. Donnie Simpson, who knows the Jackson family, and hopes he'll be able to forward the congregation's book of condolences to the pop icon's loved ones.

"We will always remember the joy that Michael brought to our family by his wonderful voice," wrote one church member. "Let God take over, bless the Jacksons," and "Michael touched many lives. I will miss his musical talents, but mostly his spirit," wrote two other church members.

Twyman, in particular, noted Jackson's human failings, and said he wished the singer had been able to find a church and spiritual stability to sustain him.

"He had weaknesses, but he had a good heart," Twyman said. Referring to allegations about Jackson's behavior and the media attention received, Tyman added, while "God forgives -- 'Man,' we are tough on each other." Verlia Carter, in her 60s, recalled when Jackson arrived on the Motown scene with his brothers. Like Brooks, she credited Jackson for "bringing all races together through his music." "Black or white," she said. "For the first time, I think, people just heard and saw the same thing without regard to color." Neither Brooks, Twyman, Carter nor the others wished to dismiss Jackson's erratic behavior later in his career, and worse, the allegations of child sexual abuse. Instead, they talked about using whatever mistakes and transgressions Jackson made to reaffirm that the church is a place of forgiveness and all human beings struggle with sin.

"Now is the time to look at the heart he revealed in his songs," said Carter, adding that her heart goes out to the Jackson family as television rehashes the turmoil in his life.

Twyman mentioned Jackson's charitable work and efforts to raise money for African hunger with "We Are the World," should not be overlooked.

Loretta Offord and Delores Ambush, whose children are old enough to have grown up watching and listening to the Jackson Five, said despite what troubles the singer faced, his musical legacy is set.

"He let his light shine wherever he went and performed," Offord said. "I wouldn't compare him to anyone else -- he had his own thing. He was like nobody else."

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