My trip to Cincinnati on Memorial Day weekend (May 25-27) for an interview with Civil Rights Icon Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth was a great experience. When he was in his 30′s and I was a teen in high school, he sought school integration for his children. He was one of my heros. So it was a very special learning experience for me to help interview him-like talking to a history book.

We are both from Alabama. John Halford and George Hart led the interview and I asked questions and shared some of my experiences.

Rev. Shuttlesworth is well-known as a civil rights worker along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was beaten many times, his house was bombed and he was thrown across the room on his mattress unharmed. The mattress’ springs basically crumbled underneath him. He was arrested about 38 times. ONE THING THAT COMES THROUGH LOUD AND CLEAR IS HIS CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS! He is now co-writing a book at age 85. It should be powerful.

The interview was more of a long “conversation” than a regular interview. This gave way to a lot of spontaneity. Our aim is to use some of it for future publication and audio tape for the church and ORM.

I gave the sermon on Sunday (Pentecost) in the congregation pastored by ORM Chapter Leader George Hart. Following the message and communion we had a lively Q&A session! The congregation is turned on and responsive. They have been very intentional in their reconciliation work. It shows. The Harts are well loved.

Just before I went up to give the sermon Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and his wife Sapphira walked in. They stayed through the rest of the service and participated in part of the Q&A session. He had spoken in the congregation a few weeks previously.