Freddie Robertson
There is no place for social activity with a family oriented environment in the community. It is something I have envisioned in the community for several years, but there was no one hearing what I was saying. Everyone I talked with would say “it sounds good” and “we need to do it,” but no one was doing anything. I’m only one person and the congregation here is small, but we are seeking.
If I begin to do something maybe others will catch the vision and see that it’s about us working together to better the community. I would love to see a multi-purpose facility for the whole family to come: quilting here, basketball in the gym, lifting weights, cooking classes.... How nice would it be and how useful would our seniors feel if they had their grandchildren and other little girls around them that they could interest in quilting?
The perfect neutral location I can’t say, but I do know that the vision is for the entire community. I tried for years and no one was hearing me, so I went to Rising Star Church and presented my vision to them. We began to try to erect a family life center that will be good for the community at large, black, white, non-denominational would be welcome. I want it to be neutral for the whole community. I would also be willing to create in a community effort in which everyone is involved. I would love to see a community building be done in such a way that it would draw everyone to be involved with the raising of the building.
Every gathering that we've been able to gather both blacks and whites together everyone has had a great time, and that brings joy to my heart. We had Thanksgiving service together at the Presbyterian church, and at Christmas everyone was excited. We were all just one. As soon as the meeting is over everyone goes back into their shell. I don’t understand it. Anything that we see that is working we should try it more often. I don’t feel that the pastor should wait until Thanksgiving to have a community fellowship, if we see how great we can come together on Thanksgiving. We are waiting an entire year to smile and laugh and shake hands and hug!
If we can find a way to involve as many from the community as possible in a hands-on situation from the youngest to the oldest, that will be more help to this area than anything else. After erecting the building, there would need to be a sense of equality, a sense that everyone would feel they had an equal part in the operation of the facility. I think that would be most important part. I am 100% for helping enhance Greensboro and Hale County. If something doesn’t come about to keep us here and draw us here, people will move to Tuscaloosa. We’ve got to do something, and do it in a hurry. It’s the joy of seeing the dream come to reality!
Freddie Robertson
Pastor, Rising Star Baptist Church. Greensboro, Alabama
Outsidein. A Community Space for Hale County.
outsidein: a community space for hale county. build space with your voice.
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