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    On Sunday, July 5, 1992, Macedonia Baptist Church celebrated its 124th anniversary. The congregation was founded in 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War. Sarah Ann Shepherd Oxford was born in 1877, and Mance Oxford was born a year later in 1878. The first minister at Macedonia was a Rev. Whitfield. The cornerstone of the present church building indicates that the church was constructed in 1881 and was re-built in 1943, during the ministry of Rev. J.E. Brown. According to a list that was in the possession of Mrs. Annie Lee Oxford, the following are the ministers that have served Macedonia during its 124 year history:

Rev. Whitfield

Rev. W.B. Davis (served 20 years)

Rev. Lee Marshall (served 8 years)

Rev. Allen Dawn (served 4 years)

Rev. Ben Vicks (served 4 years)

Rev. Gen Giford (served 3 years)

Rev. Kelley (served 4 years)

Rev. R. Shepherd (4 years) *Sarah Oxford's cousin

Rev. J.E. Brown (served 37 years) 1934-1971

Rev. L.C. Hines (served 6 years) 1973-1979

Rev. James Carter (served 4 years) 1979-1983

Rev. Melvin McCluster - 1984 -

    At times, one or more years elapsed between the tenure of the various ministers. With the exception of Rev. Brown and the ministers that followed him, the specific time period that each minister served was not listed.

    During most of its history, Macedonia has shared its ministers with other churches. Generally, the minister has held service at Macedonia on the 1st Sunday of the month. On the other Sundays, the ministers have served other churches. On the Sundays when they are without a minister, members of Macedonia may attend other churches or they may attend the Macedonia Sunday School which meets every Sunday.

    Even though their membership is small, the Macedonia congregation has made many improvements in the facilities of the church. They have added an annex and a pastor's study to the building. They have also added air-conditioning, carpeting, repaired the roof, installed padded seats, and made other improvements to the building. Members of the congregation also maintain the cemetery behind the church. Given the small size of the congregation the membership can always use outside financial support to assist with maintaining the church and grounds. Anyone wishing to support the church should make checks or money orders payable to Macedonia Baptist Church, and send to: Mrs. Annie Lee Oxford, 1342 Augusta Alley N.E., Dawson GA 31742.

    Ms. Kenyarta Tamara Asberry and Andre LeNorris Fordham have been selected as the recipients of the 1992 "Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship." Both Kenyarta and Andre received checks for $500.

    Kenyarta Asberry is 18 years old and a recent graduate of Terrell Middle High School in Dawson Georgia. She is the daughter of Henderson Myers and Valeri Asberry, and the granddaughter of Arcolia "Teck" Myers.

    Kenyarta graduated from high school with a "B" average. Her high school activities included the following: cheerleader from 9th-12th grades; member of the vocational club; 1st place in home economics regional competition and 3rd place in the state competition; coordinated two black history programs for her school; attended Upward Bound at Albany State College; member of "Teens In Action" (peer counseling organization); and Miss Terrell Middle High School, 1991-92.

    Kenyarta is a member of the Atoc A.M.E. Church and sings with the church's "Voices of Inspiration Choir." She also serves as secretary for the Sunday School.

    Kenyarta will enroll in Albany Vocational Technical School in the fall. She wants to become a micro-computer specialist.

Andre LeNorris Fordham ("Tony") graduated from Apopka High School, in Apopka, Florida. Andre is the son of Lawrence and Jean Fordham (grandson of the late Arie D. Fordham Jackson). He graduated with a 3.6 cumulative grade point average, and was ranked 51 in a graduating class of 450. Andre's high school activities included the following: National Honor Society; National Spanish Honor Society (Andre was president of his school's chapter); Future Business Leaders of America (president of his school's chapter); Pre-Collegiate Club; Spanish Club; attended Morehouse Summer Science Institute; attended University of Central Florida Academic Enrichment Program; participated in Central Florida Junior Achievement Youth Leadership Program; and participated in Congressional Youth Leadership Council.

Andre was vice-president of the Macedonia Free Methodist Youth Consortium, he was secretary of his Sunday School, and coach of the youth basketball team.

    In the fall, Andre will attend Florida A & M University where he will major in biology. His goal is to become a pediatrician.

    On behalf of the entire Oxford clan, we extend our very best wishes to Kenyarta and Andre ("Tony"). We hope that their examples will inspire other youngsters in the family to work hard and do their very best in all of their pursuits. We further urge our entire family to lift up all of our young people in your prayers. God has truly blessed our entire family.

    High school seniors-to-be!! Plan now to apply for the 1993 "Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship." Look for guidelines and details in the next issue of the newsletter.

    We have received several contributions to the "Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship" fund since the last newsletter. The following persons sent in contributions: Mr. Loverture Carter - $50; Mrs. Fleta Carter (wife of Loverture) - $50; and Mr. James Gadson - $50.

    Charlene E. Carter sends a special birthday greeting to her daughter--Katrina Nichole Carter. On May 27, 1992, Katrina celebrated her 16th birthday. Katrina is entering the 11th grade at West Lake High School in College Park, Georgia. She is the grand-daughter of Reggie and Naomi Carter of Butler, Georgia. Happy birthday Katrina, and best wishes in your 11th grade year.

    Andrea Fordham is the younger sister of Andre Fordham (Oxford Scholarship recipient). Andrea is a student at Apopka Memorial Middle School where she is on the Honor Roll and is a school cheerleader. During the past school year she had perfect attendance. She is the daughter of Lawrence and Jean Fordham. Congratulations Andrea.

    The next issue of the Oxford Family Newsletter will be published in January. Please send news about your family so that we can share it with the entire family. By sharing our trials and triumphs, we may in fact inspire each other. In the words of Marcus Garvey, "What you do that is worthwhile today, may inspire someone at some future time." Let us remember to always Keep our hand in God's hand, and give Him the credit for all of the good that we do. Send your news items and other material to:

Monroe Fordham

49 Calvert Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY 14150

716-694-5096

Editorial

    As we look around and survey the events and developments in our communities, our state, our nation and indeed the world, it's difficult to maintain an attitude of optimism and confidence about the future. The recent series of events in Los Angeles and the underlying conditions in our cities, the widespread evidence of greed and corruption at all levels of government, from the S & L scandals to the world-wide BCCI banking scandal, are unsettling to say the least.

    In addition, the regional wars and senseless slaughter of hundreds of thousands of innocent people goes on all around the world from Yugoslavia, to Cambodia, to South Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and many other places that we don't even know about. Moreover, tens of thousands of people will die this year from famine and disease simply because people and nations refuse to work together to solve human problems. And the drug cartel is making billions of dollars by selling death, misery, and destruction around the world. There are many more examples which suggest that the world is hell-bent on self-destruction.

To get a clear understanding of what's going on in the world today, we need to look beyond the names and places that are in the headlines. Corruption in high places, immorality, death, destruction, and chaos, etc., etc.; are merely symptoms of a larger problem. In our efforts, as parents, to prepare our children for the world that they will face; and in order to prepare ourselves to handle the realities of the modern world, we need to be conscious of the real enemy that threatens our families and our communities.

    The Apostle Paul identifies the real problem in Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

We live in a world that is in a permanent state of war. The real war is not between nations, it does not involve "flesh and blood." The real war is between "principalities." Stated another way, the world is in a constant state of war between two powerful spiritual forces--good and evil. The forces of God are at war with the forces of Satan. Since Satan's purpose is to create chaos and cause misery, destruction, and death, it would appear that Satan has gained temporary control of the modern world. Here I emphasize the word temporary.

    We must teach our children that they live in a world in which God and Satan are competing in trying to win converts to their respective armies. Every day of our children's lives, they will have to make choices between good and evil. Inevitably, through their actions, they will either serve God or the devil. In the long run, their choice is between "life and peace", on the one hand, and "death and destruction" on the other. If they reject Satan and choose God, that choice is for life. "For whoever finds me finds life." (Proverbs 8:35)

    But what's the problem, one might ask, any sensible person will choose "life and peace" over "death and destruction". That brings us to the point of this editorial. If the options were clear, most would choose "life and peace." However, for young people (and older people too) the choice may not be obvious. Usually Satan disguises his bitter pill in an attractive and harmless looking package. For instance, drugs equal death and self-destruction, but they come in a package that makes you feel good (at least for a while). Another example, immorality and going from one sex partner to another may be good for the ego, but in the long run it could mean VD, broken families, and even death from A.I.D.s.

    Satan is a slick and an effective recruiter, he uses gang bangers, hard-headed teenagers, weak men who won't face their responsibilities as men, and generally people who refuse to do right, to spread chaos, pain, and destruction through our families and communities. No matter how Satan disguises his appeal, his ultimate aim is always the same, that is, to cause chaos, destruction, pain, and death.

How can we avoid becoming entrapped in the clutches of Satan? The answer is simple to say but not so easy to do. The simple answer is to choose "life and peace" over "death and destruction." But Satan is cunning, he knows our weaknesses and he knows how to lure us into his trap by tempting us with the things that we can't resist. Our only hope for escape from Satan is to keep our hand in God's hand and ask for God's protection from the temptations and dangers of the world in which we live--a world that is temporarily under Satan's control.

    To young parents I say, pray for your children and keep them in the church and Sunday School so that they can learn to fear God and the devil, and so that they can learn to trust in God and believe that he can protect them from the world.

    "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

Monroe Fordham

    This is to announce that the Mance and Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship for 1992 is now open for applications. The scholarship award, in the amount of $500 will be made in August, 1992. The purpose of the award is to encourage and assist high school graduates who are relatives of, or members of families related to the Oxford clan.

1. Applicant must be a relative of, or a member of a family related to a descendent of the Oxford clan.

2. Applicant must be a high school senior who plans to attend college or a trade school following high school graduation.

(Letter of application must include the following)

1. Name, address, phone number, etc.

2. Statement explaining your relationship to the Oxford clan or related families.

3. Statement explaining your vocational or professional goals in life.

4. A copy of your high school transcript.

5. A copy of your letter of acceptance from the college or trade school that you plan to attend.

6. The application deadline is July 1, 1992.

Mance & Sarah Ann Oxford Scholarship

49 Calvert Blvd.

Tonawanda, NY 14150

    We will provide an accounting of scholarship contributions by listing all contributions in the newsletter. We will try to give at least one $500 scholarship each year. Since our reunion last year, Mrs. Dorothy Telafare sent in $25, and Mr. Reggie Carter sent in $100 for the Mance and Sarah Oxford Scholarship.

    We have been informed that Demetrius M. Smith, a 1991 graduate of Macon County high school and one of the 1991 recipients of the Oxford Scholarship, is a freshman at Valdosta (GA) State College studying Criminal Justice and Political Science. Demetrius was recently inducted into the Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity. He is also in the pre-law program at VSC. Demetrius is the son of Cynthia Y. Carter-Smith and SSG Wallace Smith (stationed in Germany), and the grandson of Reggie and Naomi Carter of Butler GA.

    Terry Rucker (another recipient) of the 1991 Oxford scholarship is a freshman at Bethune Cookman College (Daytona FL). Terry is an education major. She is also a member of the Bethune Gospel Choir. Terry is the daughter of Rose Mary Rucker and the Granddaughter of Rose and the late Otis Oxford.

    Deborah Allen, daughter of Mrs. Vera Mae Thomas and granddaughter of the late Arie D. Fordham Jackson, is earning quite a reputation as a college basketball official. Last winter Deborah was selected to officiate at the Southeast Conference (SEC) Women's NCAA basketball championship tournament at Statesboro GA.

    Loverture Carter recently retired after many years as a truck driver for a Hartford CT firm. However, if you know Loverture you know that he can't sit down. I was informed that he has taken a part-time job with Clark, Bell and Bell Funeral Home in Hartford.

    Earlier this year Willie Whaley of Parrott GA died. (Uncle Willie) was formerly married to Martha Fay Oxford (Aunt Martha) of Hartford CT.