INTRODUCING...

The 2013-2014 Rites of Passage Program Candidates!!!

The invitations have been extended and accepted and the 2013-2014 ROPP candidates are established.
This year's candidates will experience a wide range of activities and relationships that will enhance their personal development and position them to succeed at whatever goals they establish for themselves.

Here they are:


Leander Brieon Thompson
Leander is a sophomore at McCallum High School where he is a student volunteer and a member of the McCallum Knights track team.  He is a member of the South Austin Neighborhood Center and enjoys listening to music, taking walks and hanging out with his friends in his spare time.
At Metropolitan, Leander is an active member of YPD and was recognized as an Outstanding Student in the 2013 Confirmation Class. Leander is the grandson of Juanita Maxfield.

Leander said:
"I feel that ROPP will be a good experience for me because I heard it's the transition into young adulthood. This will help me grow physically and mentally. This will also teach me different skills that I can use in the real world. I'm just excited about the things we are about to learn and the challenges we are about to take on. I feel confident about the ROPP requirements. I know I will be able to meet them for the most part. Of course, things happen, but hopefully everything goes well. I'm looking forward to working with everyone this year."




Tiffany Mariah Henderson
Tiffany is the daughter of Gerald and Mary Henderson and the granddaughter of the late Gerald Henderson and Carrie Henderson. Tiffany has served as Metropolitan YPD Financial Secretary, is a praise dancer and was a member of the 2013 Confirmation class. She is a sophomore at Smithville High School. She is a Smithville cheerleader and tennis player and is also a member of the Smooth Moves dance company in Smithville. Tiffany has been a Girl Scout for years and volunteers with the Family Crisis Center.When she is not busy doing any of these things, Tiffany enjoys hanging out with her friends and family. 
Just FYI: Tiffany enjoys cooking and helping others. She HATES spiders!

Tiffany said:
"I think ROPP would be a good experience for me. The lessons that we will be learning and going over this year can help me and strengthen me in many ways. I'm very excited to learn new things and experience things that I normally don't do or see.
The requirements will be taken very seriously because it is important that I get everything out of ROPP as I can. We are going to be the example for next year ROPP candidates, so we need to  know our stuff at all times just in case somebody needs an update. :0)
I believe ROPP will help me in my spiritual and everyday life."

Sterlin Rivers
Sterlin is the son of Monic Atkinson and the grandson of Patricia Atkinson. Sterlin is a freshman at Elgin High School where he is an all around athlete, playing on the basketball and football teams and running on the track team.  Outside of school, Sterlin is a member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), playing with the Capital City Ballers. Staying physically active is one of Sterlin's favorite things to do. When he has time, he goes to the local rec center and takes energizing walks in his neighborhood.

Sterlin said:
"I think that the ROPP program will be a good experience for me to connect with Father God and learn different aspects of life. I think that ROPP will be fun and interesting. To be honest, I feel that the ROPP requirements come with responsibility and being flexible with my planning will help me fulfill the requirements as a ROPP participant."

Zuri Anaya Davis
Zuri is the daughter of Malachi Davis and Lisa Grant Davis and the granddaughter of Rev. Hector Grant and Ms. Hertha Black Grant. Zuri is a 9th grader at Harmony Science Academy- North Austin where she is regularly recognized for her strong character and positive attitude. Zuri has been a member of the HSA-NA track and basketball teams and plans to include cross country in the coming year. Zuri is active in the youth ministry at Metropolitan, serving as a youth leader of the Praise Dance ministry, Secretary for the YPD, and shed recently graduated from the 2013 Confirmation Class.


Zuri said:
"I think ROPP will teach me how to be a better leader. I think is better to lead than to follow. I think it will also give me a lot of experiences with different things. I also hope it will help me mature." I think that meeting the requirements will be a little challenging, but I am willing to take it. I feel if I do, I will become a more responsible and mature young lady. I think ROPP will push me to more involved in things and find ways to be more helpful."






ROPP Retreat 2013

Despite a few obstacles presented by Mother Nature and our conflicting schedules, the ROPP Retreat 2013 took place without a hitch! ROPP Candidates participated in an overnight excursion that was a combination of learning and fun!
It may have been a little more relaxed than we planned, but rest and down time seemed to be appreciated by all of us! Take a moment to check out a few of the pictures from the retreat in the slideshow!

We Are Black History!

Black History was the ROPP Core Focus for February. Although we had to postpone the originally scheduled Black History exhibit, we rescheduled it for the last Sunday of the month--and it was worth the wait!

Several LONG-standing Metropolitan members displayed their historical artifacts and ROPP candidates as well as church members got to learn even more about our rich history! Sis. Joyce Jordan shared her family's collected church directories and publications that chronicled Metropolitan's origins in West Austin, founding of Paul Quinn college and current facility. Sis. Ada Harden had a vast array of photographs of Metropolitan members over the years, as well as her visits with accomplished performers and celebrities. Rev. Floyd Baker displayed his precious periodical and photograph collection of his family and personal history. The Honorable Judge Scott shared photos and newspaper clippings that depicted his campaign and tenure as the first black county judge, which has led to a precint facility named in his honor. Bro. Gerald Rowland presented an extensive collection of African and Black American cultural artifacts that vividly depicted our journey from the Motherland to our present day struggles and victories here in America.

Following the presentations, the ROPP family and guests sat down to enjoy a family style meal of fried chicken, collard greens, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, ice cold drinks, peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream.

We cannot take these opportunities and privileges for granted. We honor our foreparents for the struggles they endured to make them possible.

Spring is Here! Garden Time

ROPP Candidates De'Voreaux and DaJour joined Caitlin and Nathan for February's Community Garden event. Nathan helped them mulch and prep four garden beds and showed them how the irrigation hoses are set up. Caitlin brought out an assortment of seeds and helped guide them through a planting design.

Devoreaux planted lettuce and Cilantro. DaJour planted collard greens, carrots and snap peas! We can't wait to see them grow!

Bro. Anthony made a lot of progress in clearing the chicken coop and stocking up the compost!

DaJour's little brother and sister entertained themselves in the chicken coop and in the playscape being built!

It was a great day for gardening!




UPDATE!!
Sis. Lisa went by the garden on Sunday, 3/17, and saw that the harvest has begun!
Can you identify the crops?




Brother to Brother

The January Core Focus Meeting was primarily about goal setting and taking a good look at how our decisions affect the lives we have. Eric Brown sat down with the ROPP Candidates and spent the morning listening to the candidates and sharing valuable information he has gained through his personal, educational, military and professional experience.




January Core Focus Challenge:
  • Identify one personal goal you have for yourself.
  • Write an essay, at least one full page length about this goal. Be sure to include the following:
    • Why this goal is important to achieve (1 full paragraph minimum)
    • What obstacles you may face in achieving this goal, and how you can plan to overcome them (1 full paragraph minimum)
    • What other individuals may be able to help you reach this goal?
    • How will you celebrate achieving this goal?
  • Be sure to create a cover page with your name, date, and a title for your essay
  • Essay is to be created in MS Word, with no larger than 12 pt font, and no greater than 1.5 line space
  • Due date: January 31, 2013, 11:59 PM


2012 Quiz Bowl a Huge Success!


Here are the 2012-2013 ROPP Candidates! They stood and competed in the 2012 IRON SHARPENS IRON Scholastic Bowl on Sunday, November 18th. Although the young men of Drum Majors, Inc left with the championship, the ROPP-ites held their own! The first round was tied, with both teams answering questions on a wide range of questions, from Geography, Religion, Science, Music and more!
The Drum Majors pulled away by the end of the bowl, but everyone agrees that the quiz bowl was enjoyable, informative and exciting!
Spoken word artists, La Love Robinson and Element 615 offered refreshing breaks between the rounds. Sharing skillfully crafted words of wisdom. power and motivation, they both inspired and awed the assembled crowd.




Let's ROPP and Bowl!

On November 18th, ROPP-ites will compete with The Drum Majors of Round Rock in IRON SHARPENS IRON, the 2012 Scholastic Quiz Bowl.
The two teams met each other and participated in a practice session. Team Captain Devoreaux greeted the Drum Majors and Candidate Gabriel led a tour of our church facility.
ROPP Candidate Gabriel serves as tour guide.
Candidate Devoreaux and Drum Major Mitchell work together.

Pastor Mkwanazi greets Drum Major Leaders, Ron and Nicki Sullivan.

Drum Majors Program Director, Nicki Sullivan and
ROPP Director, Lisa Grant Davis