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November 4, 2011 BOOK REVIEW: Sports novel centers on example of Christ “God sent us here to love on
Jesse Crosse By Michael J. Moran
Parkhurst Brothers Publishers, 2011
BY MARCIA DUNBAR Special Contributor
She was the most precious little
red-headed girl I’d seen all day. Six years old, with wide blue eyes beaming with excitement, and a sweetness found in the simple joy of being at a carnival. We were on a mission trip in the Delta, and I was in charge of face painting. We tried to create whatever was requested, from butterfl y masks to puppy dog faces.
Angela (not her real name)
wanted to be a tiger. She described in detail how she had won a beautiful doll and that this was the best day of her life. She then exclaimed, “Daddy said we could come here ‘cause there weren’t many black people yet.” I froze and felt my stomach
drop. Had I heard her correctly? I stopped painting and leaned in, praying that what I said next would stay with her and direct her toward thinking diff erently in spite of being taught to think in terms of color.
everyone,” I said. “We are all God’s children, and he has taught us to take care of each other no matter what color we are.” I wanted to cry. Jesse Crosse is the latest work of
Mike Moran, a local writer, retired teacher from Little Rock Catholic High School for Boys and mentor to too many to count. I normally would not pick out a sports related book on my own, but I knew that Moran had written it and I enjoyed his memoir, Proudly We Speak Your Name. I am so glad that I had the opportunity aff orded to me. An allegory based on the life
and crucifi xion of Jesus Christ, Jesse Crosse takes place during the 1960s in the fi ctional, small Southern town of Jewelton. Coach Levitson is beginning the basketball season without enough players to have a chance at succeeding in winning any games. T e book’s narrator is Luke
Anteock, the self-proclaimed team manager, or “Doc” as everyone calls him. He sets out determined to scour Jewelton High for four “dream basketball players.” Jon Mercer, a thin, bookish oddball who writes the sports section for the school newspaper, helps Doc fi nd the four needed players. In his earthly ministry, Jesus
sought out unlikely candidates for help in fulfi lling God’s plan. In this allegory, it’s up to Si Montler, Phil
Call for handbell choirs: festival at Central UMC Fayetteville
“Praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him
with resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” T e ancient cymbals mentioned in Psalm 150:5-6 are said to have resembled water pitchers with wide open necks, similar to the bells of today. Central United Methodist Church Fayetteville will
host its ninth annual handbell festival on April 27-28, 2012. T e event is for bell choirs of all denominations to come together and learn new skills, improve ringing techniques, stretch to master more challenging music, grow as ringers under the direction of respected clinicians, network with other ringers and have fun. With a “Bells, Beads, and Zydeco!” theme, festival participants will enjoy delicious New Orleans-style food,
participate in four Saturday ringing sessions to fi ne-tune the music and hone technique before presenting a public concert at the end of the day. “We are excited about this festival as a ministry extending beyond the doors of our church, because it equips
and encourages all skill levels of ringers, intermediate through advanced,” said Fenner Russell, the congregation’s director of traditional music and worship. “Extreme Ring,” an optional Friday night event for participants who wish to ring more challenging music, will
be directed by Kerry Johnston of First UMC Springdale. Johnston also serves as director of Ozark Bronze, northwest Arkansas’ auditioned community handbell ensemble. Beginners are invited to come observe and be inspired. Saturday is for ringers of all skill levels, with the intention that bell choir members return to their home
churches invigorated and with improved skills and confi dence. T e clinician is Lloyd Larson, a composer with more than 1,000 arrangements to his credit. For information or to register your choir, contact Russell at
frussell@centraltolife.com or 479-442-1824.
Arkansas United Methodist
Lipscomb, Bart Holeman and Jesse Crosse—the team’s fi rst African- American player—to lead Jewelton to the playoff s. T ese unassuming few have been sought aſt er as the saviors of the team. Coach Levitson sees instantly
the giſt s that these small-framed and gangly boys have. Most importantly, he sees the ability in Crosse to see the unseen. T e coach guides the boys to teamwork and understanding through various trials and obstacles, including being rebuked by other team members for their unique strategy of play and for the color of Jesse Crosse’s skin. In dealing with the taunts of
closed-minded people, racial slurs and death threats, Levitson teaches the team far more than athletics—he tackles hard issues like respect, honor and acceptance. Jesse Crosse delves into such
issues as pride, racism, judgment, forgiveness and the extraordinary impact one can have on another’s life. T e story runs deep, making it an excellent read for all generations. T ose who lived through the civil rights movement will remember the crushing weight of discrimination and, ultimately, the rise of equality and brotherly love. T ose who have participated in team sports will recognize the transformative impact of a coach’s guidance and mentoring to bring about honor, respect and teamwork.
And greater
still is the lesson that through Christian example, and sometimes great sacrifi ce, comes redemption and glory. Jesse Crosse
may soon appear on many required reading lists in schools. It even includes discussion questions and character defi nitions at the end of the book, which are helpful in covering all of the parallels between the story of Jesus Christ and that of Jesse Crosse. Not all of the characters are as obviously defi ned as Jesus/Jesse, but all are worth knowing. I won’t learn what will happen
to little Angela from the carnival, but I do know that thanks to a loving God and the sacrifi ce his son made, every day is a new chance for forgiveness, understanding and acceptance.
Perhaps
someday Angela will read the story of Jesse Crosse and learn that no matter what color, nationality or religion, we must all take care of one another. As Christians, that is exactly what we are called to do.
Dunbar serves as director of evangelism for St. James UMC Little Rock.
CLASSIFIEDS
PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED in the Arkansas United Methodist for 50 cents per word, no limit. Call 501-324-8005 or mail to: Arkansas United Methodist, 800 Daisy Bates Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202; or e-mail
mtaylor@arumc.org.
T e Arkansas Conference Commission on Archives and History is seeking a part-time archivist to work on the Hendrix campus. Applicants should preferably be United Methodist, have a love of history, be knowledgeable of the Arkansas Conference clergy and churches, be user-friendly with computers and basic offi ce equipment, and live in Conway or be willing to commute. Contact chairman Tyler T ompson at
tylersq@comcast.net or 501-664-3788.
10-day group tour of Ireland April 18-27, 2012, $3,069 air, lodging, 2 meals & guides, from New York. Optional pre-tour to Ellis Island. Tour hosts Jenni and Glen Duncan. Information or sign-up with jduncan@
faithspringchurch.org or 501-551-2141.
Give the giſt of mobility to disabled children and adults in developing countries by supporting T e Red T read Promise’s All Terrain Wheelchair (ATW) program. $350 sends an ATW across the globe to someone in need. For more
information visit
www.redthreadpromise.org (keyword: wheelchair) or call 817-320-6522.
Home Study: Save $$$ Christian Bible College, P.O. Box 8968 Rocky Mt., NC 27804 Phone (252) 451-1031;
www.christianbiblecollege.org.
www.arumc.org
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