Wo'se
Community Church is a Community of the Way. THE WAY IS MA'AT - TRUTH, JUSTICE
AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. We believe the teachings of our elders and our ancestors
that the Creator God created the Universe and all life, and has placed in each
of us a part of the Divine Spirit. God living in us and through us has given us
the right and the power to establish peace and justice in all human life, and
true harmony with all of creation. Our Way is not merely ritual or belief; Our
Way is a Way of Life.
Our Way is not a random path. Our Way begins with coherent understanding. It is
a Way that aims at preserving knowledge of who we are. It is with this conviction
that we study the rich heritage of our African people. The Way is reciprocity.
The Way is wholeness. The Way is Unity and Self-Determination. It is Creativity,
Collective Work and Responsibility. Our Way is Faith, Purpose and Cooperative
Economics. The Way knows no oppression. Our Way creates, Our Way worships and
praises the God of our ancestors. The Way is life, The Way destroys only destruction.§
Interview
with Minister Imhotep Alkebulan
(2004)
Q: What
is the significance of the name Wo'se?
A:
Wo'se means scepter or seat of authority. It's an Ethiopian word. The way it is
written in the hieroglyph is the 'was' staff with an ostrich feather on top. The
significance is that it is the first great city and all the other cities are named
after it. This is from a 19th dynastic tapestry. It's also known as the "City
of a Hundred Gates". It is the seat of learning. Chancellor Williams said
in the Destruction of Black Civilization said that at one point they could disperse
20,ooo war chariots.
Q:
Can you give
us a short history of Wo'se?
A: Oakland
Wo'se began December 7, 1980. It was founded by two ministers at Allen Temple
Baptist Church; Rev. William E. Calhoun and, then Min. Timothy Sowell, which is
now Mxolisi Ozo-Sowonde. We began in a Masonic lodge on Galindo Street. We went
from there to a Scottish Rite Temple downtown on Madison. Then we moved from there
to the present position on 8924 Holly Street. Ile Omode School was founded approximately
1986. We've had some business ventures, also. We had the Nile Valley Produce Market
for two years on San Pablo. Then around 1984-1985, Wo'se Sacramento came into
being. We started coming from Oakland and they would have Thursday meetings. One
of them was Minister Calhoun and his sister, Marilyn. She was from England and
had a strong British accent. We'd meet in places like Oba T'Chaka's shop he had
here on Broadway. Then they evolved to the Sunday worship, worshipping in different
peoples' homes. Then after about a year of that, we started meeting at the Black
Reparatory Theatre on 7th and Stockton. (Now we are at 2683 -35th Street off of
Broadway). We've seen a lot of people graduate and move on and they carry the
word of Wo'se with them, the word of Ma'at. It's been 24 years of Wo'se Oakland
and the 19th year of Wo'se Sacramento.
Q:
How
would you describe the movement of Wo'se?
A: African
People's Community Church Movement. Our movement is just to be a part of God's
revelation to African people. We don't consider ourselves the whole movement,
but we're just a part. Our vision is to build a people and create community wherever
we are and to restore the concepts of Ma'at among our people.
Q:
What
do you see as the future of Wo'se?
A: Wo'se
was originally the center of education and that's what I see as our future, to
educate our people. Not necessarily to make them ancient Egyptians, but to bring
the concept of Ma'at and make it alive in the 21st century. Also, our future is
providing institutions that support our way of life and to provide food spiritually,
mentally and physically for our people.§
