The theme of this year’s Black History Month is ‘African Americans and
the Arts.” It is a rich theme to explore with the increasingly
influential cultural contributions of Black Americans; one recent
example is the Christmas Day 2023 opening of the new musical version
of the film “The Color Purple,” which made a near-record $18 million
dollars at the box office. As Black History Month 2024 begins, Rev.
Dr. Gaye Morris invites you into the spiritual practice of
film-watching; seeing the Black American experience through film can
be a valuable way to open our hearts and steel our resolve to
transform our society and our country as the struggle for racial
justice continues into 2024.

Prior to this worship service congregants may find that viewing the award-nominated movie, One Night in Miami  (a fictional account of one incredible night where icons Muhammed Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered discussing their roles) would complement this message.  

The Rev. Dr. Gaye Morris lives in Manteo NC with the Rev. David
Morris, their great-grandson Oliver, and three goofy hound dogs. Gaye
was ordained in 2013 and served until 2019 as the full-time minister
of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, GA. She and David are
both retired from active ministry. Gaye teaches online courses in
Communication as an adjunct instructor with Augusta University,
Augusta GA. Her academic interest has always been in theology and
film, with two books published on the subject. Her interest in film
continues as the Curator of the newly created Outer Banks Film
Society.