OrlandoCommunityNews

Here’s something that residents in Pine Hills and surrounding communities should know: 

There’s a community meeting planned for Tuesday, August 18 at 7 p.m. about a proposal to rezone some property behind the Winn Dixie shopping center (Silver Star Road) to bring a Lynx Transit Transfer Center to Pine Hills. (At corner of Silver Star and Belco, near the intersection of Pine Hills Road and Silver Star Road)

At the meeting, officials seeking the zoning change will present their request and answer any questions residents may have. Orange County staff will be on hand as well. No doubt there will be discussion on the pros and cons of the change from medium density residential to commercial property for the bus transfer center. Medium density residential zoning has up to 20 dwelling units per acre.

The subject property is located behind the Winn Dixie shopping center and adjacent to the Forrest Park subdivision. There are several apartment complexes nearby. Residents who live in the area and other concerned residents, as well as business and community leaders are urged to attend the meeting, to hear the plans and ask questions.

The meeting will be held at the Pine  Community Center, 6408 Jennings Drive, Orlando, FL 32818 (Pine Hills). 

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It has become an annual “must worship experience” around this time in Central Florida: The Seven Last Sayings of Christ (From the Cross). The special worship program typically takes place on Good Friday from 12 to 3 p.m. to coincide with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and what scripture reveals he said from the cross. Preachers from the local community expound on Christ’s words and deliver powerful sermonettes, packed with new revelations of the same scriptures highlighted each year. It’s when Pastor Randolph Bracy Jr. (Retired, New Covenant Baptist Church, Orlando) paints the picture with words of the scene at Calvary and when he takes out his handkerchief and swats at another preachers bringing their messages real good. It’s when a soloist belts out the traditional  “Calvary” Gospel song until the people in the congregation rise to their feet and get happy (clap, dance and/or shout unto The Lord). It’s when Pastor Terence Gray (St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church, Orlando) talks back to whomever is preaching, shouting, “work!” While the Good Friday program got started locally at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Eatonville (Pastor Willie C Barnes), it or some variation of it has spread throughout Central Florida. This year it will not only be held at Macedonia in Eatonville but at other churches including St. Mark and St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Orlando (Pastor Rolous Frazier Jr.). Several other churches such as The Truth Nation Church, Orlando (Pastor Andre Williams) will host a Seven Last Sayings of Jesus Christ program in the evening around 7. Over the past several years members of the local ministerial alliance – African American Council of Christian Clergy – have participated in some sort of community outreach as a part of the Seven Last Sayings of Christ worship. This year the focus is on stopping illiteracy. In the past, participating churches collected non- perishable food items to stock pantries at local schools for students and their families, most likely homeless and often with little or no food. Here are several of the  locations for Seven Last Sayings of Christ – Good Friday worship: Macedonia: 412 E. Kennedy Boulevard, Eatonville, FL 32751 St. Mark: 1968 Bruton Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32805 St. John: 30 Fred L. Maxwell Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32805 The Truth Nation Churxh, 6831 Edgewater Commerce Parkway, Orlando, FL 31810. Check your local church for other Seven Last Saying of Christ and Easter /Resurrection Sunday events.