Harrisburg’s historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church predates the Civil War

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released Along the Bethel Trail: The Journey of an African American Faith Community presented by Friends of the Bethel Trail.

About the Book:

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Harrisburg, 1835 – 2015

Throughout its history, the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Harrisburg has been a critical link in the chain of places, people, and events that bind and strengthen Pennsylvania’s quest for equity, parity, and social justice. Along the Bethel Trail is an anthology of articles by area authors, scholars and humanists that guides readers through the history of this resilient congregation in relationship to the legacy and impact on the community that it serves. Each contributing author writes of a specific historical period and geographic site where the church was located. From that vantage point, the authors explore the social and civic engagement of the congregation and its leadership in time and place, as the church and surrounding communities were continuously uprooted to make room for the expanding state capitol complex. Together their articles frame the impact of the church and congregation on the development of Harrisburg’s diverse community. The combined articles also articulate the struggle of Harrisburg’s African-American community for economic development, sustainability, and a sense of place over the past 180 years.

The anthology of articles supports the eight paneled interpretive signage and self-guided experience along Harrisburg’s Bethel Trail. Discover the location of Bethel’s first church at the current Amtrak station, key 19^thcentury sites at Harrisburg’s Forum, Fountain, and Justice buildings along Commonwealth Ave, its 20^th century site at 6^th and Herr and Bethel’s current 21^st century home in midtowns at 1721 N.5^th street.

Along the Bethel Trail: The Journey of an African American Faith Community
Authored by Lenwood O. Sloan, Nancy Mendes, and Michael L. Barton
List Price: $29.95
Hardcover: 60 pages
Publisher: Sunbury Press, Inc. (April 15, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 162006586X
ISBN-13: 978-1620065860
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 11 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
BISAC: History / African American

For more information, please see:
http://www.sunburypressstore.com/Along-the-Bethel-Trail-9…

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The Klan comes to the Langdon plantation in this Reconstruction-era novel by C. James Gilbert

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released C. James Gilbert’s second novel “A Darker Shade of Freedom.”

About the Book:

The sequel to “A Deeper Sense of Loyalty”…

When the Confederate States of America was defeated in 1865, the masses of oppressed and impoverished blacks were freed; that is to say that the practice of slavery was forever outlawed by the U.S. Constitution. But James Langdon of Macon, Georgia knew before the war ended that it would be a very long time before the black race would be accepted as social equals.

Having seen a slave beaten for trying to escape from his father’s plantation, James was then, there and forevermore pitted against the evils of bigotry. However, in the immediate years after the war; an enemy, a most formidable foe was born in Nashville, Tennessee and was called the Ku Klux Klan.

To ignite the inferno which would rage between Langdon Plantation and the Klan, a secret that only James’s wife, parents, and sisters knew about became public knowledge. Once the secret was revealed the conflict began; a very devastating conflict.

A true believer in God’s will, James joins forces with his black neighbors to stand against tyranny and those who would try to exercise power over them. He would never be satisfied until America recognized all Americans as equal; both black and white.

A Darker Shade of Freedom

Authored by C. James Gilbert

List Price: $16.95
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
Black & White on White paper
280 pages
Sunbury Press, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1620063859
ISBN-10: 1620063859
BISAC: Fiction / Historical
Soon to be available on Kindle and Nook

For more information, please see:

http://www.sunburypressstore.com/A-Darker-Shade-of-Freedo…

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Former slaves battle the Klan in this Reconstruction-era action adventure by Lane Heymont

Mechanicsburg, PA – Sunbury Press has released Lane Heymont’s debut novel pitting two former slaves against the Ku Klux Klan in this post-Civil War era action adventure novel “The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff.”

The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jeb, a former slave, rescues his brother-in-law Crispus from the Ku Klux Klan, pulling him into a world of Creole Voodoo, hatred, time travel, and redemption. The two brothers-in-law set out to stop Verdiss and his Klan followers from using the Pharaoh’s Staff, a magical artifact from ancient Egypt. Soon, Jeb and Crispus learn Verdiss’ diabolical plan and discover that he is working for an even more evil force. In the end Jeb and Crispus must stop the eradication of an entire people and each must find redemption for his own past sins.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lane Heymont was born in Pennsylvania. He has been a lifelong reader and writer. As a child, his grandfather would pay him $5 to read the best literature had to offer. Such titles included “Ivanhoe”, “the Iliad”, “the Odyssey”, “A Tale of Two Cities”, and more. Ironically, as a lover of fantasy and medieval adventures…he hated “Ivanhoe” with a passion.
He earned a BA in Liberal Arts with a focus on literature and history. He also holds a double minor in psychology and business. After college, Lane turned his focus back to writing. He has several short stories published and his debut novel, “The Freedman and the Pharaoh’s Staff” is his debut novel.

Lane belongs to a number of professional organizations including the Horror Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, the Association of Writers & Writing Programs along with the National Writers Union. He also belongs to the Infinite World of Fantasy Authors.

When Lane’s not writing stories, he writes freelance for various websites on a range of topics. He focuses mainly on science, astrophysics, environmental studies, including Global Warming.

He currently attends Harvard University in Extension, pursuing an MLA in creative writing.

The Freedman and the Pharoah’s Staff
Authored by Lane Heymont
List Price: $16.95
5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
Black & White on White paper
286 pages
Sunbury Press, Inc.
ISBN-13: 978-1620061626
ISBN-10: 1620061627
BISAC: Fiction / Historical

For more information, please see:
http://www.sunburypressstore.com/The-Freedman-and-the-Pha…

Also available on Kindle and Nook

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