Stories from the Pews

About the Book

Stories from the Pews, G. Modele “Dale” Clarke’s second book of short stories, is a collection of narratives about peculiar people and traditions in the black church. While not focused on any particular denomination, they represent a composite of church folk who make church membership and attendance such a fascinating experience. Because the black church embraces a complex diversity of cultures, social values, and spiritual manifestations, it’s impossible to stereotype black church folk. Consequently, these stories draw from the conflicts of church membership status, the power of entrenched family hierarchies, and the supremacy of embedded church traditions.

About the Author

Rev. Dr. G. Modele Clarke was born in Trinidad, West Indies. He is senior pastor at New Progressive Baptist Church in Kingston, New York, and has lectured and ministered in Uganda, Trinidad, Grand Cayman Island and Puerto Rico. A retired faculty member with the School of Communication and the Arts, Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York, Clarke taught several journalism-related classes. He graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz and from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He was a journalist and public relations practitioner before joining Marist College. He received his masters of divinity (M.Div) and doctor of ministry (DMin) from Trinity Theological Seminary. He also studied at the New York Theological Seminary where he was the recipient of the Benjamin Mays Fellowship. Clarke lives in Port Ewen, New York, with his wife, Evelyn. Cover Art: Frank Waters, 1209 Arts