Freedom House Church in NC requested ‘only white’ greeters

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The lead pastor of Freedom House Church in North Carolina sent an e-mail to her congregation requesting that “only white people” serve as greeters.

Carmen Thomas, an African-American member of the church, reached out to WBTV upon receiving the e-mail.

“I was floored,” Thomas said during an interview with the local station. “Like it was a jaw dropper. You can put a white face all over the front door. But when you come through those doors, you’re going to see African-Americans, you’re gonna see Asians. You’re going to see people of color.”

Paster Makeda Pennycooke, a black woman, is the author of the controversial e-mail.

In the e-mail Pastor Pennycooke says “first impressions matter” and that the church wants “the best of the best on the front doors.”

Thomas said she knew what the minister was saying.

“Too black. It wasn’t a conclusion that I drew. It was something I read,” she said.

“Perhaps you believe that with a certain congregation that eventually your finances are going to run out because maybe we aren’t the moneymakers,” Thomas said.

Freedom House Church has apologized and has issued this statement to WBTV:  “Freedom House believes in a diverse relationship within its membership, reflecting the larger community in which the church resides, doing life together as a church representative of everyone — culturally, ethnically, economically, and generationally.”

Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.