Missed the Mary Mary LIVE Chat last night? That’s Okay. I decided to fill you in on some of the conversation. Fans, artists, and industry execs tuned in to Mary Mary and questions were quite interesting, but the responses even better. I even learned a few things that I didn’t know. So here’s my top 10 list of things I learned in the chat with Mary Mary.

1. Mary Mary says BET is not bringing the contest “Sunday’s Best” back!

2. Mary Mary has released the new single “Walking,” but the CD titled “Something Big” is not ready yet.

3. As it pertains to Bishop Eddie Long, the ladies said, “No one is perfect we all make mistakes.” “We should pray for both parties, nobody wins.” “Whether true or untrue its been very damaging to the church.”

4. When prompted, the ladies said they made a song with Chris Brown, but it was never released.

5. Their “Be U” book is doing good, but other Be U products have been put on hold, including the bath and body line and clothing line.

6. Mary Mary likes Christian rapper Lecrae and new artist Mali Music “is tight”. 

7. Mary Mary is going on tour with BeBe & CeCe.

8. Mary Mary said some of “The Sounds” songs that didn’t make it on the album will be on this new album with new ones as well. The album will be ready sometime at the top of the year.

9. Mary Mary won’t be at the Stellars due to a previous engagement in the Bahamas, but will try to make the BMI luncheon.

10. Mary Mary is no longer doing business with Atlanta based PZI Jeans.

Watch the entire taping On-Demand right here on PATH.

Also Read: Bishop Eddie Long’s Church, New Birth Releases Statement and So Does the Churches’ School

More news concerning the Bishop Eddie Long case broke today, as New Birth and LongFellows Youth Academy make statements. 

New Birth Missionary Baptist Church acknowledges that Bishop Eddie Long’s accusers went with him on trips, but said it could not confirm or deny whether anything inappropriate happened.

The LongFellows Youth Academy, the church’s mentoring program for males also filed responses.

The Lithonia megachurch, in its response filed in DeKalb County State Court Monday, acknowledges that the men accompanied Long on trips, in some cases overseas, but said it couldn’t explain the nature of relationships that may have existed between Long and the men.

The church said Anthony Flagg, one of the accusers, traveled with Long on trips to Tuskegee, Ala., New York and Las Vegas, but couldn’t provide further details. It said it could not “admit or deny” allegations that the two were intimate.

The response said “the church understands that Bishop Long often shared hotel rooms with members of the congregation while traveling,” but it couldn’t say whether Flagg shared a room with Long. The response was filed by attorneys with the Atlanta law firm Drew Eckl Farnham.

Long has called the plaintiffs’ allegations false. His responses to the lawsuits were filed last week.  CLICK HERE to read Eddie Long’s official response to the allegations. 

ALSO READ: Bishop Eddie Long Responds to Allegations in Court Documents

The 103rd Holy Convocation of the Church of God In Christ (COGIC) will be streaming live online all week.  The annual event is being hosted in St. Louis, MO for the first time ever.  Thank the Lord for technology, because you will be able to watch it LIVE throughout the day and night from now until November 16^th.

The convocation will feature musical performances from Smokie Norful, Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell, Jonathan Nelson, Y’Anna Crawley, the Nevels Sisters, Tamela Mann, Rance Allen, Ricky Dillard and feature power packed preaching from T.D. Jakes, Noel Jones, Charles E. Blake, Darrell Hines, Dorinda Clark Cole and a host of others.

Click Here to Watch LIVE

Verizon Wirelesses “How Sweet the Sound” finale will convene on November 13, 2010 in Washington, D.C. for the grand finale.  The Grand Finale will take place at the Verizon Center.  This event will feature top gospel celebrities such as Donald Lawrence, CeCe Winans, Marvin Sapp, Fred Hammond and extraordinary choirs from each of our 14 cities for an inspiring evening.  Thousands witnessed the passion in cities all across America, now they will join together in unity.  One lucky choir will be dubbed the best Gospel choir in America.

In the video below you can take a listen to one of the finalist competing for the crown in Washington.

BMI will honor gospel greats Commissioned and Pastor Shirley Caesar at the organization’s 12th Annual Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards Luncheon. The event is slated for January 14, 2011, the day before the 26th Annual Stellar Awards. Staged at Rocketown (601 4th Avenue South) in Nashville, the invitation-only celebration will welcome gospel music’s premier songwriters and recording artists, executives, and legends.

For 17 years, six-member group Commissioned spread the gospel with an emboldened sense of purpose and fierce musical skill. The group was co-founded in 1982 by past BMI Trailblazers honoree Fred Hammond, along with Michael Brooks, Karl Reid, Keith Stanton, Mitchell Jones and Michael Williams. As the lineup changed, standout members included Marvin Sapp and others. Funk, r&b and hip-hop grooves helped shape Commissioned’s groundbreaking sound, as lush harmonies carried the message to a receptive young audience that had previously seemed hard to reach. While Commissioned parted ways in 1999, their music remains a bold influence of contemporary gospel stars and a beloved favorite of fans around the world.

Pastor Shirley Caesar is the quintessential artist: In her soul-stirring gospel music, she has embodied progress without forsaking tradition. Her work with the Caravans first introduced her to large audiences. During her time with the legendary group, she preached her first sermon and delivered lead vocals on hits including “I Won’t Be Back,” “No Coward Soldiers,” “Holy Boldness,” and “Choose Ye This Day.” As a solo artist, Caesar soared. She embraced contemporary production and secular rhythms like r&b and disco. As a result, she climbed pop, r&b and gospel charts. In addition to a stunning 11 Grammys, Pastor Caesar has earned 18 Dove Awards and 14 Stellar Awards. Currently, she is the Senior Pastor of Mount Calvary Word of Faith in Raleigh, NC.

 I strongly feel that For Colored Girls helps deepen our sense of reality for what has happened in the past, and what is happening now to individuals throughout the world.  It has opened our eyes, and our minds to understand the root of a person.  We often wonder why someone’s head is always hung low, or why someone chooses substance abuse over their children.  The answer lies at the core of the problem which is not always easy to interpret.  It still remains a mystery as to why someone chooses eternal death over eternal life.  I believe the key is to ask for HELP, and realize that it’s always available to those who want it.

As I saw in the film, For Colored Girls teaches us a lesson of Love and the meaning of Luke 15:9 “And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.”   For Colored Girls embraces characters from all walks of life.  

The clear message that came from the film, is that throughout life God knows what we must go through in order to get us to the place where we are destined to be.  God is the potter, and we his people are the clay.  For every trial that we experience in life, a mold of who we are becoming is formed.

In For Colored Girls, we witness each woman being sculptured at the hand of God.  At the end of the film, a great transformation has taken place.  Eight lights began to shine bright that were once hidden by darkness.  For Colored Girls, is not a movie just for women of color, but it’s a story relatable to men and women of all shades.

About contributing writer Whitney Stein:  A young woman of great character, Whitney P. Stein continues to prove she is a woman of many talents. Whitney graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. From Real Estate, to Construction, to Fashion, Whitney has a diverse level of knowledge in many industries.  She has continued to express her passion for writing as a freelance writer for various publications.  She is also the CEO of Paige 78, a clothing company geared towards helping raise money for under privileged children across the globe.  Whitney is continuing to flourish, and leap to higher heights with her artistic style and business savvy.  Contact Whitney at whitneypstein@yahoo.com

Mary Mary is back with a new single, a new book, and a new CD project on the way. The new single titled ‘Walking’ debuted last week and is already in heavy rotation on the radio.

In the accompanying video Mary Mary talks briefly about their new book “Be U.” They voice their excitement for their new CD, and talk about the preparation that went into the project. Additionally, Mary Mary will be answering fan questions on a LIVE broadcast on U Stream Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 8est/5pct.  Go to http://www.livestream.com/marymarylive

Until Tuesday watch the video and then listen to the single below. What do you think, is the track hot or not?

The Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, which is an NFL sanctioned event, will be sponsored by Verizon Wireless for the next two years. Verizon also sponsors How Sweet The Sound, and the winner of the Best Church Choir in America title will perform live at the 2011 Super Bowl Gospel celebration.

“We are absolutely delighted to have a truly impressive brand like Verizon Wireless as part of our team. Verizon Wireless is a highly respected brand and we are proud to have them on board to help make this the biggest and best Super Bowl Gospel Celebration ever,” said Melanie Few-Harrison, founder and executive producer of Super Bowl Gospel Celebration and president of Results Marketing & Media Inc.

Launched in 1999, the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration is the NFL’s only sanctioned Gospel music event, and attracts top gospel/contemporary Christian and mainstream artists, as well as marquee NFL players, and features the NFL PLAYERS Choir, which is made up of active and retired players. The 2011 concert will take place on Friday, February 4, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. at Music Hall in Fair Park in Dallas, TX.

Gospel music artists who have performed at the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration in the past include music icons Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammond, Jaci Velasquez, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Marvin Sapp, The Clark Sisters and many more. NFL greats Donovan McNabb, Ray Lewis, Cris Carter, Kurt Warner, John Elway, Jerry Rice, Tony Dungy, Lovie Smith and others have also participated in the event.

Follow the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration for announcements and updates at www.twitter.com/SuperBowlGospel.  Tickets are $35, $55, $75 and $95, and now available at Ticketmaster locations in North Texas and at www.ticketmaster.com.

I know a lot of actors. Great actors don’t only study the script they exhaust all the information that they can find on the character. If they know that the character is from Madison, WI, they may drive there and take in the city and people. If they know the character loves to dine at a certain restaurant, they may go there and take in the ambiance and clientele. They will do all that is, humanly and financially, possible so they can become better acquainted with their character.

The other thing good actors should have is commitment. It is not enough to connect with a character; the actor must commit to the agenda of that character. If the actor connects, researches, exhausts but doesn’t commit to the agenda of that character all of their preparation is in vain. Commitment to a character is what garners Tony and Academy awards. When an actor has totally lost himself in the character, he will begin to feel as the character feels. This commitment to the connection allows the onlookers to become engaged.

So, what does that have to do with our Christian walk? If we have all been contracted to portray and be imitators of Christ ( Eph 5:1) than we must learn to connect with His character.

In being imitators of Christ, we must study and exhaust all the information that we can about Him so that we can connect with His character. It is this connection with Christ that will allow our lives and witness to be effective and powerful. We must also learn to commit. There are some people who have made a connection with Christ. They have studied and know His word. The issue is they have not fully committed to the agenda of Christ. So, when people look at them they perceive them as phony because of the lack of commitment. If you want to be effective in ministry you must learn to fully give yourself over to the agenda of Christ. Once you do, you will feel how He feels and react how He reacts.

These two things may cause someone to be engaged by the production of your life which in turn could lead them to wanting to know Christ. Connect with Him! Commit to Him! Stay on the path!

About the Author:Path contributing writer Calvin Walker has been writing editorial content for Path MEGAzine since 2007.  Calvin’s ability to break down the word of God with thought provoking analogies and real life analysis makes an impact on Christians seeking a closer walk with God.  An accomplished author, Walker released his debut book titled “The Gallery” early 2010.  Click here to read excerpts and purchase Walkers’ inspirational novel.  Email calvinwalkerauthor@yahoo.com

‘For Colored Girls’ opens this weekend at the box office, will you be there? Tyler Perry’s most talked about film is hitting theaters near you. In his most talked about film since the production of Dairy of a Mad Black Woman, Perry introduces his interpretation of the 1974 award winning Broadway play, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf.

Los Angeles theater producer Gary Levingston calls “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf” one of the most transcendent works of the American stage.

The play made its stage debut, offering a winning combination of poetry, dance, and music. The bright light that it shed on black female issues and experience were front and center. The play won an Obie and Tony Award after two years of gracing the stage on Broadway. Perry exposes his interpretation of the play to the big screen through a narrative, exploring the overall meaning and conception of what it is to be a woman of color or a woman of any color, in the world in which we reside.

Lionsgate and TPS present a 34th Street Films / Lionsgate production. The film overflows with some of the most well known African American actresses and actors of our time. It features well known heavy hitters like Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine, Anika Noni Rose, Thandie Newton, Kimberly Elise and Phylicia Rashad, Omari Hardwick, Michael Ealy, Hill Harper Janet Jackson and Macy Gray complete the all star cast.

FOR COLORED GIRLS weaves together the stories of nine different women – Joanna, Tangie, Crystal, Gilda, Kelly, Juanita, Yasmine, Nyla and Alice – as they move into and out of one another’s existences; some are well known to one another, others are as yet strangers. Crises, heartbreaks and crimes will ultimately bring these nine women fully into the same orbit where they will find commonality and understanding. Each will speak her truth as never before. And each will know that she is complete as a human being, glorious and divine in all her colors.

Essence magazine, which is targeted at black women, is showcasing “For Colored Girls” on two different covers of its December issue — one featuring Perry and the movie’s actors, and one featuring the actresses. Regina R. Robertson, West Coast editor of Essence, said word of mouth and the early trailers have ratcheted up interest: “People really seem to be excited now. They can’t wait.”

Fans of Perry can begin to countdown! I am highly aware of the great anticipation and anxiety that many of his fans have as they await the opening weekend of the most talked about film in Hollywood. Save the date, Friday, November 5, 2010. Check your local theaters for times. Will you be in attendance?

About PATH Blogger Shuntia Wheeler: Shuntia Wheeler is a graduate student at Prairie View A&M University. She graduated with honors with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication from Prairie View A&M University in December 2009. Ms. Wheeler has demonstrated leadership in various organizations; She is the former Financial Secretary of the National Association of Black Journalists PV Chapter, a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the national honors society for communication, she has served as the Academic Editor of The Pantherland Yearbook, and she is a contributing journalist for The Panther.  Check out her blog at www.shuntia-wheeler.blogspot.com, as she presents world news from a fresh perspective through fun, fierce, and factual stories impacting the world we live in.  Email her at shuntia@pathmagazine.com