Washington's 'Church of Presidents' etched in history again

From Arkansas-

The Rev. John C. Harper had been rector at the historic St. John's Episcopal Church for less than a year when the 1963 March on Washington began taking shape. A lay leader in the congregation urged him to steer clear of it -- but instead he embraced it. 

Harper held a service the morning of the march, welcoming a diverse crowd of more than 700 people at the church across from the White House. Black Episcopal choir members sang alongside the St. John's choir, and the service ended with worshippers holding hands to sing the iconic civil rights movement song "We Shall Overcome."

"The church has too long been silent on this important issue," Harper wrote to church members that month. "Now at long last Christians like ourselves are aroused by the injustice of discrimination in any form and by any kind of segregation on the basis of a man's color."

More here-

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2020/jul/13/washingtons-church-of-presidents-etched-in/

Texas Episcopalians pledge $13M to ‘repair and commence racial healing’

 From Houston-

In what leaders say is an “unprecedented” move, the Episcopal Diocese of Texas this week pledged $13 million for programs aimed at reconciling the effects of slavery.

The new funding will go to “repair and commence racial healing,” leaders said. It will include scholarships focused on historically black churches, leaders said.

“The goal is to support the people of our communities who were actually injured by our past actions,” Rev. C Andrew Doyle, head of the Houston-based diocese, said in a statement.

More here-

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-Episcopalians-pledge-13M-to-repair-and-15053645.php

In slavery, her family was owned by his. Now they attend a Baltimore church seeking to atone for its past.

From Baltimore-

The Rev. Natalie Conway’s tenure as the new deacon of Memorial Episcopal Church in Baltimore’s Bolton Hill was by all accounts going well last year when she received news that sparked a personal crisis and sent shock waves through the congregation.

One of Conway’s siblings, who was conducting genealogical research on their family, told her that some of their forebears had been slaves on a local plantation — and the people and the land were owned by none other than the extended family of Memorial’s founding pastor, 19th-century cleric Charles Ridgely Howard.

If that weren’t disorienting enough, a current parishioner at Memorial — a man Conway had known for years and respected — was a descendant of the slaveholding clan.

The cascade of revelations at first overwhelmed the lifelong Episcopalian and native of Baltimore.

More here-

 https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-church-slavery-atonement-20190912-3tllerewzzh7nnqsa5entffssy-story.html

St. Thomas Church to host Pilgrimage for Racial Justice on Saturday

From Virginia-

The Virginia Theological Seminary will partner with the Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia to bring a service of “lament, reconciliation and commitment” in remembrance of African Americans who suffered under slavery in Virginia.

The event, called the Pilgrimage for Racial Justice, will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17, at St. Thomas Church in Abingdon, Virginia, with refreshments served at 5:30 p.m. and a service beginning at 6:30 p.m. The program will feature remarks by Ron Carson, founder of the Appalachian African-American Cultural Center in Pennington Gap and a member of the federal commission coordinating 400th anniversary events to remember the arrival of African slaves in America. Joseph Green Jr., also on the federal commission and a pastor, will present a homily, and the Eucharist will be celebrated by the Right Rev. Mark Bourlakas, bishop of the southwestern Virginia diocese.

More here-

https://www.swvatoday.com/news/article_1ed1e0a1-ae95-5c7a-bca5-09b925813c24.html

Frank Allan led church through challenging times

From Atlanta-


In the late 1960s, while rector at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Macon, the Rev. Frank Allan, who’d later become the eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, stood squarely at a crossroads. St. Paul’s already had a smattering of black members. But during a sermon one Sunday, Allan told his congregation that further integration and shifts were imminent and critical.

He was interrupted in mid-sentence by a woman named Hazel Burns, who reportedly stood up and asked, “Are you saying that [as an all-white church) we’ve been wrong all these years?”

He abandoned his sermon and engaged Burns in a dialogue that other parishioners joined. Though she wasn’t present that day, Allan’s longtime friend and colleague, the Rev. Martha Sterne, said the congregation “discussed, argued, discussed some more and some even cried.”

More here-

https://www.ajc.com/news/local-obituaries/frank-allan-led-church-through-challenging-times/NvlPALGDpMYnFg6DySQQwL/

Church uses stories to foster racial harmony

From Ohio-

Race and reconciliation aren’t new areas of concern for the Episcopal Church, but they have attracted considerable attention in recent years under Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, whom non-Episcopalians might recall from his sermon at the springtime wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in Windsor, England.

Installed as the head of the church in 2015, Bishop Curry is the first black bishop to serve the predominantly white Episcopal Church. The denomination is the U.S. branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which is rooted in the Church of England. In part reflecting a history of evangelization through colonization, the Anglican Communion today counts a membership that’s heavily African.

More here-

https://www.toledoblade.com/news/religion/2018/10/20/saint-pauls-episcopal-church-childrens-storytelling-day-fosters-racial-harmony/stories/20181020005?abnpageversion=evoke

WHEN A PASTOR CAN’T FORGIVE

From Inheritance-

“OH MY GOD. I feel so white.”

My white friend said this to me during a break at a disastrous anti-racism training at my seminary. I looked at her, incredulous and wondering what exactly I was to do with the information she just presented to me.

Why was she sharing this information with me? Was she feeling so bad internally about her race and her being that she had to share this out loud? Or was she coming to me, a person of color, to confess her sin of racism?

What made this conversation incredibly awkward is that I am not white, and the awful way the training was being handled was actually promoting racism at the seminary. My initial reaction of shock turned into incredible offense as the people of color in the room were feeling not just unwelcome, but that our spiritual well-being and incarnational identity were in jeopardy. Yet she got to express her white guilt to me.

More here-

https://www.inheritancemag.com/stories/when-a-pastor-cant-forgive

What did it take to finally unite Al Sharpton and Jews? Donald Trump.

From The Washington Post-

President Trump has united us, after all.

He brought together the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Jews.

This modern-day miracle was on display Monday, at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the Mall, 54 years to the day after the great man gave his greatest speech. There, clergy of all varieties, but mostly rabbis and black ministers, came together in common cause against the despicable anti-Semitism and racism Trump has unleashed, most conspicuously in Charlottesville.

Sharpton has been a controversial figure in the Jewish community for decades, earning criticism during the Crown Heights riot in 1991 and when he called a Jewish landlord in Harlem a “white interloper” before a deadly attack on the man’s store in 1995.

But that was long ago, and a rehabilitated Sharpton, who has privately expressed regrets to Jewish leaders for his past actions, made Jews the centerpiece of his Thousand Minister March for Justice on Monday. The civil rights leader, joined by Martin Luther King III, stopped in at a pre-march prayer session held by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, and addressed the assembly of 300 rabbis, cantors and lay leaders.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-did-it-take-to-finally-unite-blacks-and-jews-donald-trump/2017/08/28/6b740d66-8c32-11e7-91d5-ab4e4bb76a3a_story.html?tid=ss_fb&utm_term=.7efd7d1aa353

At gathering in Squirrel Hill, clergy say call for racial justice is still urgent

From Pittsburgh-

First they listened to the words of preachers from more than 50, 100 and 1,000 years ago.

Then they voiced some of their own, seeking to bring those historic messages of tolerance off the page and into the present.

Scores of clergy gathered at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh in Squirrel Hill Monday afternoon to issue a statement against bigotry and then urge each other to live out that resolve in the daily lives of their congregations and families.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2017/08/28/race-forum-JCC-squirrel-hill-pittsburgh-christian-associates-southwest-pennsylvania-rodef-shalom-charlottesville/stories/201708280146

Episcopal Church Launches Racial Healing Program to Become 'Beloved Community'

From Christian Post-

"Part of this work is actually to help to build bridges — bridges that will connect people not only through their stories but in a sustained way over time through relationships that are built," stated Presiding Bishop Michael Curry during a webinar held via Zoom on Thursday.

"Relationships will break the back of racism every time and in the long run, relationship is the key. And this attempt is really trying to foster those relationships. That's a game-changer."

During the webinar, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies, identified herself as a "white woman of privilege," explaining that she is "keenly aware" of how she has benefited from "white privilege."

"Over the years what I have tried to do is to make sure that change for which I've advocated wasn't just change that would benefit middle-age white women like me, but would truly bring the church closer to ... the Kingdom of God," said Jennings. "Those of us who live with white privilege have to figure out how we can be allies."

More here-

http://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-church-launches-racial-healing-program-to-become-beloved-community-183737/

Becoming Beloved Community: Introducing the Episcopal Church’s Long-Term Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice

From The Episcopal Church-

Following a year of listening, consulting and reflection, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and House of Deputies President the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings and officers of the House of Bishops and House of Deputies are inviting Episcopalians to study and commit to using Becoming Beloved Community: The Episcopal Church’s Long-term Commitment to Racial Healing, Reconciliation and Justice.

The full document is available here.

“You’re not looking at a set of programs,” Presiding Bishop Curry explained. “You’re looking at a path for how we, as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, can more fully and prayerfully embody the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus in our relationships with each other. Look at the scriptures, at Christian history. There is no doubt that Beloved Community, healing, justice and reconciliation are at the heart of Jesus’ movement in this world.”

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/becoming-beloved-community-introducing-episcopal-churchs-long-term-commitment

Episcopal bishop calls for uniting of a house divided

From Pittsburgh-

The sparse, pillared sanctuary reverberated with gospel music, then with the somber declarations of a searing confession of sin dating to 17th century Scotland — all to confront 21st century divisions of race, creed, gender and class.

Hundreds gathered at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for a Friday night service aimed at starting to heal those divisions, bringing together a racially diverse mix of local bishops and other leaders of area Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches.

The event was held in conjunction with the start of a three-day visit by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of the Episcopal Church — elected in 2015 as the first African-American to lead the national denomination.

More than 200 gathered at Hicks Memorial Chapel at the Highland Park campus, with church leaders sitting in a circle around a table symbolically set with a communion cup and plate.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2017/02/03/Hundreds-gather-at-Pittsburgh-Theological-Seminary-for-service-aimed-at-healing-divisions/stories/201702030270

For some Christians talking about race is tough, and long overdue they say

From The Washington Post-

At Washington National Cathedral on Sunday, an interracial group of clergy gathered to discuss the role of the white church in perpetuating racism. And what the church might do to heal the wounds. A tough subject, but dealt with unflinchingly.

They began with church complicity in the nation’s original sins — genocide of indigenous peoples and the enslavement of Africans.

“We Christians — British and Americans — said we can’t do those things to people we believe are made in the image of God,” said the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners, a D.C.-based social justice organization. “So we will throw away Imago Dei. And that’s what we did. We threw away the image of God and said that these indigenous and African peoples are less than human.”

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/for-some-christians-talking-about-race-is-tough-and-long-overdue-they-say/2016/07/19/4b3d85b0-4dd4-11e6-a7d8-13d06b37f256_story.html

‘God break racism!’ Evangelicals on D.C. Mall pray for hope and reconciliation

From The Washington Post-

Rappers and pastors, spoken word poets and authors appealed Saturday to thousands of evangelicals gathered around the Washington Monument in baking heat to recommit to prayer and hope at a time of intense racial and political polarization and growing secularism.

People streamed into prayer tents, asking volunteers for prayers to “reset” their lives, their families, their country. They got on their knees by the thousands, appealing to God to “break racism” at the call of charismatic evangelist Lou Engle, one of dozens of preachers in the hours-long lineup. They told personal stories of division in their lives that brought them to America’s capital for what aimed to be one of the bigger faith outreach events in the United States in years. Possibly an entire Bible’s worth of verses was written on the t-shirts in the crowd.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/07/16/major-evangelical-revival-aims-to-uplift-traditional-christians-with-rap-rock-and-prayer/

Local Reverend talks modern activism and social media’s role

From Maryland-

Black History Month is coming to a close, but the month wasn’t without controversy.

Whether it was the lack of diversity in Oscar nominations or the debate over Beyonce’s video and Super Bowl performance, people quickly and easily spoke out.

WTOP’s Stephanie Gaines-Bryant talked to Rev. Randy Callender, rector of St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Annapolis, Maryland, about activism today and the activism of the 1950s and ‘60s.

“Today, with what’s going on with our youth and young adults, young people are just as outspoken and moving the movement — just as in the civil rights movement, when young people were leading and moving that movement,” says Callender. “The difference between then and now is social media.”

More here-

http://wtop.com/local/2016/02/local-reverend-talks-modern-activism-and-social-medias-role/

Executive Council starts building infrastructure for new initiatives

From ENS-

The shape, scope and structure of the Episcopal Church’s pledge to address racism, practice reconciliation and become a church of evangelists has begun to be built, the Executive Council learned at its Feb. 26-28 meeting. And the council put some important pieces of that work into place.

In doing so, council began living into a call to action sounded at General Convention last summer. During the meeting, council members “focused greatly on fleshing out how we as a churchwide community will engage the work of evangelism and racial reconciliation,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said during a post-meeting news conference, adding that council joyfully embraced that work.

The General Convention in July adopted a 2016-2018 triennial budget that included $3 million for starting new congregations with an emphasis on assisting populations, including Hispanic communities, $2.8 million for evangelism work and a major new $2 million initiative on racial justice and reconciliation.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2016/02/29/executive-council-starts-building-infrastructure-for-new-initiatives/

US Episcopalians step up anti-racism fight

From ACNS-

In the months following General Convention, the [American] Episcopal Church has been working to fulfil its mandate to confront racism and the institutional structures that support it.

On 21 January, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preached the sermon at the opening Eucharist of the 2016 Trinity Institute, Listen for a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice. As he invited those assembled to embrace difficult conversations around racism, he offered some advice; “As you prepare to march, meditate on the life and teachings of Jesus.” Keynote speaker Michelle Norris also offered her belief that “listening is an act of courage.” Trinity Institute is hosting this year’s institute on racial justice as a means of creating new understanding, opportunity, and encouragement for deeper conversations about racism.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/01/us-episcopalians-step-up-anti-racism-fight.aspx

MICHAEL CURRY IS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO LEAD EPISCOPAL CHURCH

From World Religion News-

The Episcopal Church on Sunday installed Michael Curry as its Presiding Bishop at the Washington National Cathedral. He took over the reins from Katharine Jefferts Schori, who also made history as the first female leader of the church. Michael Curry had words of praise for the latter, who he said led the church towards a level of spiritual maturity where everyone could be honest with each other. He hoped to build on the good work of his predecessor, whose nine-year term came to an end this year.

More here-

http://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/christianity/michael-curry-is-the-first-african-american-to-lead-episcopal-church

Diocese offering film, discussion series on race, reconciliation

From South Carolina-

The Episcopal Church in South Carolina invites the community to participate in four opportunities to engage in a film and discussion program where people can explore issues of race, discrimination and the legacy of slavery.

From Sept. 15-19, the diocese will hold screenings of “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,” a documentary about the DeWolf family of Rhode Island and its involvement in the slave trade. Each screening will be followed by discussions facilitated by Dain and Constance Perry, a couple who have ties both to South Carolina and the Rhode Island family featured in the film.

Dain Perry, who grew up in Charleston as the son of an Episcopal priest and graduated from Porter-Gaud School, appears throughout the film as one of the 10 DeWolf descendants. His wife, Constance, is a descendant of slaves.

More here-

http://thetandd.com/print-specific/diocese-offering-film-discussion-series-on-race-reconciliation/article_c817b984-5332-5593-920e-5b8a0956ab96.html

Can churches lead on racial harmony?

From The Christian Century-

A low hum sweeps across the sanctuary, drifting above the bowed heads of huddled prayer groups, beyond the joined hands of black and white worshipers. Earnest whispers carry words like harmony, unity, forgiveness, and peace. Outside, a police car idles as day fades to dusk at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

Less than a week earlier, nine people had been fatally shot during a Bible study class at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. But the service here on a June day was not a vigil. It is the product of a bond established months before—between mostly white Oak Mountain and the predominantly black congregation of Urban Hope Community Church.

In the aftermath of the Charleston shootings, the grace of the members of Emanuel AME showed the power of faith in promoting racial harmony under the most trying conditions. The leaders of Oak Mountain and Urban Hope Community are persuaded that, going forward, churches have a crucial role in bringing that progress to America as a whole.

More here-

http://www.christiancentury.org/article/2015-08/can-churches-lead-racial-harmony