Black History Month: Episcopalians VIII

ALEXANDER CRUMMELL
PRIEST, MISSIONARY, AND EDUCATOR
(March 3, 1819 – September 10, 1898)

Born March 3, 1819, in New York City, Alexander Crummell struggled against racism all his life. As a young man, he was driven out of an academy in New Hampshire, dismissed as a candidate for Holy Orders in New York, and rejected for admittance to General Seminary. Ordained in 1844 as a priest in the Diocese of Massachusetts, he left for England after being excluded from participating in diocesan convention. After receiving a degree from Cambridge, he went to Liberia as a missionary.

A model Christian republic seemed possible in Liberia. European education and technology, combined with traditional African communal culture, and undergirded by a national Episcopal Church headed by a black bishop, was the vision espoused by Crummell. He traveled extensively in the United States urging blacks to emigrate to Liberia and support the work of the Church there. On returning to Liberia, he worked to establish a national Episcopal Church. Political opposition and a loss of funding finally forced him to return to the United States. He concentrated his efforts on establishing a strong urban presence of independent black congregations that would be centers of worship, education and social service. When southern bishops proposed that a separate missionary district be created for black congregations, Crummell created a national convocation to fight the proposal. The Union of Black Episcopalians is an outgrowth of that organization.

Crummell’s ministry spanned more than half a century and three continents. Everywhere, at all times, he labored to prepare his people and to build institutions that would serve them and provide scope for the exercises of their gifts in leadership and creativity. His faith in God, his perseverance in spite of repeated discouragement, his perceptions that the Church transcended the racism and limited vision of its rulers, and his unfailing belief in the goodness and greatness of black people are the legacy of its Afro-American pioneer. (from Lesser Feasts and Fasts)

Black History Month: Episcopalians VII

FRANCES JOSEPH-GAUDET
EDUCATOR AND PRISON REFORMER
(1861 - December 30, 1934)

Frances Joseph-Gaudet was born in a log cabin in Holmesville, Mississippi of African American and Native American descent. She was raised by her grandparents. Later she went to live with a brother in New Orleans where she attended school and Straight College. Widowed early, she dedicated her life to prison reform. Beginning in 1894 she held prayer meetings, wrote letters, delivered messages, and secured clothing for black prisoners, and later for white prisoners as well. Her dedication to prisoners and prison reform won her the respect of prison officials, city authorities, the governor, and the Prison Reform Association. A delegate to the Women’s Christian Temperance Union international convention in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1900, she worked for the reform of young blacks arrested for misdemeanor or vagrancy. Joseph-Gaudet was the first woman to support juvenile offenders in Louisiana, and her efforts helped found the juvenile court.

She eventually purchased a farm and founded the Gaudet Normal and Industrial School. The school, which eventually expanded to 105 acres and numerous buildings, also served as a boarding school for children with working mothers. Joseph-Gaudet served as principal of the school until 1921 when she donated the school to the Episcopal Church of Louisiana. Though the school closed in 1950, the Gaudet Episcopal Home opened in the same location four years later to serve African American children ages four to sixteen. The endowment fund currently supports St. Luke’s Community Center on North Dorgenois Street, where a hall honors Frances Joseph-Gaudet. Mrs. Frances Gaudet spent the last years of her life in Chicago, Illinois, where she died in December 1934. She was added to the Episcopal Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts in 2006. (from the Episcopal Women's History Project)

Notes from Sermon: February 24

Water
-building block of Universe
-need it to live

Jesus, transforms image: Living Water, offers it to the Samaritan woman of Sychar

"Where do you get that living water? " She replies.

We must take note:
-Jews & Samaritans did not get along, they did not share things.
-Jesus interacts with her and she sees the problem, why do you ask me?

And he offers it, she reminds them of a common ancestor, Jacob whose well they are at…

[Jacob’s well still exists, it is now in an Orthodox Church, and you can still taste from it]

“The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life.” – Jesus The woman wanted that water but at first didn't understand that the "living water" was to believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

"Go and get your husband and bring him here," Jesus told the woman. "I don't have a husband," she replied. "You are right," Jesus answered. "You have had five husbands and the man you are living with now is not your husband." "You must be a prophet because you know everything I have done," the woman said.

Then Jesus explained to her that he was the Messiah. The woman was so excited that she ran into the city and told her friends, "Come and see a man that told me everything I have done. Surely he must be the Messiah." The disciples who had gone into town for food, returned with just food, astonished at who Jesus was talking with, not quite getting his call of discipleship.

But many Samaritans went out to see Jesus because of the woman’s testimony, she was the evangelist! They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." Faith is our own experience.

Water refreshes the body, but it can't compare to the Living Water that Jesus gives. It revives our soul!

Do we get it? Or do we like the disciples follow but not quite understand or are we like the Samaritan woman who understands, who feels the need deep in her soul that is being filled by Jesus and she tells all.

“Hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest this point: the Gospel of Jesus lives and moves and has its being independent of our righteousness. Samaritans, saints, sinners —what have you. They’re included. The love of God is as unmotivated and undeserved as the sunrise, and it goes out to everyone; but only sinners get it. With no righteousness of their own to quench their thirst, they are willing to reach out and drink from the well of Jesus.” (Synthesis, HKO)

In this season of Lent, as we pray, fast and give alms, may we also see the need in our souls for that living water and be willing to reach out in our lives for it and to tell others about the Good News of Jesus.

Dear Jesus, As the deer longs for the water brooks, so do we long for you, the living water in our lives, come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Black History Month: Episcopalians VI

VERNA DOZIER
(October 9, 1917 – September 1, 2006)

A high school teacher of English literature and a religious educator, she focused adult education on Bible study and on claiming the authority of the laity. She is credited by many in the Episcopal Church with actually changing the field of scripture study and reclaiming attention to the ministry of all the baptized. A Washingtonian, Dozier was educated in public schools and at Howard University.

Raised a Baptist, in 1955 she joined the Episcopal Church. Later in life, she remarked, “When I discovered the Episcopal Church, it was as if I had been waiting for that all my life.” For 34 years she was employed by the Washington D.C. Board of Education. From the 1960s onward she became known for teaching scripture. After taking early retirement in 1975, she worked full time as religious educator, a church conference leader, and an author of books & articles on the ministry of God's people in the world. Here are 3 excerpts:

In Dozier, V. J. (1982). The authority of the laity.

It is important that we understand the Bible as model for how we live our lives, not as a rule book. The issue that the Bible raises is, in light of what God has done in history, what kind of response do I make in my daily life? (p. 13)

In Dozier, V. J. (1988). The calling of the laity:

There are no second-class citizens in the household of God. Religious authority comes with baptism, and it is nurtured by prayer, worship, bible study, life together. (p. 115)

What happens on Sunday morning is not half so important as what happens on Monday morning. In fact what happens on Sunday morning is judged by what happens on Monday morning. (p. 115)

You can find more on Verna Dozier here:

Talbot School of Theology

The Witness Magazine

Verna Dozier Bible Study

Black Episcopal colleges celebrate

[Episcopal News Service] Howard University in Washington, D.C., was the site for "A Day of Recognition," which brought together presidents, students, chaplains and faculty of the three historically black Episcopal colleges -- St. Augustine's in Raleigh, North Carolina; St. Paul's in Lawrenceville, Virginia; and Voorhees in Denmark, South Carolina -- to acknowledge them for the roles they play in their communities and society.

"This event helps to connect the three colleges and facilitate communication," said the Rev. Canon Angela S. Ifill, missioner for the Office of Black Ministries. "We wanted the students to leave here with information from the various workshops they attend, a better understanding of the Episcopal Church and the assurance that someone else cares about them."

Sponsored by the Office of Black Ministries of the Episcopal Church and the Association of Episcopal Colleges, "A Recognition Day" was a two-fold opportunity to present the church to students as a viable option as they consider their futures, and for the church and the colleges to explore new ways of collaboration. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori participated in the February 16 gathering themed "Celebrating a Legacy of Excellence."

Read the rest of the article here.

Black History Month: Episcopalians V

THURGOOD MARSHALL
(July 2, 1908 – January 24, 1993)

The grandson of a freed slave, Marshall is best known for his landmark 1954 Civil Rights victory; the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling that desegregated schools. But before this, he spent 30 years risking his life in order to file lawsuits across the South on behalf of the NAACP's Legal Defense and Educational Fund, among his many accomplishments.

While he did not speak publicly about his faith, Marshall worshipped at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church from 1965 until his death in 1993 and also served on the vestry. He raised his two sons in the church and his widow, Cissy, is still a member of the parish.

When he was sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice in 1967, Marshall's Bible was open to 1 Corinthians 13, a chapter that describes God's gift of love. His legendary record of opinions and dissents demonstrated his unwavering commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of all Americans. Justice Marshall announced his retirement on June 27, 1991, citing the duties of a Justice were incompatible with his advancing age and medical condition. Asked how he would like to be remembered, he said, “I did the best I could with what I had.”

Remembering Martin Luther

Yesterday, on the Episcopal Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts, was Martin Luther's feast Day.

O God, our refuge and our strength: You raised up your servant Martin Luther to reform and renew your Church in the light of your word. Defend and purify the Church ion our own day and grant that, through faith, we may boldly proclaim the riches of your grace which you have made known in Jesus Christ our Savior, who with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns. one God, now and forever. Amen.

First and Last verse of his famous hymn: A Mighty Fortress is our God

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.