African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia

The Rev. Fr. Martini Shaw – Rector

The History
The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, Philadelphia is recognized as the “Mother Church” to many African Americans in the Episcopal Church.  It was founded in 1792 as the first black Episcopal Church in the U.S.A.  The founder and first rector, the Rev. Absalom Jones, was ordained as the first black priest of the Episcopal Church.
It continues to be one of the most alive, vibrant and growing Episcopal Churches in the country.  It embraces both the Anglo-Catholic and Afro-Centric ethos.  The church combines these two qualities into a very meaningful and spiritual worship life.
“The First Black Episcopal Church in the USA”, adorns the Sunday bulletin under kente cloth motif letters that announce that you are in The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.  An image of the Rev. Fr. Absalom Jones, the first black Episcopal priest (priested in 1802), and the first rector of St. Thomas, also graces the bulletin cover.  Founded in 1792, St. Thomas has been a stalwart presence in the Church and in Society.  Clergy and congregants have leadership roles in the defining moments of our nation’s eras from the Colonial period to the present.  Whether it was military service from the Revolutionary War to Iraq/Afghanistan, abolition to Women’s ordination, the Civil War to the civil rights struggle, this growing parish of manifold diversity has sought to embody the motto of the 1992 Bicentennial Celebration of Black Presence in the Episcopal Church “One Faith – One People – One Struggle.”

The Music Ministry
The parish ministries reflect the congregation’s proclamation as an open, Christ-centered community of faith in which the Gospel is taught, lived and spread.

The vibrant and growing music ministry of St. Thomas Church consists of the following nine components:
- Chancel  Choir
- Gospel Choir
- Junior Choir
- Church School Choir
- Women’s Choir
- Men’s Chorus
- Voices of Comfort (funerals)
- Jazz Ensemble
- Contemporary Music Ensemble

St. Thomas Gospel Choir
The Gospel Choir was formed in 1992, when then rector, the Rev. Jesse F. Anderson, Jr., took the bold step to initiate this ministry.  Seven people and Music Director, Mr. Waltier Blocker, accepted this call and introduced spirit-filled and dynamic music into the liturgy.  Now in its twenty-first year, the Gospel Choir of St. Thomas still fulfills its mission of ministry “to touch someone’s heart and spirit, to heal, uplift, deliver and transform lives.”  Today the choir consists of 40 individuals, with a full complement of instrumentalists.  The choir has ministered to people in Philadelphia and the region, to the Episcopal Church and beyond.  It has produced three CDs and has ministered for the past seven years with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops in its Christmas concert series at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.  The choir receives numerous invitations within the ecumenical circles.

St. Thomas Music Ministry is one of the strongest in the nation.

The Call to Christian Discipleship
This addition to the Sunday liturgy has served the congregation well.  Each Sunday, following the sermon, present rector, the Rev. Martini Shaw issues the Call to Christian Discipleship.  Fr. Shaw, positioned and walking from aisle to aisle, turns to the congregation with outstretched hands, extending an invitation to anyone to come forward.  Coming forward means that the person desires a closer walk and relationship with Christ, and wants to become a part of the Community of Faith of St. Thomas.  This public invitation to “join the church” has proven to be very successful and well received at St. Thomas.
When the person comes forward, he/she is asked a few questions about their love of God and their willingness to commit their time, talent and treasures to the mission of St. Thomas.   The new member is welcomed into the church with applause and acclamation by those assembled.
The new member is immediately appointed a Shepherd to assist in a smooth transition and integration into the congregation.   If needed, the person is prepared and scheduled for the sacrament of Holy Baptism. New members participate in a New Members Class and Confirmation Class.
The majority of the new members say that they joined St. Thomas’ because “they found spiritual warmth and welcome here.”

The Parish Five Year Vision (PV-5)
In 2011, under the leadership of Fr. Shaw, the Vestry embarked upon a five year visionary journey with the congregation (PV-5).  The focus of the strategic planning effort is the THREE E’S: Evangelism, Education and Edifice.  Our Visions are: 1.) to continue to grow in discipleship with continued growth in membership; 2.) to open the Absalom Jones Day School (pre-K) and create the St. Thomas Academy (after school enrichment); and 3.) To retire the restoration loan and complete some substantial building maintenance tasks.

In all these things we pray that the Lord will direct us, further us with continual help, and that all these works may glorify the almighty and everliving God.

To God Be the Glory to all He has done!!!

Liberian Episcopalians Conclude Successful Annual Gathering near Atlanta, Georgia

Liberian Episcopalians residing in the United States concluded a successful 7th Gathering in Decatur, Georgia during the weekend of April 13 – 15, 2012 under the banner of the Liberian Episcopal Community in USA or LECUSA.

The 7th Gathering was keynoted by Clemenceau Urey, Chairman of the Episcopal Church of Liberia’s (ECL) Pension Board and Chairman of the new Sustainability Committee. Mr. Urey’s presence was the result of an invitation extended by LECUSA’s officers following a teleconference involving him, the officers and another senior member of the ECL, Counselor Clarence L. Simpson during a visit of the two gentlemen to the United States in March of this year. Mr. Urey’s address included a historical note on the relationship between the two churches in the US and Liberia, the challenges to advance the work beginning in 1836 of the early American missionaries, and the current efforts  toward financial sustainability. The plan includes raising cash, redeveloping real estate and investing in a variety of business ventures. The goal is to raise $500,000, $150,000 of which they hope to raise locally in Liberia. The balance $350,000 they hope to raise from Liberians, friends and philanthropists abroad.

Participating also in LECUSA’s 7th Gathering were three staff persons from The Episcopal Church Center in New York: The Rev. Canon Petero Sabune, Partnership Officer for Africa, The Rev. Canon Angela Ifill, Missioner for Black Ministries, and The Rev. Canon Bruce Woodcock, Manager, Companion Pension Plan Strategies, Church Pension Fund. The staff officers each reported on the work of their respective offices, and that work involves the Episcopal Church of Liberia and Liberian Episcopalians living in the United States.

Canon Sabune drew attention to the well-organized and very efficient lobbying efforts by and for the Sudanese community in the United States, and urged LECUSA to learn something from them. “We have a special responsibility to bridge the cultural, historic and spiritual gap which exists in the African Diaspora,” Canon Sabune emphasized, and offered the assistance of his.

The task of Canon Ifill’s Black Ministries ethnic Office is about advocating for Black Episcopal clergy, laity and churches in America. She spoke of the New Visions Project as the Office’s starship, as well as the “Breaking the School to Prison Pipeline” project. She reported on the Sudanese Leadership Institute for Learning and Advancement, organized about 15 years ago, which brings Sudanese in the US together annually. A summit was held in December, 2011 for listening sessions, which produced the Emmaus Planning Group.

Bruce Woodcock was introduced to Africa over thirty years ago as a Peace Corps volunteer. Years later, he was asked to return to revive the dormant clergy pension fund of ECL. A conference in Liberia was held last year that included employees of ECL-owned and operated Cuttington University. Canon Woodcock warned participants at the 7th Gathering to expect changes, including significant cuts in funding many programs in the future.

The activities and festivities of the 7th Annual Gathering commenced on Friday, April 13, 2012 with Registration of the delegates & Evening Prayer at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church on 2005 South Columbia Place in Decatur, GA. The Rev. Canon Peter Sabune delivered the mission address at the opening service. He told the gathering that Africans and Africa have a major stake in the Christian Church and called on the conference to appreciate their role in staining and impacting the growth of the Christian church.

The opening service and Holy Eucharist was followed by welcome meet and greet dinner at 7:00 pm. The Business Session was held on Saturday, April 14, 2012 also at Holy Cross Episcopal Church from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM.

The 7th Gathering Banquet followed the business session on Saturday April 14, 2012 at the ROYALL HALL (Holy Cross Episcopal Church) at 7:00 PM. In his Key Note address, Mr. Clemenceau Urey called on Liberian Episcopalians in the Diaspora to make sustaining the Episcopal Church of Liberia a priority. He said the church was facing a challenge to meet its cost of operation, especially the payment of the clergy.

The 7th Gathering concluded on Sunday, April 15, 2012 with the Holy Eucharist & Celebration at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Canon Angela Ifill delivered the sermon, while the rector of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, the Rev. Dr. Brian Jemmott was the celebrant with Liberian clergy present and vesting as con-celebrants.

A new corps of officers was elected and installed during the service by the Rev’d Dr. Jemmott. They are Gerald Cooper, Chairman; the Rev’d Edward Thompson, Co-Chairman; Richard Thorpe, Secretary; Helene Johnson, Treasurer; Paul Bel George, Financial Secretary and Ophelia Yarsiah, Parliamentarian. In his inaugural remarks, newly commissioned chairman, Gerald Cooper thanked God and LECUSA members for his preferment.

Continued in next column

Liberian Episcopalians (continued)

He laid out his platform for the next two years to include improving salaries of Episcopal Clergy in Liberia, growing and consolidating LECUSA’s membership, and working with the Sustainability Committee in their efforts, among others.

Some of the key decisions of the gathering were: a) establishing April 1st to March 31st as LECUSA’s fiscal year; a scholarship by former students and friends of Bromley School (an Episcopal Church of Liberia owned all-girl school in Liberia); to engage forthwith the sustainability Plan of the ECL, and a resolve to engage more fully with ECL in its renewed efforts to continue the work of propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

About seven years ago, Liberian-born Episcopal clergy in the US and its Territories, along with Americans who had worked in Liberia, met and organized what is now known as the Liberian Episcopal Community in USA or LECUSA, in order to encourage and support each other in the United States, and to assist the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia to carry on the work of the Gospel. The first Episcopal Gathering was held in Reston, Virginia in August of 2006. Subsequent Gatherings have convened on the week-end after Easter each year. The 8th Gathering is slated to convene April 5-7, 2013 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Following the successful annual gathering in Minneapolis, MN in 2011, LECUSA donated more than $7,000.00 to assist the Episcopal Church of Liberia ($5,000 toward clergy home construction and $1,750 as Christmas gift to the clergy in Liberia). Two years ago, LECUSA extended similar gesture (Christmas gift) to the clergy in the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia.

Since 2006, LECUSA through its Pastoral Care Committee has continued to donate $200 periodically as benevolence fund which goes to clergy/spouse as assistance in case of death in the clergy’s immediate family. The organization has contributed more than $3,000 since this project commenced.

Over the years LECUSA has received direct financial assistance from the Church Pension Fund (CPF) in support of its programs and projects, totaling over $6,000, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Canon Bruce Woodcock.

Reading James in Haiti for the Compassionately Curious

By Adrienne R. Hymes, Virginia Theological Seminary, M.Div. 2014

The fourth and final quarter of my junior year at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) was quickly approaching and so was the registration deadline.  The course was “Reading James in Haiti.” It was to be co-taught by VTS’ Director of the Racial and Ethnic Ministries Office, The Rev. Joseph Constant, who is Haitian-born, and New Testament professor, The Rev. A. Katherine Grieb, Ph.D.  I could not miss the opportunity to be a part of this rare class which would culminate in an immersion trip to Haiti. I did not know what to expect from the class, but the creative format was engaging.  It included study of the socioeconomic and political history of the Haitian people; an introduction to conversational Haitian Creole; and frequent guests who shared their personal stories of living and working in Haiti.  The primary text used was the Letter of James, which was carefully dissected to explore the very prominent themes of social justice and James’ famous statement of belief that faith without works is dead. And so, our spiritual director for our immersion trip to Haiti, the apostle James himself, provided us with text that not only challenged our thinking about the “other” as Christians, but also rooted our travels in a rich soil nurtured by curious compassion.

After six weeks of study and preparation for the nine-day visit, my anticipation for a life-transforming experience had reached an all-time high. You see, the Haiti immersion trip was my first immersion trip—ever.  We received a very detailed itinerary highlighting travel to Port-Au-Prince, Cange and Mirebalais, where we would visit Episcopal parishes, schools, health clinics, and the Episcopal Seminary.  There was much enthusiasm about attending the consecration of the Diocese of Haiti’s first suffragan bishop, The Very Rev. Ogé Beauvoir. 
 

As I ran my final errands the night before travel, I had a brief conversation about the trip with a cashier who had been particularly helpful finding mosquito repellent. As I began to walk away she yelled out, “Have fun!”   I thought to myself, “It’s not that kind of trip.”  The truth is that no amount of reading; no amount of class discussions and guest presenters; and no amount of testimonials; could have prepared me for my first experience in Haiti.  I suspect that my reactions to what I saw and heard are still in process, and will continue to be for quite some time.

The Diocese of Haiti is a short one and a half hour plane trip from Miami. That’s closer than my more than five hours travel from Miami to my diocese in Los Angeles.  As close as the diocese is, Haiti is another country, and it was very apparent that I was a long way away from home and the many comforts that I so often take for granted in the United States.
 

Our small band of four students and two professors were never without ample food, adequate shelter, clothing, private transportation, and yes, hired security.  We had the benefit of Fr. Joseph’s knowledge of his hometown of Mirebalais, as well as other communities of people.  With Fr. Joseph as our on-the-ground guide, and James as our spiritual guide, we were able to move in and around Haiti, while always maintaining an imposed separation, a protective bubble of sorts, from the “streets.”  In fact, for several days after our arrival we observed Haiti behind the locked doors and windows of the van in which we traveled.  When we visited sites, they were locked behind large compound gates. A couple of days after our arrival, we got out of the van, in the open, and were amongst the people.  I remember that day because I realized that I could not blend in, regardless of my effort to dress casually wearing no makeup and a ponytail.  My “kick-around” clothes still screamed privilege, and my stylish Nike running shoes (also my kick-around shoes) did not help the blending process.  I don’t know if the people around us noticed, but that fact that I noticed was an early trigger for introspection throughout the journey.

The goal of the trip was not to have our group live as Haitians in Haiti, but to expose us to the realities of the very real struggles people experience to access the basic necessities for survival in Haiti—food, clothing, shelter and clean water—all of which were expected and were provided for our group.  We had no running water in the guest house on the first morning in Haiti.  That meant no shower after a very long night of heat and humidity.  Eventually, the water became available for a shower.  I was so relieved to finally take a shower (well, it was more like sprinkles of water droplets), that I jumped in and jumped out.  It was cold! It was then that I realized that I would either be grateful for a cold rinse or not shower at all.  I took that cold rinse, and thought about all the people who were living in tents and shacks, and who had no access to running water, let alone to a shower stall in a private bathroom. The next time I wake up to a cold shower in the dorm at VTS, I will not stomp my foot and become irritated. I will stand there, and allow the cold water to rinse over me as a reminder to be grateful for the opportunity to be able to shower daily.

While in Haiti, I had an asthma crisis, which required prompt medical attention. I thank God that we were touring one of the church’s clinics that day.  After informing Joseph about my situation, I was evaluated by three physicians.  Within 20 minutes I was equipped with the proper medications to relieve my symptoms.  As I walked through the clinic to rejoin the group, I again realized that many of the people had been waiting for a long time to get medical attention, and still might not have been seen that day.  I was, once again, forced to acknowledge the fact that I was a privileged American visitor with easy access to health services.
 

There were many memorable moments throughout the trip.  Our intimate group was privy to two private visits with the great visionary and Director of Zanmi Lasante, Fr. Fritz Lafontant.  He gathered the group in a truck, and provided an extensive driving tour of his new school and church, both still under construction.  In addition, he took us to another site where a new generation of Haitians’ lives will be transformed through his Learning Center Fritz Lafontant (CFFL) vocational school.  It will be a center to train Haitians in sustainable agricultural and innovative building processes, thereby benefitting their own communities in the struggles against poverty, unemployment and limited access to education.  We also spent a day at the seminary speaking with and sharing a meal with our brothers at the seminary. There was one female seminarian in the group that day, who was very excited to welcome the four female seminarians in our group. Three of the priests attending the meeting were recent VTS graduates. There was an immediate sense of welcome, especially felt from our VTS graduates who served to bridge the language barrier between English and Haitian Creole.  Other memorable moments were experienced in Mirebalais.  There we participated in the Haiti Micah Feeding Program and visited with the beautiful, joy-filled children of the Haiti Micah Project Orphanage.  While touring the Haiti Micah Project’s Water Treatment Center, we left behind planted trees that will eventually produce mangoes and coconuts.


Amidst the overwhelming images of poverty, I remember the smiles on the faces of the orphans, and their open hearts as we entered their home. I remember starting our days with each person in our group reading aloud a few designated verses in the Letter of James, as we endured long rides in the van on unpaved roads. I am haunted by the image of the deplorable conditions in which people lived in what was considered a shelter (it was a slab of concrete with very little privacy).  I will not forget the spray-painted numbers on tent homes erected after the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010; they seemed to go on as far as the eye could see.  The lush, green, tropical landscape, characteristic of Cange, is also burned into my memory.


A host of solutions is needed to impact poverty, unemployment and limited access to education in the various communities of Haiti. I do not have an answer. In fact, I left Haiti with questions, lots of overwhelming questions.  I am mindful of the foundational message in Jesus’ teachings—compassion for one another.  We must begin with a compassionate curiosity about one another in order to engage in the work of compassionate caring for one another as Christ cares for us.