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99-187

Black congregations share information and affirmation

by Lynn Collins

     (ENS) Three hundred participants gathered in early November 
at the Kanuga Conference Center at Hendersonville, North 
Carolina, to learn models and resources for developing and 
nourishing black congregations in the Episcopal Church.

     The first Transformation and Renewal Conference, the product 
of three years of work led by Frank Turner, suffragan bishop of 
Pennsylvania, and Delois Ward of Washington, D.C., former chair 
of the National Commission on Social and Specialized Ministries 
in the Episcopal Church, was the third major black leadership 
conference in 1999. The UBE/Bishop Primo Leadership Conference 
prepared black leaders for service and a conference sponsored by 
the Office of Black Ministries challenged black clergy to reflect 
on and prepare for the future. 

     November's conference began with remarks by the keynote 
speaker, the Rev. Dr. Kortright Davis, who declared, "Afro-
Anglicans are those whom God has blessed with ebony grace….Euro-
Anglicans are those whom God has blessed with ivory grace." The 
importance of ebony and ivory grace is an issue of identity--of 
who one is when one meets God in prayer--and how we worship, he 
said. "Congregations identifiable by their cultural and ethnic 
heritage are neither a social phenomenon nor an exotic 
arrangement." 

     Davis elaborated on this affirmation of uniqueness and 
acceptance, saying that such congregations can offer a holistic, 
Gospel-based, authentic, cultural ministry that serves the wider 
community in the name of Jesus Christ. 

Difference and commonality

     As the three-day conference went on it addressed many 
aspects of congregational ministry and the particular challenges 
facing black, or predominantly black, congregations. Participants 
from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds gathered in small 
groups to tell their stories and find commonalities in ministry. 

Presentations on evangelism, stewardship, community outreach, 
young adults and mission strategy stimulated the creative juices 
of the participants. 

     Black congregations and West Indian congregations with black 
priests, integrated congregations with black priests, and black 
congregations with Euro-American priests talked with Euro-
American congregations serving black communities.

     Winnona Woods, from St. Timothy's Church, Detroit, said she 
was delighted. "This let me know we are on the right track! We 
are a small black church, and being here I know we are all in the 
same struggle." The Diocese of Michigan, in fact, recently 
elected Wendell Gibbs, Jr., an Afro-Anglican, as bishop 
coadjutor. 

     Participants identified issues of concern, including the 
ability of churches to be electronically connected and computer-
literate; non-Afro-Anglican clergy serving in black 
congregations; Euro-Anglican parishes serving black communities; 
recruitment and deployment of black clergy; the shortage of young 
black clergy; the lack of training for black lay leaders; and the 
need for black congregations to gather and share their stories. 

Looking for information

     "We came prepared to take back as much information as 
possible," said Jeannette Brown, assistant to the Bishop of 
Connecticut for diocesan ministry and social witness. The diocese 
was represented by 29 people from several parishes. "This 
conference is long overdue," said the Rev. Trevor Babbs, rector 
of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Bridgeport, who also attended 
the Black Clergy Conference, "Jeannette Brown coordinated us and, 
with the diocese' help, we have come together, completed a case 
study, and are sharing our ideas and gifts." 

     Jane Libby, a white member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 
Annapolis, Maryland, was excited. The church had just called a 
new rector who is a black woman, the Rev. Angela Shepherd, she 
said, adding, "St. Philip's Church is breaking new ground to 
build a new Life Center building.

     "This is a learning experience," said Libby, "There is no 
right way [to do ministry]. The small group sharing was one of 
the most outstanding aspects of this conference." 

     Local black congregations also attended the conference, 
including representatives of churches whose members were victims 
of the flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd. The conference held a 
special offering for St. Luke's Church in Tarboro, North 
Carolina. Reggie Moss, Jr., warden of St. Luke's, fought back 

tears as he said, "There are no words to describe the stench of still 
water, broken walls and washed-away homes. No one expected 
this to happen." 

     For that church and for other victims of the floods, 
conference participants eventually raised more than $5,100. 

--The Rev. Lynn Collins is staff officer for Black Ministries for 
the Episcopal Church.