Historical figures bring UCC's past to life at GS28

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Historical figures bring UCC's past to life at GS28

> Written by Micki Carter
> July 2, 2011
The Hon. Samuel Sewall, a Puritan judge during the Salem witch 
trials, is one of 17 historical figures making appearances at General 
Synod 28.
Seventeen people will step from the pages of UCC history to talk with 
GS28 visitors.
Abigail Roberts, in plaid bonnet and apron, walked through the 
Exhibition Floor on Friday afternoon to talk about the Christian 
thread of the UCC tradition. She lived from 1791 to 1841 and founded 
eight churches as an itinerant evangelist.
"I discovered that I had a gift for bringing people together, 
exhorting them and starting churches," Roberts said. "I could found 
churches but, as a woman, I couldn't be a pastor. I couldn't sign the 
papers, so I was free to go on to start more churches."
Although she had a great deal of success, not everyone was pleased 
with her work.
"Lots of men said that it was okay for women to go into the mission 
fields where the heathens were. I always replied that, judging from 
what I've seen, I'm among them right here."
Among the churches she and her husband Nathan founded was a 
congregation in Milford, N.J., which still exists today as First UCC.
But Roberts was troubled by the denominations that were growing up 
and adding more and more layers to their beliefs.
""Jesus didn't come to make denominations; he came to make 
disciples," she said. "We called ourselves Christians, just 
Christians. We believe we should be judged not by our creed but by 
the content of our characters."
In the same spot on Saturday afternoon, the Hon. Samuel Sewall, a 
Puritan, held forth in judicial robe and powdered wig.  Sewall, who 
lived from 1652 to 1730, presided at the Salem witch trials and 
condemned the accused women to death.  Years later, he admitted that 
he had acted wrongly and understood that the defendants had been 
falsely accused.
"I was able to turn about and experience transformation," Sewall 
said. "God was still speaking and I'm glad that I had the ears to 
hear.  My one regret is that I never pardoned them. In hindsight, I 
know the 'spectral' evidence was probably staged. Back then, the 
standards of evidence were much different. Hearsay was accepted in court.
"These women were odd and they were singled out for it."

The appearances of these historical figures were arranged jointly by 
the project of the Amistad Research Center, UCC Archives Historical 
Council, the American Congregational Association/Historical Council 
and the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society.
"We always used to have a lunch at Synod, but we decided this year 
not to spend the money on that and try to do something dramatic 
instead," said Barbara Brown Zikmund of the Historical Council.
Those who took on the dramatic roles were friends of Zikmund whom she 
"could talk into doing something like this," she said.
Abigail Roberts was played by Marjorie Royle of the New Jersey 
Association who is on the board of the American Congregational 
Association.  Taking on the role of Sewall was the Rev. Norman 
Bendroth, an interim minister from the Boston area.
To meet other historical figures, stop at the Historical Council 
exhibit area throughout the rest of GS28 and check the schedule of appearances.