Is there Redemption from a Lynching Past? › ShepherdsVoice › SV2019 › Shepherd's+… · Evil...

i n s i d e t h i s i s s u e

st. lukes episcopal church • 435 peachtree st. ne • atlanta, ga 30308 • 404.873.7600 • www.stlukesatlanta.org

A twice monthly newsletterFebruary 1, 2019

Parish News ................................... 2Lenten Learning ............................. 3Calendar ......................................... 4Birthdays ........................................ 5Opportunities & Announcements ... 6Children, Youth and Families ........ 7Absalom Jones ............................... 7Baptism Photos .............................. 8

Is there Redemption from a Lynching Past?

Today many within church communities across racial lines begin a month long focus on the cultural value and contributions of African Americans. In light of a protracted American history that devalued and destroyed many black lives through the evils of the slave trade, slavery, segregation and lynchings, Carter G. Woodson (originator of “Negro History Week” that evolved into the current Black History Month), rightly recognized the need to honor black lives’ intellect, skill and accomplishments in a manner akin to that afforded whites. Woodson and others surmised that in a culture which generally dismissed the value, and sometimes the very humanity of this group,

there existed a need, a yearning, from those of all races to educate church and society that black people shared no less an inherent desire for benevolence and moral charac-ter than that of other groups. Nonetheless, they fought an uphill battle against negative social and religious depictions which gave rise to one of the ugliest episodes in our history: the era of lynching.

For more than a hundred years following the Civil War, thousands of innocent black men and some women and children experienced the terrors of lynchings while many whites offered silence or, in some cases, justification for these atrocities. White Episcopal church leaders and Christians within this church and the larger church offered little voice against this evil. Moreover, it is incredulous that many family members journeyed with their children to these lynching sites and felt it fitting that they, along with their children, should watch human beings being hanged and burned. There is something quite disturbing that a group of people could harbor such deep feelings of indifference and hatred for a group of people and could make peace with this oppression and destruction. Their participation in and silence about lynchings leave us with a burden that cannot be eased by denial or a commitment never to speak its name. To the contrary, as we go through this month and look toward the Lenten season, we can move beyond simplistic and unrealistic approaches that ignoring it all will magically erase it from our religious and cultural consciousness.

Is there redemption from this lynching past? As a Christian priest and a church leader here at St. Luke’s, I believe in my bones that there is always possibility for redemption, even in those places where horrible evil reigned. When I spoke with a parishioner recently who feels terrible about what happened with lynching and dreads entering another conversation about lynching, I offered her another perspective. In our conversation, I invited her, once again, to enter a place that allows the Holy Spirit to move her and all of us toward redemption. The late Christian minister and black liberation theologian, James Cone, wrote that “both the cross and the lynching tree represented the worst in human beings and at the same time ‘an unquenchable ontological thirst’ for life that refuses to let the worst determine our final meaning.” If we walk away from the “lynching tree”

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Staff InformationSt. Luke’s Episcopal Church

404-873-7600StLukesAtlanta.org

The Rev. Ed BaconInterim Rector

2019 Vestry

Clergy

The Rev. Elizabeth Shows CaffeyLiturgy and Education

404-873-7612 | [email protected]

The Rev. Horace L. GriffinPastoral Care and Outreach


Staff

Caitlin Dowling, Music Associate404-873-7634 | [email protected]

Beth Elliott, Rector’s Executive Assistantand Liturgy Assistant


Valerie Freer, Receptionist/Admin. Assistant404-873-7600 | [email protected]

Kristin Houser, Director of Children, Youthand Family Ministries


Brian Hummel, Manager of Facilities Support404-873-7647 | Cell: 404-291-0059

[email protected]

Michelle Jemmott, Manager of Office Admin.404-873-7616 | [email protected]

Colleen Kingston, Assistant for Children’s Music404-735-1933 | [email protected]

David Lowry, Parish Administrator404-873-7663 | [email protected]

Mark Simmons, Director of Membership and Stewardship


Dr. Arlan J. Sunnarborg, Director of Music404-873-7620 | [email protected]

Priscilla Tennant, Administrative Assistant404-873-6711 | [email protected]

Jessie Wallace, Bookkeeper404-873-7617 | [email protected]

Hala Hess White, Director of Communications404-873-7630 | [email protected]

Scott Inman, Senior WardenRichard Lee, Junior Warden

Mignon Crawford, Treasurer Cap Putt, Finance Chair

Pat Brumbaugh, Chancellor

Parish News

C.J. CashJimmy CushmanCaroline FoosheeBruce GunterMelba Hughes

Livingstone JohnsonSara KennedyAnn KimseyCarolle PerkinsNeil Schemm

Would you like to commune and get to know other St. Luke’s parishioners in your “neighbor-hood”? This year, there will be an opportunity! Zip Code Dinners are informal gatherings that will take place in various communities within and surrounding Atlanta. Zip Code Dinners will give parishioners an opportunity to make new friends as well as visit with old ones! We’ve got some gatherings in the works - in the Kennesaw area, the I-85 - Emory area, and the 400 corridor. If you are interested in hosting a dinner in your area, please contact Jessica Tonge ([email protected]) for more information. If you’re interested in attending one of the dinners, look for information in the weekly announcements.

PARTYValentine’s Day

BINGO

Join us for lunchand bingo on

Valentine’s Day!Noon | Parish Hall | $7

RSVP 404-873-7777by Sunday, Feb. 10

Act III offers gatherings and activities for parishioners 60 and up in an effort to strengthen relationships and create a better sense of community.

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For a hundred years following United States slavery, thousands of innocent black men along with some women and children were lynched. While many white politicians as well as faith leaders and Christians, including Episcopalians, were often silent as these atrocities occurred, others supported theological and social justifications for the evil they had done or the evil done on their behalf. Today it is essential that we do not turn away from this ugly past, but turn to-ward it and--as people of faith--find redemption by standing against current religious and social oppression. To this end, Bridge Builders invites the congregation into our 2019 Lenten Series, “For the Evil Done: The Cross and the Lynching Tree.” Since Lent is a time for repentance and renewal, Bridge Builders will offer a five-week Lenten reading and discussion of James Cone’s The Cross and the Lynching Tree, led by Dr. Catherine Meeks, executive director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing. All Saints’ will join St. Luke’s in this series for five Sundays,

March 10-April 7 from 4-5:30 p.m. The congregations will alternate meeting spaces during the series. At the end of the series, participants will take a pilgrimage on Saturday, April 13 to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, informally known as the Lynching Memorial, in Montgomery. This is the memorial to people terrorized by lynching that was conceived and built by Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative. Stevenson spoke eloquently about his desire to build this memorial when he was at St. Luke’s in 2016. Register on St. Luke’s website at the Sign Up tab. If you have questions, contact Amy Durrell or Horace Griffin ([email protected]). Registration begins February 1.

Ed ucation Series in Lent

In February we’re filling the baskets with items for San Pablo

parish in Cuba.

Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications: Tylenol, naproxen, aspirin Vitamins: One-a-Day type for men, women and children.For stomach: Probiotics, Ox Bile, Zegerid (omprazole), Pepto Bismol, Tums, antacidsAllergy sufferers: Loratadine, Zyrtek, Allegra, Claritin, etc.Nasal Decongestant: Nasal spray, Flonase, ClariSpray, etc.Flu: Advil, Motrin, ibuprofenFirst Aid: bandaids, creamsArtificial Tears Eye Drops: Visine, eye itch relief

In March a group of parishioners will travel to Camaguey and deliver your gifts to the parish.

FEBRUARY 12 , 2019 - 11 :30AM - 1 :00 PM

HAMILTON ROOM OF ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

435 PEACHTREE STREET NE , ATLANTA

Free entry & lunch for the first 15 participants to register.

Otherwise, $5 registration or $15 registration with lunch.

Registration is required to attend.

To register contact 404-876-6266 or email [email protected]

Healthy Living For Your Brain & BodyAn education program by

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and

the body are connected. But now, science is able to provide

insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you

keep your brain and body healthy as you age. The workshop

covers lifestyle habits that are associated with healthy aging

including cognitive activity, physical health and exercise,

diet and nutrition and social engagement.

Pat Purcell

Laura Wakefieldmother of Michael Wakefield

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From time to time, St. Luke’s publishes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and photos of church members in the church bulletin, newsletter, directory and other church communications. As a policy, we will not use names with photos of children.

If you do not want us to use your information in communications, please email David Lowry, Parish Administrator at:

[email protected]

Deaths

1Mary VachonPhilo OdiheElizabeth HandShemar FletcherTillan HydeCatherine Shiels2William DixonRobert SherrillMary Lynn OwenHannah LandgrafBryce BowmanShay Bowman3Pierre HowardJeanne DanielsTanya FarshyTian BuzbeeBettie Harrell4Phil PeacockUchenna OdiheQuinn HammondKatherine Claire Kennedy5Marguerite WellbornDavid PerrySteven AlbertJulie JamesRetta SolaConnor Hallinan6 Louisa D’AntignacMeghan GristWil RobertsonKate GrahamDallas Messina

7John RaevuoriPatty PetiotDrew PuttMary Rawson ForemanJeff RomigWil Cramer8Paul NeffRuth ClaiborneLiz TownsendBen Wakefield9Jacquelyn NunneleyPeter VarneyCharlotte CloydJack ChapelAndrew HollisRhett Crozier11 Brenda StreetJohn FloydClaudia FaulkenberryRandy PflegerMaria FaurotCharlie Tedder 12James StrackPam YawnJan DixonJewell GrubbsReed GottXavier Massey13Patrick McFarlandWard SeymourBrooks FranklinMary Ann Phillips

Allison HawkinsElijah Dumitrescu14Ed BaconLinda ParksJulius HollisJim HughesPaul MurphyThom SheltonLisa BallardJonathan TabbMatt ScofieldAnna CurreyFrancisco FernandezDelbert HollomanDelvin Holloman15Ben GarrettVirginia DotyMelissa HeathJoseph ByrdIsabella ZamboniSophia ArnoldCarson JamesAndrew Dean16 Bert BauerPalmour DoddCathy BonkPeter Miller, IIIFrancesca TownsendCatesby PerrinStephanie OkpalaFin Vason17Glen AlstonPatty PflumJimmy Lockhart

Leigh BostArn St. Cyr, IILibby ThompsonAnnie ZintakHelen Moore18Anna FaurotMaya Horne19 Bruce GunterJoe Sands IVMichelle JemmottDarcey MullisDan McFallGinny MuirKate RasheedCatherine ThibadeauTess Ker-SeymerJacob CroskeyAdaeze EzigboWilliam Hutchison20Jimmy CushmanAndrew HallHannah HambyBryson CaproniKate HarlanAli PerpallJames Hearne21Beth GuytonJames Patterson22Melba HughesSallie TopflKatherine Lockett23Charlie BenedictDonna Fowlkes

Birthdays for February 2019

We celebrate the lives that make up the community of St. Luke’s Church.

Wes GiffordHouston PayneLewis Glenn Jr.Obi NwizuGrace HillMason McMillan24Buz GraettingerJason WestberryPeter MarchettiBen Shipp25Vivian BencichMichael Rigby26Jeff BrownJohn HortenDuncan Carel27Louis McLeodVicky BenedictSarah CarlsonSam JenningsTanner Overbay28Lizzie McDuffiePeter GerakitisMargaret MobleyCaroline EvansMary DinermanEdmond Smythe29Bill MooreArn St. Cyr Sr.Anna Fowlkes

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Announcements & Opportunities

and do nothing, then we will have allowed evil to have the last word. We will have forsaken our very story as Christians of resurrection after death, hope following struggle and love over hate. Redemption is ensuring that destruction is not the final moment. In our work in the environment and the soil, we always commit ourselves to pruning, to remove what has died and finding ways to plant and create new life.

When we begin reading and discussing Cone’s The Cross and The Lynching Tree next month, we are offereing a rich oppor-tunity to move deeper into redemption. And while it is important for apologies to be rendered by those whose ancestors participated actively or passively in lynchings to those whose ancestors suffered from what was or could have been, the greater work involves where we go from here as a community of faith. How might we use this moment to recommit our-selves to opposing current lynchings of innocent black men, women and children? Recently, in the state of Georgia and other parts of the south, there has been a reckoning of sorts to address lynching. In Episcopal churches, there has been removal of Confederate monuments, statues and all the symbols that gave reverence to a culture that favored some lives at the expense of others. Our faith reminds us that God’s favor is never partial. So, as a way to move us toward redemption and wholeness, our Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta has been involved in a three-year series of pilgrimages to remember those lynched, our sis-ters and brothers robbed of the beautiful life that God gave them, and commit ourselves to ensuring a world where all lives are valued. Parishes like St. Mark’s, LaGrange, are recognizing this as part of their baptismal covenant to “work for justice and peace for all human beings.”

I invite you to be a part of the class during Lent that will involve our engagement of The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Follow-ing the reading of this late scholar’s work, we will take a pilgrimage to the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, infor-mally known as the Lynching Memorial, in Montgomery, Alabama Although we cannot undo the past, we can do the work to ensure that generations here and those to come will not have to ever face the evil visited upon those before us. And in so doing this work, we will honor God.

No Young Adults Brunch or Go Forth and Eat! Feb. 3

The first Sunday this month is Super Bowl Sunday and large crowds are expected in and around Midtown Atlanta as the game is being played here. The concensus all around is that it won’t be a great Sunday to go out for a meal at 12:30 p.m., so both Go Forth and Eat! and the Young Adults Brunch are going to skip Feb. 3 with an eye on gathering the first Sunday in March.

THE GO! SUMMITRacial Healing in a Changing World

Saturday, February 168:30 AM - 3:45 PM

The Cathedral of St. Philip

This year, Global Missions’ annual Go! Summit will explore racial reconciliation and healing on a local and global level. The one-day event will feature speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions using the companion relationship between the Diocese of Atlanta and the Diocese of Cape Coast Ghana as a lens through which we can explore how to address our past and embrace our future.

Special guests include the Rev. Raphael G. War-nock, senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Fr. Theophilus Odametey from the Anglican Diocese of Cape Coast, and our bishop, Rob Wright.

Register from the link on the Sign Up tab on the St. Luke’s website by Monday, February 11. The regis-tration fee is $30 and includes lunch and refresh-ments.

Save the DateSunday, March 3 at 5 p.m.

Meet the Search CommitteeWe are pleased that the following parishioners have agreed to serve:

Lisa Boswell, Danielle Clark, Ann Cramer, Russell Currey, Fontaine Draper, LaFawn Gilliam, Melba Hughes, Kate Kennedy, Wade Morris, Larry Pless, Susanna Roberts and Greg Vaughn. The Senior Wardens for 2018 and 2019 will also serve as ex officio members. Greg Vaughn has agreed to chair the search. We again are blessed to be able to call on Greg’s leadership! The Search Committee has met with our search consultant and Canon Schus-ter-Weltner to kickoff the process. Now, they will begin the parish profile with development of a parish survey.

Is there Redemption from a Lynching Past? continued from page 1

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CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIESCOMING UP:

EYC Soup-er Bowl Party … All youth are invited to gather at the home of the Putt Family at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 3 to watch the Super Bowl, hang out, and support the Midtown Assistance Center. Bring a can of soup or any item from MAC’s Amazon wish list, which is, ironically, 97.2% not-soup. Text Kristin for a link to the wish list and to RSVP (770-778-2653).

EYC to COCG … During Sunday School on February 10, youth will make lunches for our neighbors at Church of the Common Ground. Then we will gather at the church after the 11:15 a.m. service to car-pool to Church of the Common Ground to worship with our neighbors there and serve lunch. Drivers needed. Email Kristin to volunteer ([email protected]).

My Body, My Faith … This 7-week course for 5th graders and their parents, held Sunday mornings at 10:15 a.m., facilitates conversations between parents and children on issues they face as they leave childhood and enter adolescence. The course begins with a parent orientation session on Sun-day, February 10. For the full class schedule and for more information, please email Kristin ([email protected]).

The Center for Racial Healing &

The Atlanta Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians invite you to join us as we celebrate the remarkable life

and witness of the first African American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church.

The Feast of Absalom Jones Sunday, February 10, 2019

3 p.m. Holy Eucharist Church of the Incarnation

2407 Cascade Rd. SW Atlanta, GA 30311

The Reverend Naomi Tutu (Daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu)

will be our preacher.

For more information, contact Tiffany King at [email protected]

Absalom Jones, a Saint of the Church

On February 10 we will celebrate the Feast of Absalom Jones, the first African-American ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church and a founder of the first African Episco-pal Church.

Jones, who died February 13, 1818, was born into slavery in Delaware in 1746. While a slave, he married Mary King, another slave. He worked for eight years to buy his wife’s freedom so that their children would be free, and seven years later he was able to purchase his own freedom.

Jones became an active member of St. George’s Meth-odist Church in Philadelphia, serving as lay preacher for the black members of the congregation. A gifted orator, he in-creased black membership in the church at such a remark-able rate that white parishioners began trying to segregate the congregation. After a Sunday service in November 1786, when ushers tried to force all black parishioners, including Jones, to the balcony, Jones and his followers left St. George’s.

Jones and Richard Allen, who had been a fellow member of St. George’s, founded the Free African Society in 1787, a nondenominational mutual aid society designed to assist freed slaves. By 1791, the African Society had evolved into the African Church, which was received into the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1794 and renamed St. Thomas’ African Episcopal Church.

“Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, St. Luke’s welcomes you.”

Pastoral Crisis or Concerns?Call Beth Elliott at 404-873-7610, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., weekdays: X To connect with our Pastoral Care staff for such things as illness, hospitalization, miscarriage, divorce, unemployment;X To add a name to our parish prayer list or;X To have someone placed on the St. Luke’s Intercessory Prayer list to be prayed for daily.

After-hours and on weekends, call the church at 404-873-7600 to get the name and number of the priest on call.

May God bless you and comfort you in your difficult times as well as your joyful ones.

X

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Permit 486 Atlanta, GA435 Peachtree St. NE

Atlanta, GA 30308-3228

To Submit Articles

E-mail Hala Hess White [email protected]

or call 404-873-7630 to submit articles.

Deadline for the February 15

editionWednesday, Jan. 30

by noon.

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We Welcome the Newly Baptized

Wrenn Annette Wiredaughter of Claire and Coy Wire Stan Morrell

Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.

We really want you to be with usat St. Luke’s on Sundays!

But if you can’t, join us live on the Internet.

All you need to do is go to the front page of the church website and look for the “Watch Live” button.

There is also a button that will take you to our video archive to watch previous sermons or speakers.

Is there Redemption from a Lynching Past? › ShepherdsVoice › SV2019 › Shepherd's+… · Evil...

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Transcript of Is there Redemption from a Lynching Past? › ShepherdsVoice › SV2019 › Shepherd's+… · Evil...