Blessed Abalom Jones

 

Learn more about the spectacular Feb. 12 Commemoration of Blessed Absalom Jones

On Saturday, Feb. 12, countless proud Episcopalians tuned in to watch this beautiful, glorious, and inspiring service, celebrating the life of Blessed Absalom Jones, the first Black Episcopal priest and founder of The African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia. The Diocesan service was streamed from the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and featured performances from a number of fantastic ensembles from all over the Diocese. This special event was planned by the Absalom Jones Committee under the leadership of The Rev. Canon Jordan Casson, Canon for Reconciliation and Peace. The Anti-Racism Commission congratulates and applauds them on this magnificent event. Celebrant: The Right Reverend Daniel G. P. Gutiérrez, XVI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Guest Preacher: The Reverend Mark Andrew Jefferson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Virginia Theological Seminary Guest Choir: Pine Forge Academy Choir, Mr. Jarrett Roseborough, Director of Choral Activities Narrator: The Reverend Darrell L. Tiller, Priest-in-Charge, Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA

Missed it? Want to relive the experience?

Watch the Recording on YouTube

Download the Service Leaflet

Donate to the Absalom Jones Memorial Project

What did you think about the service? Click here to share your thoughts with ARC! We would love to hear from you.

Churches Serving People of Color in Our Diocese

We celebrate the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas and all the other parishes that serve people of color in our diocese. The Feb. 12 Commemoration included a presentation that gives an overview of these churches, their founding, and their ministries.

Watch the Presentation

Excited about the churches and ministries mentioned in the presentation? Click on the links below to find out more.

African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas St. Luke's Church, Germantown St. James Church, Kingsessing Church of the Crucifixion House of Prayer Church Free Church of St. John Church of the Annunciation St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia Church of the Advocate St. Michael's Episcopal Church St. Simon the Cyrenian Church St. Mary's Church, Chester St. Augustine of Hippo Church Christ Church and St. Michael's Church of the Holy Apostles and the Mediator Church of St. Andrews and St. Monica Grace Epiphany Church St. George and St. Barnabas Trinity Church Boothwyn Calvary St. Augustine Church

Quick links to the outstanding musical performances

Click on the links below to watch the performance or for more information.

Gathering: “Yet with a Steady Beat” Inspired by the late The Reverend Dr. Harold T. Lewis, Priest-in-Charge, Grace Epiphany Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA He's God the Whole World in His Hands, Traditional Spiritual Performed by Shango-Jamal Lewis, Soloist, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Elkins Park, PA, Mr. David Antony Lofton, Director  Make Them Hear You, Stephen Flaherty, Arr. by Jeff Funk Sung by St. James School Choir, Ms. Javvieaus Stewart, Director  Hlonofatsa (In the Name of the Father Be Blessed), South African Greeting Song Sung by Episcopal Academy Choir - Mr. James Erwin, Director  Llegaron Los Pleneros – arr. by Jonathan Santiago Performed by Bomba Band, Church of the Crucifixion, Philadelphia, PA, Mr. Anthony Mendez, Director  Perfect Way to Die - Alicia Keys Performed by Ruth Naomi Floyd, soloist, Aaron Graves, piano  O When the Saints Go Marching In Performed by the Camden Brass Ensemble – (P. A. C. E. Music Group) Mr. Jamal P. Dickerson, Director Prelude: Organ Reimagining of a Negro Spiritual: Let My People Go! Mr. Rasaan H. Bourke, Canon Music Director & Organist, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA Opening Hymn: Blessed Absalom arr. by Jay Fluellen World Premiere Performance by the Pine Forge Academy Choir, Mr. Jarrett Roseborough, Director of Choral Activities Lyrics Hymn: Lift Every Voice and Sing Sung by the Pine Forge Academy Choir, Mr. Jarrett Roseborough, Director of Choral Activities Lyrics Gradual Hymn: Great Is Thy Faithfulness, William M. Runyan Sung by the Pine Forge Academy Choir, Mr. Jarrett Roseborough, Director of Choral Activities Lyrics Offertory Anthem: Elijah Rock, Spiritual arr. Jarrett Roseborough Sung by the Pine Forge Academy Choir, Mr. Jarrett Roseborough, Director of Choral Activities Choral Meditation: Don’t Cry, Kirk Franklin Sung by the Pine Forge Academy Choir, Mr. Jarrett Roseborough, Director of Choral Activities Lyrics Postlude: Sortie on South African Freedom Song (in memory of Bishop Desmond Tutu) Mr. Rasaan H. Bourke, Canon Music Director & Organist, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA

Home Run Sermon by a Homiletics Expert

Click here to watch the Sermon that The Reverend Mark Andrew Jefferson, Ph.D. knocked out of the park What did you think of the sermon? What was your favorite part? Click here to share your thoughts with ARC!

Upcoming Anti-Racism Trainings

Racism and History Saturday, March 26 from 9 am to 12 pm on Zoom Fee: $15. Scholarships available. Explores the ways in which systemic racism was created over time through laws, policies and practices, while examining the ways in which our society has been continuously shaped by them. Completion of Introduction to Systemic Racism is a prerequisite. Register

The Anti-Racism Commission is here to connect you to trainings, resources and support that are rooted in our baptismal covenant. The Diocese's anti-racism trainings are mandatory for clergy and open to all. The series repeats annually. The Introduction to Systemic Racism workshop is offered three times a year. Click below for the full 2022 schedule of trainings. 2022 Anti-Racism Training Schedule

The Anti-Racism Commission was created by diocesan convention resolution in 2005 with the mandate “to affect the systemic and institutional transformation in the diocese away from the sin of racism and toward the fulfillment of the Gospel and the baptismal mandate to strive for justice and respect the dignity of all persons.” Consisting of 12 members, a mix of clergy and lay and persons of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, the commission aims to increase awareness of the history and legacy of racism in our country and to engage members of the diocese in dismantling its effects. To learn more about how ARC can help your parish engage in the work of racial justice and repair, contact The Rev. Barbara Ballenger (bballenger@stmartinec.org) or The Rev. Ernie Galaz (frernie@christchurchmedia.org), ARC co-chairs. Connect with us on Facebook! @ARCEpiscopalPA

6 February 2022 ~ Holy Eucharist at St. Mary's Episcopal Church