1 The Anchor September 2016 Published Monthly by St. Clement’s Episcopal Church Diocese of Northern California A Veteran Friendly Congregation Visit us on the web at saint-clements.com 2376 Zinfandel Dr. Rancho Cordova, Ca. 95670 On Sunday, September 4, the Episcopal Church celebrates the life and legacy of notable saint, the Reverend Alexander Crummell. This day is also designated as Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) Sunday to commemorate the racial justice ministry of this organization which was an outgrowth of Crummell ’s advocacy. The Rev. Alexander Crummell was born March 3, 1819 in New York City to Charity Hicks, a free woman of color, and Boston Crummell, a former slave. Both parents were active abolitionists. The first African-American newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was published out of their home. As a young man, Crummell was driven out of an academy in New Hampshire, dismissed as a candidate for Holy Orders in New York, and rejected for admittance to General Seminary because of his race. He was eventually ordained in 1844 as a priest in the Diocese of Massachusetts, but left for England after being excluded from participating in diocesan convention. Ever determined, Crummell studied at Queens’ College, Cambridge and was the first officially black student recorded as graduating. Soon after, he traveled to Liberia as a missionary to convert native Africans to Christianity and educate them, as well as to persuade American black community of their duty to go to Af- rica to spread Christianity across the continent. Crummell lived and worked for 20 years in Liberia. Finally, political opposition, lack of funding, and the potential for life-threatening violence forced him to return to the United States. Upon return to the U.S., he was first called to St. Mary’s Episcopal Mission in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, DC. In 1875 he and his congregation founded St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the first inde- pendent black Episcopal church in the city. When in 1882 southern bishops proposed that a separate mission- ary district be created for black congregations, Crummell was a founding leader in establishing national black convocation to fight the proposal. That organization became known as Conference of Church Workers Among Colored People and is a predecessor body to Union of Black Episcopalians. After retiring from St. Luke’s in 1894, Crummell taught at Howard University until 1897. He died September 10, 1898 at the age of 79. Crummell was an important voice within the abolition movement and a leader of Pan-African ideology, influencing other black nationalists. In fact, W.E.B. Du Bois paid tribute to Crummell with a memorable essay entitled “Of Alexander Crummell” collected in his 1903 book, The Souls of Black Folk. His feast day in the Episcopal Church is September 10. The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) is a national faith-based advocacy organization whose goal is to address racial and social injustices and disparities within and outside our church. Visit UBE ’s website, www.ube.org, to support their ministry of justice and racial reconciliation. The Rev. Alexander Crummell and Union of Black Episcopalians Wendy Johnson |
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The Anchor
September 2016
Published Monthly by St. Clement’s Episcopal Church
Diocese of Northern California
A Veteran Friendly Congregation
Visit us on the web at saint-clements.com
2376 Zinfandel Dr.
Rancho Cordova, Ca. 95670
On Sunday, September 4, the Episcopal Church celebrates the life and legacy of notable saint, the Reverend Alexander Crummell. This day is also designated as Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) Sunday to commemorate the racial justice ministry of this organization which was an outgrowth of Crummell’s advocacy. The Rev. Alexander Crummell was born March 3, 1819 in New York City to Charity Hicks, a free woman of color, and Boston Crummell, a former slave. Both parents were active abolitionists. The first African-American newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was published out of their home. As a young man, Crummell was driven out of an academy in New Hampshire, dismissed as a candidate for Holy Orders in New York, and rejected for admittance to General Seminary because of his race. He was eventually ordained in 1844 as a priest in the Diocese of Massachusetts, but left for England after being excluded from participating in diocesan convention. Ever determined, Crummell studied at Queens’ College, Cambridge and was the first officially black student recorded as graduating. Soon after, he traveled to Liberia as a missionary to convert native Africans to Christianity and educate them, as well as to persuade American black community of their duty to go to Af-rica to spread Christianity across the continent. Crummell lived and worked for 20 years in Liberia. Finally, political opposition, lack of funding, and the potential for life-threatening violence forced him to return to the United States. Upon return to the U.S., he was first called to St. Mary’s Episcopal Mission in the Foggy Bottom area of Washington, DC. In 1875 he and his congregation founded St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the first inde-pendent black Episcopal church in the city. When in 1882 southern bishops proposed that a separate mission-ary district be created for black congregations, Crummell was a founding leader in establishing national black convocation to fight the proposal. That organization became known as Conference of Church Workers Among Colored People and is a predecessor body to Union of Black Episcopalians. After retiring from St. Luke’s in 1894, Crummell taught at Howard University until 1897. He died September 10, 1898 at the age of 79. Crummell was an important voice within the abolition movement and a leader of Pan-African ideology, influencing other black nationalists. In fact, W.E.B. Du Bois paid tribute to Crummell with a memorable essay entitled “Of Alexander Crummell” collected in his 1903 book, The Souls of Black Folk. His feast day in the Episcopal Church is September 10. The Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) is a national faith-based advocacy organization whose goal is to address racial and social injustices and disparities within and outside our church. Visit UBE’s website, www.ube.org, to support their ministry of justice and racial reconciliation.
The Rev. Alexander Crummell and Union of Black Episcopalians
September 4 Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 18: 1-11 PSALM 139: 1-6, 13-18 Philemon 1: 1-1:21 Luke 14: 25-33 September 11 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 4: 11-12, 22-28 PSALM 14 1 Timothy 1: 12-17 Luke 15: 1-10 September 18 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 8: 18, 9: 1 PSALM 79: 1-9 1 Timothy2: 1-7 Luke 16: 1-13 September 25 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 32: 1-3a, 6-15 PSALM 91: 1-6, 14-16 1 Timothy 6: 6-19 Luke 16: 19-31
“In a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. The learned usually find themselves equipped to live only in a world that no longer exists.”
Philosopher Eric Hoffer, quoted in “Forward Day by Day,” August 16
That about sums up much of the reading of the Vestry this year. It was as true in Jesus’s time as it is in ours. A time of change and upheaval is scary if we do not trust in the Holy Spirit. There is so much I do not know, but one thing I think I know is that truth is often revealed slowly and help can come from unexpected quarters.
That is a long way of asking for your participation as St. Clement’s moves from a 20-hour-a-week priest-in-charge to …What? It could be a full-time rector, a 3/4 -time priest, a half-time priest, or something else.
The process works on two tracks, one financial and one practical. The Budget Committee will meet soon. Its work will inform the Stewardship Committee. The practical track starts with a Profile Committee. Please prayerfully consider participating.
The Founders’ Day Picnic, September 17, is shaping up to be really exciting. Many community organizations will have information tables. In addition to recognizing our 55th anniversary, we will celebrate paying off the construction loan. Expect flashing lights, great music, good food, more flashing lights, fire, community leaders, and a different use of our grounds. Minimum speeches – I promise!
Speaking of our grounds -- your junior warden, Pam Boughton, could use help find-ing a good tree service to remove the dead trees on our property. They must be licensed and bonded.
Three members of the congregation have signed up for EfM. We are grateful for their participation.
Father Dave will miss convention this year, but he has a really good excuse. He will be in Zambia with his daughter, building houses for Habitat for Humanity. What an adventure that sounds like!
New vestry members will be elected at the annual meeting in January 2017. It is not too early to consider whether you might be called to this ministry.
In 2013 we began our Capital Campaign to continue to pay off the loan from the Diocese for our “home improvement” project. At the time (2013) we owed $150,000.00. As of April that debt is down to just $11,966.00. If you weren’t a member then or were unable to participate in 2013, it is not too late to make a commitment now as part of our “Celebrating Our Blessings: Discovering New Treasurers” Stewardship campaign. There are pledge envelopes for the Capital Campaign on the table in the Narthex. Your contribution would instantly reduce the total amount and the interest payment.
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Great Greens By Dorothy Lecel
The St Francis produce market is open from 10 to 11 every Tuesday, the selection varies by what is most abundant so the variety is really good. They will also accept special requests. The prices are amazing and while they call themselves a senior market all are welcome. Please check it out, I think you will be pleased.
Celebrating 55 Years in the Community
ST. CLEMENT’S FOUNDER’S DAY COMMUNITY PICNIC AND RESOURCE FAIR
CELEBRATING 55 YEARS & CAPITAL CAMPAIGN LOAN BURNING 1961-2016
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 12 PM TO 2 PM
You are invited to join us for a BBQ picnic. Music by the St. Clement’s Ukupalian’s and St. Clement’s
Six Representatives from local organizations (CHP,
St. Francis Market, Respite Club, Project 680 and more) Special Ceremony to burn the loan papers
BBQ-$5 donation per person
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Pet Help If you would like to help support the Pet Food Assistance Program at the Sacramento County Animal Shel-
ter, please bring non-perishable dog or cat food to church and Dorothy LeCel has volunteered to deliver the
donations to the shelter. Please see Dorothy for details.
FIJI HURRICANE RELIEF:
In addition to gifts through the church, those wishing to assist the victims of Cyclone Winston in the Fijian islands may do so through Sea Mercy, a non-profit that provides medical assistance throughout the south Pa-cific. View their website to learn more about their current work in Fiji and elsewhere: http://www.seamercy.org/FijiRelief
Education for Ministry Education for Ministry, or EfM, is a program of education for laity interested in learning more about the faith - history, Bible, theology and pastoral care. It is a way to deepen faith and feel more confident in taking on a leadership role in the local as well as the wider church. We are seeking 6-8 people interested in begin-ning a course of study this fall (September) by joining an already established group at our neighbor to the north, St. Francis Fair Oaks. There are brochures in the Narthex explaining more, or online at: http://efm.sewanee.edu
RESOLVING RESENTMENT: RETREAT FOR PERSONAL HEALING Saturday, September 10 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This day-long retreat is for anyone who has been carrying the burden of pain or resentment for past hurts, and is finally ready to let go and be free. Led by the Rev Dr Rob Voyle. For information and to register, click the link. http://www.appreciativeway.com/training/forgive-retreat.cfm
"TEACH THEM HOW TO FORGIVE"
Friday, September 9, 2016 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM This is a workshop for clergy, mental health professionals (psychologists, therapists), chaplains and spiritual directors, led by the Rev Dr Rob Voyle. To register, click the link http://www.appreciativeway.com/training/forgive-prog.cfm
Please call Len Honeycutt (362-5170) or the church office (635-5282) or send an e-mail to the church at [email protected] if you would like communion brought to you or a
