A free workshop on Healing the Wounds of Slavery: "Journey to Transformation, The Way Out is Back Through," Saturday, March 26. Coffee: 9:30 a.m.; Program 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at St. Anne's Episcopal School. Our workshop leader, Bertrice Berry, PhD, is the author of The Ties That Bind: A Memoir of Race, Memory and Redemption and other books. A native of Sussex County, Delaware, she came to learn that the history of slavery cannot be described in terms of good and evil but is a complex tapestry of roles and relations, of choices and individual responsibility. The Rev. Al Holland has said, "If the effects of slavery and segregation are finally to be erased, then you have a mighty part to play in advocacy and action in every congregation in your diocese." The Episcopal Diocese of Delaware began a journey of repentance and forgiveness with last year's Day of Repentance. The journey of healing continues. For details, contact Mary Ann Brillhart at 302 656-5441.
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Service of Repentance for Slavery in the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware
Video | Audio | Photos | Text | Workshops | Why Repent? | Quotes
Video
- The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson remembers growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, where he went on to serve as a priest at two churches, and as president of the school board. Part 1 of 2.
- The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson - Part 2 of 2.
- Pat Van Catledge tells the romantic story of her inter-racial marriage in the context of the Civil Rights Movement. Part 1 of 2.
- Pat Van Catledge - Part 2 of 2.
- Tanisha Julius has learned to be comfortable in her own skin.
Audio
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- The Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson remembers growing up in Wilmington, Delaware, where he went on to serve as a priest at two churches, and as president of the school board. MP3 audio track.
- Pat Van Catledge tells the romantic story of her inter-racial marriage in the context of the Civil Rights Movement. MP3 audio track.
- Tanisha Julius has learned to be comfortable in her own skin. MP3 audio track.
Photos
15 Photographs by Danny N. Schweers
Documents
- Bishop's Address by the Rt. Rev. Wayne Wright. "Your eyes are the lamp of your body. When your eyes are open, your whole body is full of light."
- "A Letter to the Church in Delaware" by the Rev. Al Holland. "If the effects of slavery and segregation are finally to be erased, then you have a mighty part to play in advocacy and action in every congregation in your diocese."
- I Need To Be There: The Rev. Paul Gennett, St. Thomas's Parish, Newark, tells us why he was going to be at the Service of Repentance.
- Our Response To Slavery: A sermon preached at St. Peter's, Lewes, by the Rev. Jeff Ross on the difference between being cured and being healed.
- Article in the News Journal about the upcoming Diocesan Service of Remembrance at the Cathedral Church of Saint John.
- History of Slavery in Delaware: A 6-page report of the Committee on Slavery of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware.
- The Rev. Ed Godden's article about the Episcopal Church's 2008 National Service of Repentance
- Prayers, tears and song mark Episcopal repentance for slavery by Daphne Mack, October 04, 2008
- Presiding Bishop's Sermon in 2008 at the National Service of Repentance
- NEW: Seeing the Face of God in Each Other: The Antiracism Training Manual of The Episcopal Church.
Workshops
The "Pilot Congregation" project of the Diocese of Delaware offers the following workshops to encourage diversity in churches and other institutions. Click here for details. To schedule a workshop for your church or organization, please call the Bishop's Office at 302 656-5441.
- Understanding Racism in the United States and Delaware
- Parish Self-Assessment
- Follow-up Discussions
Why Repent?
Of 39 congregations in our diocese, 24 were organized before 1860. Of these, eight predate the Revolution. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, founded in London in 1701 to evangelize the Empire, established Anglican churches in Delaware. From 1710, the Society was partially funded by profits from the largest slave worked sugar plantation in the West Indies and continued to utilize slaves until the 1833 abolition of slavery in the British empire.
Local parish life was intertwined with the institution of slavery. Many lay members and some clergy owned slaves. Eighteenth century rectors in Middletown and Lewes left slaves to their descendants in their wills, and an 18th century vestry of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, now a part of the diocese and known as Old Swedes Episcopal Church, Trinity Parish, Wilmington provided an enslaved woman for the Rectory.
In the decades following the Civil War, basic human rights afforded whites in the Constitution were legally denied to African Americans by Delaware law. The Church was too often silent.
Quotes
"This service set a tone for continuing dialogue on race relations and understanding the effect of slavery's legacy on all races. Any parish can get help facilitating discussions by calling the diocesan office at 302 656-5441. We hope to have other offerings in 2011."
—Joyce Bembry, The Pilot Congregation