by Fortunata Jefferson, Chapter President, UBE Rev Curtis Cisco Chapter-
It was a homecoming of sorts for the Union of Black Episcopalians in the Diocese of Louisiana. Twenty-five years ago, UBE visited New Orleans for the Annual Business Meeting and Conference.
From July 31, until August 4, a sentimental journey for UBE members took place for many members. They had originally come to New Orleans in 1991, and many had returned. Some had not been to New Orleans since Katrina and were anxious to see what changes had taken place.
For everyone, it was a joyful celebration. Each Eucharist was a celebration of our faith as only African American Episcopalians can worship. It was so uplifting to share our worship experience with friends and family in the Diocese.
The most moving experience was to see Bishop Curry, our African American Presiding Bishop take his seat in the Bishop’s Chair that had been crafted by slaves. The descendent of slaves taking his rightful place in that chair in the Cathedral. It was awesome.
Bishop Curry’s sermon was uplifting and hopeful and I am sure that it was so for all the nearly one thousand people in attendance.
The second night was even more special. The memorial service was to remember all those UBE members who had left us in the past year, as well as a special mention for Fr. Curtis Sisco. I know that on that special night he was in all of our thoughts and prayers.
Bishop Vashti McKenzie preached a sermon that was a positive call to action. It expanded on the theme of “Black Lives Matter” in a way that I appreciated. Instead of preaching blame and negativity, she spoke of our individual responsibility to our lives and those of others with whom we come in contact. It was a way of thinking about our being answerable for some of the things that are happening and how we can positively effect the changes. I hope to hear her preach again.
Eucharist on the second day of the conference was held at Trinity, New Orleans. It was a celebration of women in ministry. The Rev. Barbara Harris, the first female bishop in the Episcopal Church, was the celebrant. The Rt. Rev. Vashti McKenzie, the first female bishop of the AME Church, was the preacher.
The workshops were varied and informative, but my favorite was Rev. Kellie Brown Douglas. She spoke around her latest book Stand Your Ground. She spoke of the repercussions in society that all the recent tragedies have produced. She spoke of what is needed to be done to positively move past these events. I was very grateful that she could make it to New Orleans.
The Young Adults had their own conference elements and although we didn’t see much of them, we did know that they were enjoying their activities. For the first time, we had two young people from this Diocese participating and they really enjoyed their experience.
All in all, it was an experience that was invaluable, in that it inspired all of us to look at our daily church life and to begin to search out ways of creatively communicating with each other and building new relationships in the Episcopal Church. I hope that it will continue to provide the wherewithal that we as a community, both black and white, need to grow.
More photographs on the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Facebook Page
