Leading & Empowering The People Of God
A look in the mirror this morning revealed that I was not Lynn Collins.
We received word on the weekend that she had sustained injury to both of her ankles due to
a fall and has been confined her home for the next six weeks. So I ask you to remember her
in your prayers.
The lot has fallen upon me to follow stand in the marks of Dr. Davis,
Bishop Taylor, Dr. Kelly Brown and now Bishop Curry, to share a word from the Lord with
what is perhaps now the biggest single Church service in North America observing Black
History Month. This is a humbling experience and it is more humbling when one looks out
and see the hundreds of faces glowing with the glory of God.
It is perhaps God's will that one of us from Toronto should
reflect on the theme Ministry In The Black Community, Ministry By The Black Community:
Leading and Empowering God's People.
I do so the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
**********************
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian playing with her son Isaac.
"Cast out this slave woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not
inherit along with my son Isaac." (Genesis 21:9-10)
"Go over to this chariot and join it." (Acts 8:29)
It was God who spoke to Abraham in his home country and told him "Go
from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show
you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so
that you will be a blessing." (Genesis 12:1-2)
When it appeared as though Sarah was not going to assist God with this
promise, she recommended that he should turn to the African slave-girl in his house.
Things worked out and Hagar, produced Ishmael. Now we had two wives in the house who began
to fight for turf. Hagar was forced to run away but while on the run, she too had a
conversation with God. She too was assured "I will so greatly multiply your
offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude." Genesis 16:10)
She was encouraged to return to Abraham's house. When God told
Abraham that Sarah would have her child. He doubted, had a good laugh and asked God if
Ishmael would not be enough. God assured him that he would have a role to play in his
scheme of things. As for Ishmael, I have heard you; I will bless him and make him
fruitful and exceedingly numerous; he shall be the father of twelve princes, and I will
make him a great nation. (Genesis 17:20)
Abraham took Ishmael and all the slaves born in his house and
circumcised them. They were made members of the covenant. Though slaves, they were brought
within the embraced of the God of the covenant. They were also heirs of the promise.
Thirteen years after his birth, the miracle happened and Sarah,
herself, gave birth to Isaac. The problems of thirteen years resurfaced. This time with
the children. As Isaac grew, Ishmael engaged him in play and like any child taught his
younger brother what he had known. It was then that Sarah began to demonstrate some racist
tendencies.
But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to
Abraham, playing with her son Isaac. So she said to Abraham, "Cast out this slave
woman with her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit along with my son
Isaac." (Genesis 21:9-10)
I can't have my child playing with this black boy. Abraham was
distressed. But for a second time, God assured Abraham that this child of the covenant
will be the father of a great nation. This child of the covenant and his mother were
banished from Sarah's house, cast out to wander in the wilderness of Ber-sheba with
some bread and water. With his voice of assurance, for the second time, finding the
African girl who had put her exhausted, dying boy under the bush to die, we hear the andel
of God saying "And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to
Hagar from heaven, and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for
God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him fast
with your hand, for I will make a great nation of him." (Genesis 21:17-18).
**********************
The African child, the child of the covenant was not fit to play with
his brother. How has that story been played out over the years in our church! Many of the
earlier arrivals from the Caribbean and Africa in the 50's and 60's and even
more recently were told that they could not play with fellow Anglicans in Toronto.
Many have told their story over and over again. They came to work as
domestic helpers, porters on trains and seasonal laborers in the farming industry. Many of
them brought with them a tradition of worship that they inherited from their colonial
masters and sought, in their new home land, to continue to practice and share in the
Anglican Church with which they were quite familiar. They came as "born and
bred" Anglicans and sought to enter the Anglican Church, thinking that they were
coming "home" to their church, to the only one they knew. They were too Black to
be Anglican and Sarah did not want them to play with her children.
In most cases they were made to feel unwelcome and were forced to seek
new church homes in other Christian churches. In some instances, Blacks were sent to a
churches where they would be with "their own kind". Many were told that they
would have been more comfortable at the church at the corner of "St. Clair and
Wychwood" or "College and Bellevue". (St. Michael and all Angels and St.
Stephen-in-the-fields). But even at St. Michael's the discomfort of having Blacks around
could have been felt. Today, if one were to closely examine the west wall of that church
building, one can still see the remnants of racist graffiti which reads "Death to
Race Mixers". Sarah did not want them to play with her children.
There are other churches like St. Michael's and St.
Stephen's. Over time, these churches became overwhelmingly Black. Although many in
our church avoid using the term "Black Church", the reality is that there are
"Black Churches" in our diocese. They were not created by any planned policy of
the diocese. They were not created by militant Black people. They were created because
many of the folk of the dominant culture left as the Black population increased or because
the Blacks were forced together. (This is not always the case, but it is a fact). There
were some who did not want to play with Hagar's children.
Those who continue as members of predominantly white churches, still
find themselves largely on the fringe of the life and ministry of the church, taking part
mainly in communal worship and little else. There are a few Blacks whose tenacity and
courage have made them stand out in their involvement in the church.
Whether in "Black Churches" or "White Churches",
Black Anglicans still find themselves (in many cases) on the fringes of the church's
leadership and power structure. Some only appear as "tokens" when it seems to
matter. The fall out of all this is that their children see the Anglican Church as part of
that hostile segment of the white society and have no regard for the church. This
impression is reinforced by the social pressures in the wider society which make them feel
like strangers in their "home and native land".
In short, Black Anglicans in Toronto were not always made to feel
welcome in the Anglican Church. Those who endured all much and became members were never
accepted as an equal and meaningful segment of the Anglican Church's body. They are many
who are quick to use isolated cases of Black involvement to show its tolerance of Blacks
as they ignore the dissatisfaction expressed by many Blacks about the attitude, in
general, of the church towards them. Because they do not want to play with Hagar's
children.
**********************
That was not the case with Philip in today's reading from the Book
of Acts. As Philip found himself hitchhiking to Azotus, he saw the chariot heading in his
direction. The rich African brother pulled up and offered him a ride. He must have been
surprised, and at the same time glad, to see a Black man in such an impressive set of
wheels. He got in nonetheless and began to engage the brother in conversation. He had no
problem with sharing the ride with the African.. He was from a group of people who knew
what it meant to be ignored and taken for granted. In fact he was chosen as one of the
seven deacons to take care of the Hellenist Jews who were being overlooked by the Hebrews.
We are told that Philip proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus,
about the one who played with all sorts of people. They talked about Jesus and about his
message which called for the inclusion of all people. He told him about the one who did
not have a problem going to the house of Zacchaeus, about the one who did not have a
problem befriending the prostitute, about the one who did not mind going to a party and
hanging out with the so-called taxcollectors and sinners. He told him about the one who
said "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the
law and the prophets." (St. Matthew 7:12). They talked about the one who said
I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find
pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have
life, and have it abundantly. (St. John 10:9-10).
Philip was comfortable in the Black man's company and they were
able to share the good news.
**********************
Thank God in Toronto, there have been those like Philip who are
comfortable riding in the Black people chariot. Thank God there are those in Sarah's
household who, like Abraham, were distressed. They sought to open the play ground for
Hagar's children. Allies like Bishop Arthur Brown, John Erb, Cam Russell, Jerry
Loweth, Jim Garland, Bill Kibblewhite, to name a few, began to raise the issues of
exclusion and racism in our church in places where it mattered. But they could only do so
much, like a good godfather they sought to improve the situation.
Change is happening in our church. The Bishops are listening. God is
leading. However, We cannot expect them or others to continue to speak and act for us. We
must step up to the plate and provide the leadership and voice for the Black community in
Toronto. It is up to us even more now to tell our own story, to say where we want to go,
how we want to participate and play in God's playground where Sarah's is one of
the members of the household.
But we have a problem. Many of us do not really know who we are and so,
we cannot say what we want to do. Many refuse to admit that they are black. Many of our
efforts to articulate how we want to play in God's playground have been met, in our
own community, with the discouragement on the one hand and cynicism on the other. This is
not necessary! All is well! Some ask, what are you trying to do. We are alright,
don't rock the boat. But they ain't in the boat, they are overboard and the boat
is sailing on. Many point to their Scottish heritage, or their British or Irish heritage.
It is easy to say I have Scottish roots that to lay claim to our rich African heritage. To
develop our ministry, we need to know, first of all, who we really are.
Somehow we have been influenced into believing that we must stop
reading our history. We should no longer talk about the Black Holocaust. That's in
the past. Let us look to the future. My question to those who attempt to erase my history,
our history, is this. Who among you have told the Jews that they should forget the
massacre of their 5 million? Ours were 100 million, and that is a conservative estimate.
In less that 200 years, 100 million suffered after they were told they had no souls. How
can we deny that! Are they of less value than the 5 million? You will watch
Schindler's List but criticise Armitsad.
Not only were 100 million killed, millions more were denied basic
freedoms, Africa was raped of her human and material wealth...and that continues to this
day. Africa and the Caribbean were impoverished so that Europe should flourish. This is
who we are. This is where we came from. A people who, against the might of Europe's
armies and Bible wielding chaplains to murder and rape, were able to rise and claim our
place in today's world, in today's church.
**********************
We need persons who are not afraid to tell these truths to our church
leadership and to those of our own community who would rather us be silent and be content
with their own personal success, with no regard for others who are struggling. We need
persons to speak for them and to show them that they too can share in that abundant life
which God has promised to them and to further assure them that that abundant life can be
experienced even in the Anglican Church in Toronto. For in the past, the question was
asked by the church: "What should we do with these people? How can we make them
fit into our society and church?" But why should we have to wait to be told
what's best for us?
Our Ministry is not about working at odds with the other ethnic groups
that make up our church. It is about working with them. Bringing our vision and hopes to
the table.
So it is important for us to ask, therefore, WHAT IS, OR WHAT OUGHT TO
BE, OUR MINISTRY? The Gospel just read in our hearing sets the scene. You did not
choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last,
so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. (St. John 15:16). So
we do not have to wait to be told by others that there is a role for you to play in this
journey. God has already chosen us and appointed us.
**********************
Our efforts must be geared towards meeting the needs and aspirations of
Anglicans of African and Caribbean heritage and to provide a means by which they may
contribute fully to the life of the church.
Our mission and ministry must be about assisting our church as it works
to build up the Kingdom of God by nurturing intercultural understanding and harmony among
all her members. For in the words of Paul there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no
longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ
Jesus. (Galatians 3:28). We cannot see our work as just being about the business of
Black people. Our efforts must also be found in supporting the work of our church in the
ministry among other minority groups.
To fulfill this mission we must
- Be willing to draw the concerns, the pain and the joys of Anglicans of African and
Caribbean Heritage to the attention of our Church.
- Seek to enable the church to make the Anglican liturgy sensitive our diverse cultures,
so that when they produce a new Hymn Book or write new services, when invited, we will be
able to make our contribution.
- Let the church know that we can do more that prepare jerk chicken and curry goat for
Caribbean nights, we do more than wear straw hats and palm tree designed T-shirts, drink
coconut water and jump in Caribana. That we have well trained, articulate, bright people
who are serving in this city, country and the world, and who are available to serve the
church.
- Support one another. Affirm each other gifts….I don't need to tell you how we
climb the ladder and then kick it down…or live in the bottom of the barrel and seek
to pull down the crab who is trying to make it out.
- Encourage our brothers and sisters to join in our worship and fellowship and participate
fully in our life
- Contribute to the financial life of the church. There is the notion that Black people
only put pennies in the offering plate.
- Support our black children in their struggles in this city. Get your priests or
ministers involved in their school issues. Encourage them to be advocates with you as you
seek to address some of wider social issues which impact on ethnic communities….Over
Policing, Employment Equity, Social Welfare and the bias Media. (Just yesterday two
crimes were committed, the same crime - a home invasion, one in the Jane and Wilson Area
of Toronto, the other in Vaughan. The video clip which I saw covered both crimes, one
after the other. What was of note to me was that there were interviews with neighbours who
were planning to move for their own safety. There were descriptions of the suspect. The
report on the Vaughan incident only said that it happened.)
- Encourage our youth to consider the priesthood as a possible vocation. We need people to
interpret what God is saying to this world and translate it into our language and
experience.
- Support the ministry of your Black clergy, just as you do the white clergy. We need to
support those who are already engaged in the work.
- Tell the church that is alright for a Black priest to be the Incumbent in a white
church, just as it is alright to have a white priest in a Black community.
We have given the church much over the years and will continue to do
so. We are not here to be served but to serve and to share at the Lord's table and to
eat of the one bread and drink of the one cup.
We can do this because we are who we are. Who then are we?
B--lessed
Even though we may doubt our efforts,
like Mary, "we are blessed because we believe that there would
be a fulfillment of what was spoken to by the Lord." (St. Luke 1:45). We
are able to play with Sarah's children.
Our Lord assures us "Blessed are you when people revile you and
persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and
be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (St. Matthew 5:11-12)
We know what it means to be
L--oved and to love
Because when others may choose to hate us and seek to cast us out of
the play ground, we are assured with the words of John's gospel "For God so
loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not
perish but may have eternal life. (3:16)
We are people who open our hearts to others. If you want to know how
much Black people love go to the Caribbean on a holiday. There is always a warm welcome
awaiting you, expecially if you are white.
We are
A--ngels
We are the messengers of God who are called to bring the word of
hope to others. When they are waiting and looking for something good to happen in their
lives, we are like the angels of the incarnation as we proclaim, "Do not be
afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is
born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a
sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger."
(Luke 2:10-12)
We are angels when others lose hope and are in the depths of despair,
sadness or sorrow, we are the angels of the resurrection as we proclaim "He is not
here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay". (St.
Luke 24:6). We help people experience the very presence of God.
We are a people of
C--ourage
We face challenges directly. We do not run away. We do not face
those challenges alone, we seek help from others when we have to do so. We do the right
thing even if what we do is unpopular. The difficulties, set backs and challenges we meet
daily do not shake that faith (inequity, injustice, the temporary destruction of our
dreams). God has acted before and he will act again. We have Confidence that God will work
for us as God has been working for us all along. When we are up against in we hear the
word of Moses ‘Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD
will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see
again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still'."
(Exodus 14:13-14).
We hear the words of the psalmist… "Those who trust in the
LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever." (125:1)
As we turn to God we are empowered and we further testimony. The
LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1). The prophet Isaiah brings it altogether
when he says "But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they
shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk
and not faint." (40:31).
With confidence we sing that hymn
My faith looks up to thee, thou Lamb of calvary, Saviour Divine.
When life's dark maze I tread, and griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my Guide;
Bid darkness turn to, wipe sorrow's tears away, nor let me ever
strya
From Thee aside.
Finally, we value
K--inship
Many of us grew up in communities where we valued the 5th
commandment. It meant more than "father and mother. Our neighbour was just as
important and influential in our lives as mummy, daddy, uncle and grandmother. We do all
we can to ensure that we take care of our own. Send money home, sponsor them. Do whatever
we can for our own. We are one big family.
We are
B--lessed
L--oved
A--ngels
C--ourageous and we value
K--inship.
The same goes for everyone present here this evening so we are all
BLACK
So my friends, our mission is about building up the Kingdom of God.
Jesus reminds us that "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone
took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it
is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make
nests in its branches." (St. Matthew 13:31-32). Everyone has a place in
God's household. It is not Sarah's house, she is just one in the family. God
calls us to feel comfortable in the presence of each other. In that way we can talk to
each other about the God who loves us and gave himself for all of us. Let us remember in
the words of today's gospel You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed
you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last. (St. John 15:16). We can only bear
those fruits as we celebrate our ministry in the Black community, if we are really
convinced that this is the work for which I have been chosen, not by the Bishop, not by
the priest, not by the committee chair, but by God.
