The Feast of Absalom Jones

The entire Diocese of New York is invited to gather for a Festival Eucharist at 10:30 am commemorating the life and witness of Absalom Jones.

Absalom Jones, born a slave in Delaware in 1746, was the first African-American ordained as a priest in The Episcopal Church. Having bought his own freedom in 1784, he became a lay minister serving the Black membership of St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia. When the vestry, alarmed at the increasing Black membership, voted to segregate Blacks to an upstairs gallery, the entire Black membership left and formed the Free African Society, where Absalom Jones and his colleague Richard Allen were elected overseers of the congregation. The African Church applied for membership in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, and was admitted in 1794 as St. Thomas African Episcopal Church. Absalom Jones was ordained deacon in 1795 and priest in 1802.

This service is sponsored by the Union of Black Episcopalians and hosted by the Cathedral; it is a glorious opportunity for the Church to remember what began over two centuries ago as a story of exclusion is now a celebration of inclusion.

CLICK HERE for a flyer and response form to indicate your parish's participation.

 

Saturday, February 16, Festival Eucharist (10:30 am)