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Saints of Color Who Inspire Our Ministries: Rev. Absalom Jones

(Raphaelle Peale, Absalom Jones, 1774–1825)absalom-jones-peale_128

Feb. 8, 2022

We continue our celebration of Black History Month with this week's reflection on Blessed Absalom Jones, Priest & Reformer, by the Rev. Carol Duncan.

Absalom Jones was born in 1746, before the Revolutionary War. He was born on a big estate near Baltimore, a farm where the workers were enslaved. Enslaved means people who owned nothing, not even their own bodies. As a very small child not yet 6, he was sent to work in the farm fields. He was a sweet little boy. The owner of the farm saw him and brought him to work in the owner’s home.

At the house, visitors thought he was so sweet and polite that they gave him coins for himself. Absalom discovered he was very fond of learning. He saved those coins and was able to purchase a primer, a beginning reading book. He begged anybody who could read to teach him how. His next book was a New Testament. He said reading saved him money and trouble because his only amusement was reading.

When Absalom was 16, his owner sold his farm along with Absalom’s mother, his five brothers and a sister, but kept Absalom. His owner took Absalom and moved to Philadelphia where he purchased a big store. Absalom worked at that store the rest of his life. He kept asking people to teach him so he learned to write and was able to write letters to his family.

Absalom was such a hard worker, he worked for himself after his store shift was done. He made enough money to get married and purchase his own home. He bought freedom for his wife and then himself. He chose a new last name for himself instead of having his owners name. He called himself Jones because that was the most American sounding name he could think of.

Absalom was a faithful Christian. He wanted other enslaved persons in Philadelphia to help themselves as he had been able to do. He thought church was the way to help. He and a friend used the church to help other people. One thing they did was nurse people who got sick from Yellow Fever. That was a pandemic worse than Covid. He brought them food, water and medicine, and took them to the graveyard when they died. He convinced many African Americans to help. White people left town rather than help. Absalom was a heroic first responder.

Eventually the church recognized that Absalom should be a priest because he was such a great leader. He became the first African American priest in our country. He led the first African American Episcopal Church in our country, the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, which is still a big thriving church today.

Absalom’s story inspires me to work for improved lives for neighbors in this big city. Overcoming hardship is God’s work.

Collect for the Feast of Absalom Jones:

Set us free, heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear; that, honoring the steadfast courage of your servant Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of the children of God, which you have given us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
(Lesser Feasts & Fasts.)

Tags: LIFT: Living In Faith Together / Becoming Beloved Community / Youth Ministry / Children & Families / Racial Justice / Forming Faith

Saturday, 6/25 at 11:00 AM
Saturday Bible Study
Sunday, 6/26 at 8:00 AM
Spoken Holy Eucharist with sermon
Sunday, 6/26 at 9:00 AM
LIFT Intergenerational Worship
Sunday, 6/26 at 10:30 AM
Choral Eucharist with sermon
Sunday, 6/26 at 12:00 PM
Worship Reflections In Person
Sunday, 6/26 at 6:00 PM
Online: Al-Anon Sunday-Nighters
Sunday, 6/26 at 8:00 PM
A.A. (in person)
Monday, 6/27 at 7:30 AM
Morning Prayer via Zoom (SM)

Saturday Bible Study

Saturday, June 25, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

St. Martin's Staff Person is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Bible Study Time: Apr 30, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every week on Sat, 20 occurrence(s) Apr 30, 2022 11:00 AM May 7, 2022 11:00 AM May 14, 2022 11:00 AM May 21, 2022 11:00 AM May 28, 2022 11:00 AM Jun 4, 2022 11:00 AM Jun 11, 2022 11:00 AM Jun 18, 2022 11:00 AM Jun 25, 2022 11:00 AM Jul 2, 2022 11:00 AM Jul 9, 2022 11:00 AM Jul 16, 2022 11:00 AM Jul 23, 2022 11:00 AM Jul 30, 2022 11:00 AM Aug 6, 2022 11:00 AM Aug 13, 2022 11:00 AM Aug 20, 2022 11:00 AM Aug 27, 2022 11:00 AM Sep 3, 2022 11:00 AM Sep 10, 2022 11:00 AM Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Weekly: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/tZUqcO2urDkiEtG0nVu446eUnvON7mB33m5G/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGpqTwuHNaXuBGCRpwcB4_CLO7zpnpHj7d6zBHTFnQHNAbDOPRtHOVyMouD Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81774622885 Meeting ID: 817 7462 2885 One tap mobile +16465588656,,81774622885# US (New York) +13017158592,,81774622885# US (Washington DC) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) Meeting ID: 817 7462 2885 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd4ikOkS2Z

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-0400 America/New_York 1 -464

Spoken Holy Eucharist with sermon

Sunday, June 26, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Live-streamed to YouTube.com/StMartinECPhilly and StMartinEC.org/live.

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-0400 America/New_York 1 -464

LIFT Intergenerational Worship

Sunday, June 26, 9:00 AM - 9:40 AM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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-0400 America/New_York 1 -464

Choral Eucharist with sermon

Sunday, June 26, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Live-streamed to YouTube.com/StMartinECPhilly and StMartinEC.org/live.

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-0400 America/New_York 1 -464

Worship Reflections In Person

Sunday, June 26, 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

In person only.

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Online: Al-Anon Sunday-Nighters

Sunday, June 26, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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-0400 America/New_York 1 -464

A.A. (in person)

Sunday, June 26, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Click here to view on Google Calendar.

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-0400 America/New_York 1 -464

Morning Prayer via Zoom (SM)

Monday, June 27, 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Join Zoom Meeting See your Field Notes email for the Zoom link. Call in only: +16465588656,,856472224# US (New York) Meeting ID: 856 472 224 One tap mobile

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Sermons

  • Jun 5 | The Rev. Dr. Nora Johnson
    Beatitudes for Pride
  • Jun 5 | The Rev. James H. Littrell
    Ticks in the Boxwoods
  • May 29 | The Rev. David F. Potter
    Where Do We Go From Here?
  • May 28 | The Rev. James H. Littrell
    New Every Morning
  • May 22 | The Rev. James H. Littrell
    River

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8000 St. Martin's Lane · Philadelphia, PA 19118
215.247.7466
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Service Times

Join us online for Sunday morning worship!

  • 8:00 a.m. Traditional spoken Holy Eucharist with sermon - live streamed.
  • 9:00 a.m. Living in Faith Together: Outdoor, intergenerational worship with eucharist, immediately followed by formation at 9:40
  • 10:30 a.m. Traditional Holy Eucharist with music and sermon - live streamed.

StMartinEC.org/live

Location

St. Martin-in-the-Fields
8000 St. Martin's Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19118

Contact Us
215.247.7466

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