Three Charleston Congregations Offer Service of Lament and Repentance

On Sunday, November 10, three of our historic African American Episcopal Churches located in downtown Charleston joined together for a powerful service of Lament & Repentance for the Episcopal Church’s complicity in the slave trade. The service was held at Saint Mark’s, Charleston, jointly with the congregations and leadership of the historic Calvary and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Churches. It was the first time the three congregations had worshipped together on a Sunday morning. The Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, preached and celebrated the Eucharist. A special reflection regarding the importance of this work was offered by Dr. Bernard Powers, retired professor emeritus of history at the College of Charleston and founding director of the College’s Center for the Study of Slavery in Charleston. Music for this special liturgy was provided by well-known Charleston local musicians Ann Caldwell and The Magnolia Singers, as well as saxophonist Mark Sterbank.

After the service, Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley shared the following reflection: “Today was a watershed moment in our diocese because of the work of these three historic parishes that brought about this service. I am changed by this day in deep ways that I’ll be processing for a long time to come. And, our work on racial justice will continue to deepen and gain momentum. There is nowhere else I would rather be than right here, right now, doing this work with this beloved community.”

View more photos from the service on Facebook at this link. The Charleston Post & Courier attended the event, and covered it in their newspaper in an article that was published online on November 11, and in the print version (on the front page) the following day. View the article at this link. If you are unable to view on the Post & Courier website, you may also view a copy at this link.