Moments from GC78

The pace of activity at General Convention is fast, but there are some moments that we don't want to slip by unnoticed on this blog. This morning at Eucharist, we'll be hearing singers from Voorhees College, who have traveled here from Denmark, SC, to sing in a combined choir. (Watch the service live at 11:30 am in South Carolina, here: http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/gc/) Watch for more about this later today.

Historically Black Colleges

Last Friday, our deputation spent some time at lunch with the presidents of the two Episcopal Church-affiliated historically black colleges, Voorhees College in Denmark SC and St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. It was an emotional time: The group had just finished watching President Obama’s eulogy at the funeral for Sen. Clementa Pinckney in Charleston. The president of Voorhees, Dr. Cleveland Sellers, fought back tears as he stood at the podium, and asked St. Augustine’s President Dr. Everett B. Ward to join him to introduce the program.

Voorhees student Daryl Harper addresses the college presidents' luncheon.

Bishop vonRosenberg greets
Voorhees President
Dr. Cleveland Sellers

The event was a chance to talk about the value and contributions of these institutions, and make a plea for increased financial support. These are the only two HCBUs remaining in The Episcopal Church. Changes to federal student loan programs have caused enrollment to drop at both schools, the presidents said. Ideally, they said, $1 million a year for each school could let them achieve full enrollment and work toward achieving their missions.

Describing his journey to becoming a student at Voorhees, student Daryl Harper spoke eloquently of how people at the school believed in him. “Voorhees attracts broken souls, but it builds leaders,” he said.

Both Bishop vonRosenberg and Bishop Andrew Waldo of Upper South Carolina were there; both dioceses recognize Voorhees as diocesan institutions.

Honoring a leader in the House of Deputies

Deputy Lonnie Hamilton had a special assignment on June 27 as a member of the Privilege and Courtesy Committee. He escorted to the platform Dr. Charles Willie, who was vice president of the House of Deputies. 

Lonnie Hamilton, right, escorts Dr. Willie into the House of Deputies.

Dr. Willie was the preacher at the ordination of the first women priests in The Episcopal Church, sometimes known as the Philadelphia 11. In 1974, when the House of Bishops refused to uphold their ordination, he resigned in protest. On Saturday, the President of the House of Deputies, the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, presented Dr. Willie with the House of Deputies Medal. Read more about him in the text of this resolution approved in his honor.