September 20, 2005
by Daphne Mack

With the theme "On Thy People, Pour Thy Power: Continuing the Journey," the 7th Triennial Black Clergy Conference, October 23-26, 2005 in Atlanta, Georgia, followed by the 1st Annual Convocation for Clergy Ordained 10 years or less on October 26-27 promises to be more than a typical meeting.

"A big part of our planning was to ensure that when people come to the conference, [they will find] that it is not just another conference," said the Rev. Deon Johnson, assistant pastor of Christ Episcopal Church in Shaker Heights, Ohio.

Johnson, who was part of the conference design and liturgical teams, said "rest, relaxation, and recreation" are important aspects of this gathering. Plenary sessions and workshops were purposely scheduled for the mornings so afternoons could be "for relaxing."

"What we realized is that when you go to a conference and attend the usual plenary sessions, a lot of the bonding is happening outside of the formal program. So we've built in a lot of free time where you can worship together and be together," he said.

Tai Chi and Bible study are offered every morning. In addition, a chapel will be available 24 hours for meditation and "to reconnect you with God."

Opportunity to compare notes

"This conference has some of the same purposes which it had when it was organized [by the Episcopal Church's Office of Black Ministries] about 20 years ago," said Bishop Arthur Williams, acting director of Ethnic Congregational Development. "It will serve as a forum for Black clergy to compare notes about their special challenges and opportunities as a racial minority in the Episcopal Church."

"Since the conference design allows for small groups to form and meet daily, it is expected that conferees [will] leave as members of a small group that would stay in touch through conference calling and emails to provide support and for one another," said the Rev. Angela Ifill, missioner for Black Ministries across the Episcopal Church.

Ifill said conference topics such as Helping our Ministers to Minister; Facing Social Realities; Finding the Balance; The Changing Role of the Black Church; and the Next Generation of Leaders; and time allotted for "fun" will hopefully help clergy "return to their ministries feeling spiritually refreshed and recharged for the journey ahead."

Liturgy reflection of traditions

Recognizing that Black clergy will come from various backgrounds and traditions, the liturgy was written specifically for the conference.

"It draws from all those different traditions," Johnson said. "For example, the call and response that is native to the Church of Kenya has been incorporated into the Eucharistic prayer and the Eucharistic prayer itself is a compilation of different parts of different traditions that we've put into modern language and blended together."

Johnson said that liturgy is supposed to be "something that is living and constantly growing and changing with the community." He said that the closing Eucharist will be from the Book of Common Prayer and will incorporate the use of technology to show clergy that you can "take some of the stuff that's familiar and breathe new life into it."

"My hope is that something like this can be done across the whole church," he said.

Professional development

"One of the [other] things that we are focusing on and that is really critical for Black clergy is the issue of retirement," said the Rev. Angela Shepherd, rector of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Annapolis, Maryland. "People don't really think about it until it's that time."

Shepherd, one of the conference deans, said it will be an opportunity "for us to plant the seed" on how to make the transition from "active parish ministry or chaplaincy into the realm of retirement."

She said there will be sessions that reflect on the history of Black Episcopal churches and some of the unique problems they face, and that clergy will be encouraged to develop ways to continue to build and lift up the ministry from these churches.

Sessions on professional development and the implementation of a black clergy network are another focal point.

"Our goal is to try to have something each year in between the triennial meetings," Shepherd said.

Equipped to deal

"We looked at specific areas that we wanted to present to this particular conference, and one is pastoral caring for the care giver-and the other is prophet practices," said the Rev. Benjamin Speare-Hardy, rector of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, in Trotwood, Ohio.

Speare-Hardy, a conference dean, said the Rev. Canon Nan Arrington Peete and the Rev. Canon Preston B. Hannibal will moderate a panel on this topic. There will also be a workshop addressing youth-on-youth violence and what the church can do to engage young people.

Speare-Hardy said participants should leave this conference "better equipped to deal with some of the issues that confront us and especially how to take care of themselves when it comes to pastoral care."

To register, contact Valerie Harris, in the Office of Black Ministries, at 800.334.7626 ext. 6084 or download the form at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/5888_58563_ENG_HTM.htm.

Episcopal News Service
Daphne Mack is staff writer for Episcopal News Service.