NBPC celebrates Juneteenth and reassures the faithful that their work is not in vain
48th biennial conference inspires with word and song; the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins receives 'Drum Major for Justice Award'
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The National Black Presbyterian Caucus marked Juneteeth Thursday evening with a worship service filled with powerful preaching and singing during a sacred time of gathering, reflection and renewal.
The holiday commemoration — with a sermon by NBPC’s outgoing president, the Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward Sr., and songs by the African American Presbyterian Congregations of Charlotte Choir — served as both an acknowledgement of the ancestors whose sacrifices paved the way for the progress and privileges of today and a call to action to continue doing meaningful work that benefits churches and communities.
"The work has to be done, and for it to succeed, each one of us has to participate in it," said Heyward, who’s honorably retired from the St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and currently serving as temporary supply pastor of the Edisto Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island in South Carolina.
Churches should be meeting “human needs,” and when that happens, “the church will grow,” Heyward said. “It will grow spiritually. It will grow programmatically, and finally, then it will grow numerically.”
The two-hour service during NBPC's 48th biennial conference uplifted and inspired those gathered at a local hotel during a time when some Juneteenth observances have been canceled or curtailed due to safety concerns and ongoing attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, according to media reports.
Juneteenth, a federal holiday since 2021, recognizes the end of slavery and more specifically, the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and brought news of freedom to those who were enslaved.
Along with acknowledging that momentous occasion, NBPC honored the memories of nine worshipers who were killed by a white supremacist in a mass shooting 10 years ago at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
The service also included the calling out of names of people who’ve died in recent years and leaders, such as the Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon and the Rev. Gayraud Wilmore, whose ministries have left behind a legacy for others to stand on.
“My brothers and sisters, we are here this evening because of the faithful, the tireless and the focused labor of those who have gone before us,” Heyward said. “Their ministry for us and on our behalf is what's causing us to be here tonight.”
The powerful ministering of song by the choir included a rendition of “Oh, Freedom,” a traditional Negro spiritual, and “The Storm is Passing Over.”
Throughout the service, the audience was reminded of the conference theme, “Your Labor in the Lord is Not in Vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58). It was woven into various aspects of the service, including the sermon.
Heyward talked about the importance of galvanizing around spiritual growth and the need to create programs that not only meet the needs of church members but the neighborhoods around them as well.
Heyward also took on critics who’ve questioned whether the NBPC has lost its relevance.
“The caucus is not dying,” he said. “In no way shall we be discarding and starting over. Just look around you … Do you see any dead people in the room?”
He then had everyone turn to their neighbor and say, “The caucus is not dead.”
However, it’s crucial that people do more than just talk the talk and that they pattern themselves after Jesus, he said.
Instead of focusing on one’s own agenda, remember the words of Paul, he said. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, we have a binding relationship. I charge you, he says, to stand firm. Let nothing move you. Not some of the time, but always give yourselves fully, not halfway.”
Earlier in the day, several awards were presented at the Lucy Craft Laney Awards Brunch. The winners are below:
Innovation in Ministry Award
Recipient: The Rev. Jerrod Lowry, General Presbyter and Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, Elizabethtown, NC
Drum Major for Justice Award
Recipient: The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Advocacy Director for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Maria Fearing Award
Recipient: The Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley, Transitional Leader, Synod of the Northeast
Edler G. Hawkins Award
Recipient: The Rev. Dr. Danny C. Murphy, General Presbyter and Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Trinity, Lexington, South Carolina
Lucy Craft Laney Award
Recipient: Elder Juanita Eldridge, Grace Presbyterian Church, Winston Salem, North Carolina
Lucy Craft Laney First Place Youth Scholarship Award
Recipient: Brooke Lesane-Howard, Trinity Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
Presbytery of New Harmony
The conference continues through Saturday. For more information, go here.
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