"Finding Our Identity in the Least of These" - My Worship ...
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Welcome to the Northeast Region of
National Black Presbyterian Caucus
Virtual Annual Meeting
“Finding Our Identity in the
Least of These”
Matthew 25:40
FRIDAY AUGUST 13 – SATURDAY AUGUST 14, 2021
Hosted by the Philadelphia Chapter of the NBPC
Rev. Dr. Janel Dixon and Rev. Ethelyn Taylor, Co-Moderators
Broadcast from the Presbytery of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Friday, August 13, 2021
2:45 p.m.—5:45 p.m.
Official Welcome and Statement of Purpose
Reverend Maxine E. Jenkins, HR,
President, National Black Presbyterian Caucus Northeast Region
Greetings from guests :
Newly Elected National President:
Rev. Dr. Charles Heyward
Presbytery of Philadelphia Executive Presbyter:
Rev. Ruth F. Santana-Grace
Introduction of Nominees - Nominating Committee
*Worship
Greetings from guest:
Pittsburgh Presbytery Executive Presbyter:
Rev. Dr. Sheldon Sorge
Office of Public Witness Director:
Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, preaching
Synod of the Northeast:
Rev. Dr. SanDawna G. Ashley
Synod of the Trinity:
Rev. Susan Wonderland
Presbyterian Historical Society
Open Chat
(*Order of Worship follows)
National Black Presbyterian Caucus
Northeast Regional Meeting
Opening Worship Friday Evening,
August 13, 2021 4:00 P. M.
Call to Worship: (Based on Matthew 25:31-46) Rev. Bernard Downing (Philadelphia)
We come this evening for God gathers us here, with that community called faith:
Where the hungry are served first,
Where the thirsty drink life’s water.
We come, for God welcomes us here into that home called grace:
Where the naked are clothed in robes of hope;
Where the stranger is embraced as the long-lost prodigal.
We come, for God reunites us here, sisters and brothers in that family called love:
Where the imprisoned model justice, and where the sick are cradled in God’s peace.
Let us now worship God in spirit and in truth.
Invocation: Elder Etta Graham-Mitchell (New York City)
God of blessings and hope, bless us this day with lives filled with love, caring,
generosity and deep abiding hope. We pray that your kingdom will dwell among all
people, and that we may be instruments of your love and your grace. Open our hearts
with the joy of healing a world filled with brokenness and pain. In the name of the One
who taught us the ways of light and love, be in our worship and in our very lives.
Amen!
Selection of Praise
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” (Please stand.)
Call to Confession: Rev. Linda Jaymes (Philadelphia)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. So let us be
honest and confess what separates us from God and our neighbors, trusting in God’s
constant desire to forgive and renew.
Prayer of Confession:
Merciful God, your call to discipleship is demanding. You call us to reorder our lives
by the kingdom you are bringing in Jesus Christ. Yet we still pass by the ones you
especially notice; people who are poor and hungry; people who weep. We have not
stood with those who are hated, bullied, and excluded. Comfortable with the way
things are, we are too complacent, even complicit with injustice and prejudice.
Forgive us, O God, and turn us back to your gospel. We pray this now, for our sake,
and for the sake of your world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!Assurance of Pardon:
It is the Lord who helps us; who will declare us guilty? Because of the grace we received
in baptism, we have nothing to fear. Forgiven and freed, let us share the peace of Christ
with one another.
Introduction of Preacher Elder Lenore Williams (Pittsburgh)
Prayer for Illumination Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Peters (Pittsburgh)
Scripture Readings
Exodus 3: 7-12
Matthew 16: 13-20 Elder Alpha Brown (New York City)
Selection of Praise
“God Keeps Keepin’ Me”
(Elder Warren Cooper and the Critical Mass Choir)
The WORD Rev. Jimmy Hawkins
“Knowing Who You Are Comes from Knowing Jesus”
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Hawkins
Selection
“Guide My Feet”
Closing Remarks Rev. Dr. Janel Dixon
Benediction Rev. Hawkins
Saturday, August 14, 2021
8:00 a.m.—3: p.m.
Greeting from Guest:
Presbyterian Historical Society
Praise and Worship Service
Rev. Eustacia Moffett Marshall, Worship Leader
(Philadelphia)
Introduction to Reading Rev. Marshall
First Reading Micah 6: 6-8 Elder Judith Jerry (Pittsburgh)
Selection of Praise Rev. Marshall
Introduction to Reading Rev. Marshall
Second Reading Matthew 25: 34-40 Rev. Dr. Grace Nzamayo Maa New Jersey)
Selection of Praise Rev. Marshall
Introduction to Reading Rev. Marshall
Third Reading Isaiah 65: 17-19 Elder Moretha Matthews (New York City)
Closing Prayer Rev. Anna Grant-Borden (Philadelphia)
Business Meeting
Followed by Coffee /Stretch BreakCreative Engagement
Rev. Gavin Walton, Pastor,
Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA
Breakout Groups
Discussion of action items - Presented by Rev. Walton
Election Results– Nominating Committee
Words from our President: Gratitude
Celebration and Call to Action
Guest Preacher: Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter
Call to Celebrate Rev. Dr. Janel Dixon
Invocation Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Peters (Pittsburgh)
Introduction of Preacher Rev. Ethelyn R. Taylor (Philadelphia)
Selection of Praise
“We’ve Come This Far by Faith”
Scripture Reading Rev. Dr. James F. Reese (Philadelphia)
Mark 12:21-44
The WORD that CALLS to ACTION
“When You’re Identified by What You Don’t Have”
Rev. Dr. Rhashell Hunter
Pastoral Prayer
Installation of Officers Rev. Taylor & Rev. Dr. Dixon
Community Benediction* Rev. Dr. Dixon
Closing Selection
“Guide My Feet”
Benediction Rev. Dr. Hunter
* Attendees are invited to type (1) one action word into the chat that best describes the next
step they will take toward identifying with the “least of these.”Reverend Doctor Rhashell D. Hunter
The Reverend Doctor Rhashell D. Hunter served the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) for more than 26 years. For the last 14 years, she
served as the Director of Racial Equity & Women’s Intercultural
Ministries. The ministry is in covenant relationship with
Presbyterian Women in the PC(U.S.A.), Inc. through the General
Assembly.
After years of serving in the national church offices in Louisville,
KY, Dr. Hunter discerned through prayer that this call was
completed. She ended her service to the Presbyterian Mission
Agency earlier in 2021 and is working on several projects with
Presbyterian Women in the PC(U.S.A.) Inc., with other groups, and
on her own projects, which she never seemed to have time to
complete. Dr. Hunter says, “Having a calendar that I can fill myself
with fun projects and engagements is wonderful. I am having the
time of my life. I know people say this all of the time, but I really
don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner.”
She has served as acting Co-Executive Director in the Presbyterian
Mission Agency and was a member of the agency’s Leadership
Cabinet. She served for nine years as the Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Flint, Michigan,
and was the Associate Pastor for Worship, Music and the Arts at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago.
She is past Moderator of the Synod of the Covenant.
Dr. Hunter is a contributor to Preaching God’s Transforming Justice, a Lectionary Commentary for
Church Years A, B & C, published by Westminster John Knox Press. She is the writer of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.)’s “Celebrate the Gifts of Women” resource for 2022, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2011. And
recently she recorded with Patricia Longfellow the audio version of the 2021-2022 Presbyterian Women
Horizon’s Bible Study, “What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning from the Women in Matthew’s
Genealogy of Jesus,” written by Dr. Merryl Blair. Her paper, “Gathering Everyone at the Center,” was
presented at the Academy of Homiletics, and her article, “Preaching as Testimony: African American
Womanist Preaching,” was published in the African American Pulpit journal.
Dr. Hunter was awarded the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching degree and the Master of Divinity degree
from McCormick Theological Seminary, the Master of Fine Arts degree from Trinity University, the
Bachelor of Arts degree and a Texas Teachers' Certificate in Drama and Journalism from the University
of Houston. She has served as Adjunct Professor of Preaching at McCormick Theological Seminary,
Western Theological Seminary and in the Association of Chicago Theological Schools Doctor of Ministry
in Preaching Program. She is a frequent preacher, keynote speaker, and workshop leader, having taught
Anglican priests in Canada in excellence in preaching programs and ministers and ruling elders in
national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) conferences.
She is a second career clergyperson, having had a career in theatre, film, dance, voiceovers and
commercials in New York, Dallas and Houston. She has a love for preaching and also a commitment to
building bridges in intercultural communities. Dr. Hunter was reared in Dallas, Texas, in intercultural
Presbyterian congregations. She is the daughter of The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Hunter and Mrs. Annie Mary
Alexander Hunter.Rev. Eustacia Moffett Marshall
The Reverend Eustacia Moffett Marshall is the pastor of the newly formed,
New River Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia, PA). New River represents the
union of three historic congregations in West Philadelphia including First
African, Calvin and Good Shepherd Presbyterian churches. Prior to her
pastoral tenure in Philadelphia, Rev. Marshall served churches in New Jersey
and North Carolina.
Rev. Marshall is a lectionary commentator in the online African American
lectionary and has sermons published in the African American Pulpit (Fall
2009) and in the book, “These Sisters Can Say It” (Volume 2). She
completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in human
biology at Stanford University. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from
Princeton Theological Seminary where she merited a number of academic
and ecclesiastical awards in preaching, music, biblical studies, and church
leadership. She is currently a PhD candidate at North Carolina A & T State
University in the Leadership Studies and Adult Education program where her research interest expl
ores the intersection between stigma consciousness and vocational interests of black women in the church.
She recently concluded her tenure as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Presbyterian Foundation; she is
the first black woman and one of the youngest (under the age 40) to serve in this distinguished role in the
Foundations more than 200 year history. A native of Oakland, California, Rev. Marshall is married to Rev.
Touré Marshall, and together, their days are filled with adventure as they serve as parents to their greatest
teachers: ten-year old, Jeremiah Touré and six-year old, Jessica Monét.
Rev. Gavin Walton
Gavin Walton is a PTS alumnus (2016) who is currently serving as the pastor of
Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church. Gavin grew up in the Stanton Heights
section of Pittsburgh. Shortly after graduating from seminary, he landed at Grace
Memorial Presbyterian Church as a summer community minister.
Since then, he has become a fixture in the church working with younger members,
building a community ministry, and lending his expertise to a host of church
committees.
Rev. Walton became the pastor at Grace Memorial on January 22, 2017 and is
eager to grow the church for the next generations that pass through its doors.Rev. Jimmie Ray Hawkins
Rev. Jimmie Ray Hawkins serves as the Director of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington DC.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies from North Carolina
Central University (Durham, NC); a Master of Arts in Christian
Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education
(Richmond, VA); and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational
Theological Center/Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary (Atlanta,
GA).
For twenty years he served as the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church
in Durham, NC, 1996 - 2016. During that time God blessed the
congregation to construct a new facility, maintain ministries for youth
people, provide meeting space for non-profits and community groups and
experienced church growth. Between 1992 - 1996, he served as the senior
pastor of Grace Presbyterian, Holmes Memorial and Trinity Presbyterian
churches in Virginia (Peaks Presbytery).
He served as Treasurer on the Church World Service global board and as a board member of the National
Council of Churches. He was a board trustee with Union Presbyterian Seminary. He is a tri-chair of the
Washington Interreligious Staff Community and the Heads of Washington Offices. He has chaired several
interfaith /ecumenical and non-profit boards.
His community ministry includes being a leader for the Moral Monday Movement since its onset in 2013.
He has participated in three actions of civil disobedience protesting the actions of the NC General Assembly
to curtail voting rights, refusal to expand Medicaid, HB2 and other draconian legislation. He served as a
member of the NC NAACP Executive Committee and has been active in justice advocacy throughout his
ministry. He is engaged with the Poor People’s Campaign and participated in a direct action at the Supreme
Court in 2017.
He has a book coming out in January, Unbroken and Unbowed: Black Protest, published by Westminster
John Knox Press.
He is the son of Elsie L. and the late James P. Hawkins. He is married to Sheinita Hampton Hawkins and“And the king will answer them,
‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these
who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 40 NRSV
NEXT ANNUAL MEETING DATE & PLACE
NYC AUGUST 12-13, 2022
The National Black Presbyterian Caucus
https://nationalnbpc.org/
Philadelphia Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus
http://www.nbpcphiladelphia.org/You can also read
