Transcript:
Greetings, beloved in Christ. I hope that you are well on this day. February 13th is the day set aside by the Episcopal Church to celebrate the life and ministry of Absalom Jones. Absalom Jones was born in 1746 to enslaved parents, and he taught himself to read mostly by studying the New Testament. At the age of 16, he was sold to a merchant in Philadelphia where he continued his studies and worked extra so that he might buy his freedom and that of his wife and children.
As Absalom rooted himself in scripture, he felt stirred to minister to others like him. He started the Free Africa Society, which was an organization that helped settle and educate formerly enslaved folks. Along the way, he joined with the Quakers and learned more, educated himself as much as he possibly could. And in 1795, he was ordained deacon by Bishop White, and in 1802 was ordained the first priest of African descent in the Episcopal church.
Absalom founded St. Thomas African Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, which carries on his legacy to this very day. As a church, Absalom reminded not only his congregation, but the entire Episcopal church that all of us are created in the image of God no matter what the color of our skin. He preached against the enslavement of Africans and built a case with other Quakers for emancipation. Our church honors Absalom and I want to leave you with the collet for Absalom Jones Day.
Set us free, Heavenly Father, from every bond of prejudice and fear, that honoring the steadfast courage of your servant, Absalom Jones, we may show forth in our lives the reconciling love and true freedom of all children of God, which you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.