Saturday, February 10, 2024

Afro-Centric Liturgical Music Workshop from 1:00-2:00 pm
Service of Music and Readings at 2:30 pm, reception to follow

The John E. Culmer Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, St. James House of Prayer, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, and the Diocese of Southwest Florida invites you to an interactive workshop on Afro-Centric liturgical music led by Dr. Carl MaultsBy, followed by a Service of Music and Readings to honor the Rev. Absalom Jones, the first Black Episcopal priest. 

Carl MaultsBy, DFA, is a composer, conductor, keyboardist, singer, author, producer and teacher. A native of Orlando, he currently serves as the Director of Music/Organist at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida. Dr MaultsBy has published several books and original compositions. You can view a complete biography here.

His workshop will integrate African diasporic musical and cultural elements of contemporary and traditional gospel and spiritual music, Caribbean and blues. This interactive forum seeks to increase understanding of and appreciation for the pivotal contributions of diasporic music in Episcopal worship. For those seeking to become more familiar with Afro-Centric music and how it can be incorporated into worship, and for those who love music, all are encouraged to attend. During the workshop, Dr. MaultsBy, with vocalist Vanessa Hawkins, will highlight and demonstrate many of the pieces that will be sung during the service. 

Following the workshop, there will be a Service of Music and Readings to honor the life and legacy of Absalom Jones. This service will include readings from influential Black voices in the Episcopal Church, such as the Most Reverend Michael Curry, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, and Pauli Murray, the first African-American woman ordained to the priesthood. The Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Rt. Rev. Doug Scharf, will preach and celebrate Holy Eucharist.

Absalom Jones (1746-1818) was born enslaved in Delaware. Around the age of 16, he was permitted to attend a night school for Black people operated by the Quakers. Finally, in 1784, he was freed by manumission. Absalom Jones began worshiping at St George’s Methodist Episcopal Church, where he met and befriended Richard Allen. Following a dispute over where black members of the church were allowed to sit, Absalom was asked to provide pastoral leadership for the African Church of Philadelphia, later the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. Absalom Jones was ordained a priest in 1802. 

Absalom Jones was an earnest preacher. He denounced slavery, and warned the oppressors to “clean their hands of slaves.” Known as “the Black Bishop of the Episcopal Church,” he was an example of persistent faith in God and in the Church as God’s instrument.

A festive catered reception will follow, featuring a tasting menu from the African diaspora. The workshop and service will be held at The Cathedral Church of St. Peter, 140 4th Street North St. Petersburg, Florida. A freewill offering will be collected for the Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal Historically Black College and Universities.

The Absalom Jones Fund for Episcopal HBCUs supports two institutions affiliated with The Episcopal Church since the 1800s: Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Voorhees University in Denmark, South Carolina. Absalom Jones understood that education is the key to empowerment. We honor Absalom Jones by supporting our HBCUs, which prepare the talented leaders who will continue the work of building a more just and humane society.