The Central Florida Chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians recently recognized the outstanding service of The Rev. Canon Nelson W. Pinder. A May 15 virtual name dedication ceremony was held announcing the chapter’s renaming as The Canon Nelson Pinder UBE Chapter of Central Florida in Pinder’s honor.

The webcast included testimonials and tributes by Pinder’s friends and contemporaries, including The Most Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church; The Very Rev. Kim Coleman, president of the Union of Black Episcopalians (ube.org); and The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Brewer, bishop of the Diocese of Central Florida.

“Our renaming commits us to carry on with the fervor and intent that Father Pinder had in his work,” said Dr. John Robertson, president of The Canon Nelson Pinder UBE Chapter of Central Florida. “The tradition of his work goes all the way back to Absalom Jones, the first Black priest in The Episcopal Church, who was himself a social activist, to the forming of the Black Episcopalians, which Father Pinder was a part of, all the way to the forming of our local chapter.”

Pinder became a leader in the civil rights movements in Orlando after his arrival to the area in 1959. “Orlando was one of the few cities in Florida, quite frankly in the South, that did not have major rioting or civil disruptions, and largely because of the ecumenical efforts of Father Pinder,” Robertson said. “He met with many of the leaders, both Black and white, at that time and was able to establish a dialogue. Through the following years, he was able to establish a drop-in center in downtown Orlando where individuals would be able to come in and discuss and describe their issues and what was concerning them as far as racial relations in Orlando.”

In 1995, Pinder was instrumental in hosting a major conference in Orlando that led to the formation of the Central Florida chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, which has grown to more than 30 chapters around the country.

“Many of the African American bishops have been nurtured and supported by the Union of Black Episcopalians, and what many members of our denomination don’t realize is that the Union is fully a part of the ministries of the larger Episcopalian church,” Robertson said. “Honoring Father Pinder, we’re recognizing the work on many levels he’s done throughout the years, and we are wanting to carry on the legacy and the work he has done in promoting anti-racism and racial reconciliation and social justice.”