The Absalom Jones legacy continues when the Central Florida Chapter Union of Black Episcopalians (UBE) presents its annual Absalom Jones Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018, at The Episcopal Church of the Messiah in Winter Garden. The theme, “The Church & UBE Saving Children & Youth Today for a Better Tomorrow” is an extension of the sermon Presiding Bishop Michael Curry gave the summer of 2017 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Philadelphia – “The Child You Save Today May Save You Tomorrow.”

The presiding bishop’s sermon depicted the urgency of saving our children today in order to save the world of tomorrow. He poignantly referred to examples of children in the Bible growing into servitude and messengers of God. Ishmael, Moses and Jesus are key examples upon which he asks for reflection. To save our children of today, Curry challenges Christians to enter the realms of Love, Service, Sunday School Movement (Children and Youth Ministries), and Children/Youth Evangelism to save today’s children and youth. 

In the legacy of Absalom Jones, UBE is indeed about saving our children.  Also, in his legacy we are extending welcoming hands to the community-at-large to reinforce service to others and the message of Jesus.

Legacy of Absalom Jones

Absalom Jones was born into slavery in Delaware on Nov. 7, 1746.  Working in the household of his owner, he developed a passion for reading. He became a devout Christian, and his love of reading expanded into devouring the New Testament, even in his early years. At age 16, he was permanently separated from his family and eventually moved to Philadelphia with his owner, who permitted him to work in his store and attend a night school for African-Americans operated by Quaker abolitionists. Four years later, Jones married a slave woman, Mary, and with his savings bought her freedom. Absalom finally became a free man at the age of 32, bought his home and became an owner of several rental properties he used as income.

Being a devoted religious man, Absalom became a lay minister in the interracial congregation of St. George’s Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Together with his friend, Richard Allen, he was one of the first African-Americans licensed to preach by the Methodist Church. Jones became a great preacher and orator in this setting and developed quite a following.

In 1787 Jones and Allen, together with other black members, left St. George’s, as they were tired of being segregated to a gallery and given second-class status in the congregation. They founded the Free African Society to help newly freed slaves in Philadelphia with financial and other assistance, such as monetary help for the sick and to bury the dead, and help for widows and orphans. They were activists in efforts to abolish slavery; to eliminate brutal and cruel treatment of runaway slaves; and worked closely with political figures such as Benjamin Franklin and U.S. Rep. George Thatcher of Massachusetts with these initiatives.

In 1792, Absalom and Allen formed the African Church, which was an outgrowth of the Free African Society. During the summer of 1793, under their leadership, the black community was mobilized to care for those afflicted with yellow fever in the greater community of Philadelphia. Many of their followers died in this effort. Continuing their journey in leadership, service and preaching the gospel, Allen founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), and Jones petitioned for the African Church to become an Episcopal parish. The church opened its doors on July 17, 1794, as the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, the first black church in Philadelphia. Jones was ordained as a deacon in 1795 and ordained by Bishop William White as a priest in 1802.

Throughout his life, Absalom was a brilliant orator, an abolitionist, a preacher, community servant and Christian leader who is a founding father of our church and of our nation. He is listed on the Episcopal calendar of the saints and “blessed” under the date of his death, Feb. 13, 1818, in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer as “Absalom Jones, Priest, 1818.”

“The Church & UBE Saving Children & Youth Today for a Better Tomorrow”

True to UBE’s mission and the legacy of Absalom Jones, the Central Florida UBE Chapter accepts the challenge evoked by Presiding Bishop Curry and extends an invitation to diverse cultures and Episcopal Church members to join us as we prepare our children and youth to become evangelists for Jesus. The topics of Love, Service, Children & Youth Ministries, and Evangelism will be spiritually explored. Liturgy and music will support our inspiration.

Absalom Day Celebration Date: Feb. 24, 2018

Location:       The Episcopal Church of the Messiah

241 Main St., Winter Garden, FL

Continental breakfast and lunch served

Questions?    Please call 407-621-1885

Submitted by: Dr. John Robertson, Central Florida UBE president

                        Faye Henderson, Absalom Jones Day Celebration chair