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Weekend on Wednesday: HipHopEMass and More

Episcopal News Service. October 6, 2004 [100604-2-A]

HipHopEMass…It’s a Done Deal!

By Daphne Mack

“Amen?” followed by “Word!” echoed from the rafters at Trinity Episcopal Church of Morrisania in the Bronx Sunday night as nearly 90 boys, girls, men and women participated in the now permanent 6p.m. HipHopEMass.

The brainchild of Trinity Church’s rector, the Rev. Timothy Holder, HipHopEMass made its debut on the streets of the South Bronx this past summer with just CDs and a DJ. Growth was definitely visible last night with the introduction of the HipHopEMass band who with drums, bass, and keyboards played live beats of old and new rap songs that had all in attendance either bouncing their heads, or swaying their bodies in time to the music.

Holder said HipHopEMass was sparked by the young people of this community and Tupac Shakur’s movie “Resurrection” in which the late rapper’s question “Who will speak for the thugs?” resonated and really made him begin to search his soul for ways “to reach the children and young people of our streets.” He said, “I think Hip Hop is hope; Hip Hop is brilliant.”

Over the beat of slain rapper Biggie Smalls, Bishop Suffragan Catherine Roskam of New York swayed to the rhythm while delivering the evening’s sermon saying, “Young people you have a place with us. You have a place in society. God loves you. When you get lonely and you think no one cares, think about tonight. Think about what God wants for you.”

Bishop James Amanze of Southern Malawi in Central Africa, whose presence was unexpected, assisted with the Communion Hip while singers Tamara, Kenny and the choir of St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery, Manhattan, lead by rap hall of famer Jeannine Otis, lifted their voices in song.

John Wright, father of Noah, one of the many rap artists who performed for the evening, said, with tears in his eyes, “He [Noah] is a miracle. Noah has come a long way and I’m very proud of him.”

“I liked it. I could move to the music. It wasn’t boring like church usually is,” said 11-yr old Latasha of the service.

Adding “street cred” to the gathering was rap legend Kurtis Blow, the first rapper signed to a major record label and the first with a certified Gold Record. Blow, who will begin confirmation classes with Holder, introduced rappers, The Missionary Men and Golden Lord and lead the Sanctus.

Never missing a beat, the band provided the background sound from the prelude to the recession.

One of the many highlights of the service came in the form of 8-yr old Angelo Montgomery who received a round of applause after reciting poetry by Shakur and presenting Holder with a drawing he made of Shakur with a cross around his neck.

Holder, thanking Montgomery, explained to all in attendance that he first admired the drawing in the office of Montgomery’s mother, “I thought it was a drawing of Jesus because of the cross around his neck,” he said.

Trinity Church holds a more traditional 8a.m. Sunday service of Holy Eucharist that is followed by breakfast. Holder said it is attended mainly by parishioners who grew up in the neighborhood but have since moved away.

Monday morning, Holder, Blow and Otis flew to Atlanta as part of a World Council of Churches panel called “God and Hip Hop: Reconciliation, Redemption and Revolution.”

---Daphne Mack is online editor of Episcopal News Service.

Coming up Friday, October 8, 2004...

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania - The Music and Arts Committee at Trinity Church, Bethlehem, has announced its 2004-2005 concert season.

The first concert of the series will be held Friday, October 8, at 7:30 p.m. with Leo Abbott, Concert organist in recital. This is the third annual "Beinema Concert" honoring Marvin Beinema (1919-2004), organist-choirmaster at Trinity for 37 years.

All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information on the concert series and other musical activities at Trinity Episcopal Church, please contact Lorenz Maycher, director of music, 610.867.4741, or e-mail Lorenz@trinitybeth.org.

More details and the entire Concert Series schedule can be found at: http://www.trinitybeth.org/Worship/2004_05concertseries.html

BOSTON, Massachusetts - Trinity Church, Boston, will hold a Conversation Forum: "Politics, Ideas, and Religion Today" at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, featuring presenters James Carroll, Globe columnist and author, and Noam Chomsky, Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and author.

Trinity Church, 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. Phone: 617-536-0944

RICHMOND, Virginia - St. Philip's Church in Richmond is sponsoring a Jazz Concert to benefit the Diocese of Renk in the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and the Daughters of Zelophehad, an ecumenical transitional housing program for women and children in Richmond, on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m.

David Hoggard, a member of St. Philip's, and a number of jazz musicians are donating their services to assist in the project.

St. Philip's Church, 2900 Hanes Avenue, Richmond. Further information: 804.321.1266.

Coming up Saturday, October 9, 2004...

WHITTIER, California - The Welsh Choir of Southern California/Côr Cymraeg De Califfornia will celebrate the 90th birthdays of two of Wales' most famous poets, Dylan Thomas and Eluned Phillips with its fall concert tour beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 9 at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Whittier, California.

The concerts feature the world premieres of works from Dylan Thomas' Under Milkwood, along with works by Eluned Phillips, the only woman in Welsh history to win the Bardic Crown twice. Ms. Phillips will read from her selected works. Accompanied by harp, trumpet, organ, and percussion, the 55 members of the mixed-voice choir will sing in both English and Welsh, the oldest living language in Europe today.

Advance tickets $17, $20 at the door for adults, $15 for seniors and children over 12. Group rates available. St. Matthias Church, 7056 Washington Avenue, Whittier. 562.598.4635. http://www.welshchoir.com/

Future concerts: Saturday, October 23 - St. Paul's Cathedral, San Diego, 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 30 - St. James Episcopal Church, Los Angeles, 7 p.m.; Sunday, November 7, Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, 3 p.m.

Coming up Sunday, October 10, 2004...

TRENTON, New Jersey - The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, will preach at the 10 a.m. service on Sunday, October 10, in Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Trenton, New Jersey. Bishop George Councell of New Jersey will celebrate. Archbishop Tutu is world-renowned for his peace efforts and his involvement in the fight against apartheid.

Seating will be on a first-come, first-seated basis. Additional seating will be placed in the Cathedral. Overflow seating with audio & visual feed of the entire service will be provided in Synod Hall. The Cathedral and Synod Hall will open for seating at 9 a.m. Neither tickets nor reservations are required for admittance to this service.

Trinity Cathedral is located at 801 West State Street, Trenton, NJ. Further information: the Rev. Canon Diane Nancekivell, 609.392.3805.

HOUSTON, Texas - The Church of the Redeemer in Houston will hold its first Blessing of the Animals on the lawn, Saturday, October 9, at 3 p.m. Church of the Redeemer is located at the corner of Eastwood and Telephone Road in the Eastwood subdivision. All creatures great and small are welcome. Refreshments for all God's creatures will be served. http://www.redeemer-hou.org/

RICHMOND, Virginia - St. Philip's Church in Richmond, Virginia, will be celebrating its 143rd Anniversary at Homecoming Services on Sunday, Oct. 10. A Homecoming Address will be offered by the Honorable L. Douglas Wilder, the former Governor of Virginia, and all Members and friends of the Church are being asked to bring one new article of clothing, for men, women, or children, to be sent to the Diocese of Haiti.

The Church is also collecting eyeglasses to send to the troubled island nation that has recently experienced flood related damage.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - State Day prayers this Sunday will remember Rhode Island in liturgies at Washington National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues Northwest (Mount St. Alban), Washington, D.C., 20016; 202.537.6200; http://www.cathedral.org/. Preacher will be the Rev. Canon Michael Wyatt. Next Sunday, Oct. 17: A major State Day celebration will remember Missouri. The Rev. Gary Braun, director of the Catholic Student Center at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, will be the guest preacher. Bishop Barry Howe of West Missouri will celebrate.

Following the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, this Sunday (19 Pentecost) will give thanks for The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi Archbishop of Uganda & and Bishop of Kampala. The Anglican Cycle of Prayer can be accessed online at: www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/main.cfm.

CORRECTION - In the October 5 DAYBOOK, ENS erroneously reported that the Rev. Canon Elizabeth Geitz's book on evangelism in a pluralistic world is due out in early 2005. “Fireweed Evangelism," from Church Publishing, is due out in three weeks. ENS regrets the error.

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