A Liturgical-Ecumenical Experience
Diocesan Press Service. August 7, 1964 [XXIII-17]
"I am stopping briefly here on my way home to my parish, Farmingdale, L.I., from the ancient and troubled city of St. Augustine. What happened to me there is so much in the apostolic tradition that it would seem to be normal - to be reviled, spit upon, beaten and stoned. It is not about these moments of confrontation with hate and fear that I write. What I wish to do is report on a liturgical - ecumenical experience."
Thus begins a letter to Presiding Bishop Lichtenberger from the Rev. Robert Hampshire, head of the Long Island chapter of ESCRU.
Gathered in the Upper Room of the Elks building, over 100 participants in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference drive in the Florida city participated in a eucharist, celebrated by Fr. Hampshire. Those present were of many faiths. Fr. Hampshire was assisted by a fellow Episcopal priest and by two Negro Baptist clergymen. A Methodist minister and a Holiness minister were also present and communicated.
Fr. Hampshire described the service as follows: "The altar was a table with a gay paper covering. Behind it was (a) poster and on it lay a Crucifix sent to me that morning by a Roman Catholic white resident ... Also on the table was a glass platter of cubed table bread and four glasses of wine. The Eucharist, facing the people, was changed a bit to make it shorter and easier to follow... I celebrated in clerical shirtsleeves (the temperature was in the 90's and there was added heat from news photographers and newsreel men with their lights.) This is the substance of what was seen. The unseen substance was a real "making present. " So many, not politely but with conviction, spoke of the wonderful strength and beauty of the Eucharist. I do not apologize for it. I give thanks for what I did... I say with honesty I could have done no other, not on that day, as those present went out to offer themselves as whole offerings for sacrifice in the fight for unity one with another in God."
The gathering then marched through the streets of St. Augustine to the nearby beach and into the surf, where they were attacked and beaten by those opposing integration.