Mission Yearbook: Aloyo urges NBPC gathering to be steadfast, unshaken in faith

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The Rev. Victor Aloyo, president of Columbia Theological Seminary, speaks at the National Black Presbyterian Caucus conference in North Carolina. (Photo by Rich Copley).

There is plenty in the world to be unnerved about these days, but “let nothing shake you. Let nothing rattle you.”

That was some of the sage advice offered by the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, Columbia Theological Seminary’s 11th president, as he spoke during closing worship at the 48th biennial conference of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC).

Among the Scriptures he quoted was Psalms 62:1–2, which accompanied a poignant story about Aloyo’s father being injured in a shooting when Aloyo was a teen. Aloyo’s father, who later recovered, kept Aloyo from running after the perpetrators and told him not to become filled with hate.

“Friends, I share this with you: God alone is your refuge,” Aloyo said. “Do not be greatly shaken. He is your rock and your strong tower,” and you can turn to him when the realities of the world crash down on you.

Earlier in the sermon, Aloyo referenced the NBPC gathering’s main Scripture, 1 Corinthians 15:58, in which the apostle Paul says, “Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

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Rev. Gregory Bentley (Photo by Rich Copley)

“What an amazing and wonderful scripture verse for the gathering these past few days,” said Aloyo, who addressed attendees on Saturday, June 21.

The conference, which began Thursday, June 19, also included electing the Rev. Gregory Bentley, former PC(USA) General Assembly co-moderator as president of the NBPC, singing and praying together, saluting outstanding leaders and attending plenaries.

Before getting into the heart of his message, Aloyo made a declaration about the church.

“We are called for such a time as this to be a connectional church,” he said. “What a joy to understand that we have been called to God's vineyard to serve God faithfully and know that we walk not alone but with each other, that in the midst of our own lives that are fractured, we know that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that guides us, that provides healing, that provides restoration, reconciliation and gives us a purpose to live."

Challenges come in many forms, he said. Indeed, “the remnants of global health crises, socio- economic and political pandemics, climate change and environmental decay, hurricanes and deadly storms” sometimes weigh “down on the foundations of our being.”

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Singers lift their voices during worship at the National Black Presbyterian Caucus gathering. (Photo by Rich Copley)

But, he noted, there are several reasons to have hope, notably, “we do have the power of the living word that sustains us and guides us, but the power of the living word also demands of us that we tap into our humanity, that when we are angry, we'll say we're angry, that when we are anxious, we need to claim that, that when we don't know the answers … we recognize that.”

Another reason for hope is the resurrection. The apostle Paul “articulates that the resurrection is fundamental to the Christian faith, asserting that without it, faith becomes meaningless. “Friends,” Aloyo said, “we are part of a resurrection people.”

He went on to say that it’s necessary to have a “solid foundation in Christ and a commitment to living out Christ's teachings” and to “uphold a strong and unwavering faith regardless of our circumstances.”

Aloyo later stressed the importance of being fully committed to the work, noting that the scripture verse does not say to give a 50% effort.

“Keep moving ahead,” Aloyo said. “God is always with you, ensuring that your hard work is meaningful. The actions you take today will bloom with the strength of the Holy Spirit.”

To read other stories about the conference, go here and here.

Darla Carter, Communications Strategist, Interim Unified Agency (Click here to read original PNS Story)<

Let us join in prayer for:

Lee Catoe, Editor Unbound, Office of the Director of Compassion, Peace & Justice, Interim Unified Agency 
Devan Caton, SR OPS Manager & Business Analyst, Operations, The Presbyterian Foundation         

Let us pray:

Thank you, God, for the opportunity to spread seeds of life through the Word of God. We ask that you help us grow in love and service to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: National Black Presbyterian Caucus worship honors ancestors and calls for continued action

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Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward Sr., NBPC president (Photo by Rich Copley)

The National Black Presbyterian Caucus marked Juneteenth (June 19) with a worship service filled with powerful preaching and singing during a sacred time of gathering, reflection and renewal.

The holiday commemoration — with a sermon by NBPC’s outgoing president, the Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward Sr., and songs by the African American Presbyterian Congregations of Charlotte Choir — served as both an acknowledgement of the ancestors whose sacrifices paved the way for the progress and privileges of today and a call to action to continue doing meaningful work that benefits churches and communities.

“The work has to be done, and for it to succeed, each one of us has to participate in it,” said Heyward, who’s honorably retired from St. James Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and currently serving as temporary supply pastor of Edisto Presbyterian Church on Edisto Island in South Carolina.

Churches should be meeting “human needs,” and when that happens, “the church will grow,” Heyward said. “It will grow spiritually. It will grow programmatically, and finally, then it will grow numerically.”

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Gwen Pearson, front row center, sings with the African American Presbyterian Congregations of Charlotte Choir at the NBPC 48th biennial conference. (Photo by Rich Copley)

The two-hour service during NBPC’s 48th biennial conference uplifted and inspired those gathered.

Juneteenth, a federal holiday since 2021, recognizes the end of slavery and more specifically, the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and brought news of freedom to those who were enslaved.

Along with acknowledging that momentous occasion, NBPC honored the memories of nine worshipers who were killed by a white supremacist in a mass shooting 10 years ago at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

The service also included the calling out of names of people who’ve died in recent years and leaders, such as the Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon and the Rev. Gayraud Wilmore, whose ministries have left behind a legacy for others to stand on.

“My brothers and sisters, we are here this evening because of the faithful, the tireless and the focused labor of those who have gone before us,” Heyward said. “Their ministry for us and on our behalf is what's causing us to be here tonight.”

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The Rev. Jerrod Lowry of the Presbytery of Coastal Carolina, left, stands with the Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward, NBPC president. (Photo by Rich Copley)

The powerful ministering of song by the choir included a rendition of “Oh, Freedom,” a traditional Negro spiritual, and “The Storm is Passing Over.”

Throughout the service, the audience was reminded of the conference theme, “Your Labor in the Lord is Not in Vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58). It was woven into various aspects of the service, including the sermon.

Heyward talked about the importance of galvanizing around spiritual growth and the need to create programs that not only meet the needs of church members but the neighborhoods around them as well.

Heyward also took on critics who’ve questioned whether the NBPC has lost its relevance.

“The caucus is not dying,” he said. “In no way shall we be discarding and starting over. Just look around you. … Do you see any dead people in the room?”

He then had everyone turn to their neighbor and say, “The caucus is not dead.”

However, it’s crucial that people do more than just talk the talk and that they pattern themselves after Jesus, he said.

Instead of focusing on one’s own agenda, remember the words of Paul, he said. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, we have a binding relationship. I charge you, he says, to stand firm. Let nothing move you. Not some of the time, but always give yourselves fully, not halfway.”

Earlier in the day, several awards were presented at the Lucy Craft Laney Awards Brunch. The winners were:

Innovation in Ministry Award

Recipient: The Rev. Jerrod Lowry; General Presbyter and Stated Clerk; Presbytery of Coastal Carolina; Elizabethtown, North Carolina

Drum Major for Justice Award 

Recipient: The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Advocacy Director for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Maria Fearing Award

Recipient: The Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley, Transitional Leader, Synod of the Northeast

Edler G. Hawkins Award

Recipient: The Rev. Dr. Danny C. Murphy; General Presbyter and Stated Clerk; Trinity Presbytery; Lexington, South Carolina

Lucy Craft Laney Award

Recipient: Elder Juanita Eldridge; Grace Presbyterian Church; Winston Salem, North Carolina

Lucy Craft Laney First Place Youth Scholarship Award

Recipient: Brooke Lesane-Howard, Trinity Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Presbytery of New Harmony

Darla Carter, Communications Strategist, Interim Unified Agency (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Peter Campbell, Team Lead Consultant, Information Technology Infrastructure, Administrative Services Group, A Corporation                                  
José Manuel Capella-Pratts, Global Ecumenical Liaison, Global Ecumenical Partnerships, Interim Unified Agency

Let us pray:

God of renewal and hope, let us humbly walk with you following the example given to us by Jesus Christ. Bless the leaders you send to inspire and encourage us on this walk as we go forth in your name. Amen.

Today in the Mission Yearbook - National Black Presbyterian Caucus hosts its first in-person conference since Covid

Caucus president: ‘The power of unity is something exceptional that we can all cherish together’

August 8, 2023

The Rev. Eustacia Moffett Marshall offers a message about 

divine disruption during the Pioneer Luncheon.

Enthusiastic energy filled the Compass Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel in North Charleston, South Carolina, recently as the 2023 conference of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (NBPC) commenced. While the national conference takes place biennially, this year’s event, called “A Gathering of Black Presbyterians,” was the first to be held in person since the pandemic began. A virtual gathering was held in 2021.

The theme for this year’s conference was “The Black Family in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): Navigating Identity, Equity, and Economics.” The scriptural focus was Psalm 133:1: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.”

The events kicked off with a rousing morning devotion featuring a reflection from the Rev. Lakesha Bradshaw-Easter and music from conference musician Dr. Tony McNeill. Bradshaw-Easter told conference attendees, “Presbyterianism is good, but it is Christ that connects us.” She encouraged participants to celebrate that they have “come this far by faith,” to remember those elders who taught them their faith, and to think of those to whom they will hand down faith.

Catherine Byrd and Alan Rousseau, bridge stated clerk and 

moderator, respectively, of Charleston Atlantic Presbytery, offer 

greetings on behalf of the presbytery to conference attendees.

This time of praise and worship was followed by an opening session of the NBPC to conduct business, including a welcome to Charleston from Elder Mary Porter of St. Paul Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, South Carolina, as well as from Charleston Atlantic Presbytery moderator Alan Rousseau and bridge stated clerk Catherine Byrd. Their comments celebrated Charleston’s large number of historic Black congregations, while also acknowledging the region’s troubled history regarding treatment of Black Americans as well as Native Americans.

“We cannot brag about our historic Black churches without acknowledging … the roots of these churches lie with enslaved people from Africa who were allowed to worship only at sufferance — consigned to cramped balconies of the white landowners’ churches or even expected to stand outside and listen at the door and peek in through the windows,” Byrd said. She went on to point out, “Black Presbyterians had to establish their own churches, many of which remain vibrant today.”

The opening session also included greetings from NBPC president the Rev. Dr. Charles C. Heyward, who also hails from Charleston Atlantic Presbytery. Heyward emphasized unity among Black Presbyterians and urged attendees to spend their time at the conference fully engaging in the content offered, getting tired and connecting with new people each day. Other reports were offered from Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries, the NBPC Finance Committee, the national membership chair, regional chapter development, Black Presbyterian Women, the nominating committee, and a representative for Young Adult and Youth. Valerie Young, the synod executive and stated clerk of the Synod of South Atlantic, also brought greetings.

At right, the Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, president and 

executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, and 

the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, the PMA’s director of advocacy, 

greet each other during the Pioneer Luncheon.

The Caucus declared 2023 “The Year of Reimagining and Church Growth” and the plenary sessions throughout this year’s gathering resonated with that commitment. Anisha Hackney, the human resources manager for the Administrative Services Group, offered the first plenary session, which focused on “reimagining.”

“What got us here won’t get us there,” Hackney said, urging churches to become more fully inclusive of LGBTQ people and others. One participant was met with hearty agreement when he pointed out that those with mental health struggles also need to be better included.

The Pioneer Luncheon featured the Rev. Eustacia Moffett Marshall as speaker. The message of Marshall, the senior pastor at New River Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, explored the need for holy disruption and the way that pioneers of Black Presbyterian faith like Maria Fearing and Lucy Craft Laney were disruptors.

The luncheon also recognized this year’s winners of the Lucy Craft Laney and Maria Fearing awards and honored Black Presbyterian mission co-workers, both past and present. Sheila Louder of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta was previously named as the 2023 winner of the Lucy Craft Laney Award, while Brooke Howard of the Presbytery of New Harmony was named as first-place winner of the Youth Lucy Craft Laney essay contest.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Cheryl Barnes, recently named Africa area coordinator for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, was awarded the Maria Fearing Award. Other mission co-workers recognized for their work included the Rev. Paula Cooper, the Revs. Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather, José Lamont Jones, the Rev. Ingrid Reneau Walls, Leisa Wagstaff and the Rev. Phyllis Byrd.

Layton Williams Berkes, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Today’s Focus: National Black Presbyterian Caucus

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Daniel Johnson, Facilities Technician, Building Services, Administrative Services Group (A Corp)
Susan Jackson-Dowd, Executive Director, Presbyterian Women

Let us pray

Gracious God, we plant and water the seeds, but you alone give the growth to our mission and outreach projects. Keep us faithful in our work in your vineyard that our labors may bear fruit and we may help others grow in the knowledge of your love and grace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.