Healing and Hope for Our Times
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
An Evening with Archbishop Desmond Tutu…
On November 22, 2008, The Griot had the honor and pleasure of attending a special evening in support of The Tutu Institute for Prayer and Pilgrimage, and The Bishop’s Initiative on Reconciliation at the historic St. Paul’s Church in Baltimore. Old St. Paul’s as the church is affectionately called, was established in 1692 and enjoys a rich history incorporating the deep philanthropic roots of Baltimore along with early ties to the families of Benjamin Banneker, Johns Hopkins, George Peabody, John H.B. Latrobe, William Lloyd Garrison and other early citizens; some of whom were Quakers*.
African drums sounded the call to begin a procession of young dancers, choirs and clergy as they escorted Archbishop Tutu through the nave of the packed church. As I looked around the diverse congregation, recent historical events flooded my mind. This spring the Episcopal Church in Maryland elected its first African-American bishop. The United States of America, just two weeks prior to this event, elected the first
African-American president. These historic events were the opening of Archbishop Tutu’s homily.
The choral program included a combination of African and sacred songs, and Negro spirituals.
“I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth, at Bethlehem I had my birth.”
Archbishop Tutu referred to the prophet Jeremiah whose story teaches us that God valued us before we come into existence, and cared for us while we were in our mother’s womb. God plans our lives while our bodies are
still being formed, and he values us more highly than we value ourselves.
He also spoke of how Bishop Sutton, President-Elect Obama and others whose accomplishments parallel the Prophet Jeremiah are a catalyst for reconciliation and spiritual reformation. Archbishop Tutu also reminded us that we are one; we are our brothers and sisters.
“Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the Dance, said he, and I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.”
© 2008 Sharon Moore Stenhouse – All Rights Reserved
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* The Religious Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, is a movement that began in England in the 17th century. The word “Quaker” means to tremble in the way of the Lord. In its early days, it faced opposition and persecution; however, it continued to expand, extending into many parts of the world, especially the Americas and Africa.
