Statement on the Black Caucus Spring Worship Service and Gathering

The executive council of the Black Caucus of New Hope Presbytery convened it’s annual spring worship service and gathering on March 16, 2008 at the Darden Alumni Center of Wilson, NC. The twelve (12) remaining African American congregations as well as its caucus constituents gathered to celebrate “the faith that our dark past has taught us”, to lift each other up on the “stony road we trod”, and to rejoice about the bright hope we have for ourselves and our communities.

We gathered around God’s word proclaimed by Dr. Antonia Lawrence, who directed us to “Celebrate a ‘New  Hope’”! And we responded to God’s word by honoring Dr. Byron Wade and Dr. Troy Janel Dixon for academic achievement in acquisition of their Doctorate of Ministry, Barbara Campbell Davis for sixteen years as executive presbyter, as well as St. Paul and Kathryn Epps for sixty-six years of ordained ministry and sixty-five years of marriage.

The Black Caucus of New Hope Presbytery is in the process of planning another worship service and gathering in December.

Respectfully submitted
Rev. Jerrod B. Lowry
Associate for Specialized Ministries
New Hope Presbytery