Trinity Notes 2017 A newsletter of Trinity Episcopal Church An intentional Christian community of reconciliation transformation and love. From the Pastor In the dedication for the Play Area that is a part of the backyard project two ministers are mentioned: The Reverend Henry Mitchell from Trinity and The Reverend Theodore Ted Evans from St. Paul s Memorial. While many here at Trinity know of Henry Mitchell, Ted Evans is a bit of a ministry. Henry and Ted were friends and colleagues and often joined forces to help integrate many of the institutions in Charlottesville and the surrounding communities. I have reached out to Ted s family and others who had a connection to Ted Evans and I received the following story from The Reverend (Continued on page 2) Trinity Episcopal Church 12 1118 Preston Avenue, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Email: trinepch@ntelos.net Website: trinityepiscopalcville.org 1 Tel: 434.293.3157
(Continued from page 1) Bill Wood, who was influenced to go into the ministry because of Ted. Bill recently presented at an adult forum and sent me the following excerpt which included a story about Ted Evens that he used in that forum presentation. We see clear signs now of a nation divided in approaches, opinions, and solutions to the challenges before us. Our divisions did not begin with our recent election. We have lived during periods in which many have looked through shared confusion with anxiety and doubt toward our future as a civilized nation. For years after the Warren Court s decision of Brown v Board of Education, race was still the combustable subject in segregated Virginia. In 1956, The Byrd Machine adopted it s plan of Massive Resistance against the Federal Government. Total racial segregation in all facilities was our way of life that seemed to be enshrined. Trinity History Project One Sunday morning during our usual family service of Morning Prayer in St. Paul s, CharWe are looking for people interested in lottesville, I noticed that the rector was walking collecting and documenting the history down the long center isle toward the front door of Trinity Church! during one of the canticles. We all turned to see that the ushers (all male vestry members) were We will need writers, readers, those that blocking a black family from entering the worcan scan, video, or audio record, and ship service. The rector, The Rev. Dr. Theodore Evans, quietly asked the ushers to step aside, most important listeners! and he escorted the family to a pew. He then returned to the chancel to resume leadership of the service. It was a traumatic moment, we all Contact the office if you are interested in realized, that was to divide us. taking part in this project! Or sign up on Ted Evans, innately a gentle but committed pasthe bulletin board in the narthex tor, was openly and critically opposed by a majority of the vestry and congregation. Among (Continued on page 9) 2 11
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(Continued from page 2) The Church is the gathering of the called. It must be therefore the place where the Gospel is taught, heard and shared, especially wherever God s children are threatened by ignorance and injustice. - Bill Wood other hostile messages was one from the Governor of Virginia condemning the rector s rebellion and threatening his future standing in the Episcopal Church. Slowly, over the following eight years, his persistent witness to the costly ministry of Christ and the inclusive love of the Gospel captured more and more of us. Though almost fifty years my senior, he increasingly became my confidant and trusted friend. I was changed as gradually more and more were. When I spoke with Gertrude Mitchell the 97 year old widow of Henry regarding the dedication of the Play Area she was very pleased that Henry and Ted were remembered together. Their work together made a huge difference in Charlottesville and we continue with the vision they shared. A memorable sermon that characterized his influence upon many was based on Paul s assertion in Romans 8 that All things work together for good but only through those who insist on adding the rest of Paul s statement: to them who love God and are called according to his purpose. In Christ, Pastor Cass This play area is established for The praise and glory of our heavenly creator and in gratitude for the spirit filled lives and ministries of two tireless fighters for racial justice THE REVEREND HENRY MITCHELL Vicar, Trinity Episcopal Church 1958 to 1977 and THE REVEREND THEODORE (TED) EVANS Rector, St. Paul s Memorial Church 1947 to 1961 Dedicated on Trinity Sunday, 2017 4 9
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