Our Pauli Murray Conference

Breaking ground. Breaking convention. Breaking bread.

On All Saints Sunday, November 1, 2020, we lifted up our own saint, the Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray.  Some of today’s foremost voices in racial, gender, and social justice offered their insights into the phenomenon of her enduring relevance.  They addressed the question: How can the work of this advocate of the marginalized guide us through the tumult of our times in order to form a more perfect union communally and spiritually?

Murray had fiercely challenged social, political, and religious powers in the quest for equality for people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community. See how her legacy continues to speak to us in healing our broken world today.

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Introduction

The Most Rev. Michael Curry welcomes participants.  After quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (3:28):  “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus”, he identifies her essence:

Pauli Murray dared to believe this. She dared to believe to work to make it true. She dared to make the ideals of this American democracy true and dared to make the ideals of faith and the teachings of Jesus true, even when she did not see it for herself in her own time.

About Our Panel

Melissa Wood Bartholomew, Associate Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Harvard Divinity School and racial justice and healing practitioner (32:38)

The Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian at the National Cathedral, Dean of Episcopal Divinity School, and leader in womanist theology and racial reconciliation (44:46​)

The Rev. Dr. Cameron Partridge, openly transgender theologian and Rector of St. Aidan’s Church, San Francisco (21:35​)

The Rev. Dr. Yolanda Rolle, Episcopal-Anglican Chaplain at Howard University, moderator (15:38​)

Poems Read

  • ‘Ruth’ read by Dr. Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot (31:15​)
  • ‘Psalm of Deliverance’  read by The Rev. Canon Nan Peete (43:14​)
  • ‘Prophecy’ read by The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris (58:16​)

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Brianna Ellis-Mitchell of Orange County CA, who designed our publicity images. See more of her work at briannamitchelldesign.com and instagram.com/brnnmtchll.

Thank you to all who participated in “A Saint for All Saints: The Life and Legacy of The Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray.” Our planning team and many other helpers worked countless hours to make the program a success. Particular thanks go to Carolyn Beard, Mary Chitty, Mary Beth Clack, The Rev. Bob Greiner, The Rev. Pam Werntz, Jane Redmont, Elizabeth Richardson, Kerilyn Tacconi, led by our Jr. Warden Bill Margraf. Thank you also to our poetry readers, panelists, and moderator.

As panelist Kelly Brown Douglas said, “Pauli Murray challenges us to catch up with God.” We are freshly challenged and inspired to carry on her work of reconciling justice for all.