Episode 35: Talking about Absalom Jones and the Union of Black Episcopalians with the Hon. Steven Mullins
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Today our guest is the Honorable Steven Mullins, President of the Southern Connecticut Chapter of UBE (Union of Black Episcopalians) and Commissioner of Planning & Zoning and a Justice of the Peace in the city of West Haven. The Union of Black Episcopaliansis a successor organization continuing a tradition "of more than 200 years of Black leadership in The Episcopal Church." Locally, there is a chapter in Hartford and the Southern Connecticut Chapter which was formed in 2013, following the merger of the New Haven and Bridgeport Chapters. Steven is the chapter's first president following this merger.
The focus of the Union of Black Episcopalians is to serve as an organization of predominately Black clergy and laity that advocates for Black Episcopalians and commemorates the lives and ministries of Black saints in the Episcopal Church. |
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Steven was born in Glenwood, Alabama and came to Connecticut at the age of 5. Steve is an active member of the Holy Spirit, West Haven. He is married to Jean and they have two extraordinary children, both actors Nora and Christian.
We begin our conversation learning about Steven’s history with the Union of Black Episcopalians, beginning in 1966. His introduction to UBE was at a celebration at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford celebrating the feast day of Absalom Jones, which the church remembers on February 13, the first Black ordained Episcopal priest. Steven says the hallmark of his participation with UBE thus far has been the 2013 burial of Mr. Fortune, an enslaved man in Waterbury who died in 1798 and whose body was used for scientific research without the family’s nor Mr. Fortune's consent for years after his death. Steven, and the UBE Southern Connecticut chapter, helped arrange a wake at the Connecticut capitol and the burial at the Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury.
Steven shares that although The Episcopal Church does have a Black presiding bishop, and the Episcopal Church in Connecticut has had a Black bishop diocesan, there is still more work to be done. He says it is the goal of UBE to make the black Episcopal presence known in the church and to encourage more Black leadership — particularly lay leadership.
The Southern Connecticut chapter of UBE hosts a number of events, including their annual Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service and their Celebration of the feast day of Absalom Jones, which will be held at 3:00 p.m. on February 24, 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. Steven provides us with a “cliff note” biography of Absalom Jones, a full biography is available here.
Karin asks what Steven’s goals or dreams are for the future of UBE, to which he responds to make sure people of color are in leadership roles in the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in joining the Southern Connecticut chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, or learn more about what they are up to, Steven encourages you to email him at smullinsjpwh@aol.com or see their Ministry Network page.
We begin our conversation learning about Steven’s history with the Union of Black Episcopalians, beginning in 1966. His introduction to UBE was at a celebration at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford celebrating the feast day of Absalom Jones, which the church remembers on February 13, the first Black ordained Episcopal priest. Steven says the hallmark of his participation with UBE thus far has been the 2013 burial of Mr. Fortune, an enslaved man in Waterbury who died in 1798 and whose body was used for scientific research without the family’s nor Mr. Fortune's consent for years after his death. Steven, and the UBE Southern Connecticut chapter, helped arrange a wake at the Connecticut capitol and the burial at the Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury.
Steven shares that although The Episcopal Church does have a Black presiding bishop, and the Episcopal Church in Connecticut has had a Black bishop diocesan, there is still more work to be done. He says it is the goal of UBE to make the black Episcopal presence known in the church and to encourage more Black leadership — particularly lay leadership.
The Southern Connecticut chapter of UBE hosts a number of events, including their annual Martin Luther King Jr. memorial service and their Celebration of the feast day of Absalom Jones, which will be held at 3:00 p.m. on February 24, 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford. Steven provides us with a “cliff note” biography of Absalom Jones, a full biography is available here.
Karin asks what Steven’s goals or dreams are for the future of UBE, to which he responds to make sure people of color are in leadership roles in the Episcopal Church. If you are interested in joining the Southern Connecticut chapter of the Union of Black Episcopalians, or learn more about what they are up to, Steven encourages you to email him at smullinsjpwh@aol.com or see their Ministry Network page.
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In Christ and Coffee,
Karin & Alli
In Christ and Coffee,
Karin & Alli