Grace Over Lunch Series
By Ms. Barbara H. Laurie, 7th Episcopal District
Grace Chapel AME Church in Beaufort presents the “Grace Over Lunch Series.” Its dual focus approach is offered each first and third Wednesday. The first half of the allotted time is devoted to a community service provider who introduces and presents the details of the community service. Time is allotted for questions and answers. The second half of the allotted time is devoted to a presentation on “Men of the Bible: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”
Designed for the “55 Forward”age group, participants have been informed, educated, challenged, and encouraged to share and discuss ways the Christian Church may address today’s good, bad, and ugly issues. Each session has consistently had 35-45participants representing Grace Chapel, other churches, and other denominations throughout the community. After a warm welcome and a hearty devotion, scheduled auxiliaries of Grace Chapel host and share lunch prepared and provided by their ministry team. Donations are accepted to help further the ministry.
Striving to remain current and offer services that are uniquely tailored and designed for those 55-years old and older, we went on our first day trip. The journey was less than 10 miles, departing from the Historic Grace Chapel, which is strategically located in the heart of the downtown historic district of Beaufort, South Carolina. Grace Chapel is a member of the South Carolina Conference, the “mother” conference of the Seventh Episcopal District.
The plan was deliberate. Established in 1858 and formally organized in 1869, Grace Chapel is celebrating her 150thanniversary. Much attention and notoriety through media and print are being focused on our area because of its centrality to the Reconstruction Movement (1865-1877). The final, official enactment by former President Barack Obama was the designation of many locations in Beaufort County as a Reconstruction Era National Monument and now the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.
Highlights and an overview of Grace Chapel’s rich history were presented by the Rev. Jeannine R. Smalls, Grace Chapel’s pastor. She chronicled the church’s history and the clear and prominent role it played during the Reconstruction period and continues to do so. Grace Chapel is the only AME Church in Beaufort.
Deemed a historic structure within the National Historic District, the church’s goal is to obtain the designation through the South Carolina Department of Archives. Initial steps have been taken.
A special presentation was given by the Rev. Kenneth Hodges, the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church. He is also a retired South Carolina House of Representative and longtime neighbor and friend. His presentation was entitled: “The African American Experience in the Sea Islands Pre & Post Civil War.” His detailed presentation enlightened and painted vivid portraits of the critical roles of Harriet Tubman and Robert Smalls, historical figures of local and national significance.
As we reflect, review, and take a fresh look at the history of the AME Church, let us challenge ourselves to look closely at historical dates and occurrences as reminders of the role the AME Church has consistently played in our communities, country, and the world.
Our legacy is rich. Bishop Richard Allen and Absalom Jones provided the impetus for social justice and social action. We have been strategically positioned. Let us not forget the role that our churches have played in our quest for freedom, equality, and social justice. Realizing that we cannot live on our laurels, we can stand with great pride and commitment to continue to “march on ‘til victory is won.”
